How do you leave a gaming group?

[dreaded_beast]

I've had it with my current gaming group and have nearly decided to call it quits. Not the game per se, but just playing with my current group.

Thing is, although they irritate me to no end and I would sorely love letting a few people have it verbally, I also don't want to burn any bridges.

Should I let them or the DM know I plan to quit before next session starts, that night before the session, or after the session is over for the night?

Should I be honest and tell them straight what my problems are and why I am leaving (this may lead to burning some bridges) or should I just bow out gracefully and just have a "no comment" type of response?

 

[trentonjoe]

should I just bow out gracefully and just have a "no comment" type of response?

Tell them you just can't make it anymore. Take the high road and be nice!

 

[Crothian]

Be honest with them, but don't be rude. If they ask why you are leaving tell them, but don't insult them. Give the DM advance notice.

 

[Dirigible]

The trick is preparation. Glue some smoke grenades to the pets in the place where you play and plaster a wall with C4. That'll cover your escape and provide an emergency exit.

Next, have yourself cloned, terminate the dupe and leave it sprawled on the ground a few meters from the about-to-be smoking hole in the wall. Leave some d10s, eyeliner and a black coat on the ground nearby. Wehn your 'friends' rush off to pursue you, the will find the body and immediatly come to the conclusion that you happened upon a roving gang of LARPers as you fled, and were beaten to death.

 

[Elf Witch]

Ifyou think it will make a difference then tell them up front without being rude or nasty why you want to leave. If not just tell them you need to take a break from the game for now.

There is no reason to burn bridges. You don't know what the future holds you might one day find yourself wanting to play with some of them again.

Take the high road.

 

[Wycen]

Don't show up. Next time you see one of the people you don't have a problem with, just tell him or her that you are taking a break.

 

[Piratecat]

Don't show up.

That's more than a little rude. I'd go to this last session, then later let the DM know in private that you're going to take a break. If he asks, mention particular issues you're having without getting personal - but otherwise, I'd take the high road and not blast anyone. Getting petty and bitchy can be briefly fun, but it's seldom worth it in the long run.

 

[Wormwood]

Lie.

I've noticed that as long as the phrase, 'a couple of months' is placed somewhere in your excuse, people don't consider it a kiss-off---yet they'll never really expect you back.

Some of my old favorites:

"My work schedule is changing and I won't be able to make it for a couple of months"

"My wife says I'm spending too much time out of the house. It'll probably blow over in a couple of months, but until then..."

"My [insert sport] league is switching games to [insert D&D game night]. I won't be able to make it for a couple of months"

"I'm this close to curing [insert disease]! I'd like to continue gaming with you, but I'm afraid I owe it to humanity to really focus on my work. I'll give you a call in a couple of months."

 

[BSF]

First of all, be courteous. That means showing up to the session and doing your best to tie up any loose ends that may be hanging out there storywise. This may include staying a little late to work with the DM to gracefully bow out of anything your character is particularly involved in storywise. If you have any story entanglements, look for a few solutions that you can present to the DM as you exit.

Be polite. Remember, if you don't anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. If you are really having so many problems with the group that you feel like unleashing your feelings on them, then you are probably leaving for the right reasons. Don't be rude and don't be petty. If you had some good games, focus on what was fun in those. You can choose to be vague about the reasons you are leaving, or you can be specific. That's kind of your call.

 

[Acid_crash]

figure out what kind of people they are...if they can handle the truth, then tell the truth. If they can't handle it, then lie. But due to respect to the DM of the group he/she above all others does deserve the respent due to him/her and should be told the truth. I don't think any DM would appreciate lies told, and some would get pissed if you lied to them and they found out.

In the end, respect the DM, the other playes can be told by the DM on a later date if that's what it comes down to. It's the DM's responsibility to know all of what goes on with his/her players.