Paralysis is a state of complete helplessness while remaining conscious. A paralyzed character cannot move, speak, defend themselves, or take any actions other than, if possible, resisting the paralysis. Attacks against paralyzed characters are made with ADV and any hit is automatically a critical hit.
Paralysis requires the Exotic Knowledge skill and retrieval of the proper ingredients. This is usually venom from deadly reptiles or amphibians, but there are rumors of plants that secrete viable toxins as well.