AudioGoose |
In reply to the OP: The best character deaths are ones that were the result of a player mistake. As a GM, if I do my job correctly in balancing encounters, then the only player deaths are due to player mistakes. And the biggest mistake I've seen players make, over and over again, is failing to make the decision to turn, and run when the odds are not in their favor.
Honestly, if they split the party, run the encounter as intended. The only punches you should pull is maybe the occasional smudged roll behind the GM screen, however experienced players will pick up on this, especially if they've ever GM'ed before.
Me personally, if I was the player (considering the type of character I prefer to play) and the encounter happened on the ship, I would wish Bill the best of luck and find the quickest escape route. Failing that, I'm going to set the flying ship on fire and take as many of the assassins with me. But that's me; encounters like that is stuff my characters would typically live for.