Character Running in 2 PBP games at the same time.

[The Broken GM]

I recently discovered that one of the characters in my Silent Tide PBP was also being used in another PBP at the same time. I do not feel there was any ill intent on the players part, and I've allowed the player to switch to a pregen in my game - there is only one encounter remaining at this point.

My thought is that I would like to award the player credit as if they had run a pregen, but I'm uncomfortable at the thought of it being applied to the character they ran in the game - seeing as they were breaking the rules.

How would you rule this? Is there an official line? Currently I'm tempted to award credit but ask that it be applied to another character - though there seems little I could do to enforce that - not that I would really try to do so.

[FLite]

Well, they gave you the character number, right? Ask them for an new character number, and when you fill out the chronicle sheet, put that new character number on the chronicle sheet.

Then they cannot legally use the chronicle sheet for the first character. (If they are altering chronicle sheets, there is a bigger problem, but it's not one you can stop.)

[Greycloak of Bowness]

Did this player play 4 encounters with their character and then switch to the pregen? Is this a brand new player or is this someone who should know better?

For me, the answer to those would change whether it is treated as Cheating (per the Guide, involving reporting to the PFS Staff) or a mistake, in which case softer responses could be used (like a chronicle for a new PFS#).

[The Broken GM]

Not a new PFS player, but a relatively new PBP player, and this is my first PFS game as a GM. I really don't believe there was any ill intent, we are not talking about a min maxer trying to push a character through the levels, but rather a cooky fun character.

I've not taken PFS numbers yet, given that this is PBP and we've got a week or so to go, but now its pointed out to me that's perfect. Thanks folks :)

[FLite]

As a general rule, it is probably a good idea to get PFS numbers at the beginning. Even assuming no ill will, if someone dies half way through the adventure and loses interest (or even just loses interest and stops playing) you still need their PFS number to report the outcome (and to report the character as dead if they died)

[The Broken GM]

Good point, I shall make that standard practice.