Sometimes we encounter situations where a specific Character isn’t available for a given Game Session due to the vagaries of scheduling or life interfering with a Player’s Plans for leisure. Having that Character “Fade into the Background” temporarily isn’t always a satisfactory experience. This can sometimes present a conundrum: What was the Character “up to” during that span of time they were unavailable to participate in Adventure? Although I’m usually amenable to just “handwaving” these situations in the interest of getting back into Play as soon as possible, often it can be useful to have a few “Excuses” or “Reasons” available for embellishment should the table desire a little more detail.
Most of these might be considered to intrude a bit on Player Agency if you leave them up to a roll (though allowing the Player to choose something appropriate or fitting is another option) but I’ve tried to include some “Leading Questions” with them that provide the Player an opportunity to expand a little bit from their perspective to assuage these situations a skosh. Occasionally, I like to remind myself that these circumstances “outside of Play” can be considered somewhat fairer game for the world to interfere with a Character in unforeseen ways: It shouldn’t always remain static and lifeless.
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