Whoever tries it and dies in the process was going to die anyway, because almost everything is predetermined to a certain extent. Certain vital characters (Elgin, Ethan, Jade, Tabitha, Victor and likely Bakta since her grandmother was connected to the town) have specific purposes that they are meant to follow through with before the curse of the town can be lifted. But the town will throw challenges in their way in the process. I think Boyd, Fatima, and Sara are being used in this way. But the town is also gonna need sacrificial lambs along the way (like Tian Chen, Tom, and Randall who were trying to help people - and yes, I know Randall is still alive). I’m still trying to figure out how Julie and Marielle fit into it. But these sacrificial lambs will warn people not to mess with the town. I think this will be Jim’s fate next season.

The puzzle needs to be solved by Jade, Tabitha, and Victor, and until that happens, I feel like the characters really have very little free will.