Well, I'm sure it gives someone plenty of satisfaction It's like every challenge. That's why I install the hardest mods I can find to feel accomplished when I FINALLY get the right tactic for some encounter But gods, I cannot imagine doing no-reload as a completionist haha. I mean, you play 20 hours, do the quests, gather everything, and then you suddenly die. And what? Do you start over? Do the same quests etc all over again right after? Or do you wait for a year to get over the frustration and perhaps forget bits to make it feel less repetitive?
Aerie and Minsc examples remind me of a time-challenge my mods gave me last time I played xD It wasn't voluntary, but something bugged real bad, and my NPCs were slowly becoming unresponsive No amount of cheating or SKeepering helped. First I lost Aerie, then a bit later Minsc followed. Then the bug had taken Jaheira. It was like a race with time I tell you ;D
I had no idea that Maze/Charm were ending the game honestly (never played a solo game, kills the fun for me). That sounds really stupid for a no-reload challenge (or a normal game even). I mean, there's not even a way to save vs. Imprisonment, is there? Not sure about Maze. And doing a save vs. Charm is such a damn random thing. What do you do? Avoid every mage/sirine before you get Helm of Charm protection? What about the Imprisonment/Maze?