About one percent of the 6,000 NPCs (non-player characters) are endowed with exceptional abilities. If you find one of these one percenters, recruit them right away. Some may have low loyalty ratings, but as long as you can hold on to them they can render you sterling service. Most are warriors, but some are religious personalities (Joan of Arc was one), scholars (including lawyers) and healers (as opposed to doctors, who will often do more harm than good).