When is a creature 'Slain'

[jinki]

Afternoon all,

my question is, when is a creature slain? Dead? The way I understand it, it is the same as for a PC. Once a creature reaches -hp equal or greater to its Cons score it is slain. Dead. Can't be stabilized, needs some cool magic to bring it back. Or some such.

Context: My players are up against some Dark Stalkers which have a Death Throes special attack. the creature description states;

'When a dark stalker is slain, its body combusts in a flash of white-hot flame. This acts like a fireball that deals 3d6 points of fire damage to all creatures within a 20-foot-radius burst. A DC 15 Reflex save halves this damage.'

So, will the Death Throes trigger when the creature drops into unconsciousness (no one is going to heal it a this point in my game). Or must I wait until it bleeds to death and reaches -hp equal to its Cons score, before the nasty surprise triggers. I think the latter, but I would like some others opinions.

With thanks,

Jinki.

[Nargemn]

Yep. They trigger their death throes when they hit negative Con.

[jinki]

Nargemn wrote:

Yep. They trigger their death throes when they hit negative Con.

Thanks Nargemn. What I thought too. Just needed a second opinion. Appreciate your confirmation.

[Ascalaphus]

Most of the time, GMs clean NPC/monster minis from the table to keep things tidy, as soon as they drop below 0 hp. And most of the time that's fine; but it's not technically correct.

[Scythia]

When it has been killed in the spirit.

Alternately, when it clutches it's chest and declares "woe beist me, fore thou hast slain me", followed by collapsing, and a curtain drop. Thunderous applause.