So I led a mutiny...

[StalkingBlue]

I believe that DMPCs should never be used. In games where the DM changes between modules, the DM's PC should be "away visiting Aunt Martha on her farm" or something similar. In my experience, DMPCs invariably turn into a railroading device.

Yup, that's what we did in a game with rotating DMs I DMed/played in for a couple of years. We ran that game episode-style. Whoever was the DM for a given scenario came up with a reason for the party to be where & when the scenario started, and why his/her own PC wasn't joining them for this.

 

[takyris]

As a writer/DM, I can confirm that railroading and overpowered DMPCs do tend to be the problems I used to face. Now I just mentally whack myself on the nose with a rolled up newspaper every time I feel compelled to introduce a "more powerful than the party" person who's supposed to go around and lead them through the plot.

 

[kolvar]

The only thing, I find sad about your story, is, that you did not help the orks raze the town. After going bad you could have gone bad completly.

 

[drnuncheon]

I guess that's my out, if I decide that he's becoming too much, but none of the players really seem to mind him...

I think this is your saving grace - if you're right. I'd make sure if I were you.

In my experience, DMPCs invariably turn into a railroading device.

I disagree. I've used them more than once, and not had this happen.

The secret is that you have to remember is that when you're DMing, they are not a PC. They're an NPC, like a cohort (albeit one of equal level to the rest of the party.) They don't have brilliant ideas, they don't perform heroic actions, they basically stay out of the spotlight because that's for the players.

If you find yourself chafing at those restrictions, then you want to play, not GM, and you should find some way to do so.

J

 

[Chimera]

The secret is that you have to remember is that when you're DMing, they are not a PC. They're an NPC, like a cohort (albeit one of equal level to the rest of the party.) They don't have brilliant ideas, they don't perform heroic actions, they basically stay out of the spotlight because that's for the players.

The moment they perform the heroic actions, pull a rabbit out of their hat, etc, is the moment the players stop and say "Hey, why doesn't he do such-and-such!". This gives the players a bit of ownership and doesn't show up their characters. In this event, the GM should be sure to praise the player who thought of the action as being the real hero of the moment, not the GMPC.

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

I've not play much in long campanes but railroading is a common trait among most of my DMs so far as have the all powerful DMPC or the NPC that in my pesent game (PC=chaotic level one, NPC=lawful, level8) (he's as agrovating as a DMPC except he may leave). So I've consitered doing some of the muteny myself. I'm only not because I'm staying in character (good why am I alway good+the law like in your game) also I'm expecting the archer might. But I'd say you did EVIL your character is EVIL you can do this, to make it less personal I'd have killed a random PC or NPC first for no reason at all but your EVIL so youcan just murder, kidnap, wipe all life of the earth (my evil character did this once before getting killed). My point is evil is evil so your in character, though my way ofhaddling this was diffrent cause when his was a big prolem for me I was a palidin soI desided he'd just wouldn't go any where unless I got to smite things, using this I stopped being railroaded mostly but the group left so I missed the action the the campane ended because everyone quit for game unrelated matters. Sorry if I'm rambling. Final Note: did it get desired effect? If so I may get the archer try it (while I'm asleep, no one would Know who done it).

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

about the post, sorry 'bout spelling and rammbling and the space bar, it does work well

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

I agree with kolvar

 

[Darklone]

First rule for DMPCs: Never let them save the party without a player telling that XXL could do this-or-that.

Second rule: Never use them

Just joking... Rels Storyhour here has a nice DMPC, who's partially used as a plot device, but mainly was sent along to help out a little bit with bashing all the bad boys to pieces.

 

[Theron]

It was a less-than-entirely civil response to the situation, but an effective and memorable one. The trick is to make sure that the campaign doesn't turn into a weekly DM vs. Players session. I've seen that a few times, and it never turns out pretty.