Welcome to another edition of The Gamemaster. If you’re a fan of gamemastering RPGs, be sure to check out our previous installments of the column. For those who are just catching up: a few months ago I started GMing a Pathfinder campaign (two actually). It’s my first experience roleplaying in 15 years and I’m finding I quite like it. I’m taking readers through my processes and journey toward being a better GM (or Dungeon Master, if you prefer).
I’d like today to discuss a problem I had that may or may not be unique.
You see, since I’m a writer, I gave up video games to help afford me the time I needed to write. It was a sacrifice I had to make to get things done. And it wasn’t that I wanted to give up board games, too, it just didn’t come up as often. I allowed myself one exception: when I was spending time with my kids and that’s what they wanted to do.
Well, I had no idea how much they were going to enjoy RPGs. We started with HeroQuest and BattleMasters, then moved to games like Descent.
When we made the leap to Pathfinder, I was a bit perplexed how I’d cross things over with my son. I knew he wanted to play, but I wondered how difficult it would be to play a game with a group of adults and a 10 year old. Would they find that he took them out of the game? Would he break character and truly get the concepts of playing a part?
I had to think of a way to make him an asset rather than a liability. I had no doubt that he’d get the mechanics of the game, and understand his abilities and which dice to roll when. He’s sharp and the math would be easy for him. The role-playing part was the only thing I was concerned about. Kids that age have a hard enough time figuring out who they are for themselves, let alone playing a part.
But I think I came up with a way to keep him consistently in character and it’s a joy to play with him. He adds a humour and a way of thinking to the game that is wonderfully out of left field.
Basically, what it came down to was determining his style of play and crafting a character’s personality and backstory to fit that, in a way that he’d be able to contribute his own unique way of thinking and have it be in line with his character in game.
After playing many, many HeroQuest adventures with him, it was easy to know what sort of character he would be. He was always the tank because he’d rush into battle, but the second the prospect of treasure or shiny objects presented themselves to him, he’d fly off on his own to obtain it.
And thus, the drunken, treasure seeking, fighter of a dwarf named Dodger Blackaxe was born.
Here’s a the backstory he and I brainstormed together to give his character flavor:
As a dwarven fighter, Dodger Blackaxe certainly earned his given name. In the lands to the North of St. Argon, he earned a reputation as a bodyguard and guide for all manner of expeditions into the caves and dark places of the Agna Mounts (or the Mountains of St. Michael as the human-folk call them.) But one too many times did he go on adventures drunk, distracted by the allure of treasure, and allowed his clients to become wounded or, in worse cases, killed.
After his reputation was ruined beyond repair and no one would hire him for any job and the name “Dodger” was synonymous with failure and the purposeful sabotage of a mission, he decided to head south and seek his fortune traveling along the coast. Perhaps, he thought, he could turn a new leaf in the world of men.
When he found himself enamored with the city of Argonan, the capitol of St. Argon and worked hard to find a place to accept him and his unique set of abilities but he couldn’t find one. Soon, he found himself on the steps of a temple, down and out, begging for help. Persea, a healing cleric at The Monastery of St. Alandra took him in, seeing right through his “desire” to convert to their religion. She knew full well he was after room, board, and booze, but took him in anyway.
When the revolution came and the monasteries and temples were being destroyed and the holy people and magic users were being killed, he vowed to help Persea escape with her life. After disguising her as a refuge and helping her get out of the city as a refugee (as well as an obnoxious gnome that found herself under the protection of Persea), he took it upon himself to lead them to the free city of St. Sebastian and provide for their further protection as long as they should need.
Obviously, Persea (and the gnome) are other player characters in the game and it was important for them all to have that connection. The first session began on the refugee trail as they escaped the city. And I printed out a copy of this and handed it to my boy. He referred to it constantly for our first few sessions, but now has it memorized.
In fact, with the help of the detailed background I’d printed out for him, he’s even started telling the story of the campaign in journal format from Dodger Blackaxe’s perspective.
But the way this story was crafted, it gives him room to match his play style exactly, but also allows him to mature as a player away from the drunken treasure seeking. As he matures, so too will his character, adding a realistic flavor for the other players.
And let’s be honest, it works well for me that any time things stagnate, a former client he’d wronged can come back for revenge.
We’re thinking about starting a Star Wars RPG and I’ve figured out exactly how I’ll work him into that as well. I’m in love with the idea of a game revolving around a Jedi and their Padawan on the run during the dark times. Casting my son as the Padawan would give him an age appropriate character and a veteran player could be cast as the master, acting as a mentor to both my son and his character. It will work out beautifully if we ever start that game.
My point with this week’s column is this: don’t be afraid to do the extra work to accomodate a younger player, especially if they’re your kids. For one, it’s great bonding time and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Secondly, it’s incredibly creative. Thirdly, because his character is crafted to match his personality so well, he adds such a fun dynamic to the group. Lastly, don’t be afraid to mix a kid like that into a group of seasoned players. They’ll be a seasoned player on their own in no time.
So, until next week, be sure to check out other columns in the Gamemaster series!
