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B/X Hiring Retainers

Moldvay Basic (1981) · Hiring · Loyalty · Morale
Hire a Retainer
Retainer Loyalty
Morale
CHR
10
Charisma Score
None
Reaction Adj.
DM Adjustment
Offer / Reputation
No adjustment
The Roll
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+
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=
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Roll to see if the offer is accepted.
Reference
Retainer Reactions — 2d6 + CHR Adjustment
2d6 RollResult
2Offer refused; −1R*
3–5Offer refused
6–8Roll again
9–11Offer accepted
12Offer accepted; +1MT†

* A roll of 2 means reactions of other retainers in the same area are adjusted by −1. The retaining character should be cautious about attempting to hire more in that location.

† A roll of 12 means that retainer's morale is adjusted by +1 above the normal CHR-based score.

The DM may adjust the roll by +1 or +2 for very good offers, or −1 or −2 for poor offers or bad reputation.

CHR
10
Charisma Score
4
Max Retainers
Hiring Bonus
Enthusiastic Hire
Service & Treatment
Morale Modifier
No adjustment
Loyalty Roll

Roll 2d6 equal to or under the retainer's Morale score. Base loyalty comes from employer CHR, adjusted by hiring enthusiasm and treatment.

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+
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=
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7
7
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Roll to test loyalty.
Reference
Base Loyalty & Max Retainers by CHR
CHRMax RetainersLoyalty (Morale)
314
4–525
6–836
9–1247
13–1558
16–1769
18710

Retainers make loyalty checks when asked to perform dangerous or unusual tasks, when their employer is killed, or at the end of an adventure.

Starting Morale
Base Score Enter starting morale (e.g. Goblin 7, Troll 10). CHR adjusts the final score.
CHR
10
Charisma Score
7
Final Morale
Morale Check

Roll 2d6 equal to or under the Morale score to hold. Checks trigger on first casualty and again when half the group is defeated.

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+
--
=
--
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Roll to check morale.
Reference
Sample Monster Morale Scores (B/X)
CreatureMoraleCreatureMorale
Kobold6Orc8
Goblin7Troll10
Skeleton12Dragon10
Zombie12Ogre10

Undead and mindless creatures always have Morale 12 — they never check. A Charisma leader bonus applies to retainer morale scores, not to monster morale.