What do you think when DM introduces old PC as an NPC?

[IronWolf]

Depends on the DM. For some I would trust them to pull it off. For others not so much. In other words I certainly don't want to run into a Bresden Black in a future campaign....

I think if the DM doesn't overshadow the PC's (or at least not for an extended period of time) and it fits in with the storyline then it can work.

 

[jdrakeh]

It depends on what the NPC's role is.

That is the real issue. If the NPC is there to serve as an NPC, no problem. If it turns into the dreaded GMPC that exists only to do things better than other PCs and/or serve as a living extension of the GM's will to run the plot down a certain set of tracks, then there is a huge problem, and a game that I won't be playing in.

 

[jdrakeh]

Don't the PCs decide this?

In an ideal world *sigh*

 

[Thomas Percy]

My players like their own epic heroes from past campaign are mentors, world movers and shakers of current campaign.
In fact two of this past heroes (Wizards about lev. 21) are masters of magic college (zulkirs) and they play a political role in a new campaign (current PCs are lev. 4). They have the same archenemy, BIRTHRIGHT fallen baelnorn Siebharrinn better known as leater FR Telamont.

 

[Numion]

My current game is set in the world of the novel I'm writing, but 55 years later, so all the characters save two are dead. I have a plan to make sure they don't outshine the PCs: "You have to do this on your own. You won't learn anything if I swoop in and solve every problem in the world."

I have a better one: the former 20-something adventurers would do it themselves, but they're too busy playing bingo at the retired adventurers home! And even if they wanted to do it themselves, they'd get distracted by the first early bird special and the forgot what they were supposed to do anyway

 

[Lupa270]

As a DM, we call them GMs, I have often brought old PC's back in as NPC's and not just my own. The only real problem I have had with this is that the players sometimes know the characters and subconsciously or consciously play their PC's accordingly. You have to make sure they don't show up too often, like any super NPC. Still it does work out fairly well, but adding them into the group as a PC is definantly out. These old PC's make appearances or enter as a mentor or high powered villian. They are in no way supposed to be on the same level as the current PC's.

 

[Numion]

You forgot to include an option for punching him in the face and setting fire to his house on the way out.

This was funny! A bit harsh though .. what if you just pimp-slapped him and keyed his car?

 

[painandgreed]

Considering that if I didn't like them as a DM, I probably wouldn't be playing with them, it's usually ok.

 

[jdrakeh]

As a DM, we call them GMs

Call what GMs? NPCs? DMs exist only in D&D (it is a trademarked term limited to use only in D&D). Other games refer to the person in charge of running the game as a GM, more often than not (hence my confusion, here ).

 

[mirivor]

Don't the PCs decide this? They can ask the character to adventure with him, or they can leave him at the inn. They can send him off on some info gathering thing or just drive him off.

That is where the DM has to be ready. It is my opinion that a character who is so much higher in level than the heroes has a lot of stuff to do; if he didn't, he would take care of the problem himself. That is why he/she needs the PCs to accomplish the task. As for driving him off, well then let the adventure die right there, if the NPC was serving as a hook.

If, however, the PCs request that an NPC accompany them, and it turns out the the NPC is a 10th level fighter/10th level mage, then the PCs have no right to complain about being outshined. They brought the dude along and they surely cannot expect him to stand there and watch enemies approach. He is going to whip out a maximized fireball or some other fancy item and wax the bad guys. At this point, the DM announces that no experience is earned because the average party level was driven through the roof by the NPC and said NPC is quickly shunted from the group.

There are, of course, a lot of alternate situations possible as well as a lot of random factors such as DM favoritism, exact circumstances that the party is in, etc. But overall the experience of meeting a older character can be quite enjoyable. My characters tend to be humorous and memorable, so my players usually really enjoy the intro of one of my past creations.