My campaign's headed towards a TPK

[PhoenixInferno]

I agree with AndyJames here.  It is far better to get the player back into the game than to have him sit out and feel like he's missing something.  Its a RL social dynamics thing, rather than an in-game consideration.

If you really want to fuck with the player for not being "immersed" in the game world, saddle his character with backstory that will emerge as play progresses (but do it quickly).  Like he's a wanted criminal for a crime he didn't commit or something.  See - adventuring hook and developing backstory all at the same time!

[ShaggyShaggs]

If you really want to fuck with the player for not being "immersed" in the game world, saddle his character with backstory that will emerge as play progresses (but do it quickly).  Like he's a wanted criminal for a crime he didn't commit or something.  See - adventuring hook and developing backstory all at the same time!

+1

I had a lot of fun once with a character that came with a very vague backstory... maybe 3 concrete facts and a bunch of handwaving, with the rest fogged over as amnesia.  The DM went to town with it and I played along -- turned out what the character did remember was a warped echo of a past existence, the character was trapped in an abnormal reincarnation cycle, and was not quite as human as he thought he was, having previously been right hand to the setting's deity root of all evil.  The character, his gradually revealed past, and his uncertain future ended up being a lot of fun for all involved, and integral to the story that unfolded.  He's currently a demigod and direct servant of a Saint Cuthbert equivalent in that world, now.

[Sunic_Flames]

I don't think roleplaying Chaotic Stupid counts...

[Talen Lee]

I don't think roleplaying Chaotic Stupid counts...

Cut it how you like it.

It's an expression of a petty individual. It's roleplaying, but the character you're roleplaying is a shit.

[Radijs]

I talked to the two players today and we've worked for a solution. They are going to make new characters both of em. We're going to make the backgrounds together, when we have time and decide how they are going to be tied in to the story, so both characters will be up to date on whats happening with the plot and have good reasons to work together with the rest of the party.

[Callix]

I talked to the two players today and we've worked for a solution. They are going to make new characters both of em. We're going to make the backgrounds together, when we have time and decide how they are going to be tied in to the story, so both characters will be up to date on whats happening with the plot and have good reasons to work together with the rest of the party.

Good to se you found an answer that everyone is willing to go with. Best of luck to you.

[Radijs]

A lil update:
I've generated the first of the two characters today together with one player.
He now has a good basis for a backstory, one that I'm plenty happy with. Its both cliche and original and offers a good way for him to stay motivated.
And we've got a good way of getting him involved with the party.