folks missing

[ForceUser]

There are six players in my group. I'll run the game if at least three show up. Those who are absent are ran mechanically by the other players, and roleplaying duties are shared between player and DM. We have your character act as those present think you'd act, and yes, your character could die while you're not present.

 

[Kyramus]

I have the same thought pattern. If they aren't around, use their character to how they normally ran it.

In my case, The one time I let theplayers decide how the Character react, and he arrived late, the character died and the player was very miffed.

In the upcoming saturday game, I will be having 2 characters out. That still leaves me with 4 so I'll still run the game. Had it been 3, I either run an alternate game, have someone run a game so I be a player, or I cancel the game.

How would I handle the missing 2? Considering their situation, I have no problem "phasing" them out.
In any other situation, I'd end up npc-ing them. Using the character EXACTLY as how I see them playing the character.

IE: I see the big great sword fighter hanging back in combat a lot.
In actual combat, he will only take advantage of a situation if he isn't going to get hurt a lot.
IE2: I see the rogue sneaking off and coming back into flanking position.
In actual combat, He will go melee only if he can flank an opponent.

All other aspects of roleplaying are minimized. People can ask these npc's questions and I will answer to the extent of what I know these characters know.

Now should there be a TPK..... oh well. That's the luck of the roll.

 

[Psion]

When 1 person is missing, we usually just press on. I try to explain the absence of the character in-game.

When more than one is missing, I usually break out Rappan Athuk (or some other dungeon crawl or one off adventure) and use alternate/backup characters.

 

[Shallown]

I reserve the power to run abscent player's characters when I GM. This is known and explained up front and since my group has been together on for a while is no big problem. I keep copies (a short form on a flip chart that helps me a great deal) of all characters so I have most important info.

I usually let the character hang back and such unless it is completely out of character to do so. they collect a small amount of xp becuase sometimes they do contribute or cuase problems by still being around.

I try to come up with an escuse but usually don't worry about why the character has faded out.

It makes everything easier on me to keep continueity.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

We created an alternate group (our "low level" characters) to play when anyone can't make it.

This only works when we know in advance someone can't make it, since someone has to prepare something for the low level group.

If someone just does a "no show" we usually try to ignore his character (he's watching the horses), or play his character if absolutely necessary (in the middle of a dungeon, for example). Too bad if he dies.

We have one player who does this a lot. Sometimes, he even contacts the DM on gameday, says he'll definitely be there, and then doesn't show up. Then, when we haven't heard from him in weeks, he'll show up. I think he secretly works for the CIA or something.