Dramatic Death (PSR Supplement)
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Tenacity, damage, and hit points are used primarily during encounters. They don't necessarily apply during gameplay that is more focused on storytelling, social interaction, or exploration—especially when a creature is Unconscious or otherwise helpless.
For example, if a king has his throat slit in the middle of the night, he suffers a dramatic death, dying outright. No attack or damage roll is needed.
Your narrator may call for dramatic death in any circumstance where game numbers like hit points and defense interfere with the unfolding story. Generally this is reserved for situations outside of encounters.
Because dramatic death is generally for story, it should not be unexpectedly imposed on a protag unless the player wants to send off their character.
