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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Vraille Darkfang" data-source="post: 2365135" data-attributes="member: 16989">One of the places we differ. I run on alternate Weds a high level Game with 9 (regular) PC's of 20-25th level.  If only 4 show I have no problem adusting (or re-writeing) encounters of the fly to accomadate what is going on.  I realize my DM style is more organic than most, allowing for rapid changes in mid-stream and allowing for me to quickly raise or lower the dificulty based on who is present.  But it took years of practice to be able to do that.  And everthing's not 100% Kosher, but its close.Well I can (now).  But that is more my style than anything else.  If you don't want to change your game based on who shows/doesn't show, then you're right; Those who make it to the game are penalized by a harder encounter than the DM assumed.Sorry, my responses were directed to Pltolemy, not you.  From everything he told us he seems to be just starting to DM.  Not calling you a kid.  Calling the new DM a kid (as it pertains to DMing, he could be 18 or 81).  I'm not stuck in my way of doing things.  I have no problem if you miss, you character might die, I'm just going to play it completely differently to how I used to.  I won't really care about the character, just throw some stuff together on a character sheet.  Won't put a whole lot of effort into backstory of character development (I also so this in 'high kill' campaigns where I expect to have to make characters quickly).  I'd also refuse to play another character's PC when he's absent for fear of him dying & beginning a 'Grudge War' or resentment towards me.  If your players stay above that.  Congradulations.I could play in your game, I'm just not sure how much fun I'd have.  But, you are up front & let people know ahead of time, so pre-warned, they have no right to complain.Forgot that one.  I was never good at running Modules.  In all my time DMing I've ran maybe 10 modules through to the end and 3 without heavily modifying the adventure half-way thorugh.  But, If the DM was running Module X, then I would worry about Bob the Barbarian missing.  However, if you know the DM can adjust things up or down as needed, then I wouldn't be worried.Unless you run a game where Death is a more permanent condition.  Unless the PC's are high enough level to cast Raise Dead, then Dead is Dead, make new character.  And at high level lose one level is a big XP hit.  (I didn't miss your post.  Instant death happens.  I had a 12th level fighter fail a save vs the poison of a prismatic spray and die.  Of course I failed the save, not Robby who was playing my character so I could visit my mom across the state.  Instant Death is fine, Instant Death when I'm no where around is not.And this is the most important part.  You TELL everyone in advance.  If they don't like it.  They don't have to play.I'm not attacking you.  You & your players have reached a concensus you can all agree too.  Fine.  That works for you.  But in all my time DM'ing I find your posistion to be in the minority (I stress not BAD, just the minority).  I could be wrong.  I haven't done any research & my gaming is limited to various parts of Missouri.  I'm just warning Ptolemy that players aren't going to like coming back from a missed session & being told Dave's Dead, make a new Dave.Your advice is to go ahead and do it that way, As long as you tell them about it ahead of time.  Which I'm fine with.  I'm just representing those of us who only get to game 1/week, month or even less; and who have no choice but to miss a session or two.  We get to enjoy our hobby way too little as it is, and already have way too many things beyond our control.  Taking our PC's out of our control seems cruel.Otoh, You been making a case for the PC's who do show up.  In Ptolemy's example, maybe a TPK would have resulted had the PC's Archer just 'faded away'.So I guess Ptolemy need to make a decision between those who can make it & those who can't & let everyone know what that decision is ahead of time.My personal preference is to favor those who can't make it, but I compensate for those who do.  I can see the your arguement.  I know its not for me.  But it might be for Pltolemy.  Or it might not.  That's why he posted here, to see what others do.  I have my way.  You have Yours.  Ptolemy will find his as well.</blockquote>

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