Stun

Being stunned means you have trouble walking in the direction that you intend - if you press a movement key you will almost always move in a different direction than expected. If your pet is next to you, you might attack it by accident; you can also anger peaceful monsters this way.

Often you have to wait (press [.], or maybe [s] to search) for this effect to wear off (with the message You feel a bit steadier). Applying a unicorn horn will negate the stunning.