Besides the hypothetical hireable mercs, there are various [[NPCs]] to be found in the dungeons who will team up with your character for short durations. Players will find or rescue NPC warriors of various types, and some of these will tag along to help out, or give your character an [[Escort Mission|errand-style quest]], asking you to help them find the rest of their patrol.  These sort of NPCs can not be controlled; they fight with their own AI and you are unable to heal them or give them equipment to wear.There were several such quests seen in the Blizzcon 2008 and 2009 demos, and the function was first demonstrated with [[Deckard Cain]] and several NPC archers in the WWI 2008 gameplay movie. [[File:Follower interaction.jpg|frame|center|NPCs assist the Barbarian to rescue Cain.]]