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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jondor_Battlehammer" data-source="post: 1875419" data-attributes="member: 5335">I had considered something like this with Spycraft. Everyone gets three PCs, and a team is assembled for every mission. Every PC gains a base level of XP regardless of adventure action, but only active PCs gain story based XP or XP from unused action dice. For D&D, you have a problem with making a LotR type party. While the level differences would be large within the party to start, say between the hobbits and Gimli or Aragorn, it is a workable idea. They would take on the role of protectors while the lower level party members could have fun just staying out of the way. It would also encourage the Players to make smart choices about the path they take and the battles they fight. The lower level PCs would eventually narrow the gap with each encounter, and equiptment could be used to offset the difference in the short turn, (Frodo was nearly the best equiped of the lot). Gandalf is the one that throws out all balance. If played by a PC, you have the bulk of the parties power in one person, and you either have to give him the spotlight or spend most of your time negating him . If run as an NPC, Dues ex Mechana.  The best way I can see troupe play working is at low levels, with one PC at level 7-10 at most, and the rest at levels 1-5. You would need to lower the average XP gained, I'd say by half, so that you could have a real camaign before the leader gets to high. At even 10th level, a wizard isn't a do everything guy yet, a fighter can be overwhelmed by weaker opponents, and a cleric can heal most injuries, but cannot yet alter fundamentals of the game like death easily. For lower level PCs, fighters, Rogues, Bards, and Sorcerers would do best. Fighters have enough HPs to last a while, especially if funded with good weapons and armor. Sorcerers have lower level spells, but more of them. Bards and Rogues have skills, which can have some heafty bonuses at low levels with the right ability scores and feats. Clerics would do well, also. One thing to consider would be to grant everyone +2 skill points, one higher HD, and higher than average ability scores. These would give lower level PCs a much greater chance of survival, and would not be unbalacing if granted to only one high level PC. It might seem that you might as well just give them a level instead, but these would be eclipsed by higher level abilies fairly quickly. Take two identical 5th level Fighters, and give one ranks in Diplomacy and +2 Con. The fight would still be close. Make it a level or two, and the outcome would be fairly obvious.  The greatest change would have to be the game itself. You would have to shy away from combat, both as players and DM.</blockquote>

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