Clint_L
Legend
We've recently been discussing the degree of story autonomy D&D players should have, in the context of player agency and DM authority. A few days ago, one of my players reached out with an idea to bench their current character for a bit to bring in a new character who is clearly designed to be more specifically involved with another player character's current story arc. I thought his ideas posed some interesting challenges, and am wondering how others might have handled it.
The challenge I specifically wrestled with was how much narrative authority to grant this player, not only over his new character, but over the setting and, most importantly, over another player's character arc. That last part is where I struggled. I think this example really illustrates how, much as we like to give player's character agency, there are often very complex factors that the DM has to manage (i.e. how one player's ideas might impact another player's ideas).
The context: the campaign is about 18 months old. The party started at level 3 and has just hit level 9. The original character is a paladin named Jeremy, the proposed character is a cleric (I think) named Dagen. "Dorg" is the party member whose story arc is most directly impacted. In general, I build my campaign around backstory elements provided by the players at character creation, and then other tidbits they come up with as we go along. And pure luck, to some degree.
Okay [player], here is my more detailed feedback:
Love it! But I think it does need to be played out during game…and Jeremy might fail!
Here’s the plan: we pick up after the battle to save the goblin settlement - obviously a big story moment for [another player's character] Blimmig. Once that shakes down, I’ll cue up the situation with Jeremy - say, the next day, after a long rest and a celebration with Blimmig’s family, etc. We’ll run it as a series of challenge, with opportunities for the other members to give Jeremy support (bardic inspiration, stroke of genius, etc.). If Jeremy succeeds, the pool is cleansed and Jeremy heads off as you say - we can work out details later when it is time for him to return. If he fails, then the pool remains a problem that might crop up again in the future, and now Jeremy’s quest also involves understanding why he failed, still on his way to earning his title.
That'll give the situation some stakes and be much more fun in the game!
IMPORTANT: Before you make your final decision, consider that Jeremy being gone will affect the decisions made by the other party members! Specifically, the current plan was, I believe, for the party to address Dorg’s business in Kraghammer before heading to Vassalheim as Jeremy requested, but without him in the party it is likely they choose to head next to Wildemount, where three characters (Scylla, Elaine, and especially Caius) have significant story developments. That is all up to the players, and we can't say in advance what will happen.
I’m assuming that Dagen is going to be a cleric? Create him at level 9, using fixed hit points, standard array or point buy, and all 5.5e, legacy 5e (non-core) and Critical Role material. Choose up to 1000 gp worth of equipment (non-magical) and keep the remainder as his available money (unless that goes against your character concept - he can be poor if you want!), and choose one uncommon magic item for him. I will choose and add a second, rare, magic item for him in light of his higher level.
Storywise, love the basic concept, but it could use a few tweaks for consistency with the campaign setting and Dorg’s arc. The main, but not exclusive, deity of Kraghammer is Moradin, the All-Hammer (not All-Father). The city is riven between rival factions of xenophobic traditionalists and more inclusive progressives. These aspects are all really important to Dorg’s backstory and character arc.
Haddi Bronzegrip is the head of House Bronzegrip, very wealthy and a potential rival to Dorg’s foil, Lord Nostoc Greyspine. You can determine exactly what the relationship is between her and Dagen.
Whether or to reveal himself as the bearer of the (still dormant) Hammer of Moradin is a big question for [the other player], and something that Dorg has been debating in-game. So we don't want to take that choice away from him. I also think it would be weird intro for your cool new character - how would he know anything about the party at all? They have never been to Kraghammer.
Instead, let’s have Dagen meet the party soon after they get to Kraghammer - the remainder of journey shouldn’t take too long in-game, barring unforeseen events. How about if, again assuming he’s a cleric, he’s had some kind of vision telling him that Dorg is important so that he knows to greet the party shortly after their arrival - maybe he shows up at their inn or something? We’ll have to play this a bit by ear based on what the other players do when they get to the city, but it shouldn’t be hard.
Recall that what happened to Dorg goes far beyond a normal curse and is integral to his backstory, so we aren’t going to erase it with something as simple as a remove curse!
I think you have to have a conversation with [the other player] about any potential relationship between your new character and his, as it directly affects his character and story. It strikes me as a bit odd to frame Dagen as Dorg’s “protector,” given that Dorg is a powerful warrior! Maybe more like an advisor? You guys can work it out.
