Attendance Issues [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attendance Issues [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WoT Fan
11-26-05, 08:51 PM We have a group set up of about 5 people (1 DM, 4 PCs.) When we actually get together and play, we all have fun just about every time. However, what about the times when we can't ALL get together to play?

What would you, as a DM, do when every game someone can't make it. No, this isn't a single players fault, everyone (including the DM) has had to cancle. The reasons are usually good and legit (ie. Babysitting, family from out of town, grounded...).

I am not asking for ways to drop/punish the players who have to cancle, but how do you play without them? Over a month has gone by before of no play from cancelation (We only play once a week).

Can anyone think of a good, fair, way to resolve this?
shadowmimiiru
11-26-05, 09:19 PM I have this problem all the time. Its made worse by some being co-joined families and having to work around visitation rights, and some being college studnets (the DM (Me) included) and wanting to either study or go home. We've come to handle this by having only one true session a month and every other (3 every weekend) being an all or non-session. Basically at every required sessions we set up a date for the next required session, and then just see if we can all make for any of the others. Normally everyone can make it, but when some can't its easy to cancel since no one will be let down, and this makes sure that no one misses any of the story.

You know that sounds convulted and very hard. You may not want to try this, but it works for my group.

later
shadow
RolandStJude
11-26-05, 09:39 PM Can anyone think of a good, fair, way to resolve this?
Here are a few ways to deal with one missing person (MP) in group of 4 players:

1. Have the MPs character played by someone else (with the MPs permission - set this up in advance so that if someone can't make it unexpectedly you have thier proxy player set up).

2. Have the MPs character played by the DM (with the permission of the MP).

3. Have the MPs character disappear for the duration of the MPs absence (come up with a reasonable explanation for it).

With 1 and 2 you have to be sure the proxy player/DM has the MPs trust and knows what level of risk to assume. Play an MPs character more conservatively than the MP would. Getting someone's character killed is a risk that comes with the territory, but it's one you want to minimize. Also a discussion should be had about item use and other choices a proxy player might make that would have long term impact (e.g., using up someones wand charges, potions, etc.).

With 3 you have to make it as believable as possible that the MP is suddenly absent, unless it is the kind of game where verisimilitude doesn't matter so much on that level. In any case with 3, you have to remember to ratchet down the CR's for encounters to account for the missing PC.

I would say you should try to find a way to go ahead and play. With 4 out 5 people ready, willing, and able, you should still be able to have a good time, and by cancelling you're missing solid gaming opportunities. If I were the person who couldn't make it, I definitely wouldn't want the others to cancel the game on my account.
imperialjunkie
11-26-05, 09:44 PM I have a group of 7 that has been playing for about 6 months or so. We meet every other week. Wish it could be more, but we can't because of busy-ness. My rule is that if 3 people cancel out then we cancel the session. It's only happened once. If one or two are missing, we just figure that they are 'guarding the horses.' It works fine. The only tough part for me is reconfiguring 'plot moments' for certain PCs that I had planned that were absent. Not too tough.
9mm of Mercy
11-26-05, 10:18 PM Always have a couple one-shots up your sleeve. When someone is missing but every else is dead set on playing you can run a quick one and the missing player doesn't lose out on anything in the main campaign.
Messer
11-26-05, 11:33 PM Often, quite often actually. A player can't make it on a certain night, so, I ask the guys every week after the game, if we are all good for next week. and they say yes and no.

If someone says no, we all talk about sceduling on the spot. If someone has a vacation, goes back to thier home country, or, is trapped in a gourd or some such hooballoo. I pull out the really fancy. "Okay player, how are you going to work yourself out of this game"

I dont believe that running a game where the player is NPCed is fair, and I really dont like the idea of them tagging along, and not getting xp, so, I do the one thing I can, and that is...

I work the player out of the game. and if they want to catch up on XP some how, they need to give me a good example of how they are worked out of the game, and scedule with me a good night to play where we can go through a 'solo adventure' which will give them personal story to develope thier charactor, and futhermore, will give them more IC drive to control the party when they get back.

but I always try to run with whoever shows up, and I always try to end the adventure on the 'regrouping side,' so people can remove themselves from the next adventure, if they need to be. If they can't remove themselfs, I take thier guy for hostage, sacrifice, etc, at the end of the session before the one they can't make. and I make those who can attend responcible for bringing them back alive, quite litterally.

