This message is in response to S_DMOODY's posting about his
campaign (Bun556 msg#7000)...
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Player Attendance
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I noticed that you stop play just because one player can't show
up.
I've found two ways to get around this problem:
1) Convert the PC into an NPC in the player's absence. Why
let the absence of one spoil the fun of everyone else? I
find that this policy, stated in advance, works well in
keeping the game going. An absent player can give you
general guidelines to follow in running his character, or he
can turn his character over to someone he trusts. One of the
players in my campaign routinely goes into deep freeze and
becomes his ship's frozen watch. They've only thawed him out
twice in emergency situations, and once they wouldn't thaw
him out even when the player was there!
2) Have many branches (or "time-lines"), with many player
combos to choose from.
I use #1 above for EPIC adventures or for my MAIN branch. If you
are running the Traveller Adventure, or the adventure series that
runs from issue #1 to issue #21 of The Travellers' Digest, this
is what I would recommend. Or if you have an ongoing branch with
fanatic player participation, then give your Traveller addicts
what they need. There's nothing worse than a great adventure
that everone wants to play that just stands still.
The rest of the time, I use #2 above. My campaign currently has
around 20 branches, any of which can be revived as circumstances
and player availability warrant. Because there is a lot of combo
duplication, the branch is often chosen based on the mood
everyone is in, whether it be for bug hunting, piracy, twilight
zoning/dark sci-fi'ing, solving mysteries, combatting, rescuing,
treasure hunting, exploring, trading, or just plain high
adventuring.
Moody's Marauders
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I like the characters you posted, and the food-fight in public
idea. Sounds like a great way to introduce these characters.
They're first in line on my special encounters list, and I will
spring them on my players at my earliest opportunity, though I'm
not sure yet what to do with the Zhodani spy ring plot. I'll
keep you posted.
Thanks!
By the way, what happened to the characters on Wednesday? And
what do I tell my players if they ask why that woman has been in
deep freeze so long?
May your travels be filled with wonder.
Rodge.