to Captain Fishpants:
Thanks for that detailed reply! I hadn't noticed this mix of effects in the original game for that retainer. I would NEVER have figured out your rationale
without your elucidation.
I do understand what you said, but it still seems a bit odd to me. ...so I would contend that it is perhaps somewhat less than as "straightforward" as you claim.

I'm sure it will be entertaining to see what you claim as 'interesting' mix of effects in any new retainers. But I am quite sure that I will indeed remain baffled by some of the NEW retainers if that is an good example of your thinking.

If they are that 'interesting', I'm sure I will begin to wistfully dream of finding a way of using them to sharpen the daggers of my assassins. As it is, I may have to continue to send them out with my more worthless generals (a la Uriah)

to lars573: You CAN move retainers around... just drag from the info scroll and drop on another general in the same stack.

cheers to all.