(Our party needed some cash, so we went to a colosseum to gladiator fight. Halfway through, this all happens.)
DM: The gladiator grapples the Half Elf Ranger, holding her in place.
Her Tiefling Warlock gf: Eldritch Blast!
*It succeeds, dealing max damage*
DM: Before the blast hits, the gladiator positions the Half Elf as a shield.
Goliath Barbarian (OOC): Wait! Can I free action in front of the blast and tank it?
DM: Roll, you have to beat 19.
*Rolls a d20 +5 Athletics, only 18*
GB: *misses the blast by an inch*
Dragonborn Monk (OOC): I TRY TO JUMP IN FRONT OF IT TOO
*1d20 + 1d6 from Step of the Wind. A 17*
Dullahan Palladian (OOC): I dive in front!
DM: Roll, itâs 19 Athletics.
DM: It honestly hurts to do this, you all tried so hard.
We had to stand and stare as our Tiefling Warlock burned her own girlfriend alive in a grapple and the gladiator was unharmed.