In the event of PC demise, what about their equipment until their resurrection? [Archive] - Wizards Community

In the event of PC demise, what about their equipment until their resurrection? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 10:38 AM The reckless ranger in our group has finally died. :D

his demise took close to 92 game days all the while everyone else has died while being infinitely more careful.

well he has a coveted item: Boots of Speed. It took us at least an hour to decide many levels ago who should get this. He also recently bought some gauntlets of ogre power +2.

now imho, he is dead. He gets no say in what happens to his items so long as they returned to his family or a cash value equivalent.

We are several days out from town and we've already gone back once after having a huge battle with a mini-BBEG as soon as we left town (bastard....hated that guy). We are on our way to 3 locations with the final destination more than likely having a place to resurrect our fallen comrade.

IMHO, since he refused to do a full retreat from a hill giant who was hitting for 20+ and he had like 13hp left("screw this I'm dropping him right here....*rolls 5 1's or something*....crap I'm dead") inspite of having several potions on his person and a wand of cure moderate on the rogue and a monk that can heal too:

-until we resurrect him, we have free reign on his equipment meaning the boots and gauntlets are dolled out for efficient use

-all loot we get from now till he is resurrected a portion is earmarked for his resurrection with a lil bit extra in spite of his stupidity.

-in the event he does not want to bring this character back all items and equipment go to his family no questions asked.

My DM said that's not cool. His example was quite vulgar and a bit from the left in part to our bubbly brains at the moment ("you wouldn't want anyone rummaging through your stuff and scratching their rear with your new rapier would you?").

Now I'm starting to become a "by any means neccesary" character as I'm trying to save the 5 nations of elves. In my mind I need to survive and survival means taking what I can from that corpse and bringing him back when I can.

Am I wrong? what do you think?
Zombie_Babies
03-05-08, 10:55 AM Sounds OK to me. As long as everything is given back once he is raised, what's the problem? In fact, by using his gear you are increasing the likelihood that the rest of you survive to bring him back. I don't see a problem.
Malcaor
03-05-08, 01:03 PM Make sure you DM knows that you aren't keeping his equipment, just using it until he is resurected. He might be less vulgar about that. If he isn't ask him why. If it is becuase the rangers player doesn't like it, then I wouldn't. It is team game, and it ruisn the fun if you **** off people on your team.
Cravin
03-05-08, 01:12 PM I have mixed feelings here. It's kind of like taking someones stuff who is in a coma and has a 99% chance of pulling through in the next year. If you are going to use it, thats fine, by all means as zombie babies said "It increases the likelihood of him being brought back" As long as you give the stuff back it's cool.

However. If you plan on keeping it as a payment for his revival, or whatever else reason, as a DM I wouldn't be happy about it, but it is an in game choice to be made, Depending on your alignement, you might even tell the poor ranger he might as well make a new character :P It's been done to me. I wasn't happy about it, but I tried not to be bitter.
Ecalsneerg
03-05-08, 01:47 PM You're adventurers. You do a risky job where you fight monsters, dodge traps and generally risk death constantly. And, guess what? You're a combatant down. It'd be stupid not to use the resources availabel to you. Doubly so if you intend to return his items to him.
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 01:57 PM Sounds OK to me. As long as everything is given back once he is raised, what's the problem? In fact, by using his gear you are increasing the likelihood that the rest of you survive to bring him back. I don't see a problem.

which is my perspective as well and my dull but wise monk friend agrees with me. And he's got priest levels!!!
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 02:07 PM I have mixed feelings here. It's kind of like taking someones stuff who is in a coma and has a 99% chance of pulling through in the next year. If you are going to use it, thats fine, by all means as zombie babies said "It increases the likelihood of him being brought back" As long as you give the stuff back it's cool.

which is the exact modus operandi we came up with. We use it till he comes back then he gets it all....AND a little bit extra too (if there is extra).

However. If you plan on keeping it as a payment for his revival, or whatever else reason, as a DM I wouldn't be happy about it, but it is an in game choice to be made, Depending on your alignement, you might even tell the poor ranger he might as well make a new character :P It's been done to me. I wasn't happy about it, but I tried not to be bitter.

No. Not at all. The only possibility that would happen we still woudln't get it because we would sell all his stuff to resurrect him if we didn't have enough. We did it once for an NPC who was part of our group and the DM had no qualms there.

