Hiring peons to do what your characters don't have time to do might be a game changer or just add some spice to your campaign. Once a character gets beyond the first few levels they start making a name for themselves and making money to hire people to do what they just don't want to do. Here are some things to keep in mind.
1) Hirelings should never be higher level or more powerful then the PCs. In fact, they should only be 1st or 2nd level if they are just typical hirelings. Mages and bodyguards might be exceptions to this rule, but you never want the hirelings to outshine the player characters.
2) While you don't want them running around with a troop of hirelings, don't make it impossible to have them. Make the prices reasonable, but not cheap. Have the hirelings want to be treated well and have food provided for them. They aren't there to roll over, just add to the party.
3) Give them personalities. In the original published Hackmaster there was a roll for perks depending on your status in life. One of my characters had the fortune of gaining bodyguards. Two in fact. Warrick and Paxton. Just giving them names and a small description added life to them, then my husband, (who was GM), made them annoyingly protective, which just made them even more likable. Nothing like giving a hireling a little life.
4) Don't let your players overdue it. Even if they an afford an army of hirelings, don't let them have it. The campaign is supposed to be about the players, not their army of hirelings.
Happy Gaming!
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