[RPG] How to handle inventory and story of a player leaving

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A player left my group recently. It was mutual and not-unexpected, and during the last session, the character left for an unspecified purpose.

The character (lawful-good wizard) who left had a few magic items:

  • A powerful necromantic artifact.
  • An evil necromancer's spellbook.
  • Miscellaneous scrolls & potions

These items were not an integral part of the story, and I feel OK letting them disappear together with the character. Since the player was a little problematic, I don't want the focus of the next sessions to deal with his character – I would like the spotlight to be on the players who remain.

However, It seems my players feel they are missing out on the monetary value of these items and wish to sell them to the highest bidder.

I would love some advice on how to handle the wizard's inventory and some generic advice on how such cases are usually handled in-game.

Best Answer

To me the problem seems to be that the other players think that they gained treasure as a team and divided it up according to some measure of 'fairness' and 'need.' So when one player leaves, they think that their joint loot is up for redistribution. That's a very pragmatic approach, and perhaps you should discourage it to encourage in-character gameplay (that's assuming you want such a thing).

Assume that the character of the departing player becomes a non-player character. Especially if the split was on good terms, the player might even come back for a couple of sessions, down the line.

  • The NPC is settling down.
    • He will no longer be free to go dungeoneering at a moment's notice. There are other clients, ongoing projects, etc.
    • His wealth will be used to buy a house (with laboratory basement and/or wizard's tower).
  • The NPC is still favorably disposed to the party.
    • He might answer questions from his knowledge and library. (Of course asking the NPC must not be allowed to short-circuit the plot, but if the players think to ask the right questions they will be rewarded with useful clues.)
    • He might provide scrolls and potions if the specific item is required for the adventure, provided the players recognize this and ask. "We're going up against a something, give us a scroll of whatever."
    • He will use his artifacts and tools to help directly, within reason.
    • He might provide room and board in his house, etc.
  • On the long run, his contacts may become useful. A letter of introduction to a magical artifacts dealer. A name to drop when talking to a wizard.

Try to explain this 'deal' to your players. Try and make them understand that looting the corpse while it is still warm is not the best choice on the long run.

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