Actually, more like bread crumbs:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7159/screenshot5vh.jpg

This was after a particularly intense fight, where my mage was throwing fireballs left and right. I guess I got a little to close to poor old Lydia.

I could have gone back to a previous save, but I was getting kind of tired of her sarcastic "I am sworn to carry your burdens", so I let her rest in peace (pieces?). Nice thing was, somewhere in those ashes was all the loot she was carrying for me, in pristine condition. :thumbsup:

Just get a new companions. There are a bunch.

Did she die previously and get reanimated by any chance?

Just out of curiosity, do you get a 'new' huscarl if yours dies? I think you should.

You (and some of the people here) killed off Lydia because she responds to you in a sarcastic tone? Even though she's sworn to protect you and your house with her life? And does?

...I'd sure hate to be your housecarl.

Hey Balgruuf. Yeah, I uh ... kinda broke my housecarl again. How's about hookin me up with a blonde this time?

If a follower dies in battle, a necromancer can raise them to use against the player.

The downside is that you now have to carry all that stuff yourself.

I see Lydia had been laser rifle'd by a Tri-Beam, nasty way to go out. I think that losing all loot when reduced to ash would be a logical addition, both in Elder Scrolls and Fallout games. A spell to recreate their body before they had disintegrated, to be able to recover the loot, that's fine. But even though were are playing a game with dragons, elves and magic, I think pulling a full set of steel armour and a greatsword from a small pile of ash might be a step too far.

Just my two caps, pieces of gold.

I didn't intentionally kill her off. I just left her dead - I had to face the consequences of my actions. I admit, the consequences for me were a lot easier to handle than the consequences for Lydia. I had to go follower-less until I got back to Whiterun and hired Jenassa. She's totally in it for the money - so I won't feel as guilty if she dies (she knew the risks). I am more careful about my fireballs these days, though.

And nope, this was her first death.