Jun04
on June 4, 2019
Life Is Cheap
This situation came up in a Living Greyhawk module back in the day. The noblewoman was in peril and we failed. She died. But we had a free “raise dead” through favours and boons, and simply brought her back.
Resurrection is little more than a speedbump for high level adventurers. Which makes sense: if you’ve sunk a year or two of play into a character, you don’t want a few bad rolls and inopportune positioning beside a pool of lava filled with magma piranhas to end their career. However, being able to fire off a revivify does make threatening the death of a hostage harder, as the party has a full minute to save their life and cheat death.
One of my biggest pet-peeves with high-fantasy settings is how magic can undo any mystery, danger, tension, drama or suspense the players my face. Who is the murderer? Cast telepathy! Will Hordor’s death go in vain? Never mind, I cast resurrection! Which one is the evil twin? I cast detect evil!
Personally, I like magic to have a price. The bigger the effect; bigger the cost!
Generic Warrior-guy: “Oh no, we failed to save the Princess!”
Generic Healer-chick: “No problem, I cast resurrection!”
*flash of light*
*Generic Princess wakes-up*
Generic Princess (now with twisted voice and grin): “We have such sights to show you!”