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Attachment [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PaladinsDoItStandingUp
03-21-07, 04:17 PM What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?
LCD2YOU
03-21-07, 04:20 PM What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?If you mean like you would your own PC, retire them far away.

If you're talking "Dream Lover", you two have a good time. Just remember that he/she/it/they will always love you.
DarkNick
03-21-07, 04:36 PM Try to get out more?
Sereno
03-21-07, 04:52 PM What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?

Ummm, simply recognize that it is merely an expression/extension of yourself and then, echoing the above poster, get out more. :)

As a DM you should not get emotionally attached to any NPC because they are not the stars of the show -- the players are! -- and if you start favoring your NPCs over them you won't have a game for much longer!

There's nothing wrong with *liking* an NPC, but if you ever find yourself feeling like you should (or, actually do!) cheat in favor of said NPC you've just crossed the line from "being a DM" to "telling a story".
kelvinaw273
03-21-07, 04:58 PM Yeah, I need to do that ...
Bafaap
03-21-07, 05:15 PM What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?

How did you do that in the first place?

A tall blond woman enters the tavern, she has almond-brown eyes and if you didn't know better you'd think she's some sort of god. She posesses the beauty and grace of nymph and she has a most reasonable boobsize.

*Damn she's hot.* Never mind, it's a fat guy with a beard. The chick is mine.
DarkNick
03-21-07, 05:31 PM How did you do that in the first place?

A tall blond woman enters the tavern, she has almond-brown eyes and if you didn't know better you'd think she's some sort of god. She posesses the beauty and grace of nymph and she has a most reasonable boobsize.

*Damn she's hot.* Never mind, it's a fat guy with a beard. The chick is mine.

got to have a most reasonable boob size . But almond-brown eyes would be kind of unusual, or did you mean brown almond shaped eyes?

Can I take her out? She is mine! I'll fight you for her :duel:

I'm going to do the weird science thing, put a bra on my head and hook up an old barbie to my amstrad. Come to me dream lady....

you wonderful imaginary nymph woman you...:love:
shadowflamedancer
03-21-07, 06:16 PM I don't think he means "emotionaly attachted" in the way of having a crush an an NPC (thats kind of ridiculous, since it is an aspect of your own personality. Just you playing a role.).

I think itis menat more that he doesn't want the NPC to go away, and likes the character a lot. That is understandable. I have made some NPCs that I liked way better than the PC. I have hordes of them, in fact. A one armed monk that swung through the trees, and mind controller, a barbarian that was against slavery, a blue mage who played the drums... the list goes on and on. Liking your own NPCs isn't a problem unless you cheat in their favor. It's just a matter of controlling yourself and recognizing that if your NPC did everything marvelously it would be fun for you, but not for the players. It's just recognizing the consequenes of your actions and having self-control.
UAMDB
03-21-07, 06:21 PM What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?

OK this might offend a few people on this website, but I feel it needs to be said.

First, I am not speaking directly at the OP, or at anyone. That being said, if you are getting emotionally attached to an imaginary person/thing, you need to stop playing a game of pretend. You have just crossed the line. This is for both DM's that get attached to NPC's, and PC's that get attached to either their characters, or other NPC's.

By emotionaly attached I mean, if the said NPC/PC were to be killed in game and you felt real world sadness. Maybe felt slightly depressed because this character had just died. I understand the fustration of having a character that you sent from level 1 to level 20 die. But there is a big difference between getting upset because you have to start a new character over after spending months building a history with one, and becoming emotionaly unstable.

Example: We had to stop playing, and kick a guy out of our group because the NPC brother of his PC died in game. When he found this out the PLAYER started to cry. It was beyond uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. I mean what do you say to a 18 yr kid. "Sorry your imaginary friend died?"

People like this need to get out alot more and realize it is a game. Would you get this upset over a game of Monopoly?
Arrowhen
03-21-07, 06:28 PM People cry over movies all the time; how's crying over a game any different?
Senevri
03-21-07, 06:41 PM Example: We had to stop playing, and kick a guy out of our group because the NPC brother of his PC died in game. When he found this out the PLAYER started to cry. It was beyond uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. I mean what do you say to a 18 yr kid. "Sorry your imaginary friend died?"

