I started this game today and I have a few of questions:
1- How do I start working on my slaves? Every seduction attempt fails and the activities don't seem to do much either.
2- How do I reliably increase my stats? I don't seem to get any for winning fights but losing one or even getting hurt during a win costs me 2 dextery. The training option gives 2 a day tops if I'm very lucky but at this rate it's gonna go down to 0 before going up.
3- How do I get a 4th mercenary? I have ansel, peasant and the girl from the bar. I found one more but his contract is too expensive I'm looking for a cheaper one.
Prologue:I have played this game many months and several years in game-time. In addition I tend to read what the smart folks here and there have written about their game-styles and their observations about slave-handling, among other things. That is why I expect I could have some answers for you IN CASE you'd bother to depart of some details about your MC and the traits of those slaves you are planning to use for your game. I'd like to know something about your personal game-style as well, since it means worlds to you and has lots effect on the type of decisions you probably make with your game.
In general answers are based on given info. There is also a funny rule concerning the quality of answers in correlation with the quality of information included in questions. I think you know precisely what I am trying to express with this.
Ref. your questions above:
1- Deciding from description you either start working on your slaves wrong OR quite right in principle, but too early (!). Expecting the fresh slaves immediately behave nice and obediently is unrealistic in most cases. Much interaction is usually needed to get them do right things and there are several different choices to pushing gently or violently them in correct direction. Some things suit well, some not at all and so on - depending on the traits of those slaves, their personalities, will power etc. AND the current skills of your MC. For example with your MC having (very) high charm you can expect sweet response relatively soon. With low charm you need much more patience OR know how to give a good scare every now and then and so on. This very long topic here on this site is full of excellent advice and detailed spoilers about bonding, whipping and more in case you are interested. There are more on discord, fx.
What is less explained is 'the high road' solution, that some players - me included - use with 'tough cases'. Treat them well, ask if they are OK, take them to dinners, show them the stars - weather allowing - discuss there, watch TV together with them, make jokes (preferably successful ones), let them tag along when you fight (to let them slowly gather respect), hunt, fish and so on. Give nice trinkets every now and then and let them slowly understand that you are the best master they will ever find. There are whores with their fake smiles enough, so you don't need to use slave for sex earlier then 'reasonable'.
2- Most fresh players expect fast success with whatever they try to do in game. The game 'expects' them to fail first - or so it looks to me - so there is some tension between expectations. In case you wish for instant gratification, start cheating and in case you are not satisfied with small cheats go big. If you like to do it 'right', prepare yourself for slow going and avoiding many good but risky fights in the beginning in order to grow your MC:s and teamsters skills painstakingly slowly but knowing that game is supposed to consist of grind and also occasional failures. Train when you can, hunt, fish, gamble and fight when you can't train otherwise. To put this short, have patience. Save before risky choices.
3- I think your question includes the answer. Grind for money, either taking risks or some safer and slower way. Hire them when you can afford them - if you even need them. Since mercs turned to assids, I mostly avoid them and pay more attention to slaves and their needs. Think it as stupidity, fetish, choice, game-style or something like that, but IMHOP entertaining issids is just waste of my MC:s time.
