With only two major scenes taking place in Act Three of Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, you’re rapidly approaching the end of the game as you lead Grace and Persephone into Hades. You’re heading there because Persephone says the Ruler of Hades can speak with The Fates – like Calliope was trying to when she was killed.
You’ve got two long, emotional songs up on deck during this scene, each with lasting consequences for the remainder of the game. And it’s also where you’ve got one chance to bring someone back from the dead if you’re selfless enough to do so.
This guide contains major spoilers for Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical.
Getting Into Hades
Immediately after Act Three begins, Grace is at her apartment with either Apollo or Persephone, talking about Freddie's death back at The Reliquary at the end of Act Two. In all of it, Grace reveals Calliope was attacked by The Furies.
Talk to your partnering god about The Furies for a bit more information, and then choose "If only we knew more..." to proceed. The other god that you didn't side with at Underworld arrives as well, and the group concludes that Grace needs to go to Hades.
Persephone reports that the Ruler of Hades can communicate with The Fates, and she wants Grace to help her take back the Throne of Hades.
Ask Persephone some questions about the notion, until eventually Persephone asks Apollo to get you to Hades.
Apollo takes some convincing, but he eventually agrees, bringing you to Hermes to see if they can bring you to Hades. When you meet Hermes in a parking lot soon after, you'll need to convince Hermes to break Athena's rule about bringing you to Hades.
The route this conversation takes depends entirely on Grace's nature, but essentially, you'll need to be honest with Hermes about what's happening, and they'll send you and Persephone through to Hades.
When you arrive, Persephone tells you a bit about Hades, not mentioning until now that someone is already sitting on the Throne of Hades - a man named Orpheus, who Persephone aims to dethrone.
Before you can get to the Throne, you'll need to cross the River Styx by way of convincing Charon, the ferryman of the dead, to bring you. Be honest with Charon, possibly even a little charming if you're able, and Charon won't have a problem bringing you across.
Song: "The Throne"
Before you even arrive at the throne room in Hades, Orpheus knows you're here, and it begins the song that makes your decisions in Hades, "The Throne."
Persephone mourns for what Hades has become and Orpheus taunts her a bit, and through the song, you'll decide who ends up with the Throne of Hades at the end.
This scene can play out in a few ways, but regardless, someone gets the Throne of Hades after the song:
- Persephone overthrows Orpheus and takes back the Throne of Hades.
- Orpheus retains the Throne, much to Persephone's displeasure.
- Grace names herself the Queen of Hades and takes the Thrones of Hades for herself.
There are three trophies and achievements that are impossible to get on the same playthrough: there's one for each outcome for who has the Throne of Hades at the end of the song.
Regardless of who gets the Throne of Hades in the end, it's revealed that The Fates cannot and will not help you, and that sitting on the Throne does not give you the power to revive someone who died. And after a short confrontation, Freddie's spirit enters the throne room.
Freddie And Calliope
After a moment to reunite, Freddie reveals that she's not alone - Calliope's spirit is here as well, fully able to talk to Grace and Persephone about what happened.
You can ask questions if you'd like, but choose "Tell us what happened" to move on.
In short, Apollo told Athena about a prophecy he received that Athena interprets as saying, "The Idols cannot continue so long as the Last Muse lives."
Because of this, in conjunction with Athena warning you that the Idols are dying, Athena had Calliope killed by The Furies to try to stop the prophecy from coming true, not expecting Calliope to have time to pass on her Eidolon before dying.
And because she did, the Last Muse is still alive in Grace. Calliope asked Pan for help, and he told her about the mirror at The Reliquary and gave her the key, because Calliope was trying to contact The Fates to change the prophecy.
Song: "It's Time"
Grace isn't ready to leave Freddie just yet, so before leaving Hades, you've got one more song to sing: "It's Time." In it, Grace and Persephone must say goodbye to Freddie and Calliope.
There are three ways you can choose to play out this song, with some vastly different outcomes:
- Grace can refuse to let Freddie go, which ultimately gives you the option to give Freddie the EIdolon to revive her, giving up Grace's godhood and giving it to Freddie.
- Grace can be emotional but steady enough to properly say goodbye, as tough as it is, and after a quick song, Grace and Persephone head back.
- Grace can hesitate to let go, essentially buying you more time for the same binary choice between letting go or passing on the Eidolon.
If you're trying to romance Freddie, you need her alive after this scene.
Regardless of your choice, the scene ends immediately after the song, sending Grace, Persephone, and potentially also Freddie back to Grace's apartment to get ready for the trial.