People like this need to get out alot more and realize it is a game. Would you get this upset over a game of Monopoly?
Oookay. Missing the "Role" part of Roleplaying, is the vibe I'm getting.

Mind you, there is most likely some line between what is healthy and what is not when it comes to emotional attachment, but that's not it. Certainly not the reason to kick someone out of my games. Becoming disruptive might be, though.

There's a reason why artists call their creative works their babies, y'know.

To the OP: Sometimes killing a character off is the right choice if you feel you're getting too attached to 'em --- or at least, making them fade to the background.
jbsaff
03-21-07, 07:14 PM To the OP: Sometimes killing a character off is the right choice if you feel you're getting too attached to 'em --- or at least, making them fade to the background.

I agree. Give the NPC a vacation (Perhaps a loooong vacation. So long you only need to bring a long wooden box. All expenses paid, even!) and let the PCs interact with someone/something else. It is almost never a good idea to allow an NPC, or even a BBEG, to become untouchable in your mind as the GM. Doing so may cramp the imagination or enjoyment for the players.

Perhaps you can get a new plot/adventure hook out of the deal, allowing the game to take a little different direction and provide some new sights to see and people to meet.
PaladinsDoItStandingUp
03-21-07, 10:47 PM I'm a bit confused about some of the comments. I don't have any "feelings" for my character and I don't think of my character as a PC. Neither of those things really make sense.

I am hearing the comments about letting go of the character, but that doesn't really seem to be a very good option from my point of view. I have no intent of making this NPC the center of the game or cheating for this NPC. I just have a strong attachment to the character. Its like a really good piece of music that stays with you. It resonates somewhere more then the other pieces and hearing it brings you joy. That's not something strange, its something beautiful.

Why would I want to just get rid of that, particularly after all the effort that went into the growth of the character?

The only reason this is problematic is, since this is a RPG character, you can only experience the character in the company of others and my enjoyment of the character shouldn't get in the way of the players. But, really, why would it? I guess the big fear is leaving the fate of the NPC in the hands of the players. They are the stars of the show, so they can just dump the NPC or worse on a whim, but isn't risking that fate superior to just not trying?

And also, would it really be that bad to use some DM power to preserve this character? I know if a player asked me to I'd do the same thing for them. If the character's continued existence makes the game more fun for me and doesn't take away from anyone elses game, what is the harm? Its not like this is a character in the party, its just a recurring character that takes a good game and (at least for me) makes it great. How the game get better if the NPC was removed by chance or ignorance?
DFoster
03-21-07, 11:30 PM The problem with using your DM power to save an NPC that you have an attachment to is the fact that while initially you might use this to save them from death fighting another NPC (which has it's own problems under some circumstances, such as the PCs going, why isn't the NPC getting hit by these guys? I have 5 more AC and I'm nearly dead, which would lead to the PCs questioning the fairness of what's happening, and perhaps reduce his fun but I'll assume you can avoid that for now), is that perhaps you'll be tempted to use the power to make him do slightly better in combat (or perhaps raise his level) so you don't have to use it to save him all the time (which leads to him perhaps overshadowing the actual PCs).

The other possible problem of course is what happens when the reason the NPC needs saving is that the PCs are the ones trying to kill him (this could happen because they feel he is overshadowing them and is an out of the blue attack, or perhaps they've jumped to some sort of conclusion about him working for the BBEG based on some really skimpy evidence). Now while it's possible you might let him die, if you've already fudged some rolls to save him from NPCs and grown even more attached, you might do it again even against the PCs.