And here is the rub, in light of your last comment based on alignment. In our last major battle that ended an orc war the ranger had the option of attempting to save our sorceror who was getting pelted by another sorceror and getting attacked by zombie ogres. he decided not too and survived the combat only to quip that "he had no choice" (in hindsight mind you....) and if he did try to save them they both would be dead. I can't be sure but I want to say that he also said "just make a new character". Now at this point he was the only one that had not died. So suggesting "make a new one" probably came too easy for him. In the end the sorceror was brought back but we did spend at least 2-3 sessions (for sure the rest of that one going "WOW!! wow. wow. You're LG and you did that?") trying to make our point.

In this battle circumstances were VERY different as with boots of speed and fighting 3 hill giants he could have easily retreated 60 away, quick drawn 2 potions and downed them both to be back in combat the following turn.

Also, there was no argument when we used the Bag of Holding owned by the sorceror then carry loot back....
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 02:08 PM You're adventurers. You do a risky job where you fight monsters, dodge traps and generally risk death constantly. And, guess what? You're a combatant down. It'd be stupid not to use the resources availabel to you. Doubly so if you intend to return his items to him.

THANK YOU!!

dag nabit I'm trying to save the world. If it serves the end goal...I'll do what needs to be done.
Lincoln Hills
03-05-08, 02:42 PM In that case, EAT THIS KITTEN! :mew:

But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems.
Wheldrake
03-05-08, 02:49 PM Come on, folks.

The dead PC is... dead. All his possessions are fair game and the player whose character it was has zero say in what happens to his gear.

If the fellow adventurers are lawful or feel honor-bound to return the dead PC's gear to his family, hey, that's great. But it is 100% their decision. Anything else is metagaming.

Even for honorable companions, using the dead PC's gear while completeing the adventure and waiting to rez him sounds quite reasonable. It's not like they are desecrating his corpse.

And if the party members decide to divvy up the spoils and not give anything to the dead PC's family, or even bother trying to rez the dead PC, that's their call and the DM should have NOTHING to say about it. Except perhaps to note relevant alignment shifts in consequence to players' actions.

YMMV, --- Wheldrake
Zombie_Babies
03-05-08, 02:54 PM But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems.

As long as they aren't wasting them willy nilly then they will be fine to use them. It's the "I am the center of the universe" idea in proof:

I cannot help you if I am dead. If using your things helps me to stay alive, I am helping you. Helping you is what you want me to do. That means you want me to stay alive. Which, in turn, means you want me to use your stuff :D

A Lawful person should have no qualms using a charged item of his fallen friend if it enables him to return to safety and bring back said friend. That's what he wants to do, no? Wouldn't he then try his very best to ensure he can?

Though, as mentioned, if the living buddy has a Wand of Cure X and uses the fallen guy's instead there is an issue (a minor one, to be sure). Unless it's an Evil campaign. Or the character in question is Neutral, of course.
Zombie_Babies
03-05-08, 02:57 PM The dead PC is... dead. All his possessions are fair game and the player whose character it was has zero say in what happens to his gear.

Ahh.... the not oft enough invoked "Dead men can't talk" rule. We used to play it literally. If you died you were not permitted to speak on what you'd like the party to do or advise them in any way. Good rule, that.
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 03:02 PM In that case, EAT THIS KITTEN! :mew:

tastee kitteh in my belley

But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems.

Boots of speed - not single use or charged based....check

gauntles of ogre power - not single use or charged based....check

cure potions - single use....yes...but dead is dead. I'd be foolish to leave them on his person.

wands of curing - well...cleric/wizard/rogue died...better leave that 35 charge wand of curious serious wounds on his person and keep on adventuring...yessirre.

And paralyzed? Oh wow I'd have too much fun....I would tell him what I'm doing while I'm doing it and why I'm doing it and then ask him if he wants me to leave him there whilst I go get something to unparalyze him...if not they using his stuff until he has the means is perfectly within reason.

if he was paralyzed I'd mock him while doing it and then ask would he rather be dead because either way I'm still using his stuff because right now...he can't.
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 03:05 PM I cannot help you if I am dead. If using your things helps me to stay alive, I am helping you. Helping you is what you want me to do. That means you want me to stay alive. Which, in turn, means you want me to use your stuff :D

stolen and used in my defense in 2 weeks :cool: ;)
Darryl_Licke
03-05-08, 03:06 PM Ahh.... the not oft enough invoked "Dead men can't talk" rule. We used to play it literally. If you died you were not permitted to speak on what you'd like the party to do or advise them in any way. Good rule, that.

