Hopefully this is a quick question so here goes: If the party of PC's own a weapon of warning, and the party is talking to someone NOT in the party (ie, Bob the Tavernkeep), would the weapon warn the party if that other person was attacked?
I have a potential situation coming up where the party will be talking to a performer who has some crucial info, but a group of assassins were sent to kill the informant. So if the assassins target the performer with a poisoned arrow, and just the performer, would the party get a heads up on the incoming arrow?
Reading up on the text for a weapon of warning it states:
While the weapon is on your person, you have advantage on initiative rolls. In addition, you and any of your companions within 30 feet of you can't be surprised.
So I guess it comes down to who is a "companion" of the wielder of the weapon of warning...
Sounds like you’ve got it right. You’ll have to decide if the performer is a “companion.” AFAIK the term is not defined.
Personally, I’d rule they are not. This is (from the description) someone they just met. A conversation does not make someone a companion. For simplicity’s sake, I’d rule it applies to party members only (and any pets they might have like familiars, animal companions, etc.). That makes it a clear, bright line.
Maybe if an NPC is traveling with them for a length of time, they could be added. For example, someone who is with them for a long rest, might make sense.
What counts as a companion isn't rigorously defined in the rules. Is it any creature that is Friendly to you per the social interaction rules? What if one of the other player characters is a spy or otherwise working with the other players out of necessity rather than comradery?
Here is how I would run it. The wielder of the Weapon of Warning can choose any number of creatures (including itself) within 30ft to give the effect to.
I'd actually say that the PCs would be warned due to the fact how surprise works. The assassins would still need to roll for initiative (as would anyone else) and since the weapon doesn't say anything about the user being the one attacked for it to work then the PC who has it on their person and any other party member would be affected by it. The poor performer wouldn't count as a "companion" though (fairly arbitrary ruling, I know).
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Hello party people!
Hopefully this is a quick question so here goes: If the party of PC's own a weapon of warning, and the party is talking to someone NOT in the party (ie, Bob the Tavernkeep), would the weapon warn the party if that other person was attacked?
I have a potential situation coming up where the party will be talking to a performer who has some crucial info, but a group of assassins were sent to kill the informant. So if the assassins target the performer with a poisoned arrow, and just the performer, would the party get a heads up on the incoming arrow?
Reading up on the text for a weapon of warning it states:
So I guess it comes down to who is a "companion" of the wielder of the weapon of warning...
Sounds like you’ve got it right. You’ll have to decide if the performer is a “companion.” AFAIK the term is not defined.
Personally, I’d rule they are not. This is (from the description) someone they just met. A conversation does not make someone a companion. For simplicity’s sake, I’d rule it applies to party members only (and any pets they might have like familiars, animal companions, etc.). That makes it a clear, bright line.
Maybe if an NPC is traveling with them for a length of time, they could be added. For example, someone who is with them for a long rest, might make sense.
What counts as a companion isn't rigorously defined in the rules. Is it any creature that is Friendly to you per the social interaction rules? What if one of the other player characters is a spy or otherwise working with the other players out of necessity rather than comradery?
Here is how I would run it. The wielder of the Weapon of Warning can choose any number of creatures (including itself) within 30ft to give the effect to.
Cool, thanks for the quick replies!
I'd actually say that the PCs would be warned due to the fact how surprise works. The assassins would still need to roll for initiative (as would anyone else) and since the weapon doesn't say anything about the user being the one attacked for it to work then the PC who has it on their person and any other party member would be affected by it. The poor performer wouldn't count as a "companion" though (fairly arbitrary ruling, I know).