Chapter 17: Contractors for Hire
Hiring other Contractors, with part-time and full-time stat blocks, payment structures, supply duties, and reputation.
Other Contractors can be hired to fight, haul cargo, guard watches, or fill party gaps.
Part-Time Contractors
Part-time Contractors use simplified stat blocks. They have Constitution, Damage, AP, and Stat. They do not track Motivation, Pushing, full verbs, or Inspiration. When they hit 0 Constitution, they are down.
| Tier | Constitution | Damage | AP | Stat | Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fodder | 3-5 | 1-2 | 0 | 25-30 | 1 Scrip |
| Standard | 6-10 | 2-3 | 0-1 | 35-45 | 2 Scrip |
| Veteran | 10-15 | 4-5 | 2-3 | 50-60 | 5 Scrip |
Full-Time Contractors
Full-time Contractors use full character sheets. They have four Stats, Motivation, learned verbs, Inspiration, gear, Wounds, and advancement. They cost roughly double the daily rate of part-time equivalents.
Part-time Contractors do not roll on the Wound Table unless the Foreman wants them to become narratively important. They arrive with basic equipment and enough rations for the expected job unless the Foreman says otherwise.
Payment Structures
| Structure | Rule |
|---|---|
| Upfront | Discounted, paid before departure. |
| Half-and-half | Standard. Half before, half on return. |
| On completion | Premium. Paid after completion. |
If a part-time hireling's supplies are lost, stolen, consumed, destroyed, or exhausted because the job runs long, the party becomes responsible for feeding and equipping them. Full-time hired Contractors use full character rules and should be tracked more carefully, including rations, alcohol, gear repair, and Wound treatment.
Hired Contractor Supplies
Part-time hired Contractors arrive with basic equipment and enough rations for the expected job unless the Foreman says otherwise. This keeps hired help from becoming immediate bookkeeping before anything has gone wrong.
If the job runs long, supplies are lost, or events exhaust those rations, the party becomes responsible for feeding and equipping them. Neglecting hired help damages morale, loyalty, reputation, and future hiring access.
Reputation
Good treatment brings better workers, reduced rates, and loyalty. Betrayal escalates from local consequences to regional blacklisting.