-''Hurry! Do your magic stuff.'' urges Patrin as he watches the preparation to the rituals.
Once Sheng, Ashir and Haruka are ready, everyone join in the circle and is instructed to hold hands with Ashir who has been designated as the ritual leader.
He starts reciting the arcane instructions just as enemies barge in the temple lead by the towering bearded devil Mordekai. They are stunned for a moment as they behold the carnage and the dead bodies of their leaders. But Mordekai isn't one for contemplation. One look at the egressing heroes and he charges up the stairs.
-''Now, now, NOW!'' shouts Patrin.
A blueish light wraps around the heroes and the room disappears. Suddenly they are floating while the light around them flashes, giving the impressing great speed without actually feeling like their moving.
Then the colours start to change, becoming ruby red.
-''That good?'' asks Patrin worriedly.
No it is not! Ruby Red is the color of Gehenna. They are headed straight for the intended destination of the portal; some Pit Fiend lair!
Ashir, Haruka and Sheng bends their will toward the sigils drawn by Haruka that are meant to lead them back to Daunton, trying to pull the group away from Asmodeus' domain. But they are failing! Gehenna is calling like gravity and the efforts of the heroes are just not enough. The light is clearing and a spatious manor is materializing. The room is classy, with columns, impossibly smooth walls and a high domed ceiling. It would be a pleasant sight if not for the large Asmodeus Portrait on the wall and the half dozen powerful devils seated and discussing intensely. Their eyes immediately turn on the heroes, the light is about to clear and...
-''Not Strong enough, little girl?'' comes a mocking voice in Haruka's head. Her patron! ''Gimme some juice and I'll pull you out of the fire...''
No time to negotiate, no time to think, Haruka opens herself to her patron as the only alternative to landing in the paws of one of Asmodeus' lieutenant. She feels her life force drain away so quickly she fears for her life. A sadistic laugh echoes in her mind. The companions are again bathed in light, Ruby Red at first and quickly turning a sick shade of swirling dark purple. Tartarus. They are headed for Tartarus!
...and into the frying pan!''
The laughter is maniacal and gets louder and louder in the warlock's mind until suddenly everyone hears it, causing shock and concerns amongst the other five adventurer.
-''This is opportune.'' says a rich but strangely flat voice, ringing in everyone's head.
The color changes again, turning emerald green. Arcadia.
-''What? Who are you? No... YOU!? You are not even truly alive anymore! You can't take her, she is mine!''
-''It is true that on our last meeting I was killed. But you were defeated. And so I shall win again.''
Haruka faints at this point. Her Patron still pulls toward the Abyss while the mysterious entity is pulling toward Arcadia. The warlock is drifting away from the circle. Ashir, Raiko and Max all reach toward their fallen comrade. Patrin is away from them, next to Sheng. For a moment, the competing forces cancel each other and Sheng seizes the opportunity. He focuses his will on the initial sigil designed by Ashir and suddenly the tangible world crashes back into existence.
Sheng looks around, bewildered. He is in Daunton, standing in a worn teleportation circle located in the back street of the Hanged Man's inn, the circle that was the focus of the ritual. He looks around and sees no one except Patrin who is still hanging to Sheng for dear life.
-''What was that? Where are the others?'' Patrin shouts.
Good question. Most likely answer: In Arcadia or in Tartarus.
[sblock=Ritual]I finally opted out of making this some kind of skill test. If you don't want the epilogue to be randomly determined, keep dice out of it![/sblock]
[sblock=The Price Paid by Haruka]Life force, basically. If this had been a skill test, I was initially thinking of having her sacrifice healing surge for bonuses. As I said, I opted out of making it a skill check so just assume she is a bit drained, has severe headaches and possibly feels more vulnerable to her patron's influence. It's all RP though. Actual mechanical penalties would be unfair.
PS: Sorry for the fact I made some assumption about Haruka's behavior (namely, accepting the offer of her patron). I hope it wasn't too egregiously out of character. I thought it was a nice development but it can be edited differently.
[/sblock]
[sblock=Behind the scene rewards]
Some back and forth bewteen Sheng and Patrin may occur, but eventually Patrin Calm's down and Rewards Sheng while bemoaning the loss of the other valiant heroes who are probably gone forever.
Sheng: he earned a total of 2857xp during the adventure. He started at 2849xp, ended at 5706xp
That means he did:
60% of level 3
100% of level 4
10% of level 5
Recommended loot for
level 3 = 1524 gp
level 4 = 2100 gp
level 5 = 2796 gp
After multiplying by the percentage of level completed:
0.6 * 1524 = 915
1.0 * 2100 = 2100
0.1 * 2796 = 280
total: 3295 gp
Distribution:
+1 Blood Thread clothing (worth 1000gp)
Gloves of Piercing (680gp)
+1 Cloak of Distortion (840gp)
and 775gp in cold hard gold.
For clarity: forget about time XP. The way I did this includes all consideration. This is how much gold you are supposed to have amass if you have performed 2857xp worth of adventuring (which included time XP).
[/sblock]
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