Trading in Player Characters

[ideasmith]

Trading in Player Characters
A player may ‘trade in’ one of his/her player character in exchange for an NPC s/he wishes to play. The PC being traded in need not actually have been played, or even created: A new player may start by ‘trading’ her uncreated starting PC for a suitable NPC. The PC becomes an NPC and the chosen NPC becomes the player’s new PC. The new PC may not be so traded in without first gaining a level.

To be eligible for this an NPC must meet the following requirements:

• The NPC’s level (or ECL if racial hit dice or LA are involved), equipment/wealth, and such must be in line with what is allowed for a new character (See DMG page 42.). (Exception: if the NPC is a descendant of any PC or former PC (adoption counts), or has a character as a mentor or the like, she may, with the relevant player’s permission start with a single item from that character, above and beyond the suggested starting equipment.)
• The NPC must plausibly be able and willing to join the party.
• The NPC may not have an established personality which the player is unable or unwilling to play appropriately.
• The NPC may not be privy to information which the DM wants the player’s to work to acquire.
• The NPC may not be one which the DM has a strong emotional attachment to.

If the NPC is ineligible for any reason, the PC remains a PC and the NPC remains an NPC. Indicating which reason applies is not recommended. (Indicating why a PC cannot be traded in yet, on the other hand, is a good idea.)