Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 irenicus_jon Aug 29, 2011 4:07:17	If you are in my group (playing in the party fighting in the conflict between Murandin and Tethyr of Forgotten Realms, with the threat of the great spider always looming on the west), please do not read the following post. My character is in a party of four, we are playing on one side of a conflict between two states in war (ignore the bit about the spider). So far my character has these opinions about the rest of the party: -The most trusted one is (ironically) a guy that defected over from the other side. He is a competent fighter that seems to think along the same lines as my character does. -One of them is a lying (confirmed many times, caught lying to us as well), stealing scoundrel who stole a magical item that ended up sucking out our lives. Because of this we had to make a deal (to which I strongly objected) with a dangerous (and stronger) entity. We are unanimously upset about this deal, my character has offered to remove this guy from the party (and/or outright kill him) during the ordeal, because he was causing too much trouble. He has been given a "straighten your act" talk by the third member (mentioned below) and seems to be fixing his ways. -The last one values loyalty but does not exactly seem loyal to the side we're on or the war effort. He has mentioned giving up fighting and leading the quiet life of a grocer when we faced trouble before. He was also a bit too eager about revealing information to the enemy faction when we were captured (this wasn't a "talking to save our lives" situation, and the questioning NPC even mentioned offering us positions on his side if we satisfied his curiosity). At this point my character is upset with the actions of the party and the fact that his advice is always asked for but rarely listened. He is not very sociable to begin with so he has very little reason to stay and too many reasons to leave. The problem is that I fear this will be vehemently opposed by both the other players and the DM (who is very much against character leaving the party and/or dying). However, I am getting to the point where playing this character is becoming more of a chore rather than fun. What should I do?
#2 CorrinAvatan Aug 29, 2011 6:41:53	Question: is it your CHARACTER that wants to leave the game, or YOU? This game doesn't sound like much fun, mostly due to player 2, but you are also throwing out info suggesting that you don't like the actions the other PCs have made, as well.
#3 irenicus_jon Aug 29, 2011 8:55:05	I enjoy the game and the people I'm playing with a lot. I don't mind bad decisions of the other players (some of the fun during our sessions comes from such bad decisions) but I am trying to come up with logical arguments as to why my character should stay with the group and so far I don't have much (except "we have fought together and they haven't knifed me in the back").
#4 oxybe Aug 29, 2011 9:42:54	then have the PC leave. pre-game, explain to the other players that your PC simply isn't working out with the group due to a mix of their methodologies & his ideology, then in game do a little "remembering the good times" montage and have him slowly wave to them as he walks out into the sunset. end scene.  or you can go the shakespearean method "exit, chased by a bear" either way bring this up to the group and have a PC or two ready.  you should never feel tied down to a character, especially if he's just not working out with this particular group. put him in cold storage until you have the right group for him and play another. i've done that and it's been done by others in my groups. it happens.
#5 CorrinAvatan Aug 29, 2011 9:58:27	then have the PC leave. pre-game, explain to the other players that your PC simply isn't working out with the group due to a mix of their methodologies & his ideology, then in game do a little "remembering the good times" montage and have him slowly wave to them as he walks out into the sunset. end scene.  or you can go the shakespearean method "exit, chased by a bear" either way bring this up to the group and have a PC or two ready.  you should never feel tied down to a character, especially if he's just not working out with this particular group. put him in cold storage until you have the right group for him and play another. i've done that and it's been done by others in my groups. it happens.  See, if you're enjoying the game, I would say that the above advice is the WORST possible thing to do.  Your problem isn't "I'm not enjoying the game" it's "I'm not sure how to justify staying with the party given my normal motivations." Remember, he is YOUR character.  You can make him do whatever you want, regardless of what his "normal" incilinations would be. Is the goal that your party is trying to achieve more important than leaving?  Does your character feel that his allies are good, just misguided, and he should try to make sure they stay loyal?  I don't recommend going 3.5 Lawful Jerkwad Paladin on them, but it could be that your player says "enough is enough, we need to come together as a team and (do whatever your plot point/macguffin needs you to do)." Is one of the PCs a member of the opposite sex?  Maybe yours sticks around for something as stupid as being in love.  Heck, scratch the opposite sex part. Or, maybe you're just in it for the money.  Seriously, for some people, that's all that's needed.