Dragon's Dogma 2, like its predecessor, handles parties in a cool and novel way. Basically, there are soulless humanoid adventurers that can be summoned from across the rift, often created by other players. The main pawn can be customized by you, and the remaining two party slots can be filled with rentals.

Renting pawns gives players Rift Crystals (RCs), which can be used for in-game items or to hire pawns above their current level. As a bonus, players can send gifts back to their moonlighting companions. In case of resentment, a hunk of rotting meat can be used.

However, as discovered by a player on the game's subreddit (thanks, GamesRadar), your pawn may be rented out of pity to Capcom itself.

"You can tell if an actual player has rented your pawn by looking at their profile while viewing their pawn report. If the option is grayed out, it is a "fake player,"" user MrFoxer writes, linking to an FAQ on Capcom's website. Sure enough, the FAQ states:

"Your main pawn may return from a trip across the rift even if your pawn is not borrowed by another player. In this situation, you will only see the borrower's name and will not have access to their profile or other information."

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Now, MrFoxer is only half right. A grayed out profile may mean that the player has changed the "online pawn access" setting, as stated in the FAQ. In that case, the player's name will also be replaced by a dash. If you are seeing a grayed out profile with no name displayed", you may have received a payoff.

However, as several players in this thread have observed, there are still high level pawns with little or no rentals. Of course, this may be because "fake" rentals do not show up on pawn profiles, or it may be because these rentals are randomly distributed.

In any case, some players are hanging their heads as they realize that their pawns may have received the gift of pity out of pity. One player commented, "I received fake rent twice, once from "Chun li,"" while another lamented: "Are you telling me that there is a chance that no one will hire my precious Gorlok? Alyssen's unique mug for you.

Don't worry, Gorlok. I know you have a good heart. It says so on your status sheet.