Why are heroes free?

[Masquue]

From the introduction at the beginning, I know there are always heroes coming Hamlet seeking adventure and fame. But why is recruiting them free? Maybe it's the mechanism to always let the game go on, but it's just weird for me. In usual games, we spend money buying heroes; in DD, we exchange (free) heroes for money. Sometimes I have to pick some stranger heroes, throw them into a dungeon and let them die or dismiss them once they come back, which actually is not what I want.
Also, what role are we players playing in this game? Are we the children of the mansion owner in the starting movie because he mentioned something like "claim your birthright"; or the Caretaker which you can always see drinking or praying in the town?

[Loot Hunter]

Yes, in the game we are the heir of the dude who sent the letter.

Also note, that we actually provide heroes with place to rest, new weapons, even training. And since it's them who want the access to our mansion (to get loot, fame or doing that for higher cause like crusader) it's no unreasonable that they work for free.

[Masquue]

Originally posted by Loot Hunter:

Yes, in the game we are the heir of the dude who sent the letter.

Also note, that we actually provide heroes with place to rest, new weapons, even training. And since it's them who want the access to our mansion (to get loot, fame or doing that for higher cause like crusader) it's no unreasonable that they work for free.

Yah, seems like we are satisfying each other's needs, but only if the hero is in the players' main team. After all, it's the players who make the decision, being cruel or unnecessarily kind in this game. Nice explanation, thank you very much!

[No One]

I think of them as mercenaries, but the game calls them 'heroes'. They received the call to adventure, and the reason they show up at your hamlet is that they're answering. Ultimately they venture into the Dungeon as part of their own quest, not because you send them there. Hence, you don't have to pay them. They would go even if you didn't help out.

[Masquue]

Originally posted by No One:

I think of them as mercenaries, but the game calls them 'heroes'. They received the call to adventure, and the reason they show up at your hamlet is that they're answering. Ultimately they venture into the Dungeon as part of their own quest, not because you send them there. Hence, you don't have to pay them. They would go even if you didn't help out.

Thank, I think you mean almost the same with Loot Hunter, emphasizing heroes / mercenaries ' own intentions to go into adventure, which is why we don't pay them. Maybe we should call them loot hunters, haha.

[Justice]

I'm almost certain Ancestor sended letter to Reynald to claim his birthright and fix his father's mistakes

[PalmTree]

Originally posted by Justice:

I'm almost certain Ancestor sended letter to Reynald to claim his birthright and fix his father's mistakes

He sent the letter to the Heir, which is supposed to be the player as far as I can tell. I mean after all, the description of the first mission in the mission log says that Reynauld and Dismas "Successfully escorted you to the Hamlet" which pretty much confirms the Heir is the player.

[Vzzdak]

Quite certainly, these mercenaries are pocketing loot, on the sly. Sometimes they are brazenly open about this.

Mercenaries even go “missing” for a week or two, undoubtedly doing a little splunking as a side endeavor.

[PalmTree]

Originally posted by Vzzdak:

Quite certainly, these mercenaries are pocketing loot, on the sly. Sometimes they are brazenly open about this.

Mercenaries even go “missing” for a week or two, undoubtedly doing a little splunking as a side endeavor.

Considering that it takes a contingent of four fully trained heroes to even stand a chance out in the Estate, I heavily doubt any of them would be able to survive looting out there alone.

[Thaxlsyssilyaan]

Why would they need money for, you already buy them powerful weapon, full set of sturdy armor, you pay their drinking habit and their brothel, what else could they spend their money on? I think they already gain a lot by following your lead.

[Dragon]

If you have to pay for heroes, then they should actually be good. But given the fact that the heroes suck, they aren't worth paying for.

And moreover, why should you have to pay a fortune to use the facilities on your own property? That should certainly be free, given that you own all of those facilities.

[Thaxlsyssilyaan]

Originally posted by Dragon:

And moreover, why should you have to pay a fortune to use the facilities on your own property? That should certainly be free, given that you own all of those facilities.

You have to buy the beer for your tavern, you have to loan the prostitute for the brothel, you have to pay the medecine for the hospital despite owning the facility ect...

[PalmTree]

Originally posted by Dragon:

If you have to pay for heroes, then they should actually be good. But given the fact that the heroes suck, they aren't worth paying for.

And moreover, why should you have to pay a fortune to use the facilities on your own property? That should certainly be free, given that you own all of those facilities.

Every hero in the game is good. Some are certainly better than others, but every hero is good. If you think a hero is bad you're definitely using them wrong.

[Vzzdak]

Originally posted by PalmTree:

Originally posted by Vzzdak:

Quite certainly, these mercenaries are pocketing loot, on the sly. Sometimes they are brazenly open about this.

Mercenaries even go “missing” for a week or two, undoubtedly doing a little splunking as a side endeavor.

Considering that it takes a contingent of four fully trained heroes to even stand a chance out in the Estate, I heavily doubt any of them would be able to survive looting out there alone.

Slackers, all of them. When it's a group of four, they only put in a half-effort, making note of where to return for easy treasure.

[Skinny Pete]

Originally posted by Dragon:

If you have to pay for heroes, then they should actually be good. But given the fact that the heroes suck, they aren't worth paying for.

And moreover, why should you have to pay a fortune to use the facilities on your own property? That should certainly be free, given that you own all of those facilities.

And the worthless town crier and Caretaker (a hateful lunatic) both hog the facilities you own and refuse to let your heroes use them even when they don't need it and your hero is a gibbering lunatic from the stress.

Originally posted by PalmTree:

Every hero in the game is good.

Except Leper.

[Malu]

They are "free" from a game perspective, but the do not work for free. We offer them housing, food and facilities. We train them and arm them too, and they keep the stuff. I also like to think that in when in the dungeon they keep part of the loot they find, while Cleptomaniacs take all and don't try to hide.