FPs would just provide that dramatic "I'm not dead yet" moment, but it also allows you as a GM to do the same thing and keepo a villan alive that they though for certain they'd done away with. WOrks both ways.[.quote]
This ia actually what I hate about fantasy/action/sci0fi etc. genre- that fact that death rarely happens to anyone 'important'. That's amarketinf feature really- you can't
really kill Superman 'cause the story line would stop and the publisher would stop making money. SO where's the suspence? RPGs at least are exempt from this. If everybody dies- well there's another campaign around the corner. Plus actually
not dying in these circumstances is an accomplishment to be proud of, not just almost guarenteed.
Plus, they are jsut as good at being spent to ensure that a plan goes off, like that the optimal time to attack an encampment is during a rain storm so a FP is burned to "make it rain". That's a valid expense too, not just death avoidance.
Weather's one of those things that ignores human desire for the most part. You want to able to make it rain? Take some serious level fo Scholar and invest in Elements and Forces. 8)
I just think you;re missing out on a great aspect of the game not using them. Honestly, I think the expendature of FPs to survive the final show-down and gain Reputation is the whole point of the thing. XPLevels are a means to an end, but Rep is where it's at, and surviving against all odds is one way to increase Rep.