This is GMing techniques 101!
I played with a GM who didn't want to kill the characters. No matter what we did, we didn't die. No matter who we pissed off, they wouldn't retaliate.
It might have been fun, but not for the story. Because that stank. It was the most obvious railway ever used in a roleplaying game. I've played rail shooters that were less rigid.
We did it because our characters were fun. And it was fun to take this to ridiculous levels, like going to the biggest, epic-character-choked city in the multiverse and randomly killing people. No deaths.
Yeah, that reminds me of one of my most egregious DM abusing sessions. As part of a campaign plot we were supposed to help the badly outnumbered goog guys win a war. So, there is the big battle taking place. The side we were on was massively outnumbered, and it was an obvious railroad that we were supposed to run. The DM was also a bit inexperienced. I shrug my shoulders, and told myslef, "Lets see if he has the balls for a TPK". Long story short, he didn't, and we ended up turning the tide of a that battle.
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Yeah, that reminds me of one of my most egregious DM abusing sessions. As part of a campaign plot we were supposed to help the badly outnumbered goog guys win a war. So, there is the big battle taking place. The side we were on was massively outnumbered, and it was an obvious railroad that we were supposed to run. The DM was also a bit inexperienced. I shrug my shoulders, and told myslef, "Lets see if he has the balls for a TPK". Long story short, he didn't, and we ended up turning the tide of a that battle.
That happened in one of my games, too, sort of - the party had entered orc territory and were vastly, vastly outnumbered. They had a campaign icon with them, and were intended to surrender. They didn't. They were confident that they could kill thousands of orcs without even needing to roll the dice.
I ended the campaign right then and there. Total Campaign Kill, as it were. Nobody was happy and I didn't play with that bunch again for almost a year...
Honestly if it had gotten to this point, I would have unleashed an assassin. If he failed more assassins, it would become a war of attrition with someone needing to break. Clearly the pcs in question have decided they aren't the ones gooing to back down, so someone has to. I'd have a appropriately leveld assassin (that is for the party as an encounter) Gank him. All roles would be fairly done (Stealth vs perception at the -10 and then the death attack save or fort save for CDG) and if he lived it's initiative. If he died, the party would find him with a note pinned to his chest by a curved dagger that said "Took the book back, The debt is considered paid with his forfitieure. Don't come looking for it, we are even." And if they let it go that's the end of it, if they went after the NPC then it would be on... :P
*NOTE* If the pcs were low level so ressurection was highly unlikely without gimping them (by making them sell everything for it) I'd probably hold off on assassins and just continue with bounty hunters and mooks. Once Ressurections aren't hard to get then I'd unleash an assassin or two. I'd make sure they could deal, but I'd want them to understand that the world is living and breathing and if you buck the world it bucks back. IMO players generally respect and enjoy worlds with characters who act like real people and intelligent beings over worlds where nothing goes off script... YMMV
*ALSO* If your one of those DMs who don't like to kill pcs (Nothing wrong with that by the way) the you could always take a "legal" approach. If the NPC is powerful he can put bounties on the character for stealing, and his mooks can get the local law involved just by being lord so and so's men. Things change when the mook AND the local constable and guards burst into the inn demanding the stolen property and arrest of the theif...
That happened in one of my games, too, sort of - the party had entered orc territory and were vastly, vastly outnumbered. They had a campaign icon with them, and were intended to surrender. They didn't. They were confident that they could kill thousands of orcs without even needing to roll the dice.
I ended the campaign right then and there. Total Campaign Kill, as it were. Nobody was happy and I didn't play with that bunch again for almost a year...
I think you did the right thing. While heroes, the characters -are- mortal and susceptible to death. If not, then why the hell aren't they marching to the gods' playground to become king of the jungle gym?
Things change when the mook AND the local constable and guards burst into the inn demanding the stolen property and arrest of the theif...
This would actually be a most beautyfully cruel solution, since if i remember correctly: those/this stu&*+~??*&%/s actually managed to destroy the property in question? That should be a rather hefty fines...
How about that? If the powerfull NPC is not a half-rotten whatever and the book not the Necronomicon... why not go to the authorities ? Let them face an inquisitor of have not Abadar and a Paladin or two with a couple of Guards and explain themselves i say ! Fine them ! They shall work of their debts for breaking the RULES * and ecxpecting to get away with!
* like not having the decency to follow any even most basic security routines to signal the DM that they understand their in trouble. That´s like sleeping in the dungeon: you can do it, but better go thrice thorough through the whole thing and DON´T sleep before the last door. Where they apparently are feeling quite comfortable about.
That happened in one of my games, too, sort of - the party had entered orc territory and were vastly, vastly outnumbered. They had a campaign icon with them, and were intended to surrender. They didn't. They were confident that they could kill thousands of orcs without even needing to roll the dice.
