OSR: Missing a Session in the Veins of the Earth

A player doesn't turn up. What do you do?

If at all possible, use a plausible in-game reason for their PC's absence. The PC decided to stay at a local village. They were hired to deal with a one-person problem. They are guarding a supply cache. They are busy with their new lover/partner/sword/mysterious artifact. They are doing Wizard Business and must not be disturbed.

But if you can't think of a good reason, or nothing obvious presents itself, you may roll on the table below. Give the player a choice. There are some positive and some negative effects; they shouldn't be penalized (beyond the potential lack of XP) for missing a session.


I'd suggest writing your own tables for appropriate locations. Drunken Cossacks kidnap a PC and return them with a fine horse. Fire elementals steal them away for secret dances. A witch turns them into a new (they get better). Etc.

  Some ideas stolen from this thread.

Chris Cold

Where Did You Go?

1d20	Exit	Entry	Effect
1	Tiny hands grab you from the darkness.	Tiny hands return you from the darkness.	-
2	Touch stone and get dragged in.	Vomited out from the stone.	-
3	Snagged by spider silk, vanish upwards.	Returned, cocooned in silk.	Start session at 1/2 HP.
4	Echoes lure you away from the party.	Wander back, exhausted and changed.	Roll on Effects table.
5	Fall down a deep narrow hole.	Fall from hole in ceiling.	Start session at 1/2 HP.
6	Dragged under in a sump.	Found unconscious near a stream.	Start session soaked in water.
7	Whisked away by a burst of shadow.	Returned as if no time has passed.	The Rapture's next target.
8	Vanish while the rest of the party sleeps.	Party member rescues you in a dream.	-
9	Transform into a tiny bone idol.	A drop of blood changes you back.	1d6 temporary Wisdom damage.
10	Trapped by a cave-in.	Loop around, harried by enemies.	Gain 1/2 XP from missed session.
11	Separated while traveling in a maze.	Stumble back, angry and confused.	Start session with 1 random item.
12	Cave madness. Run away screaming.	Return, apologetic and hollow-eyed.	Roll on Effects table.
13	Nearly invisible pit trap claims you.	Returned with a cryptic apology note.	Start session with 1 ration.
14	Bright glow, screaming, panic. You vanish.	Mysterious event repeats, you return.	Start session fully healed.
15	Take the lead on a climb, aren't at top.	At the top of a later climb, confused.	-
16	Slave-taking raid. You were slow to run.	Return with shackles, blood under nails.	Gain full XP from missed session.
17	Fall off a cliff in a tangle of rope.	Long, desperate climb back up.	Start session at Starving.
18	Touch a mysterious rune, vanish.	Appear near the party with a thunderclap.	Roll on Effects table.
19	Vanish into the darkness with a scream.	Doppelganger returns, with you in pursuit.	-
20	Ambush or fall. Party sees you die.	You return as if nothing happened.	Start session fully healed.