which we have done for every person up to this point...when I was dead they died my dead body up to the front of a small boat in effigy.
Lincoln Hills
03-05-08, 08:03 PM More PCs need to specify (in writing) what to do with their corpses if they don't want to be raised:

"I order you to mummify my corpse, cast shrink item on it, tie it to a stick and use it to make Intimidate checks! Those are my final wishes and you must respect them. P.S. you can have my stuff."
wizarddog
03-05-08, 11:29 PM On a side note:

If the PC was turned to stone would it be ethical to break him into pieces to carry them and later put the pieces back together before casting stone to flesh? :P
twad
03-06-08, 12:23 AM i would say, use his looted equipment as if it was your own. Dont be afraid to use it at all and any opportunity.

When he is raised, just give him back.. what is left...

If he is unhappy.. tell him that;

"Hey, we had to work to get you raised, and to stay alive too.. had to fight our way out of town and it was quite the close call.
You should be thankfull.
Equipment can be buyed again, hey, we still have most of your kit. But with life, it is far from being that simple. Dont be reckless."

Dont risk your life for equipment, use up equipment to save your life.
monai75
03-06-08, 12:43 AM I do not see the problem here? If I where to die, Vecna forbid, I would want whoever intended to bring me back to life to use whatever items of mine to ensure survival. Thus ensuring my coming back to life. And getting my items back when I came back would be an added bonus. This is D+D folks, and I tend to run campaigns that are fetched deeply in the "adult, Rated R" type story lines. My players know the score, and although most of them have survived to 6th level. It is because they play smart and play their characters like adventurers. Sometimes killers and always trying to survive. Using a fallen party members items, even if the characters are lawful good, could be justified in some of the situations D+D characters get into.

And on a side note. Those players who insist their magic items be returned to their characters family members, so their next character can inherit them somehow, are poor sports and does not sit well with me. It falls into the same family of D+D taboos along with couple DM's (where the DM has his girlfriend in the PC group and her character always seem to have a certain edge on everything), or the buddy System (where two players are close friends and create two characters who already have a history with each other) Sorry for the rant., Got to get it out where I can.
Shadowhowler
03-06-08, 12:45 AM Gotta agree with the majority here.

If your buddy died... and your lugging his smelly corpse along with you in the hopes of being able to raise him later... damn right you should use anything and everything he might have had to keep your still living buddies... well... still living.

You can not raise his rotting a$$ if you, yourselves die... pure and simple. You need every resource avalible to you.

If you do find a way to raise him... give him back what remains of his stuff and tell him what you had to do. If his character has a problem with that, his character is a tool.

If your DM has a problem with this... your DM is a Tool.

By all means, let him know I said so. Direct him to this thread, so he can see the opinions here and realize he is being a tool.
Etarnon
03-06-08, 01:00 AM I'm good with it as long as such things get "back to his family" at the end of the current adventure.

Potions and such, use as you will. Armor, swords the like, go to his family, or failing that with no family, tithed to his temple. If he doesn't have family, nor temple...bury it with him.

How else do tombs get to have magical armor and swords?

Good luck.

I think the DM is kind of irked because ... Okay ... I'm stumped as to why he doesn't want to allow this.
High Octane
03-06-08, 03:31 AM Pawn shop and Bluff skill.

"Yeah, your equipment burned up too."
CapnCJ
03-07-08, 07:01 AM Our group has kind of an unwritten rule about dead characters gear.

Basically, at least half of the res cost comes from flogging off their gear (Their choice as to which pieces, it's unfair to sell off someone's favourite item)
kelvinaw273
03-07-08, 08:44 AM The answer is simple - what are the funerary rites for the dead character's religion? If he is to be burned on a pyre with all his worldly possessions, for example offer him the option of doing just that, or else you get to borrow his gear until you get him rezzed.

Case closed.
CCS
03-07-08, 05:36 PM You'll get no disagreement from me (either as a DM or a player).

As a player;
See, in the groups I play with, you die? Your stuffs up for grabs. Despite your wishes you may or may not get rezzed. And if you are rezzed there's no gauantee yuo'll be getting (all) of your stuff back. At the very least it's payment for hauling your dead arse around, going out of our way for such spells/services, etc. And if you really have a problem with it? Odds are we won't bother to rez you next time....

