ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

Could be interesting to have the option to hire a mercenary as a team member. They should level from experience, but the experience granted should be modified (maybe somewhere between 45%-49% of the total experience a piece), and they should allocate their own stat and skill points. You should be able to equip them, but any equipment you give to them becomes theirs and can't be returned later. Maybe you stumble upon a random event on the world map after Dreadfall that, if you're successful, it opens the mercenary guild to you. Maybe generate a list of like five level 25/30 mercs with randomized class/race/gender/stats/skills/etc. It should cost a hefty amount to hire them initially, and there should be an upkeep cost (x gold per in-game day, for example). If the merc you choose dies, none of the others want to work with you (too dangerous). You can release the merc from your party, but only on the world map (would prevent people from dismissing the merc just before they die). If you can't afford the upkeep, the merc will leave and return to the guild. You can then rehire the same merc later, or a different one, by paying what was owed (plus interest) plus another upfront fee.

A zone in Embers has mercenary type helper, so i think one could build an add on from this code perhaps...