Playing without Raise Dead

[Lobo316]

So, how many C&C groups out there are playing without Raise Dead? Once think I like about C&C is the simplicity of character design. The "character" is really you...your imagination, your role play. It's not about a ton of mechanics, thus it's far easier to create replacement character to fill the niche left by a deceased character.

I do know that players get attached to their PCs, but, if you remove the threat of death from the game, then i believe the game "loses" something. You need that fear, that unknown element to add to the suspense and thrill of the adventure. And, when your characters stands victorious, it actually means something.

So, who has removed Raise Dead from thier game? Is C&C "too" dangerous to do this with? I am seriously considering removing this spell.

[Arduin]

I do know that players get attached to their PCs, but, if you remove the threat of death from the game, then i believe the game "loses" something. You need that fear, that unknown element to add to the suspense and thrill of the adventure. And, when your characters stands victorious, it actually means something.

Characters have to be high level to have access to these spells. And, if high level and the party's cleric is killed they are still out of luck.

[CKDad]

My current group (all 2nd-3rd level) had found a scroll of Raise Dead and hoarded it carefully against mishap. They finally had cause to use it last month - on an NPC henchman who died defending one of the PCs, who was incapacitated (and being hauled off to Unklar knows what gruesome end by the Crna Ruk).

[Arduin]

My current group (all 2nd-3rd level) had found a scroll of Raise Dead and hoarded it carefully against mishap. They finally had cause to use it last month - on an NPC henchman who died defending one of the PCs, who was incapacitated (and being hauled off to Unklar knows what gruesome end by the Crna Ruk).

Lucky Ability check on the part of the party's cleric. Good use for it though.

[CKDad]

Lucky Ability check on the part of the party's cleric. Good use for it though.

They actually were able to prevail upon a higher-level cleric in the city (to whom they had just brought some very ancient religious writings) to cast the spell from the scroll. The party's "face" is a gnomish cleric bard of unbearable cuteness.

[Go0gleplex]

Never needed to worry about it. By the time the PCs can even afford it, they are able to cast it themselves...also by which time, they are able to survive (with a bit of smarts and luck) the more formidable encounters frequent to their skills.

[Lobo316]

Interestng that there have not been more replies to this one. And surprised I have not seen one reply saying they don't use it.

Still considering whether or not to use it myself.

[zarathustra]

Never had raise dead used imc, or resurrect, or reincarnate.

If you die, you die, gods aren't that interested in you.

I haven't always specifically removed these spells, although i sometimes do. But when they have been in play the PC's haven't been able to find a spellcasting cleric in time etc.

[Sir Ironside]

I only GMed one adventure where low classed characters had a need for Raise Dead. It was all part of the adventure and a fairly funny part as some of it had a "Weekend at Bernie's" vibe to it. (Though this campaign was in the late 80's, well before the movie.)

[ArgoForg]

My campaigns usually tend to be pretty high magic, so I usually have spells such as raise dead, resurrection, stone to flesh or (my homebrew) restore form available for the PC's if they're of high enough level. And until they reach the level that they themselves can cast them, high priests and learned magi that have access to them can be talked into casting them, although the price for such a thing-- or the particular components needed for such a thing!-- may be steep.

Of course, the final decision on that is up to the players... I've had players want to discard a character, or decide that the way he or she went out was fitting or heroic. I'll never turn down the opportunity to give a character a heroic death if that's what the player wants. But otherwise, I like them to have the option open, even if it doesn't get used.

I don't necessarily think it demeans character death to have those sort of options available, so long as they're not so readily available any commoner with a pouch of gold can swing them. And they can always be capped-- don't take the obligatory -1 CON for resurrection from the person being healed, for instance, take it from the caster.... and now, it has to really be worth it for a caster to want to use it. I honestly think with a little creativity, having those sorts of spells available can open up story and adventure possibilities.

[Lord Dynel]

I had set up a campaign where there were only nine gods, one of each alignment. One god, which I can't recall her name off the top of my head, was the NG god of peace, healing, light, and life, (and maybe a few other things) was the only god who granted Raise Dead and Resurrection. True Resurrection didn't exist (this was a 2e game). I worked on this pantheon for C&C (and 3e), and was going to leave True Resurrection out, change Raise Dead to a 7th-level cleric spell and Resurrection to a 9-th level spell for clerics of that god only. I never got around to using it, but I could visualize it having a huge impact on the game, but probably not until later levels when dying after such long and prosperous adventuring career was a terrible thought. And yes, I've always been they type of GM where death is never far out of reach, and considering the PCs choice of profession it shouldn't be. The might have thought it a more remote possibility than it was, but I can't help that. Don't get me wrong, they weren't constantly threatened with death every time they stepped outside, but I never wanted them to think that they could breeze through a "challenging" quest and not think dying wasn't a possibility. But, I digress.

So, no, not getting rid of it altogether but making its prescence much less prevalent. At the lower levels I don't think they'll miss it too much. It won't be until the higher levels, I think.

[Lobo316]

. And they can always be capped-- don't take the obligatory -1 CON for resurrection from the person being healed, for instance, take it from the caster.... and now, it has to really be worth it for a caster to want to use it. I honestly think with a little creativity, having those sorts of spells available can open up story and adventure possibilities.

Heh...wow...just...wow...that is a very good idea. I may, indeed, do that. In fact, I may do BOTH! There is a price to pay sort of a thing. Mabye some sort of save, whow knows.

[Arduin]

When I GM and someone dies at low level, it is VERY difficult to get raised. The cost is high but, that isn't the main obstacle. You have to find a Cleric that is willing to use his deity's power (and yes, the God knows who is being raised in his/her name) to do it. Unless, the PC has been CLOSELY connected to that faith and an active champion of that God, it is the ol' S.O.L. Hotline for 'em.

[Just Jeff]

On the other hand, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising just wouldn't be the same without raise dead.

[Ancalagon]

I'm in the planning phases of my next campaign... one in which raise dead, resurrection, and reincarnate will not exist. Dead will mean d-e-a-d.