As a DM?
I simply don't care how the players settle such things. That's thier problem not mine.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 10:38 AM	The reckless ranger in our group has finally died. :D his demise took close to 92 game days all the while everyone else has died while being infinitely more careful. well he has a coveted item: Boots of Speed. It took us at least an hour to decide many levels ago who should get this. He also recently bought some gauntlets of ogre power +2. now imho, he is dead. He gets no say in what happens to his items so long as they returned to his family or a cash value equivalent. We are several days out from town and we've already gone back once after having a huge battle with a mini-BBEG as soon as we left town (bastard....hated that guy). We are on our way to 3 locations with the final destination more than likely having a place to resurrect our fallen comrade. IMHO, since he refused to do a full retreat from a hill giant who was hitting for 20+ and he had like 13hp left("screw this I'm dropping him right here....rolls 5 1's or something....crap I'm dead") inspite of having several potions on his person and a wand of cure moderate on the rogue and a monk that can heal too: -until we resurrect him, we have free reign on his equipment meaning the boots and gauntlets are dolled out for efficient use -all loot we get from now till he is resurrected a portion is earmarked for his resurrection with a lil bit extra in spite of his stupidity. -in the event he does not want to bring this character back all items and equipment go to his family no questions asked. My DM said that's not cool. His example was quite vulgar and a bit from the left in part to our bubbly brains at the moment ("you wouldn't want anyone rummaging through your stuff and scratching their rear with your new rapier would you?"). Now I'm starting to become a "by any means neccesary" character as I'm trying to save the 5 nations of elves. In my mind I need to survive and survival means taking what I can from that corpse and bringing him back when I can. Am I wrong? what do you think?
Zombie_Babies 03-05-08, 10:55 AM	Sounds OK to me. As long as everything is given back once he is raised, what's the problem? In fact, by using his gear you are increasing the likelihood that the rest of you survive to bring him back. I don't see a problem.
Malcaor 03-05-08, 01:03 PM	Make sure you DM knows that you aren't keeping his equipment, just using it until he is resurected. He might be less vulgar about that. If he isn't ask him why. If it is becuase the rangers player doesn't like it, then I wouldn't. It is team game, and it ruisn the fun if you **** off people on your team.
Cravin 03-05-08, 01:12 PM	I have mixed feelings here. It's kind of like taking someones stuff who is in a coma and has a 99% chance of pulling through in the next year. If you are going to use it, thats fine, by all means as zombie babies said "It increases the likelihood of him being brought back" As long as you give the stuff back it's cool. However. If you plan on keeping it as a payment for his revival, or whatever else reason, as a DM I wouldn't be happy about it, but it is an in game choice to be made, Depending on your alignement, you might even tell the poor ranger he might as well make a new character :P It's been done to me. I wasn't happy about it, but I tried not to be bitter.
Ecalsneerg 03-05-08, 01:47 PM	You're adventurers. You do a risky job where you fight monsters, dodge traps and generally risk death constantly. And, guess what? You're a combatant down. It'd be stupid not to use the resources availabel to you. Doubly so if you intend to return his items to him.
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 01:57 PM	Sounds OK to me. As long as everything is given back once he is raised, what's the problem? In fact, by using his gear you are increasing the likelihood that the rest of you survive to bring him back. I don't see a problem. which is my perspective as well and my dull but wise monk friend agrees with me. And he's got priest levels!!!
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 02:07 PM	I have mixed feelings here. It's kind of like taking someones stuff who is in a coma and has a 99% chance of pulling through in the next year. If you are going to use it, thats fine, by all means as zombie babies said "It increases the likelihood of him being brought back" As long as you give the stuff back it's cool. which is the exact modus operandi we came up with. We use it till he comes back then he gets it all....AND a little bit extra too (if there is extra). However. If you plan on keeping it as a payment for his revival, or whatever else reason, as a DM I wouldn't be happy about it, but it is an in game choice to be made, Depending on your alignement, you might even tell the poor ranger he might as well make a new character :P It's been done to me. I wasn't happy about it, but I tried not to be bitter. No. Not at all. The only possibility that would happen we still woudln't get it because we would sell all his stuff to resurrect him if we didn't have enough. We did it once for an NPC who was part of our group and the DM had no qualms there. And here is the rub, in light of your last comment based on alignment. In our last major battle that ended an orc war the ranger had the option of attempting to save our