West Marches - What do to when PCs are not back at the Haven before the end of the game ?

Here is a quick way to resolve what is said in the blogpost title.

This system only works if you:

• 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.