Retainers appear to be free at the moment, and I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere that we'll need to pay for them in the future. They are intended to server as your character's bank as well as a sort of "fence" for your wares (they're the only way you can sell things on the market boards).
The only future plans I've seen mentioned for them were that you can customize their appearance (I believe as early as Phase 4), you'll be able to build a market stall at your home where you can set one up to work as a vendor, and it was even mentioned some time ago that they may at some point even be able to gather materials for you.
The only future plans I've seen mentioned for them were that you can customize their appearance (I believe as early as Phase 4), you'll be able to build a market stall at your home where you can set one up to work as a vendor, and it was even mentioned some time ago that they may at some point even be able to gather materials for you.
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