D&D 5E dealing with PCs when players leave a game.

[Elf Witch]

The bit that really gets me is the copyright infringement part. I mean i would totally check just in case she did copyright her character (im not even sure that's possible tbh)

I am not sure you can copy write a gaming character. I have to wonder how that would work. She does not own th rights to DnD and I was the co creator of a special witch class so I would have to wonder about that.

Are we saying that a DM can't write a story hour about their game without signed releases from the players?

 

[KarinsDad]

I am not sure you can copy write a gaming character. I have to wonder how that would work. She does not own th rights to DnD and I was the co creator of a special witch class so I would have to wonder about that.

Are we saying that a DM can't write a story hour about their game without signed releases from the players?

No. Ignore that. There is no copyright when it comes to fictional RPG characters.

 

[Azurewraith]

Are we saying that a DM can't write a story hour about their game without signed releases from the players?

Read more: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...when-players-leave-a-game/page3#ixzz3lmmA5XqL

Thats exactly what im saying i have my players sign a 35page contract that ensures they know once used in my game i own all rights to that IP and can do what the hell i want with it also no one ever reads it all so i threw in a few just for fun clauses such as all my players must be naked and wear nothing but a fig leaf(leaves in the case of women) to cover anything they want to be covered, they also become my property and cease to own anything upon entering my home.

They thought i was joking until i took them to court and had their leaves inspected by an expert in the field.

 

[delericho]

How do other DMs handle leftover PCs when players leave?

If a player leaves the game, the character becomes an NPC under my control. At this point I'll generally seek out the quickest and cleanest way to write them out of the scenario - generally, at the next town the party reaches the former PC will receive word of some pressing matter that desperately needs him elsewhere. (And it's all done with the clear understanding with the other players that I'm deliberately writing the character out of the game, so they know not to have their PCs tag along!)

I generally don't kill off a former-PC, just in case the player is able to come back. But if the events of the campaign lead to a death, I'll do nothing to stop it.

Should I have cleared it with her first?

I wouldn't have. If a player leaves the campaign, their influence on the campaign is at an end.

FWIW, I think her reaction is absurd: there's absolutely nothing stopping her from using that same character (or a clone) in another campaign. Heck, if Sherlock Holmes can continue adventuring for years after SACD killed him off, I daresay 'Nahzinga' can too.

Anyway I have never seen a reaction like this over something happening to a character you are no longer playing.

No, nor me. Not from a player who chose to leave the game. And it's especially odd from one who wasn't intending to return anyway.

 

[Tanaka Chris]

Eh... we've always had the PC's just fade into the background when a player can't join.
And magically gain sentience again when the player comes back.

Of course if the player hasn't been around for a while and doesn't seem to come back, then it just gets dropped off back in town.
We actually keep a campaign log so there's a section for inactive or retired PCs with a note on what they might be doing.

eg: Tiefling Sorceror, probably being digested by an Owlbear somewhere
Human Beastmaster, off with the Homeguard Patrol

This way, they were part of the story in the beginning, and new players can also appreciate what has happened in the past that motivates the current players.

 

[Li Shenron]

We have a lot of friends in common we have been involved in various fandoms for years. The non gamers are totally at a loss over this and I have gotten so many private messages and phone calls asking what the frak is going on. They can't understand this kind of behavior from a fifty + woman over a game. My gaming friends including those in this game are blown away over the behavior no one understands the over reaction especially as she has now in the last hour deleted all her social media.

Uhm, ok... maybe she's in distress or upset for totally unrelated reasons, and this is just a weird manifestation. Hopefully someone close to her has noticed.

 

[S'mon]

Anyway I have never seen a reaction like this over something happening to a character you are no longer playing. Did I do something wrong in choosing the best way for my game as DM to continue the plot without these characters? Should I have cleared it with her first? How do other DMs handle leftover PCs when players leave?

According to her own words, she appears to have mental health issues. Nothing you can do about that, or her reaction. The best thing to do is not to react at all - don't get angry with her, but don't feel guilty either. Stay polite with the family if you meet them IRL.

 

[S'mon]

Anyway I have never seen a reaction like this over something happening to a character you are no longer playing. Did I do something wrong in choosing the best way for my game as DM to continue the plot without these characters? Should I have cleared it with her first? How do other DMs handle leftover PCs when players leave?

If they were only played once I may kill them off. If they were a big part of the campaign they retire to an honoured place as rulers, guild leaders and such, and occasionally be used as NPCs. Or
they must wander off; whatever makes sense in context.

The only thing I'd say is that if I kill them off it tends to be something meaningful, heroic last stand that holds the bridge long enough for the villagers to escape sort of thing. It looks bad to the current players if you get a rep for petty vengeance on the PCs of departed players. I don't think that was the case here, but obviously your ex-player took it badly - not your fault.

 

[S'mon]

She sent a rambling email demanding I take any mention of her character out of my game that I am stealing her character and infringing on copy write an plagiarism.

Don't respond to anything nasty from her.

 

[was]

...In most campaigns that I have played in, or run, players who permanently leave the game are killed off. This player has no copyright, or plagiarism, claim on a character you co-wrote. Especially since you homebrewed a class for her. She's throwing out concepts that she doesn't really understand in an effort to intimidate you.

...Some people are just bitter and unhappy. She's looking for any excuse to pick a fight and chose you as her target. I would not respond to her directly in any way. Don't apologize to her, or antagonize her in any manner. The best way to for you to win her little war is to not fight it.

...Be open and honest to questions from others in the community. Try to avoid any bitterness, or sarcastic comments of your own. Those who know you, or her, will recognize the truth.