anyways, I'm gonna go eat lamb, have fun.
Board_Rider
11-26-05, 11:53 PM The best way to handle this is by using simple planning which has already been mentioned.
<rant>
This kinda thing really irks me though. Currently my group seems like it will never get together again. I bet if I were to say "hey you guys coming back next week for hot wings, strippers and your money tree clippings??" the resounding answer would be "Yes". I would then bet that suddenly every Saturday would be open for them. I just don't see why people can't commit. It really doesn't help that almost every gamer that I have met seems like a 6 year old hiding behind their parents leg. I ask, "hey, wanna game?" Them? "Ummm,well, uh..I guess...but, uh...."...jeez.</rant>
Apologies for the derailment and rant...but the ol' BR feels oh so much better!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WoT Fan 11-26-05, 08:51 PM	We have a group set up of about 5 people (1 DM, 4 PCs.) When we actually get together and play, we all have fun just about every time. However, what about the times when we can't ALL get together to play? What would you, as a DM, do when every game someone can't make it. No, this isn't a single players fault, everyone (including the DM) has had to cancle. The reasons are usually good and legit (ie. Babysitting, family from out of town, grounded...). I am not asking for ways to drop/punish the players who have to cancle, but how do you play without them? Over a month has gone by before of no play from cancelation (We only play once a week). Can anyone think of a good, fair, way to resolve this?
shadowmimiiru 11-26-05, 09:19 PM	I have this problem all the time. Its made worse by some being co-joined families and having to work around visitation rights, and some being college studnets (the DM (Me) included) and wanting to either study or go home. We've come to handle this by having only one true session a month and every other (3 every weekend) being an all or non-session. Basically at every required sessions we set up a date for the next required session, and then just see if we can all make for any of the others. Normally everyone can make it, but when some can't its easy to cancel since no one will be let down, and this makes sure that no one misses any of the story. You know that sounds convulted and very hard. You may not want to try this, but it works for my group. later shadow
RolandStJude 11-26-05, 09:39 PM	Can anyone think of a good, fair, way to resolve this? Here are a few ways to deal with one missing person (MP) in group of 4 players: 1. Have the MPs character played by someone else (with the MPs permission - set this up in advance so that if someone can't make it unexpectedly you have thier proxy player set up). 2. Have the MPs character played by the DM (with the permission of the MP). 3. Have the MPs character disappear for the duration of the MPs absence (come up with a reasonable explanation for it). With 1 and 2 you have to be sure the proxy player/DM has the MPs trust and knows what level of risk to assume. Play an MPs character more conservatively than the MP would. Getting someone's character killed is a risk that comes with the territory, but it's one you want to minimize. Also a discussion should be had about item use and other choices a proxy player might make that would have long term impact (e.g., using up someones wand charges, potions, etc.). With 3 you have to make it as believable as possible that the MP is suddenly absent, unless it is the kind of game where verisimilitude doesn't matter so much on that level. In any case with 3, you have to remember to ratchet down the CR's for encounters to account for the missing PC. I would say you should try to find a way to go ahead and play. With 4 out 5 people ready, willing, and able, you should still be able to have a good time, and by cancelling you're missing solid gaming opportunities. If I were the person who couldn't make it, I definitely wouldn't want the others to cancel the game on my account.
imperialjunkie 11-26-05, 09:44 PM	I have a group of 7 that has been playing for about 6 months or so. We meet every other week. Wish it could be more, but we can't because of busy-ness. My rule is that if 3 people cancel out then we cancel the session. It's only happened once. If one or two are missing, we just figure that they are 'guarding the horses.' It works fine. The only tough part for me is reconfiguring 'plot moments' for certain PCs that I had planned that were absent. Not too tough.
9mm of Mercy 11-26-05, 10:18 PM	Always have a couple one-shots up your sleeve. When someone is missing but every else is dead set on playing you can run a quick one and the missing player doesn't lose out on anything in the main campaign.
Messer 11-26-05, 11:33 PM	Often, quite often actually. A player can't make it on a certain night, so, I ask the guys every week after the game, if we are all good for next week. and they say yes and no. If someone says no, we all talk about sceduling on the spot. If someone has a vacation, goes back to thier home country, or, is trapped in a gourd or some such hooballoo. I pull out the really fancy. "Okay player, how are you going to work yourself out of this game" I dont believe that running a game where the player is NPCed is fair, and I really dont like the idea of them tagging along, and not getting xp, so, I do the one thing I can, and that is... I work the player out of the game. and if they want to catch up on XP some how, they need to give me a good example of how they are worked out of the game, and scedule with me a good night to play where we can go through a 'solo adventure' which will give them personal story to develope thier charactor, and futhermore, will give them more IC drive to control the party when they get back. but I always try to run with whoever shows up, and I always try to end the adventure on the 'regrouping side,' so people can remove themselves from the next adventure, if they need to be. If they can't remove themselfs, I take thier guy for hostage, sacrifice, etc, at the end of the session before the one they can't make. and I make those who can attend responcible for bringing them back alive, quite litterally. anyways, I'm gonna go eat lamb, have fun.
Board_Rider 11-26-05, 11:53 PM	The best way to handle this is by using simple planning which has already been mentioned. <rant> This kinda thing really irks me though. Currently my group seems like it will never get together again. I bet if I were to say "hey you guys coming back next week for hot wings, strippers and your money tree clippings??" the resounding answer would be "Yes". I would then bet that suddenly every Saturday would be open for them. I just don't see why people can't commit. It really doesn't help that almost every gamer that I have met seems like a 6 year old hiding behind their parents leg. I ask, "hey, wanna game?" Them? "Ummm,well, uh..I guess...but, uh...."...jeez.</rant> Apologies for the derailment and rant...but the ol' BR feels oh so much better!