Alternative death rule

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Spwack

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Alternative death rule
« on: September 07, 2016, 07:05:18 AM »
When you take a fatal blow, you die. Unless of course, you say you don't want to. In which case, say what you sacrifice, it has to make sense*. It could be:

- A point in a stat
- A limb or part of a limb
- An unscarred piece of flesh (it's now scarred, duh, and not a cool scar either)
- A bodily function (a non-vital one, but one that's really annoying, like sight or bowel control)
- Dignity/social standing
- Material wealth
- Anything else you can think of

You lose whatever it is, permanently**. If the DM thinks you've paid your dues, you're unconscious and messed up, but no longer bleeding to death. If they don't, repeat the above move, or die.

Optional: You only have one opportunity to bid on your life, and you must sacrifice whatever amount of things you deem expendable.

Optional: The DM doesn't have to tell you if you survived or not until someone tries to resuscitate you.

Optional: Bluffing. Somehow. Figure it out.

*If it doesn't make sense, you lose it, and it does nothing.

**Not really permanently, but at least for two campaign arcs. You nearly died, man.

Thoughts?

Re: Alternative death rule
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2016, 03:25:36 AM »
Is this intended for a specific game, like Dungeon World? Or is it more of a generic addition/replacement for fatality rules in PbtA games?

Re: Alternative death rule
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2016, 03:44:46 PM »
The devil is in the implementation, but the idea is interesting.

At the very least, I like the idea of using this for "a bargain with Death", as per the DW rules.

Instead of Death offering you a bargain, maybe you must offer Death a bargain?

It's a solid starting point for... something.

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Spwack

  • 138
Re: Alternative death rule
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2016, 09:35:06 PM »
1. More generic than specific. Everything dies eventually.

2. Exactly. Not so much offering Death a bargain as giving up most (or all) of your prized possessions, treasures, stats and limbs for a few more days in the sun. I'm trying to get a desperate feel to it, as it should be.