Minor problem with the group - should I be worried?

[chrisnd]

Thank you, Piratecat - we almost had glue! (and you know that i am talking about - that long thread that had 83 replies that you finally closed just to avoid bad tangents that were inevitable)

And thank you to the members of ENWorld for being considerate of your fellow members - Eric's Grandmother would be proud.

Now, on to what this post is really about.

I have a problem. My group has not met in over 8 weeks, and although we were about to meet in the weeks between T-giving and Xmas, two people dropped out at the last moment.

Based on prior experience for the other DM's out there, should I be concerned? Is this the end (after only 2 sessions)? I know that one of the players is very gung-ho about his character, but I am not sure about the veracity of the others. Or is this just something that I should look beyond as nothing more than the inconvenient effect of the holidays on gamers (who are married and have children and jobs)?

Should I be worried? Should I entice others to return by providing "rewards" on a meta-game level? Should I tell everyone to "bugger off" and be the end of it?

(Okay, so technically, this was a thank you note to Piratecat. However, I wanted it in this section, so I added teh "worrisome" problem as an afterthought. Even though, the more I think about it, the more worrisome it is. My story/campaign is too good to just lose like that. Help!)

 

[Nifft]

Give 'em a week after New Year's to sober up, then expect them to show up.

If they don't, start to worry.

-- N

 

[Crothian]

Talk to them if you are worried, but allow a few sessions for things to start going first.

 

[Torm]

It didn't happen this year, but the holiday fall-apart is semi-traditional for our group - and we've been playing with at least three of the same players for about 8 years now. Some people may not come back, some new faces may show up, but hopefully there's a core that will drag some sort of group back together.

(P.S. Did you read my last response in the other thread? Not looking for a response to it - that would probably ask for trouble - just a yes or no. I'd hate to think all that I wrote went to waste entirely - the thread closed within literal moments of my posting. )

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I think you should give it a week or two after the holidays to see. Especially if you and your group are in your late 20's to 30's - lots of things impact game time.

However, I think it's always a good idea to try and keep the conversation about the game going - I'd be sending out emails verifying people's availability, etc. I've set up forums for my games to help people keep in touch - this kind of thing is so much easier to do now than it was in the 80's or even the 90's.

 

[chrisnd]

(P.S. Did you read my last response in the other thread? Not looking for a response to it - that would probably ask for trouble - just a yes or no. I'd hate to think all that I wrote went to waste entirely - the thread closed within literal moments of my posting. )

Yes, Torm, I saw it. And not to worry, I read it too. Glad to see that you also understood the reference to "making glue". Most people dont get the connection, but I am glad that you do.

At least I think that you do.

I also need to send out an email to everyone reminding them that they are still players in an RPG. Hopefully they recall they were playing D&D way back a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. At least that is what it feels like. Egads, I hope four years of trying to get a group together doesn't fall apart for naught.

Oh well, I can always find a few people on this board and do it "Play by Email" style.

 

[IronWolf]

Personally I would be a little concerned. Only two sessions and then an 8 week gap? I know the holidays are busy, but squeezing in one session even during the holidays shouldn't be all that hard... (and that is spoken by a person who tends to game with other married professionals). *Especially* if it was a new game, excitement to play should be there! I can understand an established group taking time off over the holidays, but due to the newness of the game I would have some concerns.

Is there a lot of comminication between the DM and players? If there is a lot of communication then I guess that would ease my concerns a little. But if the communication about the game is near to none, then that would be another red flag for me.

 

[Captain Loincloth]

One thing I would suggest is talking with the players and asking them if anything is wrong. Sometimes players leave because there is something they don't like in the particular campaign, and they'd rather slip out quietly rather than stay and making a scene. I had a problem player in my last group. His behavior totally slipped under my radar, but the other players noticed. One by one they all left until it was just me and Mr. Difficult. I folded the campaign rather than play just one on one. It wasn't until after the campaign dissolved that one of the players who left came up to me and told me why he and the others left. I'm still kicking myself about it.

 

[Piratecat]

Captain Loincloth, not too late to get everyone but that one guy back together. . .

This is why I use a yearly "How am I doing?" questionaire. It answers some of these nagging worries and gives me guidance for making the game better.

 

[Castellan]

This is why I use a yearly "How am I doing?" questionaire. It answers some of these nagging worries and gives me guidance for making the game better.

Care to post some -- or all -- of this document for us to peruse? If some of it is too campaign-specific, could you pick, say, three questions you think all DMs would benefit from having answered about themselves and their games?