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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Glyfair" data-source="post: 3920699" data-attributes="member: 53">There are basically two different directions you can take to remove involuntary death and substitute other drawbacks.  The first is make the consequences direct.  When the character would die, the immediate ramifications of that are the drawback.  The second is to make the consequences unrelated.  There are negative effects on the characters, but they are sort of "karmic."In the first case, a lot depends on the circumstances.  The most common "death" is dropping in combat.  Usually you will have the PC go unconscious and that will have consequences.  Maybe the PC is captured and has to have a ransom paid to go free (something that was very common in Runequest, after PCs surrendered).  Maybe there are some long term effects.  A spellcaster who takes a near mortal wound might lose use of some spell slots for the next month (or longer, or shorter).  Maybe while unconscious they lose some key item.In the second case, you just need to be creative.  If a PC dies, maybe they later find out they have lost an ally.  Maybe a relative is kidnapped.  Perhaps their home kingdom is attacked by another nation.  In general, I prefer the first method.  Of course, you can get quite creative in having the incident effect the character.  Perhaps a serious loss causes their patron to loose faith in them.  They either lose their patron, or the patron is less willing to reward them.  Don't be afraid to make the consequences minor.  In a battle against some minor mooks where the opponent's got lucky, there is nothing wrong with having them drop unconscious be the only consequence.  On the other hand, the negative consequences can be major plot hooks.  Maybe the PC is unconscious and dying indefinitely.  The PCs have to arrange to get him to a healer before he can become conscious (especially good if the player is going to miss some sessions or has a second PC).  Maybe the group is taken captive and is taken to be sold as slaves in a far-off land.  With the right group the "death" consequences can be more interesting than lack of failure.</blockquote>

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