It's safer to let the dice fall where they may especially if you are the only one attached to the character. Now if the PCs were attached to the guy as well I could see perhaps saving him once or twice, until I was going to have him put at risk in a dramatic fashion at which point the dice would go back to falling as they may (so the PCs could save him, but they could fail to do it as well).
PaladinsDoItStandingUp
03-21-07, 11:50 PM The NPC in question is a non-combatant. Any effort by any powerful character, PC or otherwise, will likely prove lethal. Also, I said I am attached to the character, not to the success of the character. I enjoy the act of playing the character independent of their successes and failures, I merely want the continued oppurtunity to play the NPC. I'm not sure where the fear about overshadowing are coming from.

But, I am looking for advice on how to handle this situation without asserting DM power, but honestly, if this "overshadowing" concern is the only reason not to, maybe that is the best way to go. You'd have to be a pretty bad DM to upstage the players with one of your own characters.
aikimiller
03-21-07, 11:52 PM Anybody here a fan of serenity/firefly?

In terms of comparisons, I have to go with how several of the primary characters from the show, who were well beloved, were killed off as part of the story line. While everyone was sad to see them go, their deaths served a purpose.

In real life, nobody lives for ever. I don't think D&D should be any different- characters will come and go, some with glorious fanfare, some will simply fade away with time, and some just choose the wrong place to stand in a halway with a hidden 1,500 lbs swing blade trap. Attachment to a character is only natural for something you put time and energy into. As a musician, I can understand what you mean about a piece of music- but imagine for a second, what if that same piece of music never ended? What if that final resolution of chords never came? The ending is an integral part of the whole, and without it the whole is diminished.

From your post, it sounds like your character's time may be up soon. I would say if you like the character, give him the ending he deserves- how would the character want to go out? What would his last act be? Is he a walk into the sunset kind of guy, or will his final moments be railing defiantly against insurmountable odds to some greater purpose?

The beauty of D&D though, is that death isn't permanent. Maybe down the road someone needs him, and finds a way to ressurect him. Or maybe next time you have a chance to play in a different game, play a younger version of the character, and give his backstory more depth if feasable.
DFoster
03-22-07, 01:31 AM When you were talking about using DM Power to save the character I was assuming you were talking about combat (as you've pretty much said forcing the PCs to associate with someone isn't wise, which it isn't) and of course about actually using such powers.

If you want to continue to RP a character, and want to do so without using DM Power, just do so. Assuming he is a compelling interesting character the PCs will take him along, or keep coming back to him (depending on his purpose). You could even have a short plotline that they need his help for, hoping that the associate will get them to know and hopefully to like him.

In the end though it comes down to whether or not the PCs want to continue to hang out with the guy. If they don't your going to have to let him go at least for a while (but having him pop up at a later time if it would be reasonable might be okay depending on the circumstances).
HyperVyperBeam
03-22-07, 01:52 AM I don't think that the consequence of a DM forming an attatchment of one of his/her NPCs should automatically result in the removal of that NPC as some have been stating.

PDISU has made the dilemma pretty clear. He enjoys the opportunity he gets to roleplay said NPC far greater than any other in his stash and may be a bit fearful that the unpredictable whims of the players could potentially bring about an end to this character and the roleplaying experience which PDISU so values.

If this issue is the most bothersome, than the only logical solution would be to express your thoughts and concerns to the players. No doubt, your enjoyment of roleplaying the character may have already come across in game. As a player, I can usually tell when a DM is really into playing a particular NPC. It comes off well and the PCs generally favor those NPCs that the DM seems to put the most effort into.

Maybe they won't be so surprised to hear about your predicament. I'm sure we've all had PCs and NPCs who have held a significant place in our RPing hearts. With any luck, the players will empathize with your plight, but be sure to make matters clear about not wanting the NPC to gain a sort of PC status which would disallow for the usual interactions associated with the PC/NPC relationship. Maybe the NPC will get more screen time, hopefully, if your attatchment to the character shines through in the roleplaying, the players already enjoy interacting with the particular NPC (whether the relationship between PCs and NPC is positive or negative), so that should not be difficult or seem abnormally forced.

