Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aberlonian 08-17-07, 08:44 AM	I am running The Shackled City adventure path, and one player (lwho plays a level 2 sorceror) is going to miss two consecutive sessions due to a work trip. We agreed that his character will separate from the party during this time (earning no xp or share of the treasure), but he wants his character to be doing something productive while the party is down in the dungeon. He doesn't have any profession skill points, but could he still sell his services? Another possibility is granting two skill points into spellcraft, or a knowledge or profession of his choice (he spent his time practicing / studying). I don't like to reward not being able to attend a gaming session, but at least he has the consideration to let me know in advance. What would you do?
Nid_Food 08-17-07, 09:55 AM	If you agreed that he won't be with the group as a NPC, then I'd say he uses whatever skills available to him in the downtime. No skills = nothing notable being done. I wouldn't give him free skill points either, simply because what happens if the other PCs want to sit down and study to get bonus points themselves? Skill points are for when you level up, to signify that your character has become more skilled. It's like why doesn't your PC get stronger by lifting weights & working out? At best, he may be able to sell his spells to identify items, if he took identify as one of his spells.
GoriceXII 08-17-07, 10:10 AM	What you could also do is use him to provide rumors that your pcs might have missed or something. Say that while he was sitting in a tavern or at a party he heard XYZ information and give him a sheet with little writeups on it.
Grumman 08-17-07, 10:16 AM	I'd allow it, it's not like he just chose not to show up to the game. I'm sure that there's something a 2nd level Sorcerer can do to earn some spare change, even if it's just street entertainment. It depends on what kind of spells he knows, and what people around town need done.
Fireclave 08-17-07, 11:56 AM	I would let him make some money during down time, though I wouldn't give out any free skill points. Though it's not hard making a few extra coins even without skills. Craft, Profession, and Perform and all be used untrained. Perform would probably be the easiest of the three for a sorcerer to make money due to the high charisma. Remember that ranks represent training beyond everyday use, so a character with no ranks in Perform (String Instruments), for example, may still be able to play a few chords. It also doesn't take much to put on a simple magic show. In fact, the basic magic show only takes one spell: Prestidigitation. There aren't any rules to my knowledge for making performances with spells, but I would at least allow a properly placed spell to aid a performance and add a circumstance bonus.
Kouk 08-17-07, 01:40 PM	Well, if all else fails, he can work as a common laborer making 1cp a day. EDIT: Well, what skills, feats and spells does this character actually know/have? I'm sure we could come up with something creative, like perhaps he sells himself to help a Wizard making Wands or other items, "OK, I made the stick, now I need you to cast Burning Hands into it. Great, now do that 30 more times for the other sticks, I'm going to take a nap." Or whatever (you can cooperatively make items with other people).
Tenadros 08-17-07, 05:51 PM	I would say untrained profession or perform check (depending on his personality.) straight role, tells you what he did while he was gone. Again largely based on the guys personality