Players that force you to crimp your style.

[reiella]

Hmm, have you tried to talk to him and explain that such rampant reckless behavior is what has been leading to his demise in the past and that maybe caution may be the better part of valor.

He obviously cares alot for the characters (at least their stories) and does alot of prep-work from what you've said about his role-play history. You can even tone the pace such that to suggest that his constant 'chases' tend to pre-empt the rest of the party and you want to have the entire party involved in the adventure.

Course again, This is Just a Cursory Opinion. I don't think you should have to 'crimp your style' in this manner (effectively rewarding rampant reckless behavior).

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I have made comments about how he is going to eventually regret his actions every time he charges ahead in battle.

Right now its not too bad since they are fighting Drow. They are pretty chaotic and their lack of organisation may be his salvation.

Soon though the party will be facing Yuan-ti. Lawful Evil in alignment and genius level intelligence means I am going to DM them as very crafty. They are going to have a field day with a party that has a loose cannon.

 

[Nail]

Right now its not too bad since they are fighting Drow. They are pretty chaotic and their lack of organisation may be his salvation.

Drow may be chaotic, but they know a common enemy when they see one. Moreover, they're mucho tricky....I'd say the sorcerer is toast here, too.

Several years ago I had a player like the one you're describing. Always charging off on his own....he got killed alot. The player knew it. I knew it. The other players knew it. We just mourned each loss in turn and moved on.

As far as TPK caused by him: hey, the rest of the party has some "learning" to do to. They can't always save everybody,......especially reckless fools.

Don't worry about hanging plot lines......leave 'em out there. There are all sorts of ways to tie them back into the campaign.

Don't get so caught up in your own story. 'Member, it's the player's story too.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Don't get so caught up in your own story. 'Member, it's the player's story too.

That isnt the problem. I am not a plot nazi that freaks out when the party deviates from my plan. Most of the plot items out there exist on there own. Some just go away with time and some may come back to bite them in the rear.

I just get annoyed when I am creating stuff that I expect to be pointless in the long run.

 

[Nail]

I just get annoyed when I am creating stuff that I expect to be pointless in the long run.

Agreed.

Maybe you could have this guy be "Mr. Amnesia"? Some kind of weird reincarnation thing? It might work!

It's not a "freebie". He would loose a level each time he died, and be out of the game for a session or two. ...But he'd just keep coming back.......

...and then he could try figuring out why.....

....this could be quite cool.

 

[Nail]

"Mr. Amnesia"?

If I wasn't clear: think of way he could play "heavy RP characters" without needing any backstory. None at all. No hooks, no devices, no story.

And then sell it: "Hey man => your story is that you've got no story. You're a mystery. An enigma. Not even you know who who are. How cool is that?"

 

[JacktheRabbit]

If I wasn't clear: think of way he could play "heavy RP characters" without needing any backstory. None at all. No hooks, no devices, no story.

And then sell it: "Hey man => your story is that you've got no story. You're a mystery. An enigma. Not even you know who who are. How cool is that?"

Hmmmm, but could I sell it with a straight face?

 

[Pielorinho]

I dunno if I'd go with the amnesia plotline, but you may want to tell the guy that you're not quite so willing to work his plotthreads into the storyline unless he's willing to make a strong effort to stay alive. You might then institute a rough rule: his plot threads won't activate until the sixth or so session that his PC is around.

Give him some incentive to play smarter .

Daniel

 

[Nail]

Hmmmm, but could I sell it with a straight face?

That, as they say, is the trick.

I know the amnesia thing has been done countless times by others....but have you ever tried it? I'm concidering it for my next campaign......