The game should be enjoyable for all involved, including the DM. If your players understand this, than you should not fear their whim, but rather trust in their ability to work things out in and out of game as they have trusted you to do for this long.

Likewise, a DM should also take a similar course of action in regard to an NPC which has come to particularly disgust him/her to the point where the DM dreads RPing the npc so much so that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game, even if the PCs have taken a liking to interactions with said NPC, because as I've said, the game should be enjoyable for all involved.

But of course, if you fear that expressing this matter to your group might cause some unnecessary discomfort in terms of out of game communication or in game discomfort, than by all means, take some of DFoster's advice and continue to play as normal and see what comes of it. Hopefully the conflicts and plots involving your NPC of choice are fun and interesting for all and will turn out for the best, or the worst, if that is the best and most favorable out come for all. With any luck, your roleplaying of the character should be enough to cause him or her to shine (without overshadowing as you have noted). In doing so, there should be no need for you to underplay or make less appealing all of the other NPCs that the PCs should come upon.

The attatchment may fade in time, or another may form with another NPC due to frequency of play. Just be careful of your own whim if two characters you form attatchments to are pitted against one another in some form of conflict. That could prove to be your biggest dilemma in the end. What will you do then. (Insert evil laughter here.)
CroBob
03-22-07, 02:01 AM Brilliant!

No more arguments, no mood swings, she'll never say "no"! You, sir, are a hero among men!
AffableDoomwalker
03-22-07, 02:26 AM I am moved by this post. This calls for... Lorem ipsum!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Pellentesque ante. Ut quis massa. Vestibulum molestie commodo ipsum. Nam faucibus ante interdum sapien. Aliquam a quam. Nam hendrerit, mi a sodales adipiscing, magna ante sagittis neque, vel fringilla nisi orci sit amet tortor. Donec feugiat ultrices sapien. Integer eget nulla non lacus viverra sodales. Curabitur sagittis odio et dolor. Maecenas sit amet erat.
The Jake
03-22-07, 02:44 AM If you mean like you would your own PC, retire them far away.

If you're talking "Dream Lover", you two have a good time. Just remember that he/she/it/they will always love you.

I am assuming the former. The latter doesn't even bear thinking.

