DM & PC? [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

DM & PC? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gallamine
05-13-05, 11:50 AM A question I have is can a Dungeon Master also be a Player-Character?
PrinceAzar
05-13-05, 11:53 AM typically we call these NPCs, Hirelings, or other people who join the party to aid them. For the most part, actively roleplaying your PC with the party you're DMing would detract from a lot of the suspense and mystery.
rhflyweyr
05-13-05, 11:55 AM One of two things will happen, either one, you will reveal too much of the plot because you will actually know what the DM wants you to do, or you will be a much less present character in the group, in which case you are an NPC, not a PC.
Gallamine
05-13-05, 11:58 AM Alright, thanks for telling me this stuff. I hadn't really considered the plot.

Alright, I'm off to find someone to be my new DM *groans*
Twisted Puppy
05-13-05, 12:13 PM While the term "DMPC" pops up on these boards, the correct term is "ally." Those are NPCs who are with the party on a more or less permanent basis (as described by the DMG.) Handy for doing something horrible to a party member when you don't want to shaft one of your players. The important thing is decide beforehand what the ally knows and their personality. Then stick to that come hell or high water. If there is no reason for the character to hang around, have them move on. (Beware that players can throw wrenches into the best laid plans when you use one of these. Such as, for example, becoming romantically involved with ally. See here for details (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=117646) )
Norhg
05-13-05, 12:25 PM The old wizard who gives directions every once in a while, the brave elven knight who joins the party to rescue his lost love or the druid who takes the shape of one of the player's horses just to aid them. I would call those Dmpcs, pretty nice ones too.
Gallamine
05-13-05, 12:35 PM That's the one problem I'm having. My character, Gallamine, is a PC, but I'm also currently a DM. But as PrinceAzar and rhflyweyr stated, it would take some of the suspense from the game because I would already know the twists.

I think I might just find someone else to DM...
Gallamine
05-13-05, 12:37 PM Actually, I think I'm going to follow Twisted Puppy and Norhg's advice and have my character just pop up sometimes...
Twisted Puppy
05-13-05, 01:14 PM Actually, I think I'm going to follow Twisted Puppy and Norhg's advice and have my character just pop up sometimes...

I don't think I'd have a character I have played in earlier campaigns (as a PC) make more than cameo appearances. If you are starting a fresh campaign, I recommend you also start from scratch with potential allies. Don't optimize the character either. Choose skills and traits based on the character's past and personality as you see it. That makes sure you don't outshine the PCs.

But that's just me.
Gallamine
05-13-05, 01:22 PM My character's a Changeling, so I suppose I can have it show up a bit, just in different forms
weasel fierce
05-13-05, 02:00 PM You can, but its a tricky road to walk, and you have to be carefull.
Gallamine
05-13-05, 03:31 PM Yeah, that's true. I'm getting the guide on Changelings, so hopefully that will help me a bit.
Aeromus
05-13-05, 04:27 PM You know, the DM running a PC at the same time used to happen "alot" back in first and second... and noone seemed to complain.

But, with third.... it's almost taboo.
Gargs454
05-13-05, 05:03 PM It can certainly work if you do it right, but you do have to be careful.

However, it will never feel that same as actually being a player while another person is the DM. As you rightly point out, you will know of all the plot twists and turns before they happen. This also greatly impacts the way in which you have to play your character. For instance, it would be a horrible idea to have your character take any kind of leadership role given that you know what lies ahead. The temptation to "cheat" can just be too great.

Anyhoo, the important thing is that at the end of the day you and your gaming group can look back and say that you had a lot of fun.
Tytalus
05-13-05, 09:27 PM One thing worth mentioning is that (bad) DM's tend to play their DMPCs as favorites. It's usually enough to be aware that this can happen to avoid it.
Thorak
05-13-05, 10:07 PM You know, the DM running a PC at the same time used to happen "alot" back in first and second... and noone seemed to complain.

But, with third.... it's almost taboo.
Maybe in your games. It's always been seen as pretty thoughtless in the various groups I've been in.

