Death

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Revision as of 08:39, 25 January 2007 by House Olik (talk | contribs) (added that adventurers can die)
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Death of a character in BattleMaster is rare, but it can happen as a result of choices that character makes. Because it is so rare, deaths often provoke strong reactions. Realms remember their fallen comrades, and families may nurse grudges for a long time.

Heroes

A character can choose to become a Hero. Heroes put themselves on the line in battle, and fight alongside their troops. This means, however, that a Hero can be killed in battle. What would cause a serious wound in other troop leaders will kill a Hero.

A heroic death can bring fame to a family, and inspire your realm to seek vengeance. The deaths of well-respected Heroes can result in an outpouring of condolences from all over the island, from friends and foes alike.

Adventurers

A character who is an Adventurer may die when defeated by an undead or monster Champion.

Executions

The Judge of a realm can do many nasty things to troop leaders who find themselves in that Judge's prison. If that poor troop leader happens to be banned from that realm, however, he or she may face the ultimate punishment: public execution. Infiltrators and rebel leaders are particularly vulnerable to being banned. Particularly dishonorable people such as rogues and known scoundrels may even be executed without even being banned.

Execution may also bring fame (or infamy) to a family. The execution of a hated traitor or feared assassin can be a cause for celebration in one realm, but become a rallying cry for revenge in another.

Methods of Execution

Hanging

A rope is attached around the neck of the Criminal, then he is caused to lose his footing so that most of his body weight comes to be supported by his neck and throat alone. Death is often instantaneous, since the sudden stress usually separates the Atlas joint. In cases where there is no substantial fall or when otherwise the neck is not broken, death comes slowly from asphyxiation or strangulation. Priapism is a common side effect. This rather common method was used by Gauihu to execute El Cidd, Vigilantius and Doad.

Burning

The Criminal is bound, usually to an upright stake, which is surrounded by any manner of combustibles. Those materials are set ablaze, and the criminal is roasted in the flames. Death is slow in coming and the agony of the criminal is long and horrible. This method was the standard punishment in Abington for the crime of Witchcraft, though it has not been used on a noble in recorded history.

Garotting

The Criminal is bound, often in a seated position. His neck is surrounded by a thin wire which is quickly constricted to the smallest possible circumference, thus bisecting the soft tissues of the neck. Death is very quick and the head often separates from the body.

Impalement

This severe method was listed as an Abington punishment for certain High Crimes, though it was never in recorded history used against a noble. Whether used as execution or torture, it involves penetrating the victim with a long stake (often a spear or pike) through the rectum or torso. As with other types of punishments, often the victim was displayed in the final position for days, weeks or even longer as a warning.

Fitting

This method of execution was first performed on 2006-09-08 in Abington.

The prisoner is afixed to a table on his back, arms and legs restrained. The abdomen is opened and the intestines are slowly pulled out. The prisoner's mouth is forced open and stuffed with his intestines until suffocation ends his life.

Duels

When duelists' differences are so severe that the insult cannot be remedied without the death of one of the participants, they may agree to specifically duel to the death. Ordinary duels will not result in the death of either participant. Note that not all duels to the death will result in the actual death of the defeated duelist. Sometimes, they may escape with a severe wound, but survive to tell the tale.