Yeah its usually better to retire them. I try to never build an NPC I am not prepared to kill off. Infact, I kill off some of my favorites just to let the players know I don't hold favorites.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PaladinsDoItStandingUp 03-21-07, 04:17 PM	What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?
LCD2YOU 03-21-07, 04:20 PM	What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs?If you mean like you would your own PC, retire them far away. If you're talking "Dream Lover", you two have a good time. Just remember that he/she/it/they will always love you.
DarkNick 03-21-07, 04:36 PM	Try to get out more?
Sereno 03-21-07, 04:52 PM	What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs? Ummm, simply recognize that it is merely an expression/extension of yourself and then, echoing the above poster, get out more. :) As a DM you should not get emotionally attached to any NPC because they are not the stars of the show -- the players are! -- and if you start favoring your NPCs over them you won't have a game for much longer! There's nothing wrong with liking an NPC, but if you ever find yourself feeling like you should (or, actually do!) cheat in favor of said NPC you've just crossed the line from "being a DM" to "telling a story".
kelvinaw273 03-21-07, 04:58 PM	Yeah, I need to do that ...
Bafaap 03-21-07, 05:15 PM	What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs? How did you do that in the first place? A tall blond woman enters the tavern, she has almond-brown eyes and if you didn't know better you'd think she's some sort of god. She posesses the beauty and grace of nymph and she has a most reasonable boobsize. Damn she's hot. Never mind, it's a fat guy with a beard. The chick is mine.
DarkNick 03-21-07, 05:31 PM	How did you do that in the first place? A tall blond woman enters the tavern, she has almond-brown eyes and if you didn't know better you'd think she's some sort of god. She posesses the beauty and grace of nymph and she has a most reasonable boobsize. Damn she's hot. Never mind, it's a fat guy with a beard. The chick is mine. got to have a most reasonable boob size . But almond-brown eyes would be kind of unusual, or did you mean brown almond shaped eyes? Can I take her out? She is mine! I'll fight you for her :duel: I'm going to do the weird science thing, put a bra on my head and hook up an old barbie to my amstrad. Come to me dream lady.... you wonderful imaginary nymph woman you...:love:
shadowflamedancer 03-21-07, 06:16 PM	I don't think he means "emotionaly attachted" in the way of having a crush an an NPC (thats kind of ridiculous, since it is an aspect of your own personality. Just you playing a role.). I think itis menat more that he doesn't want the NPC to go away, and likes the character a lot. That is understandable. I have made some NPCs that I liked way better than the PC. I have hordes of them, in fact. A one armed monk that swung through the trees, and mind controller, a barbarian that was against slavery, a blue mage who played the drums... the list goes on and on. Liking your own NPCs isn't a problem unless you cheat in their favor. It's just a matter of controlling yourself and recognizing that if your NPC did everything marvelously it would be fun for you, but not for the players. It's just recognizing the consequenes of your actions and having self-control.
UAMDB 03-21-07, 06:21 PM	What should you do as a DM if you become emotionally attached to one of your NPCs? OK this might offend a few people on this website, but I feel it needs to be said. First, I am not speaking directly at the OP, or at anyone. That being said, if you are getting emotionally attached to an imaginary person/thing, you need to stop playing a game of pretend. You have just crossed the line. This is for both DM's that get attached to NPC's, and PC's that get attached to either their characters, or other NPC's. By emotionaly attached I mean, if the said NPC/PC were to be killed in game and you felt real world sadness. Maybe felt slightly depressed because this character had just died. I understand the fustration of having a character that you sent from level 1 to level 20 die. But there is a big difference between getting upset because you have to start a new character over after spending months building a history with one, and becoming emotionaly unstable. Example: We had to stop playing, and kick a guy out of our group because the NPC brother of his PC died in game. When he found this out the PLAYER started to cry. It was beyond uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. I mean what do you say to a 18 yr kid. "Sorry your imaginary friend died?" People like this need to get out alot more and realize it is a game. Would you get this upset over a game of Monopoly?
Arrowhen 03-21-07, 06:28 PM	People cry over movies all the time; how's crying over a game any different?
Senevri 03-21-07, 06:41 PM	Example: We had to stop playing, and kick a guy out of our group because the NPC brother of his PC died in game. When he found this out the PLAYER started to cry. It was beyond uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. I mean what do you say to a 18 yr kid. "Sorry your imaginary friend died?" People like this need to get out alot more and realize it is a game. Would you get this upset over a game of Monopoly? Oookay. Missing the "Role" part of Roleplaying, is the vibe I'm getting. Mind you, there is most likely some line between what is healthy and what is not when it comes to emotional attachment, but that's not it. Certainly not the reason to kick someone out of my games. Becoming disruptive might be, though. There's a reason why artists call their creative works their babies, y'know. To the OP: Sometimes killing a character off is the right choice if you feel you're getting too attached to 'em --- or at least, making them fade to the background.
