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THE DARK DM
Acolyte
USA
6 Posts |
 Posted - 04 May 2009 : 22:52:44
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Soon I will be taking part in a high-powered campaign set in the realms. This campaign will use the point-buy generation method with 36 points for stats, also we will begin play at 4th level and we can play whatever race we want as long as it can be done with 4 character levels. Also gestalt characters are being considered. This game will be a "round-robin" game and eventually every player will act as a DM. My dilemma is this...what to do with my PC while DMing. I don't want to steal the spotlight with my PC/NPC while DMing and the whole "my guy got kinapped again" is gonna get old real quick. I think my best option is to make a PC that can disappear at key moments or is prone to disappear at odd times and set the stage before I ever DM, that way when my turn to DM comes around I won't have to suddenly explain where the 6'6"/280lb Barbarian disappeared to. In a nutshell what I need is a PC/NPC that can save the PC's bacon when necessary but that can also disappear at key moments as not to steal away roleplaying and heroic opportunities from said PC's. Any suggestions.
Mod edit: moved from the Welcome section. 
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DarkDM |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 04 May 2009 23:12:10
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Nerfed2Hell
Senior Scribe
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 01:37:23
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I've handled this situation before by keeping my character around, but don't make active decisions. Have your character become quiet and introspective for whatever reason during your stint as the DM... this keeps his combat ability available to the group.
Let the other characters in the group make requests (tactical suggestions, roleplay, whatever) and don't allow your character to gain sudden doubt because you as the DM see a potentially harmful situation (trapped door, high CR monster in disguise, or whatever)... but retain the power to veto obvious suicidal recommendations (such as charging solo at the colossal red dragon or trying to climb into the sphere of annihilation after your character is aware of what it is).
It'll feel a little tricky at first, but you get the hang of not treating your own PC specially by going to the other extreme... and when you find a balance, you'll be able to use your character more actively without favoring it over the other players' characters or completely pushing your's into the background. |
Some people are like a slinky... not good for much, but when you push them down the stairs, it makes you smile. |
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Nerfed2Hell
Senior Scribe
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 01:42:14
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| Or, if you really REALLY need to make him go away... give him a family or some detailed backstory featuring your barbarian's tribe or whatever. Then just have him called away from for important family/tribal business that cannot be ignored. |
Some people are like a slinky... not good for much, but when you push them down the stairs, it makes you smile. |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 02:06:19
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| I had this issue once: I made my PC a Harper- that may not work for your Bbn, but maybe membership in some other group that not only require his attention from time to time, but are magically powerful enough to teleport him away when they need him. |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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THE DARK DM
Acolyte
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 02:43:22
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| The Bbn is really just an example. I'm pretty mucy open to any Class/Race. The Harper agent has some real appeal...such a PC would be quite a source for adventure ideas. |
DarkDM |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 04:09:23
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| Ok, then, there you go. I (personally) hate the Harper PrCs, but then again, you don't need to have the PrCs to be a Harper! |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 17:27:19
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| Sometimes people don't show up for things. If you're not in the X-Men, it's okay to miss a mission from time to time to deal with personal problems, endulge curiousities, pay your taxes to the local magistrate, make a large purchase in private, visit Silverymoon on vacation, etc. Best of luck with the 'round-robin' DMing! |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 17:47:52
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I had a huge response here, with two examples I have done personally, and several ideas.
However, this site is acting wonky again, and this is the third post in a row that it 'ate'.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 18:02:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I had a huge response here, with two examples I have done personally, and several ideas.
However, this site is acting wonky again, and this is the third post in a row that it 'ate'.
Yes, I noticed it too... |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 19:04:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I had a huge response here, with two examples I have done personally, and several ideas.
However, this site is acting wonky again, and this is the third post in a row that it 'ate'.
Yes, I noticed it too...
Not to thread-jack, but I've been having CRAZY issues with the site. I'm using Firefox or Chrome... are ppl using explorer having better luck? |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 19:12:10
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I'm using explorer and have had no issues thus far.
