Would this be seen as domineering?

[MustacheManny]

I'm co-DMing a game with some friends and my turn as DM is coming to a close after this week. I know who I'd like to play once I get to start playing and seeing as how I'm the first DM in this campaign my players have never met him. Would it be in bad taste to introduce the bard I'd like to play near the end of the session?

[suplee215]

Considering you are codming I do not think so. I would worry about making him a Mary Sue or showing favoritism towards him if you dm him a lot but I think this is something all the dms will need to think about when it is their turn. As someone who prefer storytelling and roleplaying in sessions I actually think it's an amazing device as well because to give them a taste of the guy who will be with them until someone dies.

[malachi]

You could introduce him as a battered character (already been through a lot, low HP, no hit dice, no spells left - but nothing that a long rest wouldn't fix) at first, and then have him in top condition after a long rest for when you play him next session.

[Koren]

I'll preface this with a warning that I have never DM'd before but I think a lot about story points and such so grain of salt and all that.

I don't see a problem with introducing the character in one of your sessions. it would allow you a bit of control over first impressions. if it were me I wouldn't do any more than a mention, like they see him in town, maybe overhear him playing in a tavern or speak to him briefly. I would try avoiding foreshadowing his actual ability too hard though.

[Armored Walrus]

Hey Mustache, I think it would only be in bad taste if you introduce the character and then play the character while still DMing. If it's just a side note that they meet this dude and they find out a little bit about him and why they might want to team up with him later, I think that's fine and you're just foreshadowing what is going to happen during the next DM's first session anyway.

But if your character comes in and happens to be holding the MacGuffin that will allow the party to win your adventure, that will probably leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

One thing I do recommend; if you know who the next DM is, coordinate with them to make sure you aren't stepping on any plans they might already have to introduce your character.

[CaptainSarathai]

I've done this before. I was in a West Marches style game where I was DMing, and I was going to bring in another DM. One of those situations where we had something like 12+ interested players, so we needed to be able to run multiple groups on multiple nights, but let the players alternate between tables and still have a coherent experience. Just google West Marches campaign, you'll understand.
Anyway, I introduced my character by having him use some of his healing abilities on the party before the boss fight. They were going to rest up and heal, drink potions, etc but they found this Cleric chained up in the dungeon. He explained that he was too injured to be of much help (would need a long rest to recover) but he could use some of his magic to cure a Poisoned condition on one of the players, as a thank you for rescuing him.
Next game I was playing at the table with the new DM, and a few of the players recognized my Cleric as the guy who helped them out earlier.

Do something helpful, but minor. Do something that they already need, like healing or sell them an item or give them information or something.

[JeffreyGator]

I'm co-DM'ing a campaign now and our characters (both bards) are often there as NPCs boosting the other players and adding a bit of damage.

This has worked fine. Some examples of acceptable help:

A player can take my NPC into town with their low-cha character and play our conversations and then roll for the high persuasion NPC.
Tossing out healing words and bardic inspirations.
Cantrip damage/boosting (vicious mockery)

[Gryndle]

my group rotates DMs, well 3 out of 5 of us share the DM load, with me DMing twice as much. SO the three of us sort of have the dreaded DMPC.
Just introduce your character organically. and run it so. When I am Dming, my character acts in a more support role; in combat I ask them what they want me to attack, where to move and have them decide when and what spells I cast. In social situations, I just have him take the back seat or be absent for it makes sense.

[MustacheManny]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I plan on just introducing his existence and maybe hand out a free healing spell. No relevant plot points or McGuffans and not a DMPC.

[GlenSmash!]

You could introduce him as a battered character (already been through a lot, low HP, no hit dice, no spells left - but nothing that a long rest wouldn't fix) at first, and then have him in top condition after a long rest for when you play him next session.

I like this a lot. Maybe even expand on it it. Like, having the characters "save" this NPC, and then it turns out to be your PC starts the character off with a good strong tie to the Party.

[Honest Tiefling]

I like this a lot. Maybe even expand on it it. Like, having the characters "save" this NPC, and then it turns out to be your PC starts the character off with a good strong tie to the Party.

I haven't done the whole rotating DM thing, but I think if an NPC was introduced as a rescuee with a tidbit of information, and perhaps dragged along for a bit of fighting afterwards it would be fine. Perhaps I'm more willing to play with a DMPC, but I think if the bard offered some information (that was useless to the bard, because he lacked any context and several vital bits of information that the party could have run across), it might establish him as 'useful' and help explain why the party would accept him coming along later. It also helps establish that rescuing people will be advantageous in your games.

As for combat, I think if the party has a choice to bring him along now or later, a bard might actually not...Matter? Bards can be good support. Unless you have another support character, most people don't really care if more support tags along as they don't view it as spotlight stealing. If you have a Valor Bard, I'd hold off on that.

I would also consider having the party be able to convince him to do a task. What about other prisoners? Perhaps they could either try to convince the guy with healing magic to tag along, or to escort the other prisoners back to town so that the party can handle the threat head-on and without wasting time. This way, he's established as competent AND helpful.

I guess to me, having a character just hand out a healing spell in a single interaction and then show up and be a major player later seems mildly jarring.