Looking for a special ability...

[vulcan_idic]

Sounds like you want a Zat'nik'tel.. Pity there are no Goa'uld in DnD.

- Kemrain the Unconscious.

Something along that line... your typical Zat/Phaser-Set-To-Stun/Vulcan-Neck-Pinch type disable with minimum damage idea... same concept, different setting/implementation

 

[vulcan_idic]

Another idea: create a PrC modeled on assassin that loses the killing blow (or whatever) ability and poison use, but gains the sleepy strike ability: functions just like killing blow, but knocks opponent out instead. Gain some other stuff to make up for those losses; maybe sneak attack damage? Remove alignment restriction.

Daniel

Another really good option... I'll definitely think about that. I'd been wanting to stick with a magic ability to avoid leaving the monk class... but that might be a very good option.

 

[vulcan_idic]

So far I'm thinking a set of matte black bo shuriken (see picture below) each of which is carved along it's length with vine-like scroll work and peaceful symbols which exudes peaceful Taoist/Zen type emotions into anyone whose skin comes into contact with it, and bestowing peaceful healing slumber onto any person whom it strikes. Having given quite a bit of thought into it I'm leaning towards the "intelligent" item idea, though not fully sentient alone, yet possessing sentience as a sort of hive mind. They desire to stay together as a group... perhaps not returning to the hand of the thrower unless all are with or were just thrown by the thrower. They communicate only empathically, but have the ability to sense all of a persons thoughts and goals, the better to judge their worth. They don't exactly have a purpose, but will judge their user. As long as the shuriken approve of their user and her/his goals, they function normally with their abilities... if not at best they refuse to leave the hand of the person throwing it (in the case of a generally good person making a bad judgement call in the fury of the moment) to casting their sleep on the thrower rather than the target as well as not leaving the hand (in the case of a less worthy thrower). In any case these ill affects only occur when someone actually tries to throw them... yet it is unlikely an evil person would be entirely comfortable with the soothing, peaceful feelings transmitted by direct contact.

At the very least each individual shuriken will have the merciful and returning abilities along with the ability to cast the sleep spell at will, as suggested by Inconsequenti-AL... their general discription as I just wrote it out and thought about it makes me think that there needs to be one other thing that completes it and makes it just right... the final brush stroke... it's niggling at the back of my mind but I can't quite tease it out...

 

[vulcan_idic]

I'm thinking they would be neutral... All characters could wield them, assuming they had the right intentions... even evil characters might act nobly on occasion when it suits their purpose, rarer though it might be than with good people, and on such a circumstance the weapons would serve them... it is not alignment, but what is in your heart when you use them that is at issue.