That's one of things I was thinking about: fates worth than death.
Example:An cursed NPC called "The Monk"
Back in 1592, a mad cleric kills a wizard for possessing knowledge of the "Dark Arts" The wizard's death curse is that the cleric will not be able to die until he learns all the knowledge of mankind.
My questions are as follows:
1. Would a death curse keep him alive until he learns everything? The Monk trips down a flight of stairs and breaks his neck. Does the curse reanimate him? Plus, is his neck still broken or is it healed?
2. Knowledge is constantly expanding - What determines how this or other curses are fufilled? Would the Monk still be alive in 2009? ( I understand he would be by GM fiat, but am curious how it would be explained in game terms.)
That's definitely an interesting idea, but if the wizard is that powerful, how did the Monk/Cleric end up killling him?
That death curse would be ideal for a mad cleric. He'd be able to exist and wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world. No matter how horrible the wizard, there is no way they would ever want their killer to be alive forever.
Also, does he age? Does it cap off somewhere or is he still spry and young. You're giving the cleric the ability to take out anyone he believes is bad, in his skewed brainpan. He could've been the catalyst in the Salem witch trials. No wizard would want something like that for their kind.
In the show, Bob was cursed to live in his own skull forever because of his law breakings. While this is an interesting take on the subject, what would that purpose be for the one putting him there?
Maybe a better curse would be to trap him in the veil between reality and the nevernever. Unable to cross into either, he is forced to observe each side.
Sorry... I got on a rant. Would that be a player character, or an NPC? 'Cause I'm of the mindset that the GM gets a lil bit of creative freedom.
I have done nothing to offer any insight at all... Have I? No.
Okay!