der_kluge said:
Not starting the new guy at the same level as the rest of the party is the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard. I really have nothing more to say on the subject.
Well I do,
I am in a Star Wars D20 game, and my character died at 9th level, and he was the lowest level in the party.
My new character was 2nd level, and everyone else was 9-11. It was a blast. I go to roleplay being over my head. (Pippen in LOTR) I got to be heroic, and have everyone try and protect me. And I *rocketed* up levels. I think I went up a level per session for the first 3-4 sessions, and then about every 2-3 for the next several. Now I am about 8th, and they are 12-14, and things are much more balanced.
Have the new guy come up with a cool storyline. He could be a snotty prince you are escorting somewhere, and he 'matures' while with you.
He could be a young member of the church that the paladin/cleric need to mentor. Or a family member that must be protected, or better, your brother died, and you are escorting your nephew to other family. By the time you get there he is 8th level, and decides to stay with you.
Or he has come to be the mage's apprentice, or is a new member of the thieves guild, trying to prove himself. Or he is a teifling, needing guidance.
Or even better.... He somehow has gotten ahold of a bunch of magic. (master dies, finds a treasure, whatever...) and so he is pretending to be a high level character. He is portraying the part of a 12th level fighter (or whatever) He has the correct amount of 'magical aura', or maybe the magic helps him pull off the charade (pretend to be a rogue, lots of skill boosting items, etc.)
That way you accept him as an equal part of the party, and have to wonder why he doesn't act 'quite right'. (This also helps him be as 'powerful' as the rest of the party.
OTOH, I would suggest starting at 2-3 level, instead of first. But even first could be lots of fun.