There is no way for a DM to run a PC. Any character controlled by the DM is an NPC. By definition. And giving the ref a stake in the game isn't a good idea. There's a reason why referees can't be on one of the two teams in sports. Because the urge to play favourites, even unconsciously, will always be there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gallamine 05-13-05, 11:50 AM	A question I have is can a Dungeon Master also be a Player-Character?
PrinceAzar 05-13-05, 11:53 AM	typically we call these NPCs, Hirelings, or other people who join the party to aid them. For the most part, actively roleplaying your PC with the party you're DMing would detract from a lot of the suspense and mystery.
rhflyweyr 05-13-05, 11:55 AM	One of two things will happen, either one, you will reveal too much of the plot because you will actually know what the DM wants you to do, or you will be a much less present character in the group, in which case you are an NPC, not a PC.
Gallamine 05-13-05, 11:58 AM	Alright, thanks for telling me this stuff. I hadn't really considered the plot. Alright, I'm off to find someone to be my new DM groans
Twisted Puppy 05-13-05, 12:13 PM	While the term "DMPC" pops up on these boards, the correct term is "ally." Those are NPCs who are with the party on a more or less permanent basis (as described by the DMG.) Handy for doing something horrible to a party member when you don't want to shaft one of your players. The important thing is decide beforehand what the ally knows and their personality. Then stick to that come hell or high water. If there is no reason for the character to hang around, have them move on. (Beware that players can throw wrenches into the best laid plans when you use one of these. Such as, for example, becoming romantically involved with ally. See here for details (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=117646) )
Norhg 05-13-05, 12:25 PM	The old wizard who gives directions every once in a while, the brave elven knight who joins the party to rescue his lost love or the druid who takes the shape of one of the player's horses just to aid them. I would call those Dmpcs, pretty nice ones too.
Gallamine 05-13-05, 12:35 PM	That's the one problem I'm having. My character, Gallamine, is a PC, but I'm also currently a DM. But as PrinceAzar and rhflyweyr stated, it would take some of the suspense from the game because I would already know the twists. I think I might just find someone else to DM...
Gallamine 05-13-05, 12:37 PM	Actually, I think I'm going to follow Twisted Puppy and Norhg's advice and have my character just pop up sometimes...
Twisted Puppy 05-13-05, 01:14 PM	Actually, I think I'm going to follow Twisted Puppy and Norhg's advice and have my character just pop up sometimes... I don't think I'd have a character I have played in earlier campaigns (as a PC) make more than cameo appearances. If you are starting a fresh campaign, I recommend you also start from scratch with potential allies. Don't optimize the character either. Choose skills and traits based on the character's past and personality as you see it. That makes sure you don't outshine the PCs. But that's just me.
Gallamine 05-13-05, 01:22 PM	My character's a Changeling, so I suppose I can have it show up a bit, just in different forms
weasel fierce 05-13-05, 02:00 PM	You can, but its a tricky road to walk, and you have to be carefull.
Gallamine 05-13-05, 03:31 PM	Yeah, that's true. I'm getting the guide on Changelings, so hopefully that will help me a bit.
Aeromus 05-13-05, 04:27 PM	You know, the DM running a PC at the same time used to happen "alot" back in first and second... and noone seemed to complain. But, with third.... it's almost taboo.
Gargs454 05-13-05, 05:03 PM	It can certainly work if you do it right, but you do have to be careful. However, it will never feel that same as actually being a player while another person is the DM. As you rightly point out, you will know of all the plot twists and turns before they happen. This also greatly impacts the way in which you have to play your character. For instance, it would be a horrible idea to have your character take any kind of leadership role given that you know what lies ahead. The temptation to "cheat" can just be too great. Anyhoo, the important thing is that at the end of the day you and your gaming group can look back and say that you had a lot of fun.
Tytalus 05-13-05, 09:27 PM	One thing worth mentioning is that (bad) DM's tend to play their DMPCs as favorites. It's usually enough to be aware that this can happen to avoid it.
Thorak 05-13-05, 10:07 PM	You know, the DM running a PC at the same time used to happen "alot" back in first and second... and noone seemed to complain. But, with third.... it's almost taboo. Maybe in your games. It's always been seen as pretty thoughtless in the various groups I've been in. There is no way for a DM to run a PC. Any character controlled by the DM is an NPC. By definition. And giving the ref a stake in the game isn't a good idea. There's a reason why referees can't be on one of the two teams in sports. Because the urge to play favourites, even unconsciously, will always be there.