Carving Ritual Mechanics

The Gate of Carving

In order to succeed at the Rite and attain the knowledge and conversation of the otherworldly patron, the supplicant must carve eight infernal symbols into her body. Each symbol inflicts 1d4 slashing damage. The attempt fails if the supplicant loses consciousness or dies before all eight symbols have been carved (see PHB, “Dropping to 0 Hit Points,” 197). The Rite can be performed no more than three times before a long rest. The higher the supplicant’s hit point maximum, the greater the chances of success with the Rite. Due to the infernal nature of this forbidden magic, any attempt at healing while the Rite is underway will result in instant death for both the supplicant and the healer.

The Gate of Madness

Contacting an otherworldly patron through this Rite can strain or even break the supplicant’s mind. When the Rite is performed successfully, make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, the supplicant is insane until she finishes a long rest. While insane, she can’t take actions, can’t understand what other creatures say, can’t read, and speaks only in gibberish. A greater restoration spell cast on the supplicant ends this effect. On a successful save, the supplicant passes through the Gate of Madness and can ask her patron up to five questions.