Character Death - what now?

[Rich H]

Why not just adjust up the XP bonus (like double it)? You could also give out AP equal to the original amount (so in this case, 8 XP and 4 AP).

A little thought, but although they are referred to as Experience Points, it makes you wonder whether the additional points gained from Heroic Heritage should be spent using the tables on page 76 (Previous Experience); in other words they are added to the 10 points of starting character gets for 'previous experience'. That way, they can be spent on Common Skills as well. It would also explain why the extra points awarded appear to be low in value.

[Lugija]

A little thought, but although they are referred to as Experience Points, it makes you wonder whether the additional points gained from Heroic Heritage should be spent using the tables on page 76 (Previous Experience); in other words they are added to the 10 points of starting character gets for 'previous experience'. That way, they can be spent on Common Skills as well. It would also explain why the extra points awarded appear to be low in value.

That's how I have always read it.

A new character could have a hard time getting advancement points in an experienced company if somebody else has always more points in any skill.

[Majestic]

Eh. Logistically the weak guy is an albatross around the neck of the rest. Nobody in their right mind would take him as a focus, instead keeping it on their strong buddies who are less likely to die. The weak guy would prove to be canon fodder for the strong, much as trolls might consider orcs to be.

"What, Joe's weak character died again? Must be Tuesday. Let's try to finish this before the LM can introduce his next character..."

I completely disagree. My players tend to pick their Fellowship Focus based on story factors, not at all based on who is least likely to die. In fact, if anything the weaker characters tend to get picked, rather than the stronger ones.

[Angelalex242]

Eh. Some people see picking the weak guy as begging for shadow points when he inevitably gets hurt or killed. Picking the strong guy (particularly the strong archer) is a steady +1 hope every session.

[Glorelendil]

Eh. Some people see picking the weak guy as begging for shadow points when he inevitably gets hurt or killed. Picking the strong guy (particularly the strong archer) is a steady +1 hope every session.

In other words, Aragorn should have chosen Gandalf or Legolas, not Frodo.

Tolkien clearly was bad at RPGs.

[Rich H]

Eh. Some people see picking the weak guy as begging for shadow points when he inevitably gets hurt or killed. Picking the strong guy (particularly the strong archer) is a steady +1 hope every session.

In all seriousness, I often wonder whether you and your pals are suited to TOR. If this is the way you/they approach it, as well as comments you've made elsewhere in a similar vein, then it may not be the RPG for you.

[Rich H]

A little thought, but although they are referred to as Experience Points, it makes you wonder whether the additional points gained from Heroic Heritage should be spent using the tables on page 76 (Previous Experience); in other words they are added to the 10 points of starting character gets for 'previous experience'. That way, they can be spent on Common Skills as well. It would also explain why the extra points awarded appear to be low in value.

That's how I have always read it.

A new character could have a hard time getting advancement points in an experienced company if somebody else has always more points in any skill.

Which is interesting because in that case a 40 XP character dying and getting 10 points of previous experience + 6 more experience through Heroic Heritage to spend on (among other things) Common Skills, which are cheaper at character generation than during play, may not be as little an amount as the OP thinks. Of course, they still wouldn't be able to increase Wisdom/Valour beyond the 1-2 setup *but* they have the Hope to fuel that.

[Rich H]

I really like this idea. I've never used it in the past but definitely will do so in the future. I like that it gives the players an opportunity to participate in the storytelling, not just respond to the LMs story, which is one of TOR's themes (and should be for more RPGs).

It's something I learnt/picked up when GMing Amber DRPG back in the early 90s. Players were really empowered to create as much of the multiverse, including NPCs, as they wanted. That and the character questions and diaries started a real revolution in how I role-played and they were things I've used and adapted ever since.

[Falenthal]

[The starting points that a new heroe gains] through Heroic Heritage to spend on (among other things) Common Skills, which are cheaper at character generation than during play, may not be as little an amount as the OP thinks. Of course, they still wouldn't be able to increase Wisdom/Valour beyond the 1-2 setup *but* they have the Hope to fuel that.

That's how I figure it works. Also, I don't remember if it's RAW, but I would probably allow one item be handed down to the new character. Of course, it would have to be "scanned", otherwise a Shepherd's Bow in the hands of a Barding could be devastating, for example.

As I said before, I still don't have any reason to suspect that the heritage rules don't work.

Regarding the idea of using NPCs as PCs, I'm sure most of us have felt sympathy for one or another NPC from HotW, Tales, etc and thought "It would be nice to play this chap as my character". It happened to me with Haldir, Ennalda the Spear-maiden, Ruithiel the snobish elf,... Even one of my players, when his heroe was about to die in the last session (he didn't die in the end, only felt unconsciouss and was enslaved ) told me: "If I die, may I play with Ruithiel? She's a snob, but I'm getting to like her...". And why not? After all, she's around in the world, the group knows her and she knows the group, and they have reasons to work together. I think it would fit much better the story than coming up with someone totally new.

To the OP I'd say: try first with the RAW. If you feel its too little, give the new character 2 extra XPs per adventure (or something like that) to represent that he's also learning from his comrades and to allow him to catch up at some point. But if you all feel more comfortable with a character who is already seasoned and balanced with the rest of the group, give him the XPs and APs of the rest of the group, but watch out also for the Hope and Shadow Points the rest have and modify them as you see fit.

[Glorelendil]

I think the other question to ask is whether it's simply "less fun" to be the weakest member of the party or whether the new guy simply can't keep up. That is, is it because everybody else is so much better at Combat and Fatigue, or is it because low-level characters can't go where Fatigue and Corruption TNs are too high?

If it's the former, then my advice would be to embrace it and roleplay it (same for the other companions, who might have to look out for him/her). The latter is trickier. Spending background XP on Travel can help, as can raising Wisdom before Valour.