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Author: Wyvernil

Jan 8th 2009 at 11:55:33 AM

I think the video game aspect of it is partially covered by PlotlineDeath, but I see a broader trope here. This covers the absurdity of getting KilledOffForReal in any universe where resurrection is a possibility (though it's most common in video games where it's there as a [[GameplayAndStorySegregation gameplay mechanic]]). This may be justified if the means of bringing someone BackFromTheDead is sufficiently rare or expensive, so it can't get used on just anybody.

In ''DungeonsAndDragons'', a few justifications can be given for having a character KilledOffForReal. The first is, as mentioned before, rarity and expensiveness, which means death can be permanent for low-level PCs. The second is the person's body being sufficiently mutilated (or the soul being stolen/damaged), so that only the highest-level resurrection spells work. The third (introduced in Fourth Edition) is the notion that resurrection works because the person being brought back to life has some unfinished destiny left to accomplish (such as the PCs). Thus, if a person's time is up (I.E. the GameMaster deems his death to be important to the plot), they can't be brought back.