Difference between revisions of "Assassination (sage ability)"

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The sage ability is, to a lesser degree, available to [[Assassin (class)|assassins]] who possess less than 10 points of knowledge in murder, on account of their class.  In such cases, the practice is termed '''unskilled assassination,''' distinguishing it as less effective than attacks make with amateur or greater skill.
 
The sage ability is, to a lesser degree, available to [[Assassin (class)|assassins]] who possess less than 10 points of knowledge in murder, on account of their class.  In such cases, the practice is termed '''unskilled assassination,''' distinguishing it as less effective than attacks make with amateur or greater skill.
  
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== Opportunity ==
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Before assassination can be committed, the character first [[Surprise (combat)|surprise]] the intended victim, coming upon them in a manner that makes surprise possible.  Additionally, the would-be assassin must be near enough to the victim to take advantage of the surprise when it occurs, before [[Initiative|initiative]] is necessary.  Creating this opportunity is up to the player's choices in describing the character's actions prior to the attack.
  
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Approach is usually accomplished through [[Stealth (sage ability)|stealth]], regardless of the character's skill in this ability.
  
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== Description of the Act ==
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== Assassination Attempt ==
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Once surprise and proximity is attained, the perpetrator [[Roll to Hit|rolls to hit]] in standard fashion.  Any [[Weapons List|hand-to-hand weapon]] may be used.
  
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The deed requires that the perpetrator be near enough to attack with a hand-to-hand attack. It is also necessary that the intended victim be [[Surprise (combat)|surprised]]. The assassination need not be committed from behind, but this is often the case. Usually, to succeed, the assassin approaches the victim through the use of [[Stealth (sage ability)|stealth]].
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=== Skilled Assassins ===
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If the die indicates a hit, the skilled assassin rolls 2d4, adding his or her [[Experience Level|experience level]] and subtracting 5 points. If the total is equal or greater than the victim's total [[Hit Dice|hit dice]] plus [[Experience Level|experience levels]], then the victim is absolutely '''dead'''.
  
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If, following the stealth calculation, the assassin is adjacent to the intended victim and the victim is surprised, the assassin may at that time reveal their intention to assassinate. A die is rolled (see below) and the success of the assassination is determined. The victim cannot defend at all unless the assassination fails and then wins [[Initiative|initiative]]. If the assassination fails, the assassin cannot make a second attempt, as the victim ceases to be surprised. The same rule denies an attempt to [[Backstabbing (sage study)|backstab]].
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: For example, 7th level Maria manages to surprise Theodore, a 5th level character, and succeeds in hitting Theodore's [[Armour Class|armour class]]. Rolling 2d4, she obtains a "4"; adding her level makes this 11, and subtracting 5 makes this a "6."  This is equal to Theodore's level plus 1 [[Hit Points per Die|hit die for his mass]], so the assassination is successful and Theodore is dead.
  
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Obviously, because an opponent in the midst of combat is not subject to the surprise rule, an assassination cannot take place during normal [[Melee|melee]].
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Note that by this calculation, Marie would be certain to kill any character that was 4 or more levels less than her current level.  Her chance of killing Thomas was 13 in 16; were Thomas one level lower, it would have been 15 in 16.
  
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Note that if the intended victim that is more than three times the height of the perpetrator, or more than four times the perpetrator’s weight, the victim is too large to be assassinated.
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=== Unskilled Assassins ===
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Those of the assassin class without the sage ability resolve assassinations in the same manner, except that their level bonus is but ½-pt. per level.  In the example above, Marie would add 3 to her 2d4 die roll (fraction discarded), which would have resulted in a failed assassination attempt.
  
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== Resolution ==
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=== Failed Assassinations ===
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If the assassination fails, normal [[Damage (hit points)|damage]] for the weapon is rolled; if the defender isn't stunned, then the defender and failed assassin roll for initiative, like any other combat situation following a surprise.  Thereafter the combat resolves normally.  A second assassination attempt cannot be made, as the defender can no longer be surprised.
  
