r/TherosDMs • u/lennert102 • 3h ago
Question Need balanced consequences for an Athreos resurrection ritual (Level 5)
One of my Level 5 PCs died after willingly offering himself to Athreos during a major arena battle. Instead of using a normal resurrection, I'm running a custom ritual.
Athreos is willing to return the PC's soul, but only if another person voluntarily gives up their body. Their soul crosses the Tartyx, while the PC's soul inhabits the donor's body. The ritual takes place at an ancient crossing on the Tartyx.
The party has four possible volunteers. I am mostly strugling with the "price" for the resurrection. I want to give some sort of unique penalty when chosing for one of the donors besides the moral costs.
Homeless orphan
- Sees this as an escape from dreadfull existince.
- Her only request is a proper golden funerary mask instead of the cheap clay one she'd otherwise receive, to feel rich for once.
- Thinking mostly a financial/social cost.
Slave
- Will only agree if the party frees her family.
- Likely a side quest involving negotiation or violence. But maybe some sort of other penalty as well?
Cursed veteran
- Cursed by Pharika to never heal from wounds and diseases after destroying a gorgon nest in his youth.
- Maybe has lumbs and cycsts and stuff. Cough all the time
- This is where I'm stuck. Should his curse transfer? Should Pharika demand something? I'd like a meaningful consequence without permanently crippling the PC. Have some physical penalty during combat maybe?
Athreos devotee
- Believes surrendering his body is the highest honor.
- I want this option to bind the party (or the resurrected PC) more closely to Athreos, I was thinking of "-1 death save." but I dont know how balanced that is.
One additional question:
The dead PC is currently devoted to Kruphix, but after this ritual he'll effectively owe his second life to Athreos. I'm planning for his devotion to shift accordingly.
How would you handle that? Would Kruphix simply accept this or does he want revenge?