I am not sure if this will work but I plan to test it this weekend. Let me know if you agree with this plan or give ideas to make it better.
When I begin I will create my 8 characters. #1 reason for doing so is names will run out fast and a lot of the names I like to use are from books etc. After I create my characters I plan to take 6 of them to level 4-5 (the other 2 will be my main fighters that I don't want to waste crafting skill points on initially. Just enough to add the first skill points into crafting skills with the goal being getting 3 points in the Hirelings. 2 for Blacksmithing, 2 for Clothing and 2 for Woodworking. This will equal
1 Smith Hireling with three skill points - will send you more ore and possibly better items twice a day= for this example we will say a minimum 4 ore/items per day
I won't bother typing the same thing for the other smith hirling, the lumberjack hireling etc. You get the idea
Multiply that by 6 characters and you are looking at Hirelings stocking your account regularly at 24+ items per day!
This could be time consuming initially but I think the reward would be worth the initial time sink. Especially for those of us that plan to craft for a living initially.
If the guild likes this plan for the initial crafters to speed level and provide our folks with better gear faster, we could have guild members volunteer to feed us the iron and weapons to break down etc.
Flaws in the plan that I see so far.
To get a the Hireling skill you will need to level your craft to 3. I am not sure how long this takes. I will be figuring that out this weekend.
It may not be worth the initial time sink. You maybe be able to gather with 1 character just as fast
Your feedback is appreciated!
If you would like to join me this weekend I will be testing out this theory and would love to chat with people as I go.