sorceror who was getting pelted by another sorceror and getting attacked by zombie ogres. he decided not too and survived the combat only to quip that "he had no choice" (in hindsight mind you....) and if he did try to save them they both would be dead. I can't be sure but I want to say that he also said "just make a new character". Now at this point he was the only one that had not died. So suggesting "make a new one" probably came too easy for him. In the end the sorceror was brought back but we did spend at least 2-3 sessions (for sure the rest of that one going "WOW!! wow. wow. You're LG and you did that?") trying to make our point. In this battle circumstances were VERY different as with boots of speed and fighting 3 hill giants he could have easily retreated 60 away, quick drawn 2 potions and downed them both to be back in combat the following turn. Also, there was no argument when we used the Bag of Holding owned by the sorceror then carry loot back....
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 02:08 PM	You're adventurers. You do a risky job where you fight monsters, dodge traps and generally risk death constantly. And, guess what? You're a combatant down. It'd be stupid not to use the resources availabel to you. Doubly so if you intend to return his items to him. THANK YOU!! dag nabit I'm trying to save the world. If it serves the end goal...I'll do what needs to be done.
Lincoln Hills 03-05-08, 02:42 PM	In that case, EAT THIS KITTEN! :mew: But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems.
Wheldrake 03-05-08, 02:49 PM	Come on, folks. The dead PC is... dead. All his possessions are fair game and the player whose character it was has zero say in what happens to his gear. If the fellow adventurers are lawful or feel honor-bound to return the dead PC's gear to his family, hey, that's great. But it is 100% their decision. Anything else is metagaming. Even for honorable companions, using the dead PC's gear while completeing the adventure and waiting to rez him sounds quite reasonable. It's not like they are desecrating his corpse. And if the party members decide to divvy up the spoils and not give anything to the dead PC's family, or even bother trying to rez the dead PC, that's their call and the DM should have NOTHING to say about it. Except perhaps to note relevant alignment shifts in consequence to players' actions. YMMV, --- Wheldrake
Zombie_Babies 03-05-08, 02:54 PM	But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems. As long as they aren't wasting them willy nilly then they will be fine to use them. It's the "I am the center of the universe" idea in proof: I cannot help you if I am dead. If using your things helps me to stay alive, I am helping you. Helping you is what you want me to do. That means you want me to stay alive. Which, in turn, means you want me to use your stuff :D A Lawful person should have no qualms using a charged item of his fallen friend if it enables him to return to safety and bring back said friend. That's what he wants to do, no? Wouldn't he then try his very best to ensure he can? Though, as mentioned, if the living buddy has a Wand of Cure X and uses the fallen guy's instead there is an issue (a minor one, to be sure). Unless it's an Evil campaign. Or the character in question is Neutral, of course.
Zombie_Babies 03-05-08, 02:57 PM	The dead PC is... dead. All his possessions are fair game and the player whose character it was has zero say in what happens to his gear. Ahh.... the not oft enough invoked "Dead men can't talk" rule. We used to play it literally. If you died you were not permitted to speak on what you'd like the party to do or advise them in any way. Good rule, that.
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 03:02 PM	In that case, EAT THIS KITTEN! :mew: tastee kitteh in my belley But seriously - the rest of the party shouldn't be blowing single-use or charged items that are the property of the deceased (or his heirs) from a Lawful perspective. Items that are unlikely to be hurt (barring rust monsters, rods of cancellation, etc.) can probably be put to use (would you borrow such items if the character were merely paralyzed for a little while?) without ethical problems. Boots of speed - not single use or charged based....check gauntles of ogre power - not single use or charged based....check cure potions - single use....yes...but dead is dead. I'd be foolish to leave them on his person. wands of curing - well...cleric/wizard/rogue died...better leave that 35 charge wand of curious serious wounds on his person and keep on adventuring...yessirre. And paralyzed? Oh wow I'd have too much fun....I would tell him what I'm doing while I'm doing it and why I'm doing it and then ask him if he wants me to leave him there whilst I go get something to unparalyze him...if not they using his stuff until he has the means is perfectly within reason. if he was paralyzed I'd mock him while doing it and then ask would he rather be dead because either way I'm still using his stuff because right now...he can't.
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 03:05 PM	I cannot help you if I am dead. If using your things helps me to stay alive, I am helping you. Helping you is what you want me to do. That means you want me to stay alive. Which, in turn, means you want me to use your stuff :D stolen and used in my defense in 2 weeks :cool: ;)
