Disposing of PC & druid

[Adamaro]

1.Our group played awhile, but one of players decided he will not play with us anymore due to other engagements. Next week he is coming for a last play and I (as a DM) am thinking how to make his "outro". Simply killing him is one way, but I would like some more interesting ideas. If there are any.

Also:
2.I need to advise a noob (guy who only played fighters so far) on building a lvl 9 druid. Problem is, I am rather unfamiliar w. druids.
What basic feats should he take? What skills should he take? What items should he take?(core only)

tnx

[Tempest Fennac]

1: Does he have any projects IC which don't involve the rest of the party? If he does, he could get an opportunity to persue those during his last gaming session to explain him leaving (this could also allow him to come back at a later date).

2: Natural Spell and Augment Summoning (which needs Spell Focus: Conjuration) are both great core Druid feats. Getting Power Attack and Cleave for when his Wild-Shaping could also help. Skillwise, Concentrate, Spot and Listen are all good, and Diplomacy, Handle Animal and Spellcraft could have their uses. I'm not sure about items due to Weilding Clasps not being core items (they let you use items they are equiped on while Wild Shaped).

[Grumman]

Also:
2.I need to advise a noob (guy who only played fighters so far) on building a lvl 9 druid. Problem is, I am rather unfamiliar w. druids.
What basic feats should he take? What skills should he take? What items should he take?(core only)

What sort of druid does he want? Does he want to specialise in wildshape or spellcasting, or just make a generalist?

If you don't ban Natural Spell, this is a very good feat for druids.

[PhoenixRivers]

For the first? Make it memorable. Players should leave with a good final impression. If it's a death scene, make it epic. If it's one of those "unknown fates", let him have the opportunity to hold off the oncoming ambush while the party warns/goes for help.

A player's last wish should be like a last meal. Make it good.

[Eldariel]

For Druid, in addition to what Fennec posted, I'd just like to add Metamagic; particularly Extend Spell is fairly useful with Druid buffs and Quicken Spell is very handy (near-must) on 12 for 2 spells a turn. And Craft Wondrous Items (for e.g. Monk's Belt, Amulet of Insight, etc.) is very useful if there's any downtime too.

As for items, the obvious ones:
- Wis-booster
- Con-booster (use the Ioun Stones if necessary)
- Monk's Belt
- Strand of Prayer Beads - Beads of Karma
- Orange Prism Ioun Stone (for extra CL)
- Metamagic Rod of Extend, maybe some other too

Monk's Belt is assuming you allow him to put on items after Wildshaping, thus enabling him to use worn items there too. Otherwise, +1 Wild Dragonhide Fullplate and +1 Animated Heavy Wooden Shield are the best options; Wild Fullplate loses all the penalties (ACP, Max Dex, etc.) and such while Wildshaped, but retains the full armor bonus, and the Shield is never worn.

[Another_Poet]

Is there a way that the new PC can start as the apprentice of the departing PC? Even if the departing PC is not a druid, a young druid could certainly see them as a mentor. Over the course of the final session, the departing PC can decide that his apprentice is going to do a fine job filling his place in the party, and head off on a personal quest or something.

Really, what you should do is talk to the player who is leaving. See what he wants his outro to be. Do your best to make it happen. For instance, if he wanted his character to retire and open a tavern, and you have a big death scene planned for him, then it will be unsatisfying no matter how epic it is. On the other hand if he wants to go out fighting, then that rich elven princess who falls in love with him and offers her hand in marriage will be totally ignored as he looks for an opportunity to sacrifice himself for the party.

As with most things, it's all about player choice.