It's a fantasy role-playing game.

DM: You are Caleb Widogast, a human wizard . You are the member of the famous group of adventurers. Previously, Further along the way, they meet refugees from Nogvurot. After the fourth day of travel, they camp and notice an overturned cart just off the road.
DM: I'd say if you're looking at where the cart is, there's two on the sides here that were in the grass, and there's three that are directly behind the cart.
Player: Roughly how far apart are those two?
DM: They're about 60 feet apart.
Player: Okay, I'm going to hold Slow for one side of the group if I decide they're a threat, if they sound like a threat.
DM: Well, you have to release it next round or the spell's lost.
Player: Yeah, that's fine.
DM: Okay. You prepare, you're readying Slow.
