Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lasspvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!lasspvax!somner
From: somner@lasspvax.UUCP (David Somner)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Definition of monk stun (?)
Message-ID: <572@lasspvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 2-Oct-85 01:43:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: lasspvax.572
Posted: Wed Oct  2 01:43:37 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Oct-85 05:45:13 EDT
References: <211@mit-bug.UUCP>
Reply-To: somner@lasspvax.UUCP (David Somner)
Distribution: net
Organization: LASSP, Cornell University
Lines: 38
Keywords: monk stun

In article <211@mit-bug.UUCP> dove@mit-bugs-bunny.UUCP (Web Dove) writes:
>There are references in the DM guide about the probability of a monk
>"stunning" an opponent.  They say to see the definition of "stun"
>under "combat".  I believe "stunning" is also referenced in the section on
>bare handed combat.
>
>Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any such definition under
>combat.  There are definitions of stunning under MU "power word stun"
>(unable to think or act coherently...) and under cleric "holy word"
>(changes to speed, ac,..).  Was there ever a subsequent specification for the
>meaning of stun in combat in some other document?  If not, is there an
>accepted standard?


When we (meaning me and a group of my friends, who have been playing for
several years) play D&D, we usually have a monk in the party.  After glancing
through the books (I keep a set in my office) I see that there really isn't
a true definition for 'monk stun'.  What has become an accepted standard in
our D&D campaign, is the equivalent of a momentary Vulcan nerve-pinch type
of effect.  That is, the person attacked is literally unable to move
(paralysed) for a random number of rounds determinant on what level the monk
is, the monk's strength, agility, and (sometimes) mood.  Picture this effect:

A sharp blow near the base of the neck, causing both a shock to the person's
system and pain.  The neck (so I believe) stiffens slightly to this sort of
attack, and dis-orientation results (at the very least).  Sometimes the blow
is great enough to knock the person out completely.  The stun does not last
more than about 3 rounds, after which the victim can again attack, but at
a penalty for the next d4 rounds, usually -1 or -2, depending on how hard
he was hit.  Repeated 'stun' attacks while the person is still stunned is
considered unethical and usually results in a broken neck, if not
unconsciouness.

If anyone else out there has ways of doing the monk's stun too, I would like
to hear about it as well.  It's one of the many things un-standardized in
this world....

- Dave S.