It's a fantasy role-playing game.

DM: You are Vex Vex'ahlia, a half-elf ranger . You are the member of the famous group of adventurers. Previously, K'Varn falls, but is immediately brought back to undeath by the Horn of Orcus. A ray from his eyestalk turns Kima to stone.
DM: Okay, so you pull your arrow, your hands shaking slightly as you see this creature now focusing its attention on Grog below. You pull out the arrow, you focus your magical energy. The shaft of the arrow, you know, juts out all these different thorns and you release it below. Go ahead and roll your attack.
Player: Oh. Okay, that's 29.
DM: 29 hits.
Player: Okay.
DM: Are you doing a secondary attack?
Player: Yes, I am.
DM: Go ahead and roll your secondary attack now, just to get it out of the way.
Player: Okay. The secondary attack I wanted to shoot through my Bloodseeking Bow, though.
DM: All right.
