Topic: Casting spells while stunned

[MariusH]

Is there any way to cast (or prepare) spells while stunned (I don't mean stun relief, just ordinary spells)? Is it always disallowed, or do you get to make a SCSM? If so, with what mods? I assume that whatever goes for casting spells normally, also goes for casting spells from items.

The rules say something like "The only other allowable actions are movement and maneuvering (modified by at least -50)." I guess SCSM can be seen as a maneuver, but still...

[Kristen Mork]

The only spells I allow to be cast while stunned are those with a subconscious (s) mark.  Some stun relief spells don't have that mark (they're intended to be cast by healers, on others), others do.

[Grinnen Baeritt]

I allow players to prep spells whilst stunned but not cast them (with the exception of those mentioned by Peter above), but any activity they use to do so is reduced by 20.

[Ecthelion]

On the topic of spell casting: A SCSM is only the maneuver that needs to be made prior to normal spell casting in the case that the normal casting requirements are not met. After the SCSM the normal spell casting still needs to take place (in the case of a Utility almost only a formality, with a fumble only on UM01-02). So, if you need to stick to the words in the rules so closely, let the character make the SCSM, but he will still not be allowed to do the casting roll afterwards, since he is stunned and that disallows casting spells .

On the topic of spell preparation: The Rolemaster Rulings page says "[Spell] Preparation is only interrupted by down, stun, or kill results". Since spell preparation gets interrupted by stuns, IMO it should not be allow to be started while stunned.

Just my 2 cents

[MariusH]

That last quote helped a lot, Ecthelion. Thanks! :-)

[Grinnen Baeritt]

On the topic of spell preparation: The Rolemaster Rulings page says "[Spell] Preparation is only interrupted by down, stun, or kill results". Since spell preparation gets interrupted by stuns, IMO it should not be allow to be started while stunned.

Just my 2 cents

TBH I stopped reading "Rolemaster Rulings" at the line just after "The Golden Rule"

Though I agree that allowing continuation after a "Kill" result might be a bit lenient on my part... I feel that anything apart from an attack (or consious spell casting) should be allowable at a penalty. Stun doesn't stop consious thought, or movement or parrying.. just distracts it and makes it harder. In such cases, I'd personally allow it to start (or continue) but with the requirement that a SCSM is then required anyway because at some point the caster had been distracted. 

[yammahoper]

I ran a few sessions were I allowed spell casting while stunned.  I increased the UM fumble range by 50 when stunned and by 75 when stun no parry.  F and E spells, or any variation were not allowed.

After a few spectacular failures, players stopped on their own, though I did get an emergency stun teleport attempt just a few weeks back: SCSM failed and PC was captured.