jbsaff 03-21-07, 07:14 PM	To the OP: Sometimes killing a character off is the right choice if you feel you're getting too attached to 'em --- or at least, making them fade to the background. I agree. Give the NPC a vacation (Perhaps a loooong vacation. So long you only need to bring a long wooden box. All expenses paid, even!) and let the PCs interact with someone/something else. It is almost never a good idea to allow an NPC, or even a BBEG, to become untouchable in your mind as the GM. Doing so may cramp the imagination or enjoyment for the players. Perhaps you can get a new plot/adventure hook out of the deal, allowing the game to take a little different direction and provide some new sights to see and people to meet.
PaladinsDoItStandingUp 03-21-07, 10:47 PM	I'm a bit confused about some of the comments. I don't have any "feelings" for my character and I don't think of my character as a PC. Neither of those things really make sense. I am hearing the comments about letting go of the character, but that doesn't really seem to be a very good option from my point of view. I have no intent of making this NPC the center of the game or cheating for this NPC. I just have a strong attachment to the character. Its like a really good piece of music that stays with you. It resonates somewhere more then the other pieces and hearing it brings you joy. That's not something strange, its something beautiful. Why would I want to just get rid of that, particularly after all the effort that went into the growth of the character? The only reason this is problematic is, since this is a RPG character, you can only experience the character in the company of others and my enjoyment of the character shouldn't get in the way of the players. But, really, why would it? I guess the big fear is leaving the fate of the NPC in the hands of the players. They are the stars of the show, so they can just dump the NPC or worse on a whim, but isn't risking that fate superior to just not trying? And also, would it really be that bad to use some DM power to preserve this character? I know if a player asked me to I'd do the same thing for them. If the character's continued existence makes the game more fun for me and doesn't take away from anyone elses game, what is the harm? Its not like this is a character in the party, its just a recurring character that takes a good game and (at least for me) makes it great. How the game get better if the NPC was removed by chance or ignorance?
DFoster 03-21-07, 11:30 PM	The problem with using your DM power to save an NPC that you have an attachment to is the fact that while initially you might use this to save them from death fighting another NPC (which has it's own problems under some circumstances, such as the PCs going, why isn't the NPC getting hit by these guys? I have 5 more AC and I'm nearly dead, which would lead to the PCs questioning the fairness of what's happening, and perhaps reduce his fun but I'll assume you can avoid that for now), is that perhaps you'll be tempted to use the power to make him do slightly better in combat (or perhaps raise his level) so you don't have to use it to save him all the time (which leads to him perhaps overshadowing the actual PCs). The other possible problem of course is what happens when the reason the NPC needs saving is that the PCs are the ones trying to kill him (this could happen because they feel he is overshadowing them and is an out of the blue attack, or perhaps they've jumped to some sort of conclusion about him working for the BBEG based on some really skimpy evidence). Now while it's possible you might let him die, if you've already fudged some rolls to save him from NPCs and grown even more attached, you might do it again even against the PCs. It's safer to let the dice fall where they may especially if you are the only one attached to the character. Now if the PCs were attached to the guy as well I could see perhaps saving him once or twice, until I was going to have him put at risk in a dramatic fashion at which point the dice would go back to falling as they may (so the PCs could save him, but they could fail to do it as well).
PaladinsDoItStandingUp 03-21-07, 11:50 PM	The NPC in question is a non-combatant. Any effort by any powerful character, PC or otherwise, will likely prove lethal. Also, I said I am attached to the character, not to the success of the character. I enjoy the act of playing the character independent of their successes and failures, I merely want the continued oppurtunity to play the NPC. I'm not sure where the fear about overshadowing are coming from. But, I am looking for advice on how to handle this situation without asserting DM power, but honestly, if this "overshadowing" concern is the only reason not to, maybe that is the best way to go. You'd have to be a pretty bad DM to upstage the players with one of your own characters.
