Late Arrivals to the Table

[Dungeonginger]

Is it ever permissible for a player to arrive late to an event and join after the scenario has already begun? I don't imagine so, but I told the player who wants to that I would double check with the boards on official policy.

[pauljathome]

If a player arrives late and there is still room I'll try and accommodate them. Especially when it isn't their fault.

Within reason, of course, sometimes it would strain credulity too much, sometimes it would take too long to bring the player up to speed

[Mike Bohlmann]

I don't think there is any official policy. It's a GM / organizer call. Personally, I'll allow someone to sit late so long as we haven't gotten beyond the initial briefing.

[Cire]

Its kind of like someone leaving early (which there are rules for), but the exact opposite. If someone tells you they are going to have to leave 3 hours into the scenario, do you let them play anyways?

[Mahtobedis]

If a person leaves early they get chronicle. I adjust it a similar way if they arrive late. Reduce gold and no xp if they don't do three encounters.

[David_Bross]

There is official policy on how to do it, they get gold for encounters they participate in. As far as if you should seat them, that is your call, although I always try to accommodate people as long as it isn't disruptive, and the table will allow it.

[Dungeonginger]

Very good. I'll discuss it with the player and the co-organizer and see what will be best for all.
Thanks.

[yosemitemike]

I try to accomodate players as much as I can. I would reduce their awards accordingly though.

[Matthew Pittard]

In the age of Mobile phones, if a Player hasnt communicated to say they will be late then that might be an issue.

[Soluzar]

It's best to just be flexible about it. You sometime don't know about the other person's situation.

Two days ago I was at DragonCon and I was on my way to the special Siege of the Diamond City. I attend this Con every year but only got into PFS a year or so ago. I bought my ticket to this event online weeks before the Con. I show up at the even 40 mins early. Then I realise that I left my damn ticket back at my hotel room. I run downstairs to registration to get another and find them sold out (which doesn't surprise me). I then run out of the hotel with my heavy ass bag, catch a cab back to my hotel. The elevators had become hell and took me 10 minutes to get an elevetor and another 10 to get to my room. I run in and grab my ticket wait another 10 minutes for another one and took another 10 to get back down. I take another cab back. I get back to the event 15 minutes late. I then asked one of the volunteers if there was any room left and she said no. Then she said they had one slot left for only a level 10 which is my character's level. I was seated without any problems and ended up having a blast despite all the effort it took me to get there.

Sometimes things just don't go according to plan.

[Avatar-1]

Agree with Soluzar. Be flexible, be reasonable.

There are times when you should say yes and say no and it's ultimately more important that everyone has a good time and doesn't feel cheated.