Plaintiff(s):

Elizabeth

Defendant(s):

Player(s)

Episode:

Flying Gnomes, Unprompted Crits, and Impromptu Sticks (w/ Zac Oyama)

Court Date:

12/31/2020

Bailiff:

Hurwitz, J.

Justices:

Court Acknowledgement:

"N/A"

Bailiff Acknowledgement:

"N/A"

Ruling:

In Favor of Defendant.

Player(s)

Case Summary:

Elizabeth is a DM for a group of entirely deaf players. During an encounter, Elizabeth used a monster that received advantage on attacks while it was screaming. However, her players pointed out that, as they were all deaf, this scream should not affect them and the monster should not receive advantage. Elizabeth argues that the scream is more than the sound and the vibrations of the floor would suffice to achieve this ability. This was deliberated at the table for 30 minutes before Elizabeth caved.

Verdict:

Justice Axford astutely points out that this decision should be based on the wording of the attack feature of the monster. If the monster gains advantage through amping itself up, then it should retain this advantage. However, if the advantage is through fear or otherwise affecting the players, then the effect is neutralized. Justices Murphy and Oyama concur and point out that Elizabeth did not make this point in her arguments (nor in the 30 minute discussion) and so it can be inferred that the advantage is through affecting the players and, as such, should be negated.

Case:

The People vs The Deaf DM.