Dying Words [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dying Words [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ibbins
03-27-05, 11:38 AM I remember seeing a thread dealing with dying words some time a go, but (surprise, surprise) the search is dead again. Ah well.

Dying words are a great plot device in any situation, but D&D makes it more or less impossible to use, because any dying character(without diehard) stays alive for 10 hitpoints before they're truly dead.

In my upcoming campaign I plan to instate this new rule that will, IMO, make combat more interesting, and allow for famous dying words.

Any living creature that would fall unconscious as a result of being reduced to -1 or less hitpoints makes a fortitude saving throw(DC 25). Success means they stay conscious, though they are disabled and bleeding; failure causes them to fall unconscious and dying. strenuous action or taking further damage(though not from bleeding) requires another saving throw. At -10 hitpoints, they still die. The Diehard feat automatically makes this saving throw a success.

The DC 25 is set as such to make it have very little effect on a low level campaign.

Any thoughts?
Ibbins
03-27-05, 09:50 PM :bump:
Kintara
03-27-05, 10:03 PM I think the mechanic is alright, though I'm not sure it's necessary to have one. I'd just let someone whisper out their dying words if it was dramatically appropriate to do so. The thing about dying in D&D, however, is that it rarely sticks. It kind of undermines the impact of dying words when your friend is back the next day with a soul hangover.

If you really want to make it dramatic, why not allow someone to effectively gain the Diehard feat in exchange for a truly permanent death? I'd even allow someone to survive one blow that would bring them past -10, for a turn. The dying monologue would be free. ;)
Ibbins
03-28-05, 04:48 PM Actually, you're right, the mechanic isnt necessary to allow dying words, but still I think it's pretty cool, and I plan to use it to make combat a little more interesting(and generally harder for PCs).
Fargren
03-28-05, 05:31 PM Just let the characters ujse free actions before falling unconsious or siyng. Talking is free(for the time being at least)
Arcade
03-28-05, 05:36 PM This is similar to the "death and dying" variant in UA which uses a fortitude save when characters are reduced to 0 or below. One suggestion that was brought up here (and I personally use in my campaign) is to not use the fortitude save and instead add the character's level to the roll of a d20.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ibbins 03-27-05, 11:38 AM	I remember seeing a thread dealing with dying words some time a go, but (surprise, surprise) the search is dead again. Ah well. Dying words are a great plot device in any situation, but D&D makes it more or less impossible to use, because any dying character(without diehard) stays alive for 10 hitpoints before they're truly dead. In my upcoming campaign I plan to instate this new rule that will, IMO, make combat more interesting, and allow for famous dying words. Any living creature that would fall unconscious as a result of being reduced to -1 or less hitpoints makes a fortitude saving throw(DC 25). Success means they stay conscious, though they are disabled and bleeding; failure causes them to fall unconscious and dying. strenuous action or taking further damage(though not from bleeding) requires another saving throw. At -10 hitpoints, they still die. The Diehard feat automatically makes this saving throw a success. The DC 25 is set as such to make it have very little effect on a low level campaign. Any thoughts?
Ibbins 03-27-05, 09:50 PM	:bump:
Kintara 03-27-05, 10:03 PM	I think the mechanic is alright, though I'm not sure it's necessary to have one. I'd just let someone whisper out their dying words if it was dramatically appropriate to do so. The thing about dying in D&D, however, is that it rarely sticks. It kind of undermines the impact of dying words when your friend is back the next day with a soul hangover. If you really want to make it dramatic, why not allow someone to effectively gain the Diehard feat in exchange for a truly permanent death? I'd even allow someone to survive one blow that would bring them past -10, for a turn. The dying monologue would be free. ;)
Ibbins 03-28-05, 04:48 PM	Actually, you're right, the mechanic isnt necessary to allow dying words, but still I think it's pretty cool, and I plan to use it to make combat a little more interesting(and generally harder for PCs).
Fargren 03-28-05, 05:31 PM	Just let the characters ujse free actions before falling unconsious or siyng. Talking is free(for the time being at least)
Arcade 03-28-05, 05:36 PM	This is similar to the "death and dying" variant in UA which uses a fortitude save when characters are reduced to 0 or below. One suggestion that was brought up here (and I personally use in my campaign) is to not use the fortitude save and instead add the character's level to the roll of a d20.