Subdual
To conquer and bring into subjection.
What is it
Subdual is a tool that allows non-lethal combat to exist with a specific set of weapons. A character that activates this mode attempts actively to end the fight destabilizing and knocking down his opponent, instead of aiming to kill.
How does it work
After activating -subdual, a character has to respect two conditions to stay within this mode.
- It is strictly a melee way of combat, so only unnarmed attacks, daggers clubs, maces, whips, halberds, magic Staves and quarterstaves may be used to subdue a target. Changing to an unsupported weapon will disable the mode.
- Casting harmful (magic missile, hold person) magic will disable this mode; however, buffing and the sort (flame weapon, restoration) of spells will not.
Attacking to disable may be strenuous, so all characters in this mode suffer a -4 AB penalty. However, having, and only having the Dirty Fighting feat will negate the penalty.
A character that falls 'subdued' has a 5% chance of dying, but otherwise will remain unconscious for 15 to 25 seconds. However, if both characters had the -subdual mode activated, there is no chance of death and the unconsciousness will last 40 to 60 seconds instead.
Revived characters have -10 to all stats, except constitution, for the next 6 to 12 minutes. Aftewards, it will drop to -5 for another 6 minutes, when it will finally wear off. While the character is in this weakened state, they cannot be subdued again - they will die normally.