Stress the importance of coming back

Tell players what time it is in real-life so that about 60 minutes before the end of the game they know they need to turn back soon or now (depending on the situation)

Use it with intelligence

Use this table:

d20 Effect 1 Character dies. Roll d6, on a 4+ the body is lost forever. 2-3 Character stay lost in the dungeon. He can be retrieved by other PCs. 4-7 Character is affected by a grave condition that prevents his return, such as malediction, psychic control, petrification, etc. He can be retrieved by other PCs. 8-12 Character gain a permanent wound (hand, feet, eye, feet, etc.) and lose all but 1 Flesh*. 13-15 Character must depart from d6 equipment piece and some gold to get away from his assailant. 16+ Character is able to leave without a problem.





* I use the Flesh/Grit distinction in my campaign, and Flesh can only be healed in town with a hefty price. Therefore this roll makes sense.





With these modificators:

In a dungeon:

The group or PC does not possess any light: -10



The group or PC does not possess any direct secure means of getting out of the dungeon: -5



The dungeon is in a state of alterness because of PCs action: -3



The dungeon has monsters with an average HD higher than the PCs (to be used intelligently): -2



The group or PC isn't sure where they are in the dungeon: -2



The group or PC have reliable and multiple source of light: +2



Dungeon is only a lair, or is of a very simple layout: +3



The group has a direct and secure mean of getting out: +5

In general:

The PC has Wisdom of 10 or more: +2



The PC has Wisdom of 15 or more: +5



The Hex/Area where they are is almost or totally explored/pacified: +3



The road from the Hex/Area to the Haven is cleared or almost clear, using a road or something along the same line: +3



The PC can become invisible using an object, can teleport, or has anything of the same vein: +10

Of course, do this roll behind closed screen and ideally tie it in to the narrative of your world, the dungeon/hex they were in, etc. The modificators are complicated and it would be hell to ask player to keep track of them.





Here is a quick way to resolve what is said in the blogpost title.This system only works if you: