NPCs hired to accompany players on their adventures go by many names, including hirelings, flunkeys, henchmen, meat shields, hired hands and toadys. I like to call them retainers for simplicity.
The retainers below are 60 of the 200 included in Gig Economy. If you like this sort of thing consider purchasing the full zine.
These retainers are intended as "un-classed" humans and provided here for your convenience and enjoyment. Retainers are ordered within each group by competency. #1 is a deadbeat loser, #20 is qualified and reasonably equipped.
These 60 retainers are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. I hope you can put them to good use in your own games and projects.
-Colin Sproule, Hurtleberry
These peasants rarely fight, but make excellent porters, torchbearers, door openers, and animal tenders. Level 0.
Fekla Cheeseweed
What an absolute mess. Likely hungover. Will try to sneak a few naps.
Rauf Broster
An uncomfortable, clumsy, ungainly, blundering ham-handed butterfingers.
Gary Ditchpig
Generally off-putting. You probably found them passed out in the gutter.
Brindle Milda
Snot-drenched. Coughs non-stop. Ears so clogged they can barely hear.
Herbert Louise
Fired from every job they’ve ever had. Usually on the first day.
Doozer
“I’m 9 years old, my family was eaten by wolves and I like the colour green!”
Guy Freeday
Audible sighs are their speciality. “Are we still looking for treasure?”
Cleder Lacroy
Never prepared. “Can I have a sip of your water? Got an extra bedroll?”
Finlay Uptop
Energetic little bugger. Won’t shut up. Will answer rhetorical questions.
Wenn Cotter
“Did I not mention I was cursed? My bad!”
Becca Bluetongue
Mute and illiterate. Happy to join you. Expect lots of pointing and hand-waving.
Mani Grell
Will try to be friends with everyone. The more you resist, the harder theytry.
Tegan Kraftensew
Homemade clothing that walks a fine line between artistic and offensive.
Zabul
Undeserved confidence. “Nothing is impossible for the great Zabul!”
Bean
Confused about the nature of the work agreed upon. “What’s with the swords?"
Gopaa
By and large unphased by requests no matter how outrageous. “It’s a livin’.”
Craig
Fully content to do anything you ask of them regardless of the danger.
Maurice Kitchener
Makes a mean stew and a fine pie. Always volunteers to cook for the party.
Pickles
Well-spoken child. Calls party members “teacher” from time to time.
Kali
Confident. Brave. Scrawny. Wants to be an adventurer!
Not experienced, but willing to take some risk. Easy to find anywhere people have settled. Level 0.
Just Ian
“Why yes I am Ian! Oh… No, not that Ian. Yes, I’m sure. Sorry to disappoint.”
Sevi Capper
Hat maker. Not all there but can follow simple instructions.
Loren Ipson
Speaks in a weird language no one understands. Total dummy.
Ernuf Malva
Local builder. A few bricks shy of a load. Calloused hands and feet. Shoeless.
Daw Brewster
If you had a particularly revolting ale recently it was probably brewed by Daw.
Leon
Can be heard muttering “I used to be an actor” during arduous tasks.
William Penrose
Bird watching fanatic. Doesn’t know their names but will point them out.
May O’Gara
Soup and stew enthusiast. Saving up to open “May’s Souper Bowl”.
Hafren Grove
Agrees to join you as long as they don’t have to hurt any animals.
Irmel Sauter
Local gossip. Always putting their nose in other people’s business. Chatty.
Brice Niblett
Total suck-up. “Boy golly I never seen adventurers so brave as you!”
Sandy Honeyman
Local beekeeper struggling to keep their business afloat. Sharp wit.
Gwennol Ratter
Everyone in the area knows to call on Gwennol when you have a rat problem.
Angwen Koivista
Angsty teenager looking for work to escape their “super lame” parents.
Callum Rivers
Artisanal candle maker and big time dreamer. Overly confident in others.
Lauretta Bester
Lost their entire herd in a bet. Working to buy each animal back one by one.
Maren Henty
A busybody who sees adventure as just another opportunity to tinker.
Stormin' Norman
Jolly, loud, and loves to laugh. Personal space is a foreign concept.
Kensa Pond
Local stable person and messenger in training. Favours all with horses.
Ian the Admired
Their name precedes them. Sought after. “Never fear, Ian is here!”
While not trained, they possess adventuring-adjacent experience and are willing to take higher risks. Level 0.
Hutch Eggmen
Very dirty. Smells of cabbage. Badly wants to join your party full-time.
Tad Malpass
Lazy S.O.B. Requires creative motivational techniques.
Romana Mayberry
Herb-peddler and fortune teller. Good at neither. Not good at much actually.
Nerth Burler
Knows a lot about textiles. Doesn’t know a thing about fighting or exploring.
Ada Thornley
Recently de-programmed member of local cult. Mind wanders often.
Pawly Woolman
That hat… What an incredible hat! Best hat you’ve ever seen.
Tudwal the Thick
Unwashed, snaggletoothed, foul-mouthed, belligerent oaf.
Richard the Peeler
What's up with their skin? It’s not contagious but it sure ain’t pretty.
Padarn Hullet
Overly accommodating and annoying. "I can’t afford to lose this job!”
Sally Dougan
Talks a big game about their adventures but has literally never left town.
Davy Mustard
Saving up money to travel home to the family farm for good this time.
Chort Wilding
Willing to do pretty much anything. No one knows how they’re still alive.
Jayaa Orgill
Why are they already covered in blood? Where are their shoes?
Derwa Cripps
Pretty sure you’ve never seen thicker curls on a head in your life.
Eleri Swift
Light on their feet, even lighter on cash. May or may not be wanted by officials.
Zer Oyono
Tired look on their face. Blistered hands. Boot soles worn through.
Glen Farrow
Respected by locals for their work ethic. Has a ridiculous farmer’s tan.
Blodwen Moggs
Speaks in a whisper. Gruesome scar runs the length of their neck.
Alan Gribel
Just trying to provide for their family. Doesn’t want any trouble.
Okara Camara
Speedy. Will rush anything if given the chance. “Time is money!”