Giving Back the Spotlight...

[TetsujinOni]

Hell, for me as a player, is when I'm on a table and the spotlight lands on me... and sticks.

And then I explicitly solicit the other players for anything they'd like to add or do to participate...

And they tell me nah, we're good waiting / letting you take the lead.

I detest being That Guy one-on-one RPing with the GM when there's a crowd of PCs around me. It's not what OP is about, in my mind.

I'd rather get in an IC fight with a paladin party member, just so that more people are participating, than have that go on, but that's borderline griefing and doesn't move the story of the adventure forward.

It's even worse, of course, when this happens.... and I'm not playing an appropriate party leader PC, and it leads to derail and complication that no-one enjoys. Sometimes I'll pick the more-likely-to-derail option *just* in the hope that another player will step forward into the spotlight... Mileage may vary on how that works out, too.

TL;DR: So, anyone got more suggestions on how to subtly or blatantly get back out of the spotlight when the other players don't seem inclined to come in and share it?

[Jiggy]

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

[TetsujinOni]

I can have a tendency toward being the spotlighting player and try to keep it tightly controlled...

So it makes me double worried when I realize "wait, I'm out here in the spotlight... is everybody okay with this?"

[Matthew Morris]

TetsujinOni,

That's why I like to GM :-)

More seriously, you could always screw up so someone else has to pick up the slack.

"I'm playing a cha 5 elf with racial issues. I suggest you let someone else be the diplomat."
"nah, we're fine."
*later*
"Dude! We got attacked by everyone, including the peace corps for Desna's sake!"
"I did warn you..."

[nosig]

if it bothers you, talk to the judge OOC ("Out Of Character").

My wife is very shy. Nothing will ruin a game for her faster than putting her "in the spotlight". Sometimes she's great with it, but often... a shy attack will be painful.

If this is what you are talking about, just talk to the judge (or maybe another player or two if you can't talk to the judge).

There should be enough of us "spotlight hogs" to get you out of the glare and back in the shadows...

[KestlerGunner]

Whenever this happens, I always defer to the other PC's strengths.

"Krusk, you're a huge barbarian. Can you intimidate that stupid town guard into letting us pass?"
"Einstein, you're a brilliant alchemist. Can you talk forensic science to the town guard so he'll let you in. You could also take a look at this crime scene and see if you find any strange liquids or otherwordly clues?"
"Pip, you're a stealthy halfling. Can you stealth around the guard and find an alternate entrance for us? We'll wait here so we don't give you away."

For me, the trick is identifying a use for the quiet players strengths. Find a chance for them to shine and they'll be prompted pretty easily.

[Akeela Valerian, the Wolf]

Jiggy wrote:

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

Stop it, Jiggy. You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything.

[WalterGM]

Akeela Valerian, the Wolf wrote:

Jiggy wrote:

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

Stop it, Jiggy. You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything.

Why are we chasing Jiggy, Akeela?

[Akeela Valerian, the Wolf]

Walter Sheppard wrote:

Akeela Valerian, the Wolf wrote:

Jiggy wrote:

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

Stop it, Jiggy. You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything.

Why are we chasing Jiggy, Akeela?

Chasing? I was giving him Batman fodder.

[KestlerGunner]

You haven't given them everything Valerian. Not everything. Not yet.

T_T

[Illeist]

Walter Sheppard wrote:

Akeela Valerian, the Wolf wrote:

Jiggy wrote:

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

Stop it, Jiggy. You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything.

Why are we chasing Jiggy, Akeela?

...So he can learn to pick himself up?

[Jiggy]

Best. Derail. Ever.

[Severed Ronin]

When the thread has finally derailed, you have my permission to die.

[bdk86]

Jiggy wrote:

What's wrong with being the hero they want? (Or is it the hero they need? I wasn't paying enough attention while watching Batman...)

Because some men just want to watch the world roll Reflex saves vs. catching fire.

[Mergy]

It's because you got into the spotlight first, OP. You squeezed them, you hammered them to the point of desperation. And in their desperation, they turned to Jiggy, a man they didn't fully understand.

[nosig]

these have got to be batman movie references, as I do not understand the last 10 or so posts (no, I have not seen it).... I'll wander away now.