Darryl_Licke 03-05-08, 03:06 PM	Ahh.... the not oft enough invoked "Dead men can't talk" rule. We used to play it literally. If you died you were not permitted to speak on what you'd like the party to do or advise them in any way. Good rule, that. which we have done for every person up to this point...when I was dead they died my dead body up to the front of a small boat in effigy.
Lincoln Hills 03-05-08, 08:03 PM	More PCs need to specify (in writing) what to do with their corpses if they don't want to be raised: "I order you to mummify my corpse, cast shrink item on it, tie it to a stick and use it to make Intimidate checks! Those are my final wishes and you must respect them. P.S. you can have my stuff."
wizarddog 03-05-08, 11:29 PM	On a side note: If the PC was turned to stone would it be ethical to break him into pieces to carry them and later put the pieces back together before casting stone to flesh? :P
twad 03-06-08, 12:23 AM	i would say, use his looted equipment as if it was your own. Dont be afraid to use it at all and any opportunity. When he is raised, just give him back.. what is left... If he is unhappy.. tell him that; "Hey, we had to work to get you raised, and to stay alive too.. had to fight our way out of town and it was quite the close call. You should be thankfull. Equipment can be buyed again, hey, we still have most of your kit. But with life, it is far from being that simple. Dont be reckless." Dont risk your life for equipment, use up equipment to save your life.
monai75 03-06-08, 12:43 AM	I do not see the problem here? If I where to die, Vecna forbid, I would want whoever intended to bring me back to life to use whatever items of mine to ensure survival. Thus ensuring my coming back to life. And getting my items back when I came back would be an added bonus. This is D+D folks, and I tend to run campaigns that are fetched deeply in the "adult, Rated R" type story lines. My players know the score, and although most of them have survived to 6th level. It is because they play smart and play their characters like adventurers. Sometimes killers and always trying to survive. Using a fallen party members items, even if the characters are lawful good, could be justified in some of the situations D+D characters get into. And on a side note. Those players who insist their magic items be returned to their characters family members, so their next character can inherit them somehow, are poor sports and does not sit well with me. It falls into the same family of D+D taboos along with couple DM's (where the DM has his girlfriend in the PC group and her character always seem to have a certain edge on everything), or the buddy System (where two players are close friends and create two characters who already have a history with each other) Sorry for the rant., Got to get it out where I can.
Shadowhowler 03-06-08, 12:45 AM	Gotta agree with the majority here. If your buddy died... and your lugging his smelly corpse along with you in the hopes of being able to raise him later... damn right you should use anything and everything he might have had to keep your still living buddies... well... still living. You can not raise his rotting a$$ if you, yourselves die... pure and simple. You need every resource avalible to you. If you do find a way to raise him... give him back what remains of his stuff and tell him what you had to do. If his character has a problem with that, his character is a tool. If your DM has a problem with this... your DM is a Tool. By all means, let him know I said so. Direct him to this thread, so he can see the opinions here and realize he is being a tool.
Etarnon 03-06-08, 01:00 AM	I'm good with it as long as such things get "back to his family" at the end of the current adventure. Potions and such, use as you will. Armor, swords the like, go to his family, or failing that with no family, tithed to his temple. If he doesn't have family, nor temple...bury it with him. How else do tombs get to have magical armor and swords? Good luck. I think the DM is kind of irked because ... Okay ... I'm stumped as to why he doesn't want to allow this.
High Octane 03-06-08, 03:31 AM	Pawn shop and Bluff skill. "Yeah, your equipment burned up too."
CapnCJ 03-07-08, 07:01 AM	Our group has kind of an unwritten rule about dead characters gear. Basically, at least half of the res cost comes from flogging off their gear (Their choice as to which pieces, it's unfair to sell off someone's favourite item)
kelvinaw273 03-07-08, 08:44 AM	The answer is simple - what are the funerary rites for the dead character's religion? If he is to be burned on a pyre with all his worldly possessions, for example offer him the option of doing just that, or else you get to borrow his gear until you get him rezzed. Case closed.
CCS 03-07-08, 05:36 PM	You'll get no disagreement from me (either as a DM or a player). As a player; See, in the groups I play with, you die? Your stuffs up for grabs. Despite your wishes you may or may not get rezzed. And if you are rezzed there's no gauantee yuo'll be getting (all) of your stuff back. At the very least it's payment for hauling your dead arse around, going out of our way for such spells/services, etc. And if you really have a problem with it? Odds are we won't bother to rez you next time.... As a DM? I simply don't care how the players settle such things. That's thier problem not mine.