Initiative Command¶

Manage initiative order and combat turns.

Usage¶

/init <subcommand> [options]

Subcommands¶

Subcommand	Options	Description
`begin`	`name:` `mode:` `global:`	Start a new initiative order
`end`		End initiative and delete all data (DM only)
`join`		Join with your selected character
`add`	`name:`	Add a character by name
`remove`	`name:`	Remove a combatant (DM only)
`list`		Show the initiative tracker
`reroll`		Reroll initiative for all combatants
`next`		Advance to the next turn
`light`	`value:`	Set light timer (DM only)
`options`		Show current initiative options
`global`	`value:`	Set server-wide or channel-specific
`dice_channel`	`value:`	Set alternate channel for dice rolls
`print_tracker`	`value:`	Print tracker on next turn
`show_ac`	`value:`	Show/hide AC in the tracker
`max_luck_tokens`	`value:`	Set max luck tokens
`monster_add`	`name:` `stats:`	Add a monster or NPC (DM only)

Description¶

The initiative command allows you to: - Create and manage initiative order - Add and remove combatants - Track turns in combat - View the current initiative order

The light timer is displayed in the initiative tracker as a row of candle emoji. When the timer reaches 0, it shows a single new moon emoji to indicate darkness. If no light timer has been set, no light row is shown.

Starting Initiative¶

Start a new initiative order:

/init begin

All options for begin are optional:

name - A custom name for the initiative (displayed in the tracker header)
mode - Rolled (default) or Fixed
Rolled: Combatants act in order of their initiative rolls
Fixed: Combatants act in the order they join initiative. This simulates the Shadowdark rule of initiative going around the table.
global - true or false (default: false)

The initiative will start at round 0. The player that used the begin command will be the DM.

The response to the begin command is a "sticky" message that gets updated with each turn advance. It's helpful to pin this message to the channel.

Initiative Scope¶

By default, initiatives are channel-specific - they only work in the channel where they were created. However, you can create server-wide initiatives that work in any channel:

/init begin global:true       # Server-wide initiative
/init begin                   # Channel-specific (default)

You can also change the scope after initiative has started:

/init global value:true       # Convert to server-wide
/init global value:false      # Convert to channel-specific

Priority: If both exist, channel-specific initiatives take precedence over server-wide ones in that specific channel.

Rolled vs Fixed Mode¶

In rolled mode (default), initiative is rolled automatically when combatants are added. Combatants are sorted by their roll result.

In fixed mode, combatants act in the order they join. This is useful for the Shadowdark rule where initiative simply goes around the table.

/init begin mode:Rolled       # Default - automatic initiative rolls
/init begin mode:Fixed        # Join order determines turn order

Adding Combatants¶

Players Joining¶

Players join initiative with their currently selected character:

/init join

The DM can join with a character as well. Players can join with multiple characters by selecting a character, joining, then selecting the next character. The character's names are used in the initiative tracker.

Adding Characters by Name¶

Add any of your characters to initiative by name:

/init add name:Gandalf

The name option provides autocomplete on your characters, making it easy to quickly add characters without needing to select them first.

Adding Monsters and NPCs (DM Only)¶

Add monsters from the database or create ad hoc combatants:

/init monster_add name:Goblin
/init monster_add name:Shadow stats:ac:14 hp:25
/init monster_add name:Ancient Tree Guardian stats:ac:16 hp:45 dex:+2

The name option provides autocomplete on monsters in the database. To keep monsters unique, a random adjective is given to each monster: "Hungry Goblin", "Clever Hobgoblin", etc.

Stat Overrides: Use the optional stats parameter to provide stats in key:value format. Common stats include: - ac:15 - Armor Class - hp:30 - Hit Points (also sets hp_max) - str:+2, dex:+3, etc. - Ability modifiers (used for initiative if dex is provided)

This is perfect for narrative encounters where you want custom names like "The Spirit of Jorge" without creating a full monster entry.

Managing Combat¶

Advancing Turns¶

When all combatants are ready (or at least those for round 1), the DM can advance the turn:

/init next

This will send an @mention to the user of the next combatant (either DM or Player) notifying them of their turn. Each player can then advance the turn when they are done. The DM can always advance the turn.

Rerolling Initiative¶

Reroll initiative for all combatants:

/init reroll

Removing Combatants (DM Only)¶

The DM can remove combatants from the initiative:

/init remove name:Goblin

The name option provides autocomplete on current combatants.

Viewing the Tracker¶

Show the current initiative order:

/init list

Ending Initiative (DM Only)¶

End the current initiative and delete all associated data:

/init end

The DM Role¶

The player who starts initiative with /init begin becomes the DM. The DM has special privileges: - Adding monsters and NPCs with monster_add - Removing combatants with remove - Managing the light timer with light - Ending initiative with end - Always being able to advance turns with next

Light Timer¶

The DM can manage the light timer for the party:

/init light value:10       # Set timer to 10 rounds
/init light value:+2       # Increment light timer by 2
/init light value:-1       # Decrement light timer by 1

The light timer is displayed as a row of candle emoji in the tracker. When the timer reaches 0, it shows a new moon emoji to indicate darkness. If no light timer has been set, no light row is shown.

Initiative Options¶

View current options:

/init options

Configure initiative behavior with these subcommands:

/init global value:true              # Server-wide initiative
/init global value:false             # Channel-specific (default)
/init dice_channel value:#rolls      # Set alternate channel for dice rolls
/init print_tracker value:true       # Auto-print tracker on turn advance
/init show_ac value:true             # Show AC in the tracker (default)
/init show_ac value:false            # Hide AC in the tracker
/init max_luck_tokens value:3        # Set max luck tokens

Notes¶

Initiative is rolled automatically when adding combatants (in rolled mode)
The command supports both players and NPCs/monsters
Initiative order is maintained until cleared
Combatants can be added or removed at any time
Turn order can be either rolled (default) or fixed based on join order
Stat modifications while in initiative automatically affect attack rolls, spell casting, and ability checks
AC (Armor Class) is displayed by default but can be hidden using /init show_ac value:false
The initiative tracker uses Discord embeds for improved mobile display

Legacy Prefix Commands¶

The !init and !i prefix commands still work and behave the same as before. However, prefix commands are deprecated and will be removed in a future update. Please migrate to the /init slash command.