ancarr13 wrote:True, but I really dont like to see 1/2 the party wiped out in the first encounter with 4 bandits
In the case of bandits, and such, they might extend to the PCs -- if circumstances permit -- the chance to surrender. (If I was a bandit, then that might well be preferable to killing the PCs, the long arm of the law being what it is). PCs end up robbed, tied up at the side of the road. Perchance then a ranger and her ogre companion amble by (some of those NPCs austrodavicus mentioned), freeing PCs in exchange for help searching for an exotic plant to be used in a local village priest's ritual. Or whatever, you know the sort of thing. Maybe they aren't what they seem, etc. (FrDave's post
here inspired their motive).
nextautumn wrote:In some campaigns I've run, I've given characters reduced to 0 or fewer hps a save vs. death -- if they make it they're only knocked unconscious; if they fail, then they die.
About unconsciousness, I seem to remember one of the biggies, not Gygax or Arneseon, I think, maybe it was Dr. Holmes, lamenting the lack of unconsciousness rules.