Character's Porting Between Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character's Porting Between Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tormsskull
05-17-06, 09:26 AM Hi everyone,

What is your stance on allowing players with characters from other campaigns to be ported into your current campaign? Do you place any restrictions to these type of characters beyond what you already restrict to your players?

Personally I never allow a ported character to be higher level than any of the current characters, and I usually like to start them 1 level lower than the lowest current PC. Plus, I always read over their character sheets with a fine-tooth comb because I know other DMs aren't as strict as I am on magical equipment.

I also let ported characters know that I'll try to incorporate some of their story (if applicable) into the current campaign world, but they should know that they will likely have to take a backseat to the other characters until they have had enough time to immerse themselves in the current campaign.
Illion the Red
05-17-06, 09:53 AM I haven't had to deal with this issue since 1st Edition and I can't even begin to remember how I handled it.

If it were to come up now, I definitely would take a long, hard look at the PC to make sure that it fit the power-level of the rest of the party. I would allow the PC to join in at the average party level (assuming there isn't a huge range of levels involved already). The integration of backstory and the like would really be setting/campaign specific.

For the most part, I don't see any real issues in porting a character from one campaign to another as long as it's done with an even hand.
Herald@Large
05-17-06, 03:56 PM In the group I played most with, we had 3 or 4 DMs in the group, each with their own separate dungeon and campaign. The players had separate characters in each DM's dungeon, and it was generally understood that those characters would stay in that dungeon. None of us had any problem with it.

I've known players with "pet" characters that they tried to take from dungeon to dungeon, usually with obscenely high levels and a raftload of magic goodies. I've always referred to those kind of characters as "flying Dutchmen", and will not allow them in my campaign.
Gelondil
05-18-06, 01:22 PM Myself and the people I play with are VERY liberal with allowing characters to port in to different campaigns. Of course normal rules apply - they can only game allows, they must explain why they are actually there (the have lives & friends back home they left behind) and they must be accepted by the existing group.

Of course, I go out of my way to make sure the character's power level fits the group. A person's "pet" transfer is likely to be relatively well decked-out, so might not be accepted in an equal-level group.

I've known players with "pet" characters that they tried to take from dungeon to dungeon, usually with obscenely high levels and a raftload of magic goodies. I've always referred to those kind of characters as "flying Dutchmen", and will not allow them in my campaign.
I have had DM's do that with their "pet" characters, ruining the story for the lowbies. When I do it, my "pet" characters are only cameos - usually they fill the roles of quest-givers or rest-stops. (Read: Gandalf and Elrond, only 1/4 as cool as them :) )

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tormsskull 05-17-06, 09:26 AM	Hi everyone, What is your stance on allowing players with characters from other campaigns to be ported into your current campaign? Do you place any restrictions to these type of characters beyond what you already restrict to your players? Personally I never allow a ported character to be higher level than any of the current characters, and I usually like to start them 1 level lower than the lowest current PC. Plus, I always read over their character sheets with a fine-tooth comb because I know other DMs aren't as strict as I am on magical equipment. I also let ported characters know that I'll try to incorporate some of their story (if applicable) into the current campaign world, but they should know that they will likely have to take a backseat to the other characters until they have had enough time to immerse themselves in the current campaign.
Illion the Red 05-17-06, 09:53 AM	I haven't had to deal with this issue since 1st Edition and I can't even begin to remember how I handled it. If it were to come up now, I definitely would take a long, hard look at the PC to make sure that it fit the power-level of the rest of the party. I would allow the PC to join in at the average party level (assuming there isn't a huge range of levels involved already). The integration of backstory and the like would really be setting/campaign specific. For the most part, I don't see any real issues in porting a character from one campaign to another as long as it's done with an even hand.
Herald@Large 05-17-06, 03:56 PM	In the group I played most with, we had 3 or 4 DMs in the group, each with their own separate dungeon and campaign. The players had separate characters in each DM's dungeon, and it was generally understood that those characters would stay in that dungeon. None of us had any problem with it. I've known players with "pet" characters that they tried to take from dungeon to dungeon, usually with obscenely high levels and a raftload of magic goodies. I've always referred to those kind of characters as "flying Dutchmen", and will not allow them in my campaign.
Gelondil 05-18-06, 01:22 PM	Myself and the people I play with are VERY liberal with allowing characters to port in to different campaigns. Of course normal rules apply - they can only game allows, they must explain why they are actually there (the have lives & friends back home they left behind) and they must be accepted by the existing group. Of course, I go out of my way to make sure the character's power level fits the group. A person's "pet" transfer is likely to be relatively well decked-out, so might not be accepted in an equal-level group. I've known players with "pet" characters that they tried to take from dungeon to dungeon, usually with obscenely high levels and a raftload of magic goodies. I've always referred to those kind of characters as "flying Dutchmen", and will not allow them in my campaign. I have had DM's do that with their "pet" characters, ruining the story for the lowbies. When I do it, my "pet" characters are only cameos - usually they fill the roles of quest-givers or rest-stops. (Read: Gandalf and Elrond, only 1/4 as cool as them :) )