Tim,
Killing a PC is a very significant step to take.
I haven't looked at the precise situation, but the question which you have
to be sure of the answer to is "Is it a fair kill?".
It is only a fair kill if the player
a) had fair warning that the character was heading into mortal danger;
b) was aware that the game meta-rules includes that PCs can die.
Now it seems from your posting that clause (a) was satisfied becuase two
other PCs worked out it was time to cut and run.
The problem arises with clause (b). Some players assume that PCs are
indestructible by default, especially if they are thinking in terms of "high
action" films (or occsionally books). They see it as the GM's job to find
a way for the character to survive absolutely any situation, and for some
genres indeed this is the case. One has a high level of confidence from
before the opening credits that certain characters, such as James Bond, will
survive to the end of the film. When death seems certain you simply cut to
the standard "certain death trap with obvious gaping hole in it" scene.
Is this what the player is expecting? If so you have to do some serious
negotiating. You can kill PCs in this sort of world, but not with a simple
you're dead message. They have to go out in glory.
Consider the effort it took to kill James T. Kirk - I think we can assume
he's permanently dead.
Remember Spock's death in the second film, that was very dramatic and could
even have been permanent, though we know it wasn't.
As far as I can see you have these options:
1) negotiate a suitable death scene with the player and write a new PC into
the plot
2) alter-reality - rule all PCs fled
(standard mechanism is the jump cut to "PC wakes from nightmare")
3) alter reality - another escape route exists and force the PC to use it
4) alter reality - the situation never was as dangerous as it might have
seemed
Which of these you use is your option, you are the GM. You as the GM set
the rules. The players' only option is to play or not to play.
Of course your objective is to select such rules so that all of you will
enjoy playing by them. If one player cannot, the GM has to lose the player.
If many players cannot, they have to lose the GM.
Rgds,
Michael.
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