Retainer Vocate and Summoning Bell in Final Fantasy XIV
Screenshot by Destructoid

How to hire a Retainer in Final Fantasy XIV

Let someone else lighten the load (of your inventory)

If you’re looking to make a little bit of money on the Marketboard or simply want some more storage space to avoid your inventory filling up in Final Fantasy XIV, you’re definitely💛 going to need a retainer𒅌 or multiple. Here’s how to get them, including how extra retainers work. 

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Hiring a Retainer in FFXIV doesn’t only bring with it access to the Marketboard or extra storage – hiring a Retainer and training them up through ventures will allow them to head out on their own adventures, returning with materials or items which can then be used or sold. Don’t worry if this all sounds a little daunting, I can help you figure it out. 

How to hire a Retainer in Final Fantasy XIV

The Retainer Vocate options in Final Fantasy XIV
Screenshot by Destructoid

Before you can hire a retainer in FFXIV, you’ll need to have completed the level 17 MSQ quest “The Scions of the Seventh Dawn.” Then you’ll be able to pick up the side quest, “An Ill-Conceived Venture”, which unlocks Retainers. You must do this side quest in the same city state in which you started (Limsa Lominsa, Gridania or Ul’dah). 

The quest is alwꦑays given by an NPC called Troubled Adventurer and can be found in the following location in each state:

  • New Gridania (X:11.8, Y:12.2)
  • Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:9.0, Y:11.2)
  • Ul’dah – Steps of Nald (X:9.3, Y:8.7)

O𝓡nce you’ve completed this quest, you’re free to hire a Retainer by talking to a꧂ Retainer Vocate in one of the major city states:

  • Parnell in Old Gridania (X:14.6, Y:9.3)
  • Chachabi in Ul’dah – Steps of Thal (X:13.3, Y:9.7)
  • Frydwyb in Limsa Lominsa Lower Decks (X:8.3, Y:11.7)
  • Prunilla in The Pillars, Ishgard (X:8.1, Y:10.9)
  • Kazashi in Kugane (X:11.6, Y:12.1)
  • Misfrith in The Crystarium (X:10.4, Y:13.1)
  • Tanine in Old Sharlayan (X:12.6, Y:10.8)

You can only hire two Retainers by defau𓃲lt, but there are ways to add more retainers if you’re in need of extra space.

How to get extra Retainers in Final Fantasy XIV

If 💙you’rไe wanting more than two retainers, you can do one of two things:

  • Download the FFXIV Companion App (on or ) and upgrade to premium, which provides one extra Retainer
  • Purchase extra Retainers (up to seven) via the

Retainers p🌳urchased through the MogStation cost $2 USD per month per retainer. 

How to use a Retainer in Final Fantasy XIV

The Retainer menu in Final Fantasy XIV
Screenshot by Destructoid

Once you’ve hired a retainer, you’ll be asked to design them using t🐲he Character Creation menu that you used to create your own character, then give them a name. Once this is done, you can access the Retainer service by interacting with any Summoning Bell. 

Once you do this, you’ll have t♍he following o♔ptions:

OptionWhat it means
Entrust or withdraw itemsOpens the retainers inventory, allowing you to transfer items from your own inventory for storage. Total storage of 175 items or stacks.
Entrust or withdraw GilTransfer Gil from your own pockets to the Retainer. Any Gil earned from items sold through a Retainer will automatically go here.
Sell items from your inventoryOpens your inventory, allowing you to sell items on the Marketboard.
Sell items from your Retainer’s inventoryOpened the Retainer’s inventory, allowing you to sell items on the Marketboard.
View sale historyAllows you to see a record of all recent items you’ve sold on the Marketboard.
Assign classAssign a class to your Retainer, allowing them to go on different types of venture. You must have a level 1 weapon or tool in your inventory to assign a class to a Retainer. 
Assign ventureSend your Retainer out on their own adventure. They will come back with items.
View reportFind out what happened on a venture which has concluded.
View retainer attributes and gearDisplays a character screen for the Retainer, allowing you to equip gear or weapons.
Reset Retainer classRemoves a Retainer’s class, allowing you to assign a different one.
Assign Retainer JobCan only be used when a copy of Modern Vocation has been purchased from a Retainer Vocate for 40 Ventures. Equips Retainer with a Soul Stone.  

Retainer ventures in Final Fantasy XIV

Quick Exploration as a Retainer venture in Final Fantasy XIV
Screenshot by Destructoid

In order to send your Retainer out on ventures, you’ll need to stock up on some of the currency required, which is also called Ventures. These can be obtained in a variety of ways, such as with Wolf Marks, GC Seals or in return for certain types of Tribal Quest currency.&༺nbsp;

Depending on the class or Job applied to the Retainer, the options given when assigning a venture may vary, but in general, there are three differen💝t types of venture to which a Retainer can be assigned:

  • Job specific (Hunting, Mining, Botany or Fishing)
  • Field Exploration (Usually takes 18 hours, costs 2 Ventures)
  • Quick exploration (after the Retainer reaches level 10, takes one hour, costs 2 Ventures)

While Field Exploration ventures take a lot of time to complete, they’re excellent in terms of helping your Retainer level up as they rewa🍒rd far more experience. However, Quick Exploration ventures allow you to gain more items, including gear, much more quickly.


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Paula Vaynshteyn
With her first experience of gaming being on an Atari ST, Paula has been gaming for her entire life. She’s 7,000 hours deep into Final Fantasy XIV, spends more time on cozy games than she would care to admit, and is also your friendly resident Whovian. Juggling online adventuring with family life has its struggles, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.