Hello all,
I'm a first time GM and can only find one player. So do any more experienced GM's have any advice on runnning a 1-1 campaign? And do you have any advice on how to tell a player no? (In this case he's insisting on being a dhampir, where as i would like core only for simplicity and story reasons.) I've tried talking to him but he's sticking to it.
Personally I’d advise against playing with one player as it tends to become boring or difficult if it is not well kept. First things first regarding the “saying no to a player”. Normally group pressure helps in your calls as a DM. Some people think that the DM’s rule is law (exceptions exist of course) and other players quickly accept that mindset. If there is only one player who is firmly against that decision then there is a bit of a problem. If you hadn’t already, you should explain to him why you want to keep it to core.
Regarding Dhampir, what are your reasons, aside from core, to refuse Dhampir? If it is just because of core then I’d say just let him have his Dhampir as he is the only player in this campaign. This campaign will be quite literally for his entertainment (and yours for making it but the story is about him).
As for advice in general, I say you should focus less on combat and more on story and quests but don’t let it become something repetitive. Keep it fresh. Normally D&D has plenty of encounters but as he is the only one playing, it might become boring to go in combat every time. Also be a bit loose about the rules (this coming from a rule nazi). This might give him the opportunity to make interesting suggestions which might not be totally conform to he rules but interesting all the same. One piece of advice that I really want to give you is to give him a target. Give him his Barbossa and make him Jack Sparrow (Captain, excuse me). This gives him a drive, something to work towards.
Again I personally advise against this all together but if you really want to I will not stop you :)
Also this blog was something I found quite interesting a while back
I have done a one on one game before and like TrollingJoker said, it can get stale very quickly if you don't keep it fresh. Part of the fun of playing something like Pathfinder or any table-top rpg is the social aspect and the, often times, unpredictable nature of other people. More than one person also gives the players at the table RP time among the party; this can be useful for you to prepare stats for a fight, or think on what to do next.
I agree with your choice in wanting to stick to core. There will be a lot less looking through various books this way. It keeps things mostly contained to one book. It's fair to explain that, as a new GM, you want to keep things easy for the both of you. However, as a one on one, this is basically for his and your entertainment, as was stated. You could always make sure that if he wants to play that race, he has to have the printouts or the books required to play the class so that it cuts down on usage of technology at the table.
On the flip side, him being a dhampir can add a lot to the story. There are some questions to ask yourself about the setting of this game. How would he have become one in the area you have the game set. Would a dhampir have an easy or hard time socially with the local folk, how would they perceive him? Does he have to keep himself hidden, or use disguises? Does anyone suspect him? Does he have a rival or possible vampire family issues?
These could really introduce a lot of intrigue and lead to character development as well as some nail-biting situations later on if he is caught. No one kills a 'monster' faster than a lynch-mob with pitchforks and torches. Use everything that you can to your advantage to tell a story. Also, be ready to be flexible with the story you have in mind. Some GM's fall into the trap that the story they plan has to play out as they plan it, and end up railroading the characters. Stay fluid.
Also, as a side note, it can get really awkward when you have several NPCs in conversation with only 1 PC. A lot of talking to yourself... :P
Yes I agree on the point of the Dhampir usage, which was my point as well. It is perfectly fine to use Core and only core. Less a hassle for you and less technical stuff to worry about so you can focus on the story and entertainment at hand. Him having his own copy of how a Dhampir works should be a must but other than that go for it. If the Dhampir is the only thing that is used from non core books then there should be no issue.
I also agree on the story bit around a Dhampir. It is a very uncommon species and might be given strange looks from time to time. Also I feel like we are heading towards Blade the Vampire Hunter who is a Dhampir himself. Who know, that might be an interesting plot to work around? Be very creative and as was stated be very fluid. Even DM’s who work with parties of 4 still struggle with things set in stone. Personally I only prepare my locations/towns, NPC’s and shopping lists. All of the story is up in my head and I deviate from it whenever it is needed. I often use the NPC and Monster Codex to help me out a bit. I just grab a random level appropriate something which seems appropriate for the situation and use that. So far I have used the CR 3 warrior from the NPC codex for 7 different situations now. One time they were guards, another they were bandits, heck one time they were undead or goblins. I just take the main stats and tweak them in my mind (though this might be a bit harder for you if you are new to the game as it takes some on hand knowledge of workings, weapons and stats)
Keep it fresh, keep it interesting, be a bit loose with the rulings (again, this coming from a rule nazi) and it should be interesting.
I do have to disagree on the several NPC’s talking bit. Yes it can be awkward as hell but I often noticed that my players really like this awkwardness (feels like they enjoy seeing my pain) but I try to voice each NPC differently. This might be tougher for some people and honestly I suck entirely but talking with one NPC as a normal but tough man and the other like he is a midget on crack seems to entertain them none theless.
It's your right as GM to choose rules and restrictions. If he doesn't like it, then that's his problem.
If he refuses to play, you have to decide what is more important, having a game with an odd character, or not playing.
Dhampir is far from broken IMO, and unless you don't have Vampires, is arguably more believable than, say Aasimars (descended from Angels, whaaaaat?)
I have four such Aasimar in my kingmaker game; it strains the belief sometimes