OggyBenDoggy:
this is more of a general question, but since many of us are in the same games this is as good a place as any.
what policies do people like if the game is waiting on someone? this can be something like a saving throw or damage roll needed, or something like needing to declare an action, or just needing input into whatever is being planned.
How long do you wait?
Most players like making their own roll, but personally, if the game is waiting for more tha a few hours, I don't mind if a GM makes it for me.
for an action, after 24 I'd just as soon the GM NPCed me. I much prefer that than doing no action at all.
the "what do we do next" planning type thing is harder. Might be worth waiting for longer. but how long do you let one person hold up everyone
I have absolutely no problem with making rolls for the players if they are holding up the game. I think 24 hours is a reasonable length of time. One GM I played under (in a D20 game) posted a large chart of 100 pregenerated rolls, and whenever a player was late, or secret notice rolls were needed, or whatever, he'd just use the next number on the list and cross it out. The list was actually public. I think this was on another website, but the idea isn't bad.
I often have missing players' characters go defensive, or go for full cover, or other action that probably won't get the PC killed but isn't terribly useful for the party.
Whatever the method and whatever the reasons, rolling and/or moving for players is much easier if they know from the start of the game that one or both of these are what will happen. It's not something to surprise them with, I think. I did that once and learned my lesson. Now all players know up front that I will roll or move them if they hold up the game.
It hasn't been a problem, ever, when they know that will happen, and since they know their PC won't be doing anything reckless in their absence.