val Holryn wrote:
As an aside there is nothing wrong (IMO) if a PC dies in an epic fight with the likes of Uhxbractit. However in other circumstances I'm uncomfortable with it in this game system. Given that there is no way back from the grave I think its important to avoid PCs deaths where possible or reasonable.
That being said, this is at odds with the average player's desire to engage in combat at almost every possible opportunity. How many times do people just take combat for granted and wade in? Further, I would argue that at least historically, people were more likely to get killed in small skirmishes and street fights than they were in big grand battles. First, because in a big battle, your enemy doesn't have time to make sure you're dead before they have to defend themselves, and second, when the stakes are higher, people will be more keyed up, aware, and engaged.
Someone mentioned once that it was absurd to be able to go toe-to-toe with Uhxbractit, and then get mauled by a shadow lion into unconsciousness in a later module. Taken at face value, that might be true, but it discounts the fact that every fight you get into could be potentially deadly (after all, it almost inevitably is for the enemies the players are fighting). A single small dog minion who gets a single critical hit, and explodes damage like nobody's business could still drop a player, given how the system works.
To your point Eric, I would agree that it is important to avoid PC deaths where possible and reasonable (i.e. it shouldn't happen just because the GM wants to kill someone). I would just argue that some of the onus for doing so belongs to the players and their decisions, not simply on the GM.