Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes - Part 4: Redthroat Ridge Sidequest (Mellore, Kuroto, Yume)

You run into Mellore in the city, but you must do this sidequest to recruit her. We must cross the ridge and fight the monster at the end of it, which has a minor gimmick to it. I don't know how you tell with certainty where the monster will pop up so you can hammer it down, but if someone tells me in the comments, I will pin it.

Upon defeating the monster, Mellore joins the team and we can finally change her equipment. If you fought 3 wild boars as you travel through here, Kuroto will join you when you go back and talk to him. Finally, if you talk to Yume's grandmother after clearing the area, you can come back to find Yume and her friend, the first of the "large" party members you are able to recruit.

To my knowledge, this is the extent of the early recruitments, so we will need to move the story forward a bit before more come up for grabs. Still, we are making good progress I think.