Duels: Spectator Actions

Watching a one-on-one encounter is not a passive affair—bystanders can alter the flow of combat even from the sidelines. Once per round, one spectator from each side can perform a spectator action at any point, as though they were using a reaction. Spectators should confer amongst themselves what spectator actions they would be best suited for before the duel begins and, during the combat, who should use one on a given round, to prevent confusion.

Onlookers should be advised, however, that any interference more direct than a spectator action is likely to be penalized, potentially by forfeit of the match or loss of points in a tournament setting or vicious reprisals in a more violent one. Because of the boisterous atmosphere, spectators can’t recover exertion during a one-on-one encounter.

Boo

You loudly make your disapproval of a combatant known. Choose a combatant and make an Intimidation check. The chosen combatant makes a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to your result. On a failure, it loses a duel action.

Cheer

You play a stirring chord or roar your approval for your champion. Make an opposed Performance check against the enemy combatant’s passive Intimidation. On a success, the combatant of your choice gains an expertise die to their next roll to perform a duel action.

Lend Strength

Prerequisite: Proficiency with at least one combat tradition

You shout advice or encouraging words, giving your champion additional vigor. Roll 1d4. You then expend a number of exertion points equal to the result to grant exertion points equal to half that amount to the combatant of your choice. If you do not have enough exertion points, you instead expend those you have left and suffer a level of fatigue for each point left over. Your combatant does not receive exertion for these left over points. You can’t use this spectator action if your exertion pool is empty.