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<blockquote data-quote="doghead" data-source="post: 4135600" data-attributes="member: 8243">general - DMPCA number of people have already mentioned the potential pitfalls of running a DMPC. There is another reason for not playing a DMPC.Playing a DMPC is ultimately an exercise in futility. PC's are vehicles through which the players interact with the setting and attempt to meet the challenges set. You can not have the same experience as the player of a PC, because you are the arbiter of your own character's outcomes. Its like playing chess against yourself.NPC's are different. NPC's are essentially a tool of the DM for running the game. They can be there to oppose the PC's, or assist them, or provide background colour. NPC's can be successful long term members of a party. They can fill ability gaps or be useful in other ways, like minding the horses while the PC's explore the ruins. Or they can present challenges to the PC's - someone who needs protecting, or who has an agenda different from the PC's. NPC's can be can be fun to play. But again, they a fundamentally different creature from PC's.If you want to 'play', then I would suggest a DMPC isn't going to do it for you. You really need someone else to take a turn in the big chair. Break your campagne into blocks of several weeks/months, then have someone else run things for a few weeks/months. If the others in your group are a bit reluctant, perhaps suggest a published adventure or two that they could run pretty much out of the box. There are numerous free .pdf adventures available, as well as many under $10. I don't think it is unreasonable to say, &quot;hey I don't mind DM'ing most of the time, but I want a chance to play as well.&quot;dogheadaka thotd</blockquote>

[QUOTE="doghead, post: 4135600, member: 8243"] general - DMPC A number of people have already mentioned the potential pitfalls of running a DMPC. There is another reason for not playing a DMPC. Playing a DMPC is ultimately an exercise in futility. PC's are vehicles through which the players interact with the setting and attempt to meet the challenges set. You can not have the same experience as the player of a PC, because you are the arbiter of your own character's outcomes. Its like playing chess against yourself. NPC's are different. NPC's are essentially a tool of the DM for running the game. They can be there to oppose the PC's, or assist them, or provide background colour. NPC's can be successful long term members of a party. They can fill ability gaps or be useful in other ways, like minding the horses while the PC's explore the ruins. Or they can present challenges to the PC's - someone who needs protecting, or who has an agenda different from the PC's. NPC's can be can be fun to play. But again, they a fundamentally different creature from PC's. If you want to 'play', then I would suggest a DMPC isn't going to do it for you. You really need someone else to take a turn in the big chair. Break your campagne into blocks of several weeks/months, then have someone else run things for a few weeks/months. If the others in your group are a bit reluctant, perhaps suggest a published adventure or two that they could run pretty much out of the box. There are numerous free .pdf adventures available, as well as many under $10. I don't think it is unreasonable to say, "hey I don't mind DM'ing most of the time, but I want a chance to play as well." doghead aka thotd [/QUOTE]

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