Hey all, quick question as see in the title: Do henchmen get a cut of the profits of Mercantile Ventures? Reading the book, they get an *XP* share of 50% of the profits, but as far as I can tell, they don't seem to get a cut of the actual profit unless they also were an investor (at which point they'd get a share equal to the PC's).
Also, does their monthly wage count against the profits of the Venture? Logically they're just better mercenaries so it would make sense to me personally.
I would apply their monthly wage against the costs of the Venture, yes, at least pro rata. (E.g. if they get paid a monthly wage but the Venture is a one-week trip, just apply 1/4 of their cost).
They do not get a share of the Venture unless the player character and henchman negotiated for that. Any deal terms are possible. The ones in ACKS are just standard/generic.
I imagine it will be more a question of whether that PC wants that henchman to level up. making them a partner gives them a crack at mercantile XP, whereas just paying their monthly wages saves all the XP for the PC.