My recent poll on PC death brought back many memories of stupid things my player's have done over the years. I thought I'd share some of these experiences and hope you'll all post some humorous mistakes you or your players have made that have led to PCs removing themselves from the gene pool!
Ooh, thats pretty!: This was a long time ago. The PCs were making their way through a dungeon, and decided to rest in a room where they could barricade the door. Little furnishings other than a large fireplace. Midway through the night, the dwarven thief (2nd edition) noticed the rear wall of the fireplace had slid away and there was a secret passage beyond. Spotting something shiny dangling down the crawlspace, he decided NOT to alert the others and investigate on his own. Climbing through soot he eventually reaches the hidden room, a golden bejeweled chalice hanging from a strand of webbing. He tries yanking it down, unaware of the massive spiders descending the walls around him...
In the morning the PCs wake up, having no clue what happened to their rogue companion.
Clearly, you didn't see the warning: Another secret room in another dungeon. After exploring a section of tunnels a thief discovers a secret passage along a wall. Opening it they discovery what is clearly a stockpile of supplies. Large barrels marked with red paint and sealed with wax. The thief pops open a barrel to investigate, and I declare that its a black, oily substance. He asks "Whats below that?" I tell him he cant see, its too dark.. So he sticks his torch inside to see if it will light up. After being engulfed in flame, the party decides to leave the room and the charred corpse where they found it.
Its Poison You Ass!: After fighting there way through a city of beholder subraces and the occasional dominated dwarf, the PCs are seperated, bleeding and out of spells. A thief and a paladin (2nd edition still) Find themselves together in the armory of the dark dwarven city (now inhabited by aformentioned beholders). The Paladin is down to 3 hitpoints, and starts rummaging for supplies. Next to the CROSSBOWS is a BLACK BOX with small BLACK VIALS of PASTE.
The Paladin says "These might be healing potions"
Thief says "I think it's poison man."
The paladin considers for a moment, then thinks "Ah, the DM will go easy on me.." and quaffs the PASTE.
I try to explain "Its difficult to get to the paste. The vial seems designed for a crossbow bolt" but the paladin refuses to pay heed to the warning. The damage is enough to leave him at -9 hitpoints. The Thief proceeds to cover his body with an empty crate and leave him for good... after removing his valuables.
Ooh, thats pretty!: This was a long time ago. The PCs were making their way through a dungeon, and decided to rest in a room where they could barricade the door. Little furnishings other than a large fireplace. Midway through the night, the dwarven thief (2nd edition) noticed the rear wall of the fireplace had slid away and there was a secret passage beyond. Spotting something shiny dangling down the crawlspace, he decided NOT to alert the others and investigate on his own. Climbing through soot he eventually reaches the hidden room, a golden bejeweled chalice hanging from a strand of webbing. He tries yanking it down, unaware of the massive spiders descending the walls around him...
In the morning the PCs wake up, having no clue what happened to their rogue companion.
Clearly, you didn't see the warning: Another secret room in another dungeon. After exploring a section of tunnels a thief discovers a secret passage along a wall. Opening it they discovery what is clearly a stockpile of supplies. Large barrels marked with red paint and sealed with wax. The thief pops open a barrel to investigate, and I declare that its a black, oily substance. He asks "Whats below that?" I tell him he cant see, its too dark.. So he sticks his torch inside to see if it will light up. After being engulfed in flame, the party decides to leave the room and the charred corpse where they found it.
Its Poison You Ass!: After fighting there way through a city of beholder subraces and the occasional dominated dwarf, the PCs are seperated, bleeding and out of spells. A thief and a paladin (2nd edition still) Find themselves together in the armory of the dark dwarven city (now inhabited by aformentioned beholders). The Paladin is down to 3 hitpoints, and starts rummaging for supplies. Next to the CROSSBOWS is a BLACK BOX with small BLACK VIALS of PASTE.
The Paladin says "These might be healing potions"
Thief says "I think it's poison man."
The paladin considers for a moment, then thinks "Ah, the DM will go easy on me.." and quaffs the PASTE.
I try to explain "Its difficult to get to the paste. The vial seems designed for a crossbow bolt" but the paladin refuses to pay heed to the warning. The damage is enough to leave him at -9 hitpoints. The Thief proceeds to cover his body with an empty crate and leave him for good... after removing his valuables.
