Killing a character "accidentally" (with approval of player)

[Brainznolmz]

Why does it need to be accidental? Even if you do pull off an accidental death your stubborn players will know whats up. I think you need to work more towards having a cool death. Maybe have this character sacrifices himself for the greater good, in an otherwise no-win situation. Hell, you could use this as material for an entire adventure which is concluded with this players selfless sacrifice. This way your stubborn players wouldn't be utterly shocked when said character winds up dead and it will be hard for them to argue with the decision. An idea towards the Resurrection problem is to perhaps have the character not die, but instead to become immobilized in some way. Think Atlas with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Han Solo in carbon freeze or Bolvar in the frozen throne; Not dead, just discontinued.

 

[Grand Poobah]

Not 100% sure about how well it would work but how about Green Slime?

 

[Grand Poobah]

Bah!

 

[rgard]

The BBEG prepares a Trap the Soul spell on a gem...the character picks up the gem.

Next the BBEG uses the character's soul as a profane bonus to overcome the SR the rest of the party has. See chapter 3 of the Book of Vile Darkness.

Or the BBEG could use the character's soul in lieu of expending experience points to make a magic item. Then use the magic item against the party. See chapter 2 of the Book of Vile Darkness.

Edit: not exactly the heroic death others have suggested, but it is mostly final and a great motivator for the rest of the party to avenge the character's death.