Whose "property" are the PCs?

[S'mon]

So, if that's true, there can be 2 "ends" for the character...one as he/she was left in the DM's world and one based on what the player decided?

2, or more - haven't you ever "reused" a favourite PC? In PBEMing, where campaigns often crash quickly, I do it a lot, so do many people. And I'm thinking of using a favourite PC of mine from another GM's game as an NPC in my own, with background tweaked of course.

 

[diaglo]

I wonder if you could copyright a character?

no, you can't.

the game has its own copyright. unless you include those in your character and pay the owners. no, you can't.

 

[SG1Laura]

Wow, lots of good advice (even though some of it conflicts ). But, it sounds like no matter what people think everyone generally agrees that the player should either 1) know ahead of time the DM has the right to mess with the character when the player is gone or 2) inform the player that the GM is continuing with this world and wants to make up what happened to the PC. No matter what the player should be informed, yes?

 

[Belen]

So, if that's true, there can be 2 "ends" for the character...one as he/she was left in the DM's world and one based on what the player decided?

If the campaign is finished, then the DM decides the fate of the characters. Unless those same players intend to play those characters in a sequal campaign under you, then they really cannot complain about what happens to them after the fact.

Personally, when I GM and a campaign ends, I usually ask the players to write a finale for their characters, then I write up a final finale for the campaign based on their responses.

However, I have used old PCs as NPCs in my games. I never had anyone complain about it and usually the player was happy to see their old character and it has always been a positive experience.

 

[S'mon]

no, you can't.

the game has its own copyright. unless you include those in your character and pay the owners. no, you can't.

Er, Diaglo's advice is possibly correct circa 1945. Or maybe 1645. It bears no relation to modern copyright law.

 

[Crothian]

No matter what the player should be informed, yes?

When possible, yes. That is just polite common courtesy

 

[Belen]

No matter what the player should be informed, yes?

Not necessarily. If they are playing in your game, then you could mention it or if they are a good friend, then you could mention it, otherwise....no biggie.

 

[S'mon]

Wow, lots of good advice (even though some of it conflicts ). But, it sounds like no matter what people think everyone generally agrees that the player should either 1) know ahead of time the DM has the right to mess with the character when the player is gone or 2) inform the player that the GM is continuing with this world and wants to make up what happened to the PC. No matter what the player should be informed, yes?

I assume players are aware of (1). It goes without saying. I don't expect to control what happens to my PC after I quit a game. Obviously I can still do stuff with that PC myself.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Additionally - it is my preference (and, if I were DMing, my rule) that any PC that "turns evil" automatically becomes an NPC and, as such, property of the DM.

 

[SG1Laura]

no, you can't.

the game has its own copyright. unless you include those in your character and pay the owners. no, you can't.

Well when I say copyright a character, I don't mean Int 18, level X Cleric, etc. I'm talking about the storyof the person you've created. For example, Sherlock Holmes is a character and if someone had tried to write stories about him when Sir Arthur was publishing his, then that author could havebeen in trouble. And, it'd be possible to keep the world details out of the character sketch you wanted to copyright. Of course, it still might not be possible.