Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2015 18:18:58 GMT
Tesla, you described exactly what I meant. I was being hyperbolic about throwing everything out. It was an appeal to caution about railroading, but your explanation demonstrates you aren't doing that anyway. "the world would continue turning and events would continue happening elsewere" is the key I meant to imply when I said Kay should not be driving the plot.
I think the confusion stems from what I meant about "the main plot." To you, the main plot is the overarching narrative in which the PCs may or may not participate. I call this the background story. To me, the main plot is any and every scene in which the PCs make an appearance... that is, the main plot is the game, not the game prep. If the PCs happen to interact with the background story, awesome! If not, the main plot -- which is determined solely by their motivations, goals, actions and reactions -- remains imminently mutable.
We're of the same mind, we just use different definitions. Sorry for the confusion!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2015 18:41:20 GMT
Anyway, since the question was more about handling the NPC when she's around... First, I'm guilty of forgetting NPC tag-a-longs as well. So are players. I'll bet every DM has had a ranger in the party who forgets there's a wild animal following them into the inn!
So be up front with the players, and request their assistance. Ask them to ask you, "What is Kay doing?" whenever they feel like. Consider keeping a mini or token in plain sight that represents the NPC. Put it somewhere your gaze often falls upon.
Maintain full control of the NPC outside of combat. Only you have the complete perspective on how she would react to any given situation.
During combat, I normally retain control of NPCs unless it's a hired follower (in which case, the PC who hired him gets control, though I am entitled to trump suicidal actions), but there's nothing wrong with letting other players take the reins on Kay. However, don't force her on a player that doesn't want her. For instance, if you're doing round-robin on player control, make sure everyone understands ahead of time they can pass. Also, I would limit the changing of hands to per combat, not every round.
edit: re-read the thread, and it looks like I was pretty much repeating everyone. As for leveling up and gear, she should count toward the XP split if you're awarding XP for defeating creatures, and levels up at the same rate as the PCs while she is in the party (maybe keep her a level behind everyone else so she's not too shiny). I'd find some arbitrary reason for her not wanting/needing any loot. She can acquire better equipment whenever you decide its appropriate for her, but again, she shouldn't get better stuff than the PCs (until its story appropriate, i.e. excalibur)
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