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<blockquote data-quote="Vraille Darkfang" data-source="post: 2364017" data-attributes="member: 16989">Part 2.How I handle missing PC's.Character fades into background.&nbsp; If possible, I have an in-game reason why they leave (i. e. has business to do in town before leaving with the party, etc).&nbsp; But, even in the middle of an adventure I let them just 'fade away'.&nbsp; The PC gets no XP for missed session (I give out both individual, bonus XP &amp; use the 3.5 system where lower level characters get more XP, thus ensuring all PC's are within a level or two, but rarely are they ALL the same level).But that's it.&nbsp; Unless one of the special quantifiers applies:Missing PC is the only one with the needed spell/skill/item/etc.&nbsp; I'll play the PC just long enough to have them do what needs to be done, then they're gone again.PC was the major Plot Hook for that Story Arc.&nbsp; I fly by the seat of my pants for awhile.&nbsp; For instance, I intened the new player (I mean new, he bought the PHB that day) to get a sentient sword as a means to help teach him the game.&nbsp; In the middle of that adventure, he has to leave for 2 sessions.&nbsp; I lenghten the adventure into a dungeon crawl &amp; they don't find the sword until he gets back.Middle of Combat:&nbsp; This does't happen anymore as I've gotten very good at clock management &amp; always have combat wrapped up by the time the session ends.&nbsp; Even if combat isn't really 'over'.&nbsp; Random encounters suddenly get easier/run away, main battles, the villian does a tactical retreat to build up later.&nbsp; But, when I used to end a session in the middle of combat, here's what I did.&nbsp; I played the character to the bare minimum I could.&nbsp; An archer would do X points of damage a round, a wizard would cast Magic Missille, etc.&nbsp; I'd alwasy ensure the missing PC was in no threat of demise, yet wouldn't become IMORTAL MAN, capable of destroying all foes.&nbsp; Luckily I never had a player skip out just because he knew his character was dead meat next time.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Vraille Darkfang, post: 2364017, member: 16989"] Part 2. How I handle missing PC's. Character fades into background. If possible, I have an in-game reason why they leave (i. e. has business to do in town before leaving with the party, etc). But, even in the middle of an adventure I let them just 'fade away'. The PC gets no XP for missed session (I give out both individual, bonus XP & use the 3.5 system where lower level characters get more XP, thus ensuring all PC's are within a level or two, but rarely are they ALL the same level). But that's it. Unless one of the special quantifiers applies: Missing PC is the only one with the needed spell/skill/item/etc. I'll play the PC just long enough to have them do what needs to be done, then they're gone again. PC was the major Plot Hook for that Story Arc. I fly by the seat of my pants for awhile. For instance, I intened the new player (I mean new, he bought the PHB that day) to get a sentient sword as a means to help teach him the game. In the middle of that adventure, he has to leave for 2 sessions. I lenghten the adventure into a dungeon crawl & they don't find the sword until he gets back. Middle of Combat: This does't happen anymore as I've gotten very good at clock management & always have combat wrapped up by the time the session ends. Even if combat isn't really 'over'. Random encounters suddenly get easier/run away, main battles, the villian does a tactical retreat to build up later. But, when I used to end a session in the middle of combat, here's what I did. I played the character to the bare minimum I could. An archer would do X points of damage a round, a wizard would cast Magic Missille, etc. I'd alwasy ensure the missing PC was in no threat of demise, yet wouldn't become IMORTAL MAN, capable of destroying all foes. Luckily I never had a player skip out just because he knew his character was dead meat next time. [/QUOTE]

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