@The Mighty Hero

Don't worry. I've found it.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

@The Mighty Hero I have edited my last post to include guard mauling. Hopefully I haven't slipped up anywhere mechanic wise.

I had an awesome idea recently. Just throwing it out here now.

At some point, whenever the power level would be suitable, I want to get Shaktimaan a headband of intellect. Then, his intelligence will be high enough for him to theoretically gain class levels. Tessa would train him as an apprentice wizard, and bam, we have ourselves the fantasy equivalent of a battle tank.

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I'm not sure off the top off my head what kind of attacks they can perform. I'll have to check the PHB and DMG. @JBRam2002, do you happen to know if there is a governance on attacks companion animals can perform?

The Mastiff can be found here. I would suggest that if these dogs are simple companions without significant training that they would be unlikely to attack if they are in danger without an Animal Handling check. If they have had training (which likely would have increased the cost of purchase), then they should be okay to run into obvious danger in most cases. Either way, they would likely defend themselves and their Master unless the Master uses one of his Attacks to command one of his minions to attack.

I know that sounds pretty harsh, but tossing in 4 companions on a single person is extremely powerful. Each companion can grant flanking bonuses simply by existing. If you use the original Beast Master Ranger, the above is what's recommended (there are lots of explanations why). 5e doesn't really have many rules for untrained companions, so I'd suggest looking at Pathfinder's Handle Animal page for what previous versions did. Keep in mind that the DCs are much higher in Pathfinder than in 5e.

Also in response to a previous post: you said that the guards have been trampled. Does this mean they are prone? If so, it takes half their movement speed to stand up from prone.

@JBRam2002 They are prone. I was under the impression that to get up from prone would either cost them their free action or half of their movement speed for that turn (I've had DMs who had it do both simultaneously and that seemed highly unfair). The other reasoning (on my part) for it requiring a free action is that they are in a confined space so limiting their movement doesn't seem like much of a disadvantage.

@JBRam2002 They are prone. I was under the impression that to get up from prone would either cost them their free action or half of their movement speed for that turn (I've had DMs who had it do both simultaneously and that seemed highly unfair). The other reasoning (on my part) for it requiring a free action is that they are in a confined space so limiting their movement doesn't seem like much of a disadvantage.

In 5e, there isn't really a limit on the number of free actions you take, as long as it makes sense. You can only take one free action of a single type, however. So using a free action isn't a penalty at all. The movement penalty is the only penalty listed in the PHB for standing from prone.

@rush99999
Those dogs are doing quite a bit of damage for a bite. And since there are 4 of them...

A valid question raised here is are these dogs capable of autonomous actions?
Or are they being directed by someone to do their actions?

If the former, why are they intelligently splitting into two to attack 2 separate guards?
And why are they even attacking the guards in the first place rather than running past them?

If the latter, then what rules are we using here? Is it Animal Companion Rules with a Ranger? Or are they like hirelings?
Since Thanath has no proficiency in animal handling or nature, I'm wondering who trained these dogs to obey commands to attack.
I had originally assumed they were travelling companions, but now using them in combat seems a bit of a stretch given 1 animal friend is an feature of one entire class, let alone having 4...

Also I believe the equation you are using is wrong.

"Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage"

I think the 4 is actually the average damage, rather than a multiplier.
That is, 1d6 averages out to 3, add 1 for an average damage of 4 per successful attack.

It makes very little sense otherwise...
As taken as a multiplier, then a Skeleton with CR rating of 1/4 and has 13 (2d8 + 4) hit points...
and a sword slash from one does 5 (1d6 + 2)...

Also I believe the equation you are using is wrong.

"Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage"

I think the 4 is actually the average damage, rather than a multiplier.
That is, 1d6 averages out to 3, add 1 for an average damage of 4 per successful attack.

It makes very little sense otherwise...
As taken as a multiplier, then a Skeleton with CR rating of 1/4 and has 13 (2d8 + 4) hit points...
and a sword slash from one does 5 (1d6 + 2)...

I agree with you on this and have edited my post accordingly. As for the rest of what you said, let's see what @The Mighty Hero thinks about it.

I think I'll wait for the DM's post to describe the scene change before posting Kethan's reaction to breaking down a front door >_<

I believe without training (which can be purchased) that the dogs would not be able to do the attack you have described as that would give your character an insane advantage over everyone else. To combat an advantage like that, I would have to scale your enemies up which would not be fair to the other players either as they don't have your dogs. For now, the dogs are allowed as travelling companions but if you would like to use them in combat it will require training and be limited to one dog. For the training I will come up with a way for you to either drop them off with a trainer in a city and come back for them or perhaps buy a book and you will have to spend x number of hours training to do certain things. I'll have to think on it some. Now, if the dogs are attacked I believe they would defend themselves, but currently the guards have not done anything to the dogs.@rush99999

Are there enemies visible from the (now-broken) front door that I can attack from outside? If so, should we roll up Init? Also, do you have any more information on location of enemies or a battle map? @The Mighty Hero

I have decided to retcon Thanath's dogs out of existence. Forget they were ever here, please and thank you.

Are there enemies visible from the (now-broken) front door that I can attack from outside? If so, should we roll up Init? Also, do you have any more information on location of enemies or a battle map? @The Mighty Hero

I am working on a map now (not just for combat but for the rest of the mayor's manor and other areas you may be exploring soon). If you would rather fight than attempt to persuade/intimidate the guards into joining you or to run away etc. then yes, players will need to roll for initiative.

From outside you would be able to see the guards lying prone on the floor as it's only about ten feet in that the stairs to the upper level start. To the right of the stair case is a large open space that looks like its used for entertaining guests. There are knickknacks on shelves and overstuffed arm chairs of a more luxurious quality than what one could ever hope to find in the village. To the left is another corridor that you currently can't see where it leads but since I am about to be off lunch I'm just going to go ahead and tell you there is only one visible door in the corridor on the left hand side (so towards the front of the house), and it is closed but has light from candlelight underneath the door). Behind the stair case (which is not visible from the front door is the kitchen and dining area.

I have decided to retcon Thanath's dogs out of existence. Forget they were ever here, please and thank you.

What dogs?

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What dogs?

Dogs? Since when were there dogs in this campaign? I have yet to read about out characters, Thanath especially, see and/or own a single canine of the mastiff variety*.

*Or any other variety for that matter.

Can someone explain how using this sites die roller works? I assume we'll be needing to roll initiative soon.

Can someone explain how using this sites die roller works? I assume we'll be needing to roll initiative soon.

You have to create a new dice campaign. Then you type your roll like 1d20+5. Don't add any spaces into the dice or it won't roll. You can then describe your roll in the other box, such as "Ada Initiative." It will spit out a result and a link. You can copy the link and paste it into your post.

As an example (and also my Init roll):
Ada Initiative: 1d20+4 = 14

Okay, give that a go.

Arius' Initiative: 1d20+2 = 20

Since everyone else is rolling, we may turn this into a half-half engagement. That is someone might choose to proceed directly into combat, after others decide to attempt to resolve this without conflict. I'd assume an initiative roll is required to see the order of a potential combat scenario, plus our lovely little Rogue is in a similar half-half already.

Kethan's Initiative, or rather a lack of Initiative since he's old and can't be bothered to keep up with the younger crowd: 1d20 + 0 = 16

Rolling for Thanath's initiative: 1d20 = 8 + 0* = 8

*Initiative bonus

This is not the greatest roll in the world. No. No! This is just a tribute.