Player Character Death

PCs can and will die. The DM is not intending to kill any Player Character but in the course of dangerous play these things can happen. PC death is a tragic event and will have consequences to the Player and the rest of the party. House rules attempt to take into consideration the serious time and emotional investment in a character and balance with real risk of loss. If we were all immortal there is no reason to try to be stealthy sneaking into a dragon’s lair.

Death Saving Throws:

• Death Saving throws should be done privately and kept secret by the player. The other characters don’t know if you’re unconscious or dead.
• Once another player approaches the unconscious player and attempts to do a medicine check or provide healing, the DM will ask the unconscious player what his status is.
• In one turn another player can do 2 medicine checks. 1 to determine status and 1 to attempt stabilization.

If the PC dies:

• The party will need to decide to continue with current adventure scenario or retreat.
• The Party is expected to treat the character’s body and equipment with respect.
• The Party (not the dead PC) can divide up the deceased’s equipment as they see fit.

Player will be required to roll a new character. The New character:

• Can be at same level as previous character (Start at the base XP for that level)
• DM and Player will work together to find the soonest opportunity to rejoin the party
• The New character will have “standard equipment” to start. Depending on character level and background work with the DM to add any other non-magical standard equipment. (Example a level 11 Paladin or Fighter can have plate mail and an extra couple swords.)
• The New PC has no “rights” to the dead PC’s equipment. If it makes sense, and it’s in the party’s best interest, they can give the new PC equipment or any magical items that the dead PC had.

Depending on the context of the session, the timing of the death and the decisions of the rest of the party, the Player will most likely be encouraged to leave the context of the current scenario in game and immediately begin rolling a new character and creating a background character while the rest of the party figures out what to do next. If it makes logical sense and the timing is correct the session may then end after the party has reached a safe stopping point. Obviously if this is 15 minutes into our session the entire session won’t end but it’s still best that the Player with the deceased character grab some dice and the players handbook and roll up a new character for incorporation.