PCs and raise dead/resurrection?

[garhkal]

Both 1e and 2e have restrictions listed by NPC casters for certain spells, as to whether they are just "Pay up" or "can only be cast for those of the faith".. such as with the raise dead/resurrection spells.

When a Player character reaches the level where they get to cast those 2 spells. Do you treat them the same as NPCs of the faith? Or cause they are player characters, they can cast those spells on whom ever they damn well please, faith/alignment/race be damned..?

[TigerStripedDog]

Ugh. I hate both of those spells, and especially hate the idea that PC's can continually cast them. I really prefer if this is something that is outside of the realm of possibility. Without fear of death, and instead replacing it with the fear of cost (lost con, or play time, etc) I really think an element of risk is lost from the game.

That said, I think the same restrictions apply to the character that would apply to an NPC. That said RP can go a long way.

TSD

[Brightmantle]

Just one more reason I harsh the vibe of Rez and raise dead with the dreaded system shock as well as res. Survival. What is more shocking to your system that having your soul shoe horned back in anyway?

[garhkal]

That said, I think the same restrictions apply to the character that would apply to an NPC. That said RP can go a long way.

TSD

Strange you say that TSD, since when i raise that point on the foot, many seem to feel PC's can ignore the same restrictions an NPC would be beholden too, just cause they "Are PCS"..

[TigerStripedDog]

Strange you say that TSD, since when i raise that point on the foot, many seem to feel PC's can ignore the same restrictions an NPC would be beholden too, just cause they "Are PCS"..

Yeah, I have never had much tolerance for that kind of attitude. A player that thinks their character can get away with stuff just because he or she is a character generally ends up really dead, really quick. As a DM I create a world with an alternative set of physical and societal laws. But those laws apply to everyone.

Also, really bud, just nix any hope of resurrection. There are some really easy ways to make this doable. Maybe 200 years ago some dark priest of death created an infernal machine that forever changed the way the world worked, the gates to the afterworld are now one way, and nothing short of a wish will bring them back. That is what I would do. Really give your players that fear that they could truly lose everything.

If you want to be fair though, make sure they know that if they die, they get to start a new character 1d4 levels behind the rest of the party. That way it doesn't just feel like a constant rotation.

TSD

[Brightmantle]

That said, I think the same restrictions apply to the character that would apply to an NPC. That said RP can go a long way.

TSD

Strange you say that TSD, since when i raise that point on the foot, many seem to feel PC's can ignore the same restrictions an NPC would be beholden too, just cause they "Are PCS"..

This kind of attitude I whole heartedly disagree with. I am of the opinion that if the NPC's have the restriction so should the player characters. Also the flip side of the coin. If the p.c.'s can do it so can the npc's. So even with crits, called shots, etc. The p.c.'s and NPC's abide by the same rules. The p.c.'s are special because they are played that way in my book, not because they are the p.c.'s. No preferential treatment at my table. Yes, I still pull for the p.c.'s secretly but the dice generally lay where they fall. I tell my players "Hey I'm not your enemy as the DM. I do however play them". I never have understood the Antagonistic DM approach you see touted on many sites. I also see the favor the p.c.'s type DM style as not the best approach to running the game. I try to stand as the Referee and Story teller, neutral come what may.
What is your approach to adjudication?

[garhkal]

I am a ref. I like people thinking outside the box, and trying stuff the rules may not cover. BUT i follow the mantra if i have to make a die roll for it, then what the dice says, is what they say.

[Cole]

This kind of attitude I whole heartedly disagree with. I am of the opinion that if the NPC's have the restriction so should the player characters. Also the flip side of the coin. If the p.c.'s can do it so can the npc's. So even with crits, called shots, etc. The p.c.'s and NPC's abide by the same rules.

Booyeah! Dead on! What's good for the goose is good for the gander