Unconscious, Dying and your options

[baberg]

If all the monsters are killed it is not the end of the encounter until all downed people are healed or stabilized.

Is there a reference for that? I've heard that said tons of times, but I've thus far been unable to find a specific rule saying that this happens.

 

[Dalzig]

Is there a reference for that? I've heard that said tons of times, but I've thus far been unable to find a specific rule saying that this happens.

It's more of a DM thing. The DM controls what an encounter is and when that encounter ends. If you are still in danger, you don't get out scottfree just because there are no bad guys around.

 

[Khime]

Is there a reference for that? I've heard that said tons of times, but I've thus far been unable to find a specific rule saying that this happens.

I think it is implied by the fact that while you are dying, you have to make a death saving thrown at the end of your turn each round. There are no turns/rounds outside of an encounter. Therefore, the encounter can't end if someone is dying.

 

[baberg]

I think it is implied by the fact that while you are dying, you have to make a death saving thrown at the end of your turn each round. There are no turns/rounds outside of an encounter. Therefore, the encounter can't end if someone is dying.

So then, the answer is no, there's no rule for it (as far as we can tell).

I understand where you're coming from though, but I see it more as a DM's call. If I've got a party of 5 PCs and one of them is unconscious when the BBEG goes down, I'm going to say "Ok, combat's over" and let him stand up since I'd assume one of the four could make a DC15 check within a reasonable amount of time. If we've got 4 lying on the ground and one of them is already out 2 saving throws, I'd be more inclined to let combat continue for another round or two for the drama of it.