The official Starting Out answer identifies permadeath as part of the game premise.
Permadeath field guide
Forgotten Stories Death
Forgotten Stories Death is a permanent run outcome, not another name for being downed. The official FAQ describes the game as a permadeath turn-based RPG, while its combat answer says zero HP can leave a character downed with Deep Wounds or kill them. This Forgotten Stories Death guide shows which state can still be treated and which published recovery options stop at death.
Verified5 primary source routes · checked 2026-09-13The official Combat answer publishes two possible states rather than one automatic result.
The Healing FAQ says dying during a party run is permanent and restarting the run reverts it.
Reviving yourself or a friend is described as planned, with no current method or date.
Verified decision tool
Downed, death, and revive checker
This tool never converts a wound cure into resurrection. Current revival remains unavailable in the checked official source.
No state selected
Choose Alive, Downed, or Dead before reading a route.
Revive available: NoSource-linked records
Search the records
3 records. Search includes the full requirements and effects; expand a result to read its source fields.
Status EffectsPublic Trello · Open card
Deepwound
Read all Deepwound requirements, effects and limits
Published details
- If you get knocked, you will die from blood loss. - Constantly take damage until cured and worsens to Infection if not treated for too long. Removed/Cured by consuming “Sterilized Bandage”
BooksPublic Trello · Open card
Undying Heart
Other
Read all Undying Heart requirements, effects and limits
Description
“You saw your life flash before your eyes, but somehow you managed to pull out a clutch, your still here... alive.” ~ Ingame Costs 150 Ink Shards to write Costs 75 Ink to sign
Obtainment
Unwritten: Win a battle with 20% or less remaining health Written: Unlocked on spawn
Passives
Once per battle, taking a mortal hit will set your health to 1 instead of killing/downing you.
Stat Bonuses
Max Health: +2
ItemsPublic Trello · Open card
Sterilized Bandage
Rare
Read all Sterilized Bandage requirements, effects and limits
Published details
“A tightly wrapped, herb-treated bandage that seals torn flesh and covers wounds before they fester.” - Game Description Removes Deep Wounds. Crafted with 1 Lility and 3 Rags, or bought at town for 10 silver.
Practical route
Putting it into practice
- 01
Read the state before using an item
A downed player with Deep Wounds is not yet the same as a dead player. The official sources support treatment for the wound state but do not publish a resurrection action for Forgotten Stories Death.
- 02
Treat Deep Wounds while treatment is possible
A Sterilized Bandage removes Deep Wounds. The current Cleansing Waters card also says a Critical Cast removes Deepwound and Infection; neither source says the treatment reverses Forgotten Stories Death.
- 03
Restart after a permanent party-run loss
The official Healing answer says death during a party run is permanent and restarting the run reverts it. That is a new-run boundary, not a revive inside the lost run.
- 04
Separate the run loss from shard eligibility
The general official FAQ says leaving still grants shards whether the character is dead or alive. It does not publish the amount, calculation, or timing, so the guide does not estimate a Forgotten Stories Death reward.
Source-linked media
Images and demonstrations
Limits to keep in mind
- The checked official material does not publish the probability of being downed instead of killed at zero HP.
- No verified revive item, spell, key, timer, cost, or teammate procedure currently reverses Forgotten Stories Death.
- The source says leaving grants shards to dead and living characters but does not state how many shards a run awards.
- Public Trello prevention effects are work-in-progress records and are not proof that a Book or Artifact is currently obtainable in every live run.
Direct answers
Common questions
Is Death permanent?
Yes for the active party run. The official Healing FAQ says death during a party run is permanent and that restarting the run reverts it.
Does zero HP always cause Death?
No fixed chance was published. The official Combat FAQ says zero HP can leave a player downed with Deep Wounds or kill them.
Can a Sterilized Bandage undo Death?
No. It removes Deep Wounds from a downed state; no official source describes it as resurrecting a dead character.
Do dead players receive shards after Death?
The official FAQ says leaving still grants shards whether the character is dead or alive, but it does not publish the amount.
Primary evidence
Sources and check dates
Official DiscordStarting Out FAQ
Published permadeath premise and persistent-Book boundary.
Official DiscordCombat FAQDefensive inputs, grapples, Training Wheels, and Offset.
Official DiscordHealing FAQPublished healing routes and status cures.
Official DiscordGame Mechanics FAQPublished run, death, debuff, and party-state boundaries.
Official DiscordOfficial Discord FAQPublic FAQ entry maintained by game staff.
Connected field routes
Related guides
01Mechanicshealth recovery routes
Compare passive, consumable, spell, and victory recovery.
02Archivesshards and Ink boundarySeparate confirmed leave eligibility from unknown reward amounts.
03Archivespersistent Book archiveReview persistent Book effects and WIP survival records.
04Startfirst-run survival routeFollow the first-run route through quests, defense, healing, Books, and death.