Unforseen Circumstances

Life happens. Cliche I know, but the truth. At some point, it's going to interrupt your game. Why not expect it and think ahead a bit? You don't need to have a detailed plan, just some rough ideas for how you'd like to handle things when they crop up.

I'm going to divide this into two categories: Temporary and Permanent. You can make whatever categories you like, of course. This is just an exercise to get you to think and plan ahead for when something does happen that will impact your game.

Players and game masters alike will have things happen that will prevent them from attending a game session or two. Illness, vacations, accidents, jury duty, work, family, etc. can all interrupt your gaming schedule.

So how to handle a temporary interruption? In any way you choose. I know that's the unhelpful yet no duh answer. The other answer? It all depends on the situation. While these are both the base level answers, they aren't very inspiring. Not to worry, though! I have some ideas to share that will hopefully give you an inspiration die.

The issue involves a single player missing one gaming session.

I would continue the session without the player. If the player is letting you know ahead of time, you can ask if they would be OK with you or one of the other players running their character in their absence, especially if the party is in the middle of a battle or dungeon. If yes, easy peasy. If no, then you'll have to let the player know that the game will continue without their character being involved. This is my policy for no show players as well. If cancel your game over one player missing every time a player has to miss, you'll never run a game.

The issue is a single player missing multiple sessions.

While you could have someone else run the missing player's character through the next several sessions, I don't think it's the best idea. It erodes the need for your players to show up to each session if they will still get the same rewards for not attending. Talk with your player and come up with the reason why their character had to leave the party suddenly. Maybe there's something in their backstory that could help out here? Once your missing player does return, encourage them to have a tale to tell the other party members about where their character was and what happened, or have the party discover them in some dramatic way. This way all your players feel that the story and world progress, with or without them, but not in a way that is punitive.

The issue is you, the game master, have to miss a single or multiple sessions.

Well, there's not much to say here. Try to let your group know ahead of time. If you have to miss multiple sessions, and have the rare unicorn trustworthy friend that is also a game master, maybe they can substitute? Really though, you're probably only going to miss a few sessions at most and it's not the end of the world. I just let my players know ahead of time, or early the day of if it's last minute.

The issue is several players need to miss at the same time.

That's easy, don't run the sessions. If the remaining players still want to do something, break out a board game, or a different RPG, suited to the number of players you have left. This works whether it's for one or multiple sessions.

The issue is a player needs to stop playing entirely, or for very long stretches of time.

No one wants a player to leave their game permanently. At least not the 'good' players that have been at your table for a while. But sometimes it's unavoidable. People move, or have other activities, or sometimes the choice is made by their parents, if you're running the game for children.

This is a much more difficult situation. Talk with the player that has to leave the game and see if they are willing to do a dramatic scene that gives their character an exciting or glorious exit. Do they want their character to die heroically? To be whisked away by some legendary being or monster? Do they want to retire quietly? Or are they willing to let you have their character so you can use them as an NPC? Do your best to design the exit with the time you have.

If the answer is just no to everything, well the game will continue for the other players regardless.

The other part of a player leaving is the gap left in the party. You can chose to continue on as before without changing anything, but I would take a bit of time and make sure you don't need to re-balance encounters for the party that's left.

You could also ask the rest of the party if they have anyone they know that would like to play and would be a good fit for the current group. You as the game master have final say here, naturally.

If your player has to be absent for a long stretch of time, I would treat it as if their character died or disappeared. Chances are they are going to miss too much of the story and too many levels to be able to rejoin. You can get creative with this, but I would just let it go. If they do want to rejoin, suggest they make a new character at the level of the rest of the party. I think it makes the game feel new to the player, instead of feeling like they missed out. Also ask your remaining players how they feel about welcoming a new character into their party. While the choice is still yours, getting a feel for the room is important.

The issue is multiple players need to stop playing.

You'll either need to do some serious re-balancing of the current campaign or start a new one. Talk to your remaining players about what they want.

The issue is you as game/dungeon master have to stop permanently or for an extended period.

Again no one wants this situation, but it happens.

If possible, tell your players enough in advance so that you can have an epic closure. Anything goes here. Maybe they all become level 20 and go take down the most evil bad guy in the universe in epic fashion? Or have them pretend to be their characters in the future, their adventuring days long behind, reminiscing about the good old days and what each one of them did afterwards?

Or maybe just tell each player how much you enjoyed being their GM/DM? Encourage them to run the game for themselves.

If you're planning on returning after an extended break, I'd start with a new campaign and fresh characters, if your players haven't found other tables to play at or started their own campaigns.

I hope I've given you some food for thought, or at least a starting point. Stuff happens and keeping a gaming group running is challenge enough, but planning ahead can help things resolve more smoothly, and keep your players engaged. Best of luck! Thanks for being here!