Surprise
There are always moments when characters come across some thing so unexpected, that it momentarily stuns them, slowing and possibly even causing them to pause for a few seconds. Unfortunately, even a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death. One common example is a completely unexpected ambush or attack that occurs without warning, or from a completely unexpected position of quarter.
When an individual or group is completely taken unawares, they suffer a -5 penalty and all their rolls for the round during which they were surprised, including Initiative. They can operate normally starting the following round.
Note: GM's should always use surprise sparingly and with caution, and the stiff penalties it imposes can easily result in serious problems (including injury and/or death) for the surprised party, be they PC, or NPC. Should occurrences should always make sense, and/or serve a purpose in the adventure plot (preferably both).
Giants Using Normal Weapons
Giant-sized characters (such as Kharakhan Giants) are possessed of extreme size and strength, and this allows them to use some of the two-handed weapons developed for smaller races, in one hand.
If the giant-sized character has a STR at least treble that required to use the weapon, he can pick it up and wield it in one hand, using the weapon's normal DR.
For Example: Khatos the Kharakhan mercenary (STR +8) has just bludgeoned a Beastman to death with his bare hands, but now faces the Beastman's two packmates. Seeing his fallen Thrall comrade's greatsword lying on the floor, he picks it up in one hand (the Greatsword requires a STR of +2 to use, trebled to +6 if it is to be used one-handed. Easily within Khatos' STR +8 limit). Khatos hefts the greatsword easily, swinging it lazily in his right hand, much to the dismay of the Beastmen.
Conversely, some weapons that are considered small by human-sized opponents might be too small for a giant character to use effectively at the GM's discretion.
For Example: a knife is little more than a toothpick for a Kharakhan giant, and his huge fist can't really hold it in an effective grip.
These rules also apply to missile weapons, as well as melee ones.