The Dark DM - any idea of which way you're going to go with your PC? |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Ghost King
Learned Scribe
USA
253 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 20:43:12
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| I am using explorer and was having trouble an hour or so ago, but right now it is fine. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 21:12:39
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| I generally use IE7, and other than a bit of time this morn, I've not had any issues with the site. That one time, it simply refused to load -- but it came up fine when I tried again, a couple minutes later. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 21:16:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Knight of the Gate
I had this issue once: I made my PC a Harper- that may not work for your Bbn, but maybe membership in some other group that not only require his attention from time to time, but are magically powerful enough to teleport him away when they need him.
Here are three things I've done when players have been unable to play for a period (summer abroad, family commitments, etc.).
-A gnome mage recieves a letter requesting that she come immediately to deal with the estate of her father, a jeweller. With no other family member's present, the significant estate may be seized upon by greedy local lords.
-A dwarf/wereraven priestess is invited to join the New Moon Pact, secret Selunite organization devoted to the destruction of evil lycanthropes. She is called away for a time of training and induction into the organization. Thereafter her duties to the Pact (like the Harper idea) can be used to call her away.
-A character is a plane-shifter unable to adequately control their shifts. There are periodically pulled into other planes; sometimes at the most inopportune moments.
P.S. I always "copy" my longer messages before I send them. |
Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
Edited by - Afetbinttuzani on 05 May 2009 21:18:11 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3243 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 21:29:20
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Ashe Ravenheart isn't quite a 'Chosen' of Mielikki, but he is an agent. Unfortunately for him, this means she sends him where he's needed, when he's needed.
In my adventuring career as Ashe, he has 'popped' in to Undermountain, other worlds and, most recently, Candlekeep itself. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 21:50:30
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Everyone's given good suggestions--I just wanted to weigh in on my favorite PC-removal trick: personal business. He's called away to take care of a family matter, or an investment's not paying off the way it should, or something like that.
One trick to giving it verisimilitude (and adding to your game) is to have your character write or send messengers or cast sending spells (easy to handle with you as the DM) to let the others know what's going on with you, or offer helpful advice if they need it, etc., etc. Remember, the PCs are supposed to be great friends/life companions (or at least they're the best allies they've got), so it stands to reason they'd be interested at least nominally in what's going on with one of their own.
Also, your disappeared character is still developing, even if he's *taking a break*, so it's reasonable that he continues to gain experience and remains comparable with the rest of the band (depending on how you guys work that out--it just gives you a likely story to tell, i.e., "while you guys were off fighting that dragon, I was saving my hometown from a marauding orc horde; wanna see my cool scars?").
Also, the interlude needs to have some sort of lasting effect. It doesn't have to have mechanical effects (i.e. extra power or equipment), but it should influence role-playing and possibly be a source of some new adventures.
If your character comes back just the same as he always was, people are going to groan and be pushed out of the story.
However, if he comes back rich (or broke), or sporting a red-dragon-style sun tan, or (my favorite) married and on the run from his new wife, that's a whole new story to tell.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 22:11:41
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| I would hesitate to have the PC do anything 'adventure-worthy' on his break, as it will cause you to have to deal with changes made during said adventure once gaming gears back up. I would recommend having them do something fairly mundane, but relevant to the character. |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2009 : 15:29:35
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[agree with Arion]
You could certainly have your character have *encountered* a new threat, which could turn into another adventure (i.e. orcs are invading my hometown, come help!). In this way, your PC serves as the hook for the next in the chain.
Whatever you do, make sure you consult with the next DM in the lineup. See if you can help set the stage for his/her game.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2009 : 17:10:27
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quote:
Originally posted by THE DARK DM
My dilemma is this...what to do with my PC while DMing. I don't want to steal the spotlight with my PC/NPC while DMing and the whole "my guy got kinapped again" is gonna get old real quick. I think my best option is to make a PC that can disappear at key moments or is prone to disappear at odd times and set the stage before I ever DM, that way when my turn to DM comes around I won't have to suddenly explain where the 6'6"/280lb Barbarian disappeared to.
I would make a half-orc barbarian, or a half-elf, or someone who was different to their childhood background. Then make your character suffer from manic depression. Some times (when you're playing him or her as a PC) he/she is active, participates and takes the initiative. Other times, he is withdrawn, doesn't give a damn, may act on the orders of others (i.e. he's an NPC.)
That's one suggestion.
