A message to newbie DM’s everywhere: avoid falling into the trap of making your PC’s indispensable to your story!
Picture it: You’ve got your epic adventure all planned out. You’re assembling your fellowship of heroes, and are ready to throw them into the fire. In your mind, each of them fills a certain role within your campaign. One might be the heir to a lost throne, while another the subject of a long forgotten prophecy describing him as the most powerful wizard to walk the realm, “He Who Will Save Us”. Together with their companions, they will vanquish the evil that has spread all over the world and take their place in history. There’s only one flaw in your plans though… they better survive every encounter you throw their way. And here then is where I think it may all fall apart.
Once you’ve determined that your campaign will revolve around Barundar the secret dwarf prince on his way to reclaim his family’s throne, then you make Barundar’s survival ultimately too important to your campaign. If your entire story hinges on this guy surviving, then you’ll never kill him, because killing him kills your storyline. Now, you can’t have a PC not face the fear of death, because then there’s no drama. No drama means no conflict, and it makes for a very boring story.
Of course, if your players are in on it, and you guys choose to play out a storyline like a book, where the ending is written and the players have a specific role to fill, then by all means, hand everyone the ritual caster feat and stock them up on “raise dead” scrolls. Who cares then? It’s a Dead Man’s Party!
Most games aren’t run like this though. So when you are crafting your story, be mindful of writing yourself into a corner. Don’t come up with something that yeah, sounds great in concept, but then you’ve got to figure out what happens if things don’t go your way. If the survival of the world hinges on Barundar, and a lucky 20 burns his beard off along with his skin and bones in the dragon’s lair, you’re screwed noob. So think about it before you make him the Frodo in your “Lord of the Rings”.
I am not advocating ignoring cool ideas, plots, or destinies for your players. Not at all. What I am saying is that have a way to deal with a player’s death if behind the scenes he’s that important to your plans.
Your PC’s should all possess great gravitas and a fantastic role within your plot, while not breaking it with their demise.
Now I ask you experienced DM’s out there for your advice. Am I way off the mark? Fill me in on how you’ve handled this scenario. Be nice to me, I’ve only been DM’ing a few months…
www. Newbie DM .com 
Lurkinggherkin
May 4, 2009
In general, I’m in agreement, and you are right to point this out as a trap. However, technically, I must take issue with the statement:
Now, you can’t have a PC not face the fear of death, because then there’s no drama
Surely, fear of death is not the only source of drama? There are many other fears you can employ to add drama to a roleplaying game. Fear of failure, humiliation, loss of honour, the death of friends or relatives, captivity and servitude to name a few. And if willing, there are even darker places you can go, though you need to know your players and the boundaries of their comfort zones *very* well before you go there.
I think it’s OK for a player character to enjoy a limited aegis of good fortune for a while for plot purposes – as long as it’s not for too long, and not too often. An example might be a new character who has just been introduced who has some knowledge the party needs to complete a short-term goal – knowledge that isn’t revealed until a little further on in the campaign. Once their plot payload is delivered their aegis of luck evaporates. Have a backup plan though in case they do something sooo suicidal that it just looks too cheesy if you give them a huge break.
Some ‘fundamentalist sandbox’ referees will sternly declare that this sort of thing should never ever be done otherwise your whole campaign is just one big evil player-manipulating railroad. But I think it’s OK once in a while.
newbiedm
May 4, 2009
You’re right. It is not the only source of drama, I was just focusing on that angle of it… But yes, drama and tension can come from many different situations other than death.
Daniel M. Perez, The Gamer Traveler
May 4, 2009
Oh man, yes. I remember a Basic D&D campaign I played in through high school where one player was made the heir to one of the countries in Mystara and, cool as it was, it was annoying if he couldn’t make it to the game because what the heck were the rest of us to do without the Baron? Ugh.
Ameron
May 4, 2009
I’ve found that fantastic rewards (like making a PC the king) are a great motivators for large quests. However, I try not to make the outcome dependent on any one PC. Rather than make the ascension to the throne based on bloodline (which ultimately makes 1 PC indispensible) I’d make it dependent upon deeds or accomplishments. This way all the PCs feel they have a shot at the big reward and I don’t have any fear of killing one (or all) of them. Of course, I may elude to bloodline being important and then see what the PCs do to protect the “heir” but that’s an entirely different conversation.
Brian
January 13, 2010
Aside from character death, a player might get bored with a character, or become unable to show up to the games as well. So I am in agreement with not hinging the plot on just one character. Depending on how it’s played out though, you can alter your vision in response to changes in party composition.
For example, if you want to hint that one of the PCs has a specific destiny/role to fill, make it vague! Don’t straight up say “Thorfin the Dwarf, you are the last remaining heir to the throne of your kingdom, which will rise up from the ashes to destroy the Necropolis that originally wiped out most of your clan, but only if you lead them with the legendary Hammer of Moradin!” Rather, allude to the Dwarven kingdom and perhaps a prophecy that says they’ll need a leader. If the PCs want to destroy the Necropolis, and they know that rallying the Dwarves is their best shot at doing it, someone in the party will rise to the occasion and fulfill the prophecy. And if Thorfin the Dwarf survives, it just might end up being him (just the way you “planned” it).