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, Pieces of wood scatter into the foyer as you the triceratops slams through the door. In front of him is a rising staircase leading up to a balcony on the second floor.
DM: As far as you know, no. And at first glance, based on the fact that he is wearing heavy breastplate and is wielding a giant two-handed sword, you get the feeling he is probably not as heavily inclined towards the arcane arts as others you have encountered.
Player: As I quickly survey the room, do I see anyone else who is a threat greater than a heavily armed guard? Anything that is a creepy wizard or a weird old mage?
DM: Currently, no. Currently, all you see are a series of Whitestone guards in uniform armor, all with heavy crossbows, currently nocked. And as you come blasting through the door, they are already arranged in what appears to be a waiting pattern, should anything try and charge its way into the house.
Player: So they'll probably all shoot me, won't they?
DM: In fact, roll initiative.
Player: So directly in front of me, there's a staircase going up?
DM: Yep.
Player: Any other doors or exits?
DM: There are doors on each side that are currently locked, and other than that, no.
Player: Those are locked doors?
DM: They are closed currently, and they appear to be-- There's a giant wooden beam crossed over the front of each. Then there's the outside which leads to the exterior, to the raining outside of the household, and the stairs that go up.
Player: Oh, man.
DM: Roll initiative.
Player: Initiative? Don't I get a surprise round? Doesn't matter. 21.
DM: Okay.
Player: I don't get a surprise round because I sprung in there?
DM: Apparently not.
Player: Damn it.
DM: You made a very loud noise when you turned into a triceratops and tore through the front of the household. All right, so Scanlan is up first.
