We’re 3 game sessions deep into a Vampire the Masquerade chronicle. I’ve just heard from one of my players that they feel like they’ve put a bit too much of themselves into their character, and they’re starting to get uncomfortable with it. As such, they’d like to roll up a new char sheet and bring their current character out of the game. We’ve talked a little bit about whether they want their character to die, or to permanently leave the party, and that’s still up in the air.
This is my first time as GM, and I’d like a few pointers on how to work with this. From an “off the table” perspective, I’ve already had a conversation with this player about what their needs are. I’m confident that the overall game is still fun for them, and that this isn’t about any player-player dynamics.
From a narrative perspective, I’d love to hear how others have dealt with this before. In the past 3 sessions, I haven’t had the chance to bring out the kind of enemies who could kill a PC outright (bloodthirsty elders, second inquisition deathsquads, conniving underlings). I don’t want the player to have to go through several more sessions with a character they dislike just because it would have more punch further down the line.
You have the right instinct, narrative takes a backseat to player comfort. Don’t worry if it makes sense in-game, that’s not a real concern. Do whatever tying up of narrative threads you want, after you’re sure the player is comfortable out-of-game.
If the player wants, just let them start the next game with a new sheet. If they want to do a sendoff, do it at the top of the session. If they don’t want to acknowledge the old character, then they just evaporate and a new one is inserted.
Ultimately you’re playing with friends, and the reason everyone is there is to have fun. The group’s fun should take precedent over everything else.