| boring7 |
DM-run NPC can be inserted into the party as a sort of "cohort-in-training," the torchbearer feat can actually start the leadership paradigm earlier as well.
A simple enough rule is to hand the character sheet to a player, make sure they understand that you have veto-power on anything they try to have the NPC do, and suggest they keep him in the middle rank handing out healing magic and running trap-radar.
Another option is make him into the new plot hook and line, have the character seek a specific goal (rescue the mind-controlled girlfriend?) and then get the heck out of the country. Or seat the NPC as a backup for when a PC inevitably dies.
Also optional: mental tripwires that can reactivate control because "compliance will be rewarded;" a blood-magic tracking method that lets the baddies hunt him down; and/or his morality not really jiving with the rest of the gang because even though he was mind-slaved, he's still a murderous Lawful Evil type and happily tortures and murders prisoners for information or kills hostages rather than let them be taken and used against him.
| Archae |
Okay so more info, nobody died it's just our player who is the group healer won't be showing up as frequently as I thought. Our group doesn't use the leadership feats really so none of thatis needed. The character in question is alignment wise true neutral bordering on good, the assassin career wasn't his choice. So clarifying what I'm looking for is character class selection advice, something that can handle traps and heal.
| Third Mind |
To me, it sounds like a good place for a Bard with an Archeologist archetype. With the archetype, they focus a lot less on the performance stuff, but gain a lot in handing disable device / traps. They still get spells as normal, which since they're a bard, means they get the healing spells such as cure light wounds available to them. It'd actually be a good NPC class for tossing along with the group, since Bards tend to be fairly supportive in nature (i.e. good with skills, talking, supportive magic and buffing through music).
Any case, that's what I'd suggest. Good luck.