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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Illirion" data-source="post: 3179314" data-attributes="member: 38310">Hey, I can't say that I'm really a super-experienced DM, but I currently do have an NPC tagging along with the party. In fact, the party's kinda tagging along with him. The plot hook I thought of was that they would acompany a noble on a mission to deliver a package (they don't know whats in the package as well as what is going to be done with it). I've statted the noble as an expert focussed on diplomacy, gather information and other such personality skills (party doesn't have a charisma type-character). He also caries a blade, but has a lowsy attack roll and a bad strength score. The pc's are supposed to defend him throughout the journey and once the package has been delivered, he'll eventually leave and just become another friend to the party. He joins in fights only when he's sure he won't get hurt and even then, all he'll probably do is slash around a bit with his sword or fire a random crossbow bolt. The players are a combat oriënted bunch, and although they often tell me they also like the non-combat bits, they truly light up everytime there is a combat and they get the chance to pull a cool move.IMO the 'DMPC' in this situation does not steal the spotlight, hands out or posses information that makes him superior in the aspect of the game that the players want to succeed in the most. Is this an example of a DMPC done right or am I still being unfair to the players? I personally don't think it's wrong to have an NPC tag along with the party. You see it in books and movies all the time. The only thing that's important is that the DM doesn't see this as a means to be the hero in his own story, but merely a tool that the payers can use to become better heroes themselves. I think the problem of the DMPC is that it's being seen as the incarnation of an inequality that exists in the game. The DM never gets to be the hero. He gets to create the world and steer the story, but he'll never actually get to be cool or feel like he's done a good job within the game (there are no in-game variables such as loot, damage or experience that give an indication of how well the DM is doing). The only thing that the DM can get satisfaction out of is the ammount of enjoyment the players had while playing the game (this is a kind of shady variable IMO for it is as difficult to achieve as it is to read).IMO, people who create a DMPC to compensate for their lack of being able to win/feel cool/accomplish something, aren't supposed to be DMing. This doesn't mean that DMPC's are bad. It just says that they're the most simple (and powerful) tool to abuse and should be used responsably.Cheers,Illirion.</blockquote>

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