I posted this on page two of the thread, but I can lay it out better:
Using the Diablo II mercenary as an example, I want to suggestion having a cool single lackey that gets better as safeholds get better, instead of bringing the whole Monty Python entourage with me on my adventure (sorry Patsy).
For example, I propose that Safehold V comes with 10 initiate tokens. A fighter, rogue, cleric, ranger, (etc, one for every TD class).
For the purpose of this example, lets say I pick Cleric to be my companion. At the initiate level, for my cleric, I can choose:
Safehold V
Initiate Cleric
Damage wheel
1-2-3-4-5-6
Always Hits on a slid 15+
Abilities:
[ ]
Heal 8 points of Damage
Cast Bless
He can cast Bless in one room as an instant action (roughly UR power level), or heal 8 points of damage. Only 1 check box, so he is out of special abilities after using 1.
My initiate has a damage wheel, and can be slid in my puck (Similar to a spirit pet). He always hits on a 15+, as he is still learning, but since we are working on a team, he can hit even high AC if I'm distracting the monster.
Safehold IV
Now that I've upgraded to safehold IV, I can transmute my Cleric to an apprentice.
Apprentice Cleric
Damage wheel
2-3-4-5-6-7
Always Hits on a slid 14+
Abilities:
[ ]
Heal 8 points of Damage
Cast Bless
[ ]
Heal 12 points of Damage
Restore Spell (as scroll)
My Apprentice, like a Diablo II follower, has leveled up, can hit a little harder with a little more accuracy, and has gained a new ability tier. He can heal more damage, or restore a spell (similar to Carter's tome).
Safehold III
Now that I've upgraded to safehold III, I can again transmute my Cleric to a Journeyman, OR I could directly transmute him from an initiate at a higher materials cost (and save myself some back and forth shipping)
Apprentice Cleric
Damage wheel
3-4-5-6-7-8
Player Character gains +1 hit (full time hit buff to me. Let's say the Cleric is casting guidance or something similar on me every combat)
Abilities:
[ ]
Heal 8 points of Damage
Cast Bless
[ ]
Heal 12 points of Damage
Restore Spell (as scroll)
[ ]
Smite (add character +melee damage to Journeyman attack)
Prayer (as spell)
Divine Assistance (turn damage wheel to max after sliding)
I'm not set on the powers or anything, but this is an example of a kind of system would be much more interesting to me, and it would be dramatically less balance warping than lots of bigger numbers.