Post by Bard of Lore on Oct 1, 2024 3:58:29 GMT
Character Death & Resurrection System
Overview:
When a character dies, it can have significant in-game consequences. Death is not necessarily the end, however, and players have several options:
- Create a new character who inherits some of the wealth and skills of their previous character.
- Pursue resurrection through in-game mechanics (e.g., magical resurrection spells or divine intervention).
1. Creating a New Character After Death
When a character dies, the player can create a new character, but some of the effort from their previous character isn’t lost. Players can carry over a portion of their old character’s wealth and experience to their new character.
Stat/Skill Carryover:
Upon character death, the new character receives a percentage of their old character’s abilities and stats, including experience, class levels, and skills.
Carrying Over Stats and Skills:
- Experience Points: The new character starts with 50% of the previous character’s total experience.
- Skills/Proficiencies: The new character can inherit 1 proficient skill from their predecessor.
- Levels: The new character starts at half the level of the deceased character (rounded down).
Example:
If the old character was Level 10 with 50,000 XP, the new character would begin at Level 5 with 25,000 XP and inherit proficiency in the Perception skill.
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Carrying Over Wealth and Possessions:
To maintain a sense of continuity and balance, players can pass on a portion of their deceased character’s wealth to their new one.
Wealth and Item Carryover:
- Gold: The new character can inherit 50% of the deceased character’s total gold.
- Items: The player may select 2 items to carry over to the new character, if they can create a logical way for their new character to obtain such items (e.g., a family heirloom weapon or magic item).
Example:
If the old character had 1,000 gold and a magical sword, the new character might start with 500 gold and the option to keep the magical sword.
2. Resurrection Options
Death doesn’t have to be the final end for characters. There are various ways players can attempt to resurrect their fallen character through in-game means. Resurrection may be more challenging or costly, but it allows players to continue their original story.
Resurrection Methods:
- Raise Dead Spell: A cleric or druid can cast Raise Dead within 10 days of the character’s death (cost: 500 gold worth of diamonds).
- Resurrection Spell: More powerful spells like Resurrection or True Resurrection may be available at higher costs (Cost: 1000 gold worth of diamonds).
- Quest for Resurrection: An ally can embark on a special quest to retrieve the character’s soul from the afterlife.
- Divine Intervention: Characters with strong ties to a god may request Divine Intervention, but success is not guaranteed.
Costs and Consequences:
- Resurrection Penalties: A resurrected character suffers from resurrection sickness, with a -2 penalty to all ability scores for 1 in-game week.
- Debt: The resurrected character may owe a debt to the entity that performed the resurrection, which may lead to future quests or favors.
Example Quest for Resurrection:
The party seeks out the Fountain of Souls, guarded by a powerful celestial. To bring their companion back, they must defeat the guardian and offer part of their own life force.
3. Legacy Boon for New Characters
To encourage continuity and honor fallen characters, the new character may receive a Legacy Boon, representing the legacy of the old character.
Legacy Boon Ideas:
- Heroic Ancestry: The new character gains a +1 bonus to a chosen ability score.
- Legacy Item: The new character inherits a unique magical item imbued with the essence of the old character.
- Reputation: The new character begins with increased faction reputation due to the old character’s deeds.
Example:
If the deceased character was a hero in the Order of the Gauntlet, the new character starts with increased standing in the faction.
4. Limitations and Conditions
To ensure balance and fairness, the following conditions apply:
- Only One Carryover: Players can only transfer stats and wealth to one new character after the original character dies.
- No Major Artifacts: Items carried over should not be Artifact Rarity.
5. Example Process for a Fallen Character
1. Character Death: Aric Stormblade dies in battle.
2. New Character Creation: Aric’s younger sibling, Lyra, is created. Lyra starts at Level 5, inherits 25,000 XP, 500 gold, and Aric’s magical sword.
3. Resurrection Quest: Aric's old friend Berry embarks on a quest to revive Aric by seeking out a high priest.
4. Resurrection Consequences: Aric is resurrected, but suffers from resurrection sickness for one week and owes a favor to the priest.