Bwahahahaha. Did they suffer?
I mean, orcs. They won't kill everyone right away.
There's a similar 'assassin/insta-kill' from "The Village of Hommlet" where, after the 3rd level or so PCs kill the BBEG, they have a 10th level assassin sent after them. (I've played it in 1st and 3rd editions.)
One Sneak Attack from a typical foe (Rogue 5/Assassin 5, 6d6) would wipe out most PCs, and then combat would begin.
So...
Rogue turns into Ranger; smart, professional assassin becomes bloodthirsty, thrill-crazy assassin; one-by-one TPK becomes 'burn the inn down' and pick PCs off as they flee. He dropped most everybody, including several civilians, sniping them off from shadows and circling and nailing them. If it weren't for commoners staunching wounds and NPC backup coming (after much stress) they would have all been killed.
Instead it was insane fun that made the PCs realize they were moving into big league trouble. They did not catch the assassin.
At low levels, without Res $, this could work for you, OP.
If at high levels, kill freely. People who play so sloppily probably shouldn't be playing high levels. Killing=important lesson as many high level monsters will track you down if you wipe out half their friends or take their loot, (liches/dragons/et al). This lesson will spare them (and the towns they stay in) a worse fate later.
If in doubt here are four other ways to avoid TPK (some summarized from other posts):
One: Kill a bystander (accidental witness or even ally) first. Have an alarm go off. Make certain the assassin takes down somebody the PCs respect or adore (KO or kill) to instill fear. If possible, let one PC meet the assassin, and get his/her ass kicked. (from behind, of course)
Two: Steal the book. Too boring? Then also take a lock of hair/memento from each of the PCs (do the most perceptive person last, in case he wakes up). Or 'Scar' them (Witch Hex), check update on ability, as its new usages can shake the players. (Other magic marks could serve well too.) Give them Perception checks for when they're Scryed on...
Three: PC contacts give warning (bounty on head/Mr. Kill is in town/omen of party death). Use a CR+2 attacker, who may choose not to attack depending on defenses. TPK then fault of players if they have poor defenses.
Four: Authorities. Depends on your campaign of course, but can the BBEG call upon them? Will your PCs respect them? If yes to both, bring them in.
OP, if these don't work/can't apply, tell us,
JMK
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I would send the assassin, but you can use the encounter to put a little fear into the PC as well as set up a minor or major story arc.
If I were the BBEG, I would pay an assassin to kill the PC (or all of the PCs if they all took part), but I would also pay a large bonus if the book is returned unharmed. If I was aware that the PCs had any items of magic, I would also have him the items brought back as compensation for the whole ordeal.
If the assassin can catch the PC unaware, great. Use an item or strong poison to paralize the PC long enough to disarm him of any magic items and tie and gag him. Prop the PC against the headboard while the assassin explains how his employer is very displeased about not having his prised book. As he is talking, go through the PCs personal items and backpack to determine what is magical. Draw the conversation out a bit to show how confident the assassin is. Of course, no book will be found. Confess to the PC that his employer said that he is paying quite a high price to have the PC killed, but he will pay much more to have the book returned (which is true) and if it is returned there would be no reason to relieve the PC of his life (which is a lie. Killing the PC and returning the book would pay the most).
The entire time, the PC should remain gagged. Then, straightout ask the PC if he has it stashed away somewhere safe. If the PC shakes his head "no", he has signed his own death warrant. If he nods "yes", give him one day to have the book at a meeting place. At this point, the player has been made aware of the danger he is in and that he could be assassinated.
The assassin then finishes gathering up the PCs magic items and makes his exit out the window. If the PC was smart enough to hide any of his equipment in the room, overlook it so that not everything is taken...but also don't be wishy washy and leave anything of obvious value. Let the other PCs find him the next morning tied up.
The PCs will obviously try to trap the assassin. Let the assassin set the terms of the meet. If the PC tries anything, keep the assassin as an ongoing story thread. He can bide his time until he can create an opportunity to kill the PC. Who knows, the PCs may go hunt the employer if they have the resources.
I admit that some players may not react well to loosing their stuff. You will want to consider carefully if you think this would be too much for them.
RAW there is no "fiat" about getting killed in the middle of the night - there is opposed Stealth vs. Perception (albiet at a nasty penalty for the sleeping character) and a generally hard-to-make Fortitude saving throw. Nat 20s happen, although the crit may in its own right kill the character anyway. There are already chances to not be slain by fiat even if you're dumb enough as a player under these circumstances to take not even a very basic precaution or two.
Agreed! I suffered 3 crits one round (all confirming) in that campaign, despite an AC of about 25, no problem. A deux ex mechana (sp, I know) death tastes more like a spoiled dm getting even with a player making 5 'save or die's in a row.