As for Jeremy…the manner of his return will heavily depend on future events! And those will heavily depend on the future choices all of you make, and the luck of the dice, so who knows? I’m looking forward to finding out!
Thoughts?
The challenge I specifically wrestled with was how much narrative authority to grant this player, not only over his new character, but over the setting and, most importantly, over another player's character arc. That last part is where I struggled. I think this example really illustrates how, much as we like to give player's character agency, there are often very complex factors that the DM has to manage (i.e. how one player's ideas might impact another player's ideas).
The context: the campaign is about 18 months old. The party started at level 3 and has just hit level 9. The original character is a paladin named Jeremy, the proposed character is a cleric (I think) named Dagen. "Dorg" is the party member whose story arc is most directly impacted. In general, I build my campaign around backstory elements provided by the players at character creation, and then other tidbits they come up with as we go along. And pure luck, to some degree.
Okay [player], here is my more detailed feedback:
Love it! But I think it does need to be played out during game…and Jeremy might fail!
Here’s the plan: we pick up after the battle to save the goblin settlement - obviously a big story moment for [another player's character] Blimmig. Once that shakes down, I’ll cue up the situation with Jeremy - say, the next day, after a long rest and a celebration with Blimmig’s family, etc. We’ll run it as a series of challenge, with opportunities for the other members to give Jeremy support (bardic inspiration, stroke of genius, etc.). If Jeremy succeeds, the pool is cleansed and Jeremy heads off as you say - we can work out details later when it is time for him to return. If he fails, then the pool remains a problem that might crop up again in the future, and now Jeremy’s quest also involves understanding why he failed, still on his way to earning his title.
That'll give the situation some stakes and be much more fun in the game!
IMPORTANT: Before you make your final decision, consider that Jeremy being gone will affect the decisions made by the other party members! Specifically, the current plan was, I believe, for the party to address Dorg’s business in Kraghammer before heading to Vassalheim as Jeremy requested, but without him in the party it is likely they choose to head next to Wildemount, where three characters (Scylla, Elaine, and especially Caius) have significant story developments. That is all up to the players, and we can't say in advance what will happen.
I’m assuming that Dagen is going to be a cleric? Create him at level 9, using fixed hit points, standard array or point buy, and all 5.5e, legacy 5e (non-core) and Critical Role material. Choose up to 1000 gp worth of equipment (non-magical) and keep the remainder as his available money (unless that goes against your character concept - he can be poor if you want!), and choose one uncommon magic item for him. I will choose and add a second, rare, magic item for him in light of his higher level.
Storywise, love the basic concept, but it could use a few tweaks for consistency with the campaign setting and Dorg’s arc. The main, but not exclusive, deity of Kraghammer is Moradin, the All-Hammer (not All-Father). The city is riven between rival factions of xenophobic traditionalists and more inclusive progressives. These aspects are all really important to Dorg’s backstory and character arc.
Haddi Bronzegrip is the head of House Bronzegrip, very wealthy and a potential rival to Dorg’s foil, Lord Nostoc Greyspine. You can determine exactly what the relationship is between her and Dagen.
Whether or to reveal himself as the bearer of the (still dormant) Hammer of Moradin is a big question for [the other player], and something that Dorg has been debating in-game. So we don't want to take that choice away from him. I also think it would be weird intro for your cool new character - how would he know anything about the party at all? They have never been to Kraghammer.
Instead, let’s have Dagen meet the party soon after they get to Kraghammer - the remainder of journey shouldn’t take too long in-game, barring unforeseen events. How about if, again assuming he’s a cleric, he’s had some kind of vision telling him that Dorg is important so that he knows to greet the party shortly after their arrival - maybe he shows up at their inn or something? We’ll have to play this a bit by ear based on what the other players do when they get to the city, but it shouldn’t be hard.
Recall that what happened to Dorg goes far beyond a normal curse and is integral to his backstory, so we aren’t going to erase it with something as simple as a remove curse!
I think you have to have a conversation with [the other player] about any potential relationship between your new character and his, as it directly affects his character and story. It strikes me as a bit odd to frame Dagen as Dorg’s “protector,” given that Dorg is a powerful warrior! Maybe more like an advisor? You guys can work it out.
As for Jeremy…the manner of his return will heavily depend on future events! And those will heavily depend on the future choices all of you make, and the luck of the dice, so who knows? I’m looking forward to finding out!
Thoughts?