Another suggestion is to make him or her planar creature (e.g. Star elf), at times he or she is pulled back to their plane. Maybe he or she is a ghost (Is there a sourcebook called Ghost-touched?Edit: Ghostwalk). Or maybe they are very religious and have to perform penance for their actions.
You could have some fun with this, I'm sure. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
Edited by - Kiaransalyn on 13 May 2009 17:59:30 |
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2009 : 17:16:44
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Another suggestion is to give the character a vice. Perhaps they like the beer too much? Maybe they get some gold, visit a brothel and stay there for a few days. Maybe they're a drug addict?
Or you could make the character have a dual personality (schizophrenic?). Expanding on that idea, why not have the character be a conjoined-twin? Their other twin didn't grow and is actually inside them. Maybe this other consciousness has a bizarre influence.
Like I say, lots of fun to be had. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2009 : 17:51:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
Another suggestion is to make him or her planar creature (e.g. Star elf), at times he or she is pulled back to their plane. Maybe he or she is a ghost (Is there a sourcebook called Ghost-touched?). Or maybe they are very religious and have to perform penance for their actions.
You could have some fun with this, I'm sure.
Taking it a bit further... Perhaps all of the PCs have some mysterious patron (who may or may not be the same for each PC). When a PC has to "fall out" because their player is DMing, then the patron has magically summoned the PC for some specific mission. This mysterious mission shouldn't provide the PC with any material benefit, but it should give them the same amount (or slightly less) XP as the playing PCs get.
In fact, you could expand that out, even further. Multiple patrons, working towards multiple goals... Maybe sometimes working against each other (but not violently). You could, for each PC, create a patron with another one of the players. When you are DMing, you and that patron come up with hooks and such that can be used to flesh out the character or provide material for further adventures. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2009 : 18:08:55
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A little more from my personal games . . . that is, things I have indeed done with a PC when it's my turn to DM:
1) Called away for "business reasons": i.e. thieves' guild management.
2) Received mysterious letter from kidnapper of offspring specifying "come alone"--this turned into a later adventure for the whole party when the PC figured out she could trust everyone else.
3) Called on for religious devotion/important festival day ceremony. PCs took part in the ceremony and interacted (didn't fight) with my PC as he was tending his duties. Fight broke out, and my PC had to shepherd people away while his companions took out the monsters.
4) A much needed vacation.
5) Convalescence: The character was particularly wounded in the last campaign and needed some time to heal--with the aid of certain very attractive priestesses of Eldath. 
6) Failed heist that ended up with the PC in prison. The rest of the PCs rescued her late in my adventure, at which point I ran her as an NPC for the last climactic battle.
7) Wizard apprentice duties--specifically, studying a particular book that he couldn't seem to open. Next adventure involved the consequences of opening it!
The lesson is, you're the DM--just have your character do what you want. Maintain his/her backstory and explore it a little off-stage. Those little side-trips are great things for character development.
Also, ideas along these lines are great for when a player can't make it to a few sessions and you get tired of running his PC as an NPC. Maybe he has to wander off and take a break for a while to do other things.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2009 : 18:43:06
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I'm sure you've been given a lot of good ideas, but I don't have the time to read through them. I'd like to offer you mine.
Your PC is cursed.
- S/he turns into a beast while your are the GM. The beast is mindless of its other life, and becomes attached to another of the PCs.
- S/he is consumed by fire and is trapped within a magical locket. At random times (whenever you GM) the character is consumed by the cursed locket in a fiery eruption. All that is left is the locket on the ground. Your character is trapped within a minor plane that takes the form of a maze. He feels obligated to complete the maze, failure to do so results in something horrible (death of a loved one). His return is the opening of a fiery rift, where he steps through and must place the locket upon his neck.
- Ladyhawk - Your character and an NPC who is your lover are bound to roam the world without ever seeing each other. When she is a lady, you are a mindless wolf. When you are a man, she is a hawk. She could be a druid, you being her familiar. You can play whatever, and she could be a trained animal or your familiar.
- Friend's cursed blade - Same as the locket, but your character is trapped within a magical item another player owns. Your trips to the item could unlock greater powers for the weapon. Essentially, instead of having to leave the blade with a wizard to enchant, the money and xp is still paid, but you would be creditted with the enchanting/unlocking of the blade.
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Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Make my PC disappear.
