#RPGaDAY2023 Day Thirteen: “Most memorable character DEMISE”

It was the final session of the Alternity Dark*Matter mini-campaign and the first time I ran “The Killing Jar”. The PCs had been investigating mysterious goings on in rural America and located what they believed was the site of significant paranormal activity. Here they were sure to find The Truth^TM. It was here that the actions of one player would end the campaign.

I cannot remember the names of the characters but I do remember James, the player in question. Looking back, he was a poor fit for our gaming group because he was at heart an Actor in a group who definitely wanted other things. He was a nice enough chap but I lost count of the times when he would wind up the group with play mismatched to their goals.

This was the moment when (not for the first time) his in-character choices would lead to disaster… and James would be heard to yell, “But it’s what my CHARACTER would do.” Those who wanted a good story were furious, as were those who wanted more optimal rules-focused play.

The party entered the ancient barrow. They descended slowly through the spiralling tunnels, down towards the centre. It was dark, it was spooky, and they were tense.

At the very height of that tension, just as the players were on the edges of their seats, I sprung the final revelation: the creature they had been searching for, the Being that held the answers to countless questions, rose up from its resting place in the dark.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Shots from the Glock automatic pistol rang out, all aimed at the creature they had sought. Five rounds hit home, penetrating the torso and head of the target. The beast collapsed, dead before the party. The revelation was gone. All answers were lost. The last of its kind has been killed.

“What?” said James, “It rose up, all black hair and big wings. I was scared! It’s what you’d do in that situation.”

The group’s interaction descended into shouting and arguments. I sat dumb-founded. The campaign was over.

“I shoot it,” he’d said.

I’d asked, “Are you sure? It seems quite likely you’ll kill it.”

“Yes,” he said, “I unload five rounds.”

That was the most memorable character demise in my gaming. It was the NPC with the final revelation and James’ character shot it.

Game on!