It's a fantasy role-playing game.

DM: You are Scanlan Shorthalt, a gnome bard . You are the member of the famous group of adventurers. Previously, Sunlight illuminates the battlefield as Keyleth maintains the spell, preparing for another round of attacks. Lady Briarwood steps forward to ..., and Vax reacts just quickly enough to slash her with his Dagger of Life-Stealing, still poisoned.
DM: She looks over to you and mutters under her breath (foreign word). It's a phrase you've never heard before, but as soon as it happens--
Player: As soon as she does that-- do I see this?
DM: You're just around the side of this.
Player: I do not see it.
DM: You glance around the side for three-quarters cover. Roll a perception check.
Player: It's a dead roll, a dead roll, it's between two. That's terrible. Four.
DM: Yeah, you do not see this happening, unfortunately. Your mind suddenly goes blank as the Power Word that's spoken suddenly stuns you in place, unable to react.
