I stole the idea for this from Valorik... thanks for being an inspiration

The idea is that my players are forced to let this young nobleman tag along until he gains enough experience to return home as a real man. I created these cards to represent his mechanics.

Looks great! Maybe you could print them as a single pdf for easier download?

Yeah I'll do that as soon as I get home. Any feedback on the mechanics is welcome!

I like it, and have been working my brains very hard, as to how I can give my group a "side-kick"...

Does Milfred have a default stance? I'm just wondering if there could be some kind of mechanic there, like at the beginning of every encounter roll to see if he is cautious or reckless. Or maybe if he is already stressed he is more likely to be reckless? Just a thought. Would you expect NPC's to target him in combat or is the only way for him to take wounds by the results lines on his card? Over all the whole idea is very compelling.

That portrait is excellent as well. From an online source?

~Fry

Cool, glad to be of help. I've stolen and pillaged from others here as well. Great community.

frycook said:

The idea is he only interacts with the world through the card. NPCs won't target him and he won't target NPCs.He will interact with the PCs through role playing of course, but in terms of mechanics that action card is how he's handled. That way he can add something to the game without anyone having t control him. He's doesn't have a standup either.

For the campaign we're about to start I can imagine the players aquiring several side kicks (for the property they may aquire). These NPCs will all have a special action card that can be rolled in certain situations to give a bonus to something.

The picture is a picture of a painting

PDF with all the cards.

Ideas for other side kicks:

Wood elf scout that can add to initiative and ranged damage.

Dwarf Smith who can add to melee damage and defense.

Merchant who can reduce prices and help find goods.

etc.

They would all just have an NPC card and a single action card. Some of them would be time specific like the nobleman and others would require salary or leave. Special conditions could be set for this too.

I wanted a very simple system for side kicks, where they could add to the group, give the players some real effects of their contacts, without anyone having to control the side kick. I think this system will work out and with just those two cards you can really do anything. Thanks again Valorik

I loved Valorik's original (hilarious) idea, and filed it away mentally under 'come back and re-read before stealing'. And now I love the card you've made. Makes it really easy to see how it could work in practice.