aikimiller 03-21-07, 11:52 PM	Anybody here a fan of serenity/firefly? In terms of comparisons, I have to go with how several of the primary characters from the show, who were well beloved, were killed off as part of the story line. While everyone was sad to see them go, their deaths served a purpose. In real life, nobody lives for ever. I don't think D&D should be any different- characters will come and go, some with glorious fanfare, some will simply fade away with time, and some just choose the wrong place to stand in a halway with a hidden 1,500 lbs swing blade trap. Attachment to a character is only natural for something you put time and energy into. As a musician, I can understand what you mean about a piece of music- but imagine for a second, what if that same piece of music never ended? What if that final resolution of chords never came? The ending is an integral part of the whole, and without it the whole is diminished. From your post, it sounds like your character's time may be up soon. I would say if you like the character, give him the ending he deserves- how would the character want to go out? What would his last act be? Is he a walk into the sunset kind of guy, or will his final moments be railing defiantly against insurmountable odds to some greater purpose? The beauty of D&D though, is that death isn't permanent. Maybe down the road someone needs him, and finds a way to ressurect him. Or maybe next time you have a chance to play in a different game, play a younger version of the character, and give his backstory more depth if feasable.
DFoster 03-22-07, 01:31 AM	When you were talking about using DM Power to save the character I was assuming you were talking about combat (as you've pretty much said forcing the PCs to associate with someone isn't wise, which it isn't) and of course about actually using such powers. If you want to continue to RP a character, and want to do so without using DM Power, just do so. Assuming he is a compelling interesting character the PCs will take him along, or keep coming back to him (depending on his purpose). You could even have a short plotline that they need his help for, hoping that the associate will get them to know and hopefully to like him. In the end though it comes down to whether or not the PCs want to continue to hang out with the guy. If they don't your going to have to let him go at least for a while (but having him pop up at a later time if it would be reasonable might be okay depending on the circumstances).
HyperVyperBeam 03-22-07, 01:52 AM	I don't think that the consequence of a DM forming an attatchment of one of his/her NPCs should automatically result in the removal of that NPC as some have been stating. PDISU has made the dilemma pretty clear. He enjoys the opportunity he gets to roleplay said NPC far greater than any other in his stash and may be a bit fearful that the unpredictable whims of the players could potentially bring about an end to this character and the roleplaying experience which PDISU so values. If this issue is the most bothersome, than the only logical solution would be to express your thoughts and concerns to the players. No doubt, your enjoyment of roleplaying the character may have already come across in game. As a player, I can usually tell when a DM is really into playing a particular NPC. It comes off well and the PCs generally favor those NPCs that the DM seems to put the most effort into. Maybe they won't be so surprised to hear about your predicament. I'm sure we've all had PCs and NPCs who have held a significant place in our RPing hearts. With any luck, the players will empathize with your plight, but be sure to make matters clear about not wanting the NPC to gain a sort of PC status which would disallow for the usual interactions associated with the PC/NPC relationship. Maybe the NPC will get more screen time, hopefully, if your attatchment to the character shines through in the roleplaying, the players already enjoy interacting with the particular NPC (whether the relationship between PCs and NPC is positive or negative), so that should not be difficult or seem abnormally forced. The game should be enjoyable for all involved, including the DM. If your players understand this, than you should not fear their whim, but rather trust in their ability to work things out in and out of game as they have trusted you to do for this long. Likewise, a DM should also take a similar course of action in regard to an NPC which has come to particularly disgust him/her to the point where the DM dreads RPing the npc so much so that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game, even if the PCs have taken a liking to interactions with said NPC, because as I've said, the game should be enjoyable for all involved. But of course, if you fear that expressing this matter to your group might cause some unnecessary discomfort in terms of out of game communication or in game discomfort, than by all means, take some of DFoster's advice and continue to play as normal and see what comes of it. Hopefully the conflicts and plots involving your NPC of choice are fun and interesting for all and will turn out for the best, or the worst, if that is the best and most favorable out come for all. With any luck, your roleplaying of the character should be enough to cause him or her to shine (without overshadowing as you have noted). In doing so, there should be no need for you to underplay or make less appealing all of the other NPCs that the PCs should come upon. The attatchment may fade in time, or another may form with another NPC due to frequency of play. Just be careful of your own whim if two characters you form attatchments to are pitted against one another in some form of conflict. That could prove to be your biggest dilemma in the end. What will you do then. (Insert evil laughter here.)
CroBob 03-22-07, 02:01 AM	Brilliant! No more arguments, no mood swings, she'll never say "no"! You, sir, are a hero among men!
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The Jake 03-22-07, 02:44 AM	If you mean like you would your own PC, retire them far away. If you're talking "Dream Lover", you two have a good time. Just remember that he/she/it/they will always love you. I am assuming the former. The latter doesn't even bear thinking. Yeah its usually better to retire them. I try to never build an NPC I am not prepared to kill off. Infact, I kill off some of my favorites just to let the players know I don't hold favorites.