Characters coming and going (your opinion)

[jmucchiello]

I would use the teleport trap, but replace it with a "plane shift" type of trap - the character gets replaced with his "alternate dimension equivalent." Take the basic character and reverse everything that can be reversed, but leave him as a stealthy scout guy so that he is still what the party needs. But now his name is spelled backwards, he has the opposite alignment, he's left-handed, he has a goatee, etc. If he used to have a flaming weapon, it is now a frost weapon...you get the idea.

This seems more fitting than just replacing him with some random guy off the street who conveniently happens to also be stealthy.

And I find your solution even stranger. Why hasn't the bad guy found this mirror and made better use of it? Who made the mirror? How many other folks has it found? What happens if the party fully maps the dungeon and encounter the mirror? What if my campaign doesn't have this alternate dimension from which his equivalent can be from? Why didn't my 75 on a Gather Information roll not find Bard's tales about this strange mirror in the dungeon?

This is why I said make the replacement happen outside the dungeon. The OP has a problem with continuity and you want to modify the dungeon to accommodate him. Retconning who came into the dungeon doesn't change the game world except to add one more stealth skill guy. Also, if the player had said up front that he didn't want his character played in his absence, having him play the NPC replacement stealthy skill guy for the 2-3 sessions from when they headed to the dungeon would have made sense out of game as well as in game.

 

[James Heard]

Here's my idea: He turns and attacks the party at a critical moment, having been replaced a long time ago by some sort of shapechanger. You could even have him brag about all the eeeeevil things they're doing to the REAL guy ...somewhere. Suddenly you've got a sub-plot for finding Ninja Bob that might take, I dunno, about a year or so to resolve. And you've got a delicious way of getting back at the player for changing his mind on you too, because you can describe all the tortures and mental instabilities he's incurred for abusing your trust.

 

[Squire James]

First of all, you should curse yourself roundly for putting the party in such a situation when you knew someone was leaving soon. Are you done yet? Good!

Next, you should realize that your fun and the fun of your players is more important than the "fun" of someone not even playing the game! If the character's truly so crucial to the current adventure, the adventure is going to be a bit off no matter how you play it.

If it's just an issue of numbers ("we need a stealth expert" as opposed to "we need Jon the Reckless"), then some retroactive character-replacement may be in order. Jon's player was unknowingly replaced by a doppleganger, and the character was "captured/recruited by pirates" to explain his future absence.. The doppleganger is aware he is now in over his head, and might be willing to "play it straight" for this adventure before making his exit when they get out.

If they really need THAT particular thief and no other, then I'm afraid you will have to go against the absent guy's wishes a little bit. Stick to his original decision, and if pressed just say that he changed his mind too late. Sometimes it is easier to apologize than to ask permission...

 

[Shadeydm]

The RBDM in me loves the idea of the doppleganger replacement and 15-20 years ago I would have done it in a heart beat. However in all fairness I can't punish the rest of the party for the missing players strange and untimely change of heart.

 

[James Heard]

Don't think of it as being evil. Think of it as "plot development."

 

[Plane Sailing]

I'd say to him "Sure, OK" and some curse or trap or something would whisk his character out of there. In the same way that I've introduced characters to a party hidden in the depths by the party accidentally releasing someone who is time trapped or in a mirror or some such.

If you were playing d20 modern it might be a bit difficult, but why alienate someone by putting his character at risk. He originally said 'yes' but having thought about it now thinks 'no' - and why not?

I can't see it being a big deal; if "class x" was actually vital for the game it would be easy to introduce an NPC of the appropriate class in one way or another too.

Cheers

 

[kinem]

If he won't be rejoining the game, then he's totally out of line - it's not his game, and he has no say whatsoever. It's not his PC anymore, it's just an NPC in your game.

If he will come back at some point, then it makes more sense to make provisions for that.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Wow, 3 hours, 37 reads, and not a single reply...

Where is the community feedback and support we all have come to expect around here?

You erred. You should never have used the truth when a lie would have sufficed.

When he said "I changed my mind, exit my PC"

you say "sure, no problem, stay safe" and then do what you want.

 

[Filcher]

"Torgar the Barbarian is a doppleganger?! Get him, guys!"

 

[DrunkonDuty]

Hey Shadeydm.

I gotta agree with the folks who are saying: your player is over-stepping his bounds.

It's just a game; one he's not playing it anymore. And you gave him a choice well in advance. I can't fault your behaviour. You friend's on the other hand strikes me as a bit purile. I mean it's not like he's going to only miss 1 or 2 sessions. If I was in his shoes and my character DID die while I was away my one question would be "Did he die spectacularly?" I don't see why your friend is so delicate about it.

cheers,
Good Gaming.