This is the first thing going in the new book.
But that won't be for a while. I've decided to take a year-long break from any crowdfunding or release of a project that's more than a six or seven-page PDF.
I would release this all by itself, but it's too short for even a PDF release; just perfect for a blog post, or a one-page explanation in the appendix of the aforementioned new book. So, what is it? Let me elucidate, hoss...
If a player has been absent for more than one session in a row, he's likely fallen behind in terms of XP. While it's all fine and dandy if that absent PC is at a lower level than everyone else, it can be a hassle for both his fellow players and the GM. Specifically, the lower-level PC will be in greater danger while also being of less help in an emergency, which then puts the rest of the party at risk, or influences the GM to make the adventure less strenuous... and possibly less rewarding.
You know how GMs hate the multi-page backstory of a fresh player-character that's just starting out? Well, I'm turning that idea on its head by asking that absent player to write-up and then verbally present a fleshed-out bullet-point list of at least 7 things that PC experienced while they weren't with the party.
This can be made-up of things they did, saw, survived, prevented, rigged, ran away from, broke, fixed, heard about, fought against, killed, looted, saved, found in a crevasse, pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, and numbered.
Now, this particular path diverges in the desert, as it were. There are two schools of thought...
First, the PC can explain his absence from the party and what he's been up to in-character. So, this is now what the other adventurers are hearing and they can make of that what they will, also in-character. If the missing PC found a magic ring, where is this ring, now?
Second, this option is storygame-adjacent. As the GM and players listen to everything, they are free to make suggestions... adding, subtracting, twisting, turning, coloring, and embellishing. This is a way of collectively crafting the narrative. Not every item on the list needs to be tweaked. Some or maybe even most can stand-alone just as they are presented. However, the occasional item might be improved with feedback and suggestions, like a writer's room. After all, the other players know the PC in question well, one hopes, and should be able to provide insight based on that knowledge.
The GM has the final say on what's actually canon. Again, a discrepancy between the story told by the absent adventurer and what really happened might be glaringly apparent.
What do they get for their trouble? A singular level-up. They might still be behind, but at least not as much.
Now, what to do with PCs who find themselves laden with magic rings and the like? In this case, it's important to have balance. Acquire a magic ring? Ok, then something equally bad should also happen to even things out, like the PC also sprained his ankle. Now, if the magic ring was found and then lost, the ankle could have been sprained and now it's better. But if he still has it in his pocketses, perhaps the sprained ankle persists... which means he can't run. At best, he's hobbling away like Johnny at the end of Mike Leigh's Naked (1993). Thus, restoring the balance.
What this does is...
- Explain what happened during the PC's absence.
- Gets that PC up-to-speed so they don't fall behind.
- Adds to the campaign setting by coming at world-building from a surprisingly new angle.
- Gives the GM more to work with as he facilitates the Living World and Living Story.
Ok, there might be a chance to use this if one of our players returns tomorrow (jury's still out). Regardless, I feel like this is a neat addition to the table, and if you like it, I hope you use it, too, and tell me how it went.
Enjoy,
VS
p.s. Yes, weekend badges are now available for July 2026's VENGER CON V: The Will To Power. Want the hardcover Cha'alt trilogy? Here's how (and they're currently on sale!)!!
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