I'm such a wimpy DM.

[Zogg]

I don't think what you did was that spineless - as long as you chraged the party a healthy sum for that restoration potion....

but if you just gave it away, free of charge, then that is kinda weak. You don't have to be a complete jerk, just give them options when they get hurt or injured (or die) that COST them something. Make sure everything is a tradeoff- sometimes fair trades, sometimes not. But at least they always have the opportunity.

 

[Number47]

The key is to have your players full of fear. Some player have a much lower fear level to fulfill and it sounds like you're doing it fine.

 

[coyote6]

gaining back negative levels is so pathetically easy in this edition if you have a cleric in your group (lesser restoration)

Lesser restoration doesn't help with negative levels; it just restores 1d4 points of temporary ability damage (and removes fatigue, in 3.5e). You need restoration (and thus a 7th level cleric with 100 gp of diamond dust to spend) to get rid of negative levels.

 

[Arnwyn]

Lesser restoration doesn't help with negative levels; it just restores 1d4 points of temporary ability damage (and removes fatigue, in 3.5e). You need restoration (and thus a 7th level cleric with 100 gp of diamond dust to spend) to get rid of negative levels.

*blink blink* Are you sure? I'm at work right now and can't confirm, but I could have sworn that lesser restoration removed a negative level before it had taken effect.

Hmmm... hopefully I remember to check this when I get home from the office - I could end up being a much happier person if this is true.

/hijack (sorry!)

 

[Breakstone]

It's okay, barsoom, I'm a spineless puppy DM, too.

I had a chance earlier in the campaign to kill the paladin with an Obsidian Devil, and I didn't.

And then, during the Northern California Game Day, I should have had the bear kill the fighter's horse, but he didn't.

We should form a club... the Spineless Puppy Dungeon Masters...

SPDM...

 

[barsoomcore]

BTW, you've been AWOL from the online game I've started... you gonna do that or no?

I am, I promise.

The last month and a half of my life have been UNBELIEVABLY stressful.

Much better now. I'm putting together a characters as we speak (er, type) and will have it for you by tomorrow.

Apologies.

 

[Desdichado]

Understand completely -- most of my free time the last six weeks or so ago has been consumed with my move to a new house we bought. On the flip side, though, work has been relatively slow, so I've been able to be fairly active here from work.

 

[barsoomcore]

IWe should form a club... the Spineless Puppy Dungeon Masters...

Brilliant! That's brilliant, I say, genius, I tell you!

The SPBM Association -- Providing assistance, counselling and support for Spineless Puppy DMs everywhere

Yes. The time is right.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Just keep repeating my sig over and over and you will be on the road to recovery. When you wake up in the morning say to yourself, "want that TPK", over and over.

 

[Zogg]

Actually the restoration spells are very specific about what they do. There are 3 levels, and even just plain restoration won't bring someone completely back to their "normal" status:

1. Lesser restoration: Dispels magical effects reducing target's ability scores OR restores 1d4 ability damage to an ability score. It eliminates fatigue and changes an exhausted PC's status to fatigued. Does not remove permanent ability drain.

2. Restoration: Dispels negative levels and restores *one* level to a PC that has had a level drained. The PC has the minimum amount of XP for the level that has been restored (thus this spell does not actually restore ALL XP loss). Cures all ability score damage and restores all points permanently drained from *one* ability score (caster's choice if there is more than one). Eliminates fatigue and exhaustion.

3. Greater Restoration: Dispels all negative levels and reverses *all* level drain from a creature or force, restoring target to it's maximum level. Does everything that restoration does and removes insanity, confusion, and similar mental effects. Does *not* restore levels or Con loss due to death.

But it sounds like a lot of people are treating lesser restoration like greater restoration. DMs and players, read these spells in detail!