[COMBAT SNIPPET 1: “Daka vs. The Ogre and His Own Ego”]

  Setting: The road outside Waterdeep. A lone ogre. A lot of confidence.Combatants: Daka (shirtless, armed with only fists and swagger)

  Daka (shouting):“Oi, ugly! Wanna see what a bard-barian with no literacy but excellent pecs can do?!”

  He casts Invisibility… then trips over a rock mid-charge.The ogre can’t see him, but hears the impact.

  Ogre:“Ghost punch?!”

  Daka (reappearing mid-air):“FISTS OF JUSTIIIIICE!!”

  Codex Trigger: Chaos Crown Engine → Cinematic Advantage (crowd of 2 squirrels witnessed the suplex)? Presence +1? Ogre falls unconscious from sheer narrative momentum? Daka flexes. Takes 1d4 psychic damage from over-hype.? Squirrels fall in love

  ?

  [COMBAT SNIPPET 2: “Melodia’s Sniper Stage Show”]

  Setting: Moonlit rooftop in Dock WardCombatants: Melodia (hidden), three thugs (unaware they are already doomed)

  From the shadows, Melodia nocks her longbow. Her garter strap glints. The hem of her dress shifts as she inhales softly.

  Melodia (whispering):“One… two… three…”

  Twang. Twang. Twang.

  Codex Trigger: Elven Accuracy + Sneak Attack + Swift Quiver = FULL PHANTOM MODE? *First arrow slows target (-10 ft)? Second arrow crits (2d8 + 2d6 + 26)? Third arrow pierces his boot and masculinity? No one sees her. No one hears her. She leaves a candy on the windowsill as signature.

  Daka (two alleys over):“…Why does my butt hurt all of a sudden?”

  ?

  [COMBAT SNIPPET 3: “Mel vs. the Bandit and His Dog (emotional damage)”]

  Setting: Forest trailCombatants: Mel (druid), bandit with a big sword and a very good boyMel emerges from the trees, covered in leaf patterns and silence.

  Bandit:“You lost, pretty thing?”

  Mel (calmly):“No. But you’re about to be.”

  She casts Root Grab. The forest floor erupts in thorny vines. The bandit screams. The dog whines.

  Mel kneels.She pets the dog.Codex Terrain Shift Activated: Healing moss blooms under the dog only.

  Mel (softly):“You deserve better.”

  Bandit flees. The dog follows Mel home. Daka tries to rename it “Sir Screechbark.” It ignores him.

  ?

  [COMBAT SNIPPET 4: “Krummar’s Radiant Meltdown”]

  Setting: Alley ambush. Target: a necromancer.Krummar (cloak billowing):“You chose violence in a city guarded by moonlight. Fool.”

  He casts Holy Weapon. His mace glows. His gloves are off. The lic tattoo shimmers.

  Necromancer:“It’s just radiant damage—”

  Krummar walks forward. Slowly. Moonlight thickens around him.

  Codex Trigger: System 277 – Devotional Echo Matrix Active? He’s near Melodia: Comfort > 6 → Resistance to psychic damage? Necromancer casts Suggestion → fails to speak under divine pressure? Krummar doesn’t swing. He leans forward.Krummar (gently):“Run.”

  Necromancer soils robe and teleports out.

  ?

  [COMBAT SNIPPET 5: “The Chicken Returns”]

  Setting: Inside the tavern. Again.Combatants: Everyone vs. Gerald the Blighted Chicken

  Mel:“He wasn’t supposed to grow back.”

  Melodia (perched on a chair):“He’s wearing my other beret!”

  Krummar (shielding a tart):“Don’t let him eat the pies—THEY’RE INNOCENT.”

  Daka (charging):“ScreechGRIIIIIT—!”

  Gerald dodges. Daka slides into a table leg. Mel restrains him with vines. Melodia shoots his feather off mid-leap. Krummar casts Silence to stop Gerald from clucking out spells.

  Codex Trigger: All Systems Engaged? *Daka: Jealousy +1 toward Gerald (the chicken has better fir)? *Mel: Guilt spike → moss patches form on tavern floor? *Melodia: Glow surge → arrow crits? Krummar: Trust +1 to all party members for saving the pies

  Gerald is defeated. Again. For now.

  ?