Wulfric and Sister Nella sit by the fire in Rue's tavern in Minoc. Hire one and they go down every door with you.
Hiring
Say "Wulfric, join me" (or Nella). Double-click your companion for orders: follow me, wait here, heal me, how are we?, go home. Or say it: "Wulfric, give me the heater", "Wulfric, loot that", "Wulfric, mount up".
A hired hand is paid 20 gold a descent; the first one together is free.
The bond
Deeds done together grow a bond: hired hand, comrade, friend, sworn. A comrade takes half the wage and never pockets a cut. A friend works for nothing, gives opinions when asked, and introduces a friend of theirs at the tavern: Wulfric knows Mira of Yew, an archer; Nella knows Alric the Lamplighter, a mage. A sworn companion never runs while you stand.
When one falls
A fallen companion stays fallen until a healer raises them: say "raise Wulfric" beside a healer and pay 150 gold. They come back with the bond and the memories, in a plain kit; their own things lie where they fell.
If you fall alone, Nella kneels by your spirit and raises you, and Wulfric carries your body back.