That's Gotta Hurt
Darkness. Darkness and foreboding filled the dank, dusty tombs deep underground, filled with dead men's bones, treasures hidden from the robbers of the grave... and the undead. Khan spat a curse as he dodged aside from one skeleton's mace, only to come within inches of being impaled on a suddenly protruding spike. Lunging forward again, his own blade cut the monster in half, sending his spirit back to the Abyss. Watching his footing, he looked all around, grimacing with fear and regret as he saw the numerous wounds they had suffered along with the number of foes still facing them-
"Back to the hall! We must get out of here!" he roared, waving for them to head toward the door that had led them into this death trap. They should have guessed it was a trap; the vampire's taunts in leading them down there, the dozens of spikes protruding from the walls, all the tiny holes in the ground below them... it was kind of their fault for walking into it, truth be told. Khan's eyes widened as he felt a spike shoot up towards him; a sidestep later and he was still in one piece, although only barely. He made one last flying leap to the door, holding his breath as several spikes just behind him launched, each one inches from impaling him.
Turning to face the rest of his comrades, he winced as he spied one spike just barely catch the side of Minsc's leg as he moved, the ranger grimacing in pain but holding it in, merely running faster as the mummies and wraiths followed behind. Aerie was next to cross the line; she turned and shouted the words to her priestly magic, summoning the powers of her gods to turn the undead who chased them. Jaheira crossed to safety... then Yoshimo. A skeleton imploded upon itself as it got close enough, as did a wraith and a zombie. Minsc's blade swung out and caught a mummy that got too close, protecting Aerie as she continued her chants, keeping them all safe and destroying any undead who ventured close enough.
The light around her faded as she ceased, slowly shrinking as the magic faded, Aerie exhaling in relief. "Did we all make it? I... I think everyone made it across, right?"
Khan did a quick head count... Jaheira, Minsc, himself, Aerie, Yoshimo... hmm. Khan scratched his head, then his eyes widened with realization. "Oh hell."
Jaheira realized it too; she smacked her face into her hand with a curse, shaking her head. "That squire we allowed to travel with us... he's still in there, isn't he."
"Hmm. Perhaps I should go take a quick peek and spy where the good knightling is hiding?" Yoshimo offered.
"No... the spike traps might get you. Bad enough you can't detect them; we can't afford to lose you in here too." Khan shook his head, slowly creeping forward, trying to peer through the field of spikes to see- Khan wrinkled his nose, wincing. "Ow. Er... we've got some resurrection spells memorized, right?"
"Yes, why- Oh." Aerie closed her eyes, exhaling deeply. "I think the spikes got him."
"Yeah... Aerie, why don't you go ahead and, uh... well, get him back up and running."
Aerie nodded and began her spellcraft, her tones deep and steady, channeling all the wizardly power she possessed- the body of Anomen, priest of Helm, filled with light and life once again, his eyes flashing open as the hole that had so violently ended his life closed. He slowly climbed to his feet, shaking his head as he tried to get his bearings. "W-what? What had happened? One moment I was covering our flank while we retreated, the next I-"
"Long story, Anomen." Khan cut him off. "Just get back over here to us."
"But... I feel so weak." Anomen managed, obviously struggling to even keep his mace up as he steadied himself.
"All Aerie has is Raise Dead... you're still wounded very badly." Khan reassured. "Just get on over here and we'll get you healed up, all right?"
"Yes... yes of course." Anomen's tone strengthened as he slowly made his way over, limping heavily, face ashen.
Khan glanced at the others with a sigh of relief, then turned back to Anomen with a shout on his lips, a word of warning- the sound of a spike rushing upward made everyone wince, as well as the sight about thirty feet away. "Maybe I should have warned him about that." Khan frowned.
"I can cast Raise Dead once more." Aerie reassured, awaiting the go-ahead from Khan before beginning her spells again. A second time, the winds blew and magic thundered, raising Anomen back to his feet. "I... by Helm, I feel terrible! Did I-"
"You just died again, Anomen." Khan said, taking a deep breath. "Now get over here so we can heal you, but this time, be careful."
Anomen nodded; taking a quick breath, he slowly began staggering towards them, trying to avoid the holes below, his eyes wide as he got within 25 feet... 20 feet... 15-
A simultaneous wince ran through the group as Anomen dropped to the ground a third time. Khan rolled his eyes and turned to the others. "Should we just leave him?"
"As appealing as it sounds... I can cast Harper's Call." Jaheira sighed. "Once more."
The group watched with resigned amusement as Anomen rose a third time, shaking his head as though ridding himself of the cobwebs of a long sleep. He blinked several times, finally letting his vision clear. Khan extended one hand, stressing each word as he spoke. "Anomen... I'm going to toss you a healing potion. Drink it... then keep walking."
Khan threw the potion up... just a bit short. Anomen stepped forward to catch it-
An explosion of... body parts, sent the rest of the party ducking for cover, Khan cursing furiously as he stood up straight again. "Damn critical damage..."
"Oh my." Aerie covered her mouth as she looked at what had once been Anomen. "I... that's going to be really hard to resurrect."
Author's Postscript: Ok, just as a quick disclaimer, I am not an Anomen hater nor do I take any sort of pleasure in writing about repeated character deaths. This just kept happening to him in that one spike pit in Bodhi's lair, and well... it was pretty funny at the time.