Death by Fear

[Dion of the Fraternity]

Remember the Massive Damage rule? I made a variant:

Death by Fear

If a character fails a Fear save by more than 15 points, that character must make a Fortitude save (DC 20) or utterly die.

[ScS of the Fraternity]

Thats some kind of failed check.
What would you rule carries a DC ~20 fear check?

[Darkknight]

My fear checks have always varied, but I have used a death by fear for those who happen to roll that natural one...

The mind goes into a special state, you wet yourself, and depending if your body can take the shock, I use a dc 15, then you die.

[Nathan of the FoS]

Actually, "death by fear" is already in the RPLHB; it's just not as likely as in your scenario. If you fail a Fear check by 16 or more you have to make a Horror check at the Fear check DC-5; if you fail the Horror check by 16 or more you may go into system shock (Fort save at the DC of the Horror check or take 3d6 Con damage), and must make a Madness check at the Horror check DC -5. That would take a heck of a Fear check and some bad luck, but a common or garden variety Ravenloft peasant could easily be frightened to death under these circumstances.