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The perpetrator begins by [[Roll to Hit|rolling to hit]] in the normal fashion, under the usual conditions of combat. Any [[Weapons List|hand-to-hand weapon]] may be used.
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== Notes ==
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An assassination cannot take place during [[Melee|melee]], as according to the rules discussing the surprise of opponents, the defender cannot be aware of the assassin's existence.  This is plainly not possible if the defender and assassin are in combat.
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Victims of assassination may be restored through the death's door spell.
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Regarding the possible assassination of very large creatures, such as giants, if the intended victim is thrice the height of the would-be assassin, or has more than four times the assassin's weight, the victim is too large to be assassinated.
  
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If successful, rather than determining damage, the perpetrator and victim’s levels are compared using a roll of 2d4, rolled by the perpetrator. This result is modified by adding the assassin’s level, then subtracting 5 points. If the total is now equal to or greater than the victim’s total [[Hit Dice|hit dice]] plus [[Experience Level|experience level]], the victim is absolutely '''DEAD''', reduced to [[Negative Hit Points|minus 4 hit points]] for combatants without an experience level or -10 for those with an experience level.
 
  
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[[File:Assassination (2).jpg|left|440px|]]
 
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An unskilled assassin uses the same method, adding but one-half of levels gained, discarding all fractions. For example, a third-level unskilled assassin would add only 1 pt. to the die, drastically reducing the chance of success even against lower level targets.
 
  
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If the assassination fails, normal [[Damage (hit points)|damage]] is rolled. If the intended victim survives, initiative is rolled.
 
  
  

Revision as of 17:51, 8 November 2023

Assassination.jpg

Assassination is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Murder that functions as a form of attack in which the character is able to potentially dispatch the defender with little difficulty. In effect, a weapon is used to strike at a weak point in the victim, bringing about death.

The sage ability is, to a lesser degree, available to assassins who possess less than 10 points of knowledge in murder, on account of their class. In such cases, the practice is termed unskilled assassination, distinguishing it as less effective than attacks make with amateur or greater skill.

Opportunity

Before assassination can be committed, the character first surprise the intended victim, coming upon them in a manner that makes surprise possible. Additionally, the would-be assassin must be near enough to the victim to take advantage of the surprise when it occurs, before initiative is necessary. Creating this opportunity is up to the player's choices in describing the character's actions prior to the attack.

Approach is usually accomplished through stealth, regardless of the character's skill in this ability.

Assassination Attempt

Once surprise and proximity is attained, the perpetrator rolls to hit in standard fashion. Any hand-to-hand weapon may be used.

Skilled Assassins

If the die indicates a hit, the skilled assassin rolls 2d4, adding his or her experience level and subtracting 5 points. If the total is equal or greater than the victim's total hit dice plus experience levels, then the victim is absolutely dead.

For example, 7th level Maria manages to surprise Theodore, a 5th level character, and succeeds in hitting Theodore's armour class. Rolling 2d4, she obtains a "4"; adding her level makes this 11, and subtracting 5 makes this a "6." This is equal to Theodore's level plus 1 hit die for his mass, so the assassination is successful and Theodore is dead.

Note that by this calculation, Marie would be certain to kill any character that was 4 or more levels less than her current level. Her chance of killing Thomas was 13 in 16; were Thomas one level lower, it would have been 15 in 16.

Unskilled Assassins

Those of the assassin class without the sage ability resolve assassinations in the same manner, except that their level bonus is but ½-pt. per level. In the example above, Marie would add 3 to her 2d4 die roll (fraction discarded), which would have resulted in a failed assassination attempt.

Failed Assassinations

If the assassination fails, normal damage for the weapon is rolled; if the defender isn't stunned, then the defender and failed assassin roll for initiative, like any other combat situation following a surprise. Thereafter the combat resolves normally. A second assassination attempt cannot be made, as the defender can no longer be surprised.

Notes

An assassination cannot take place during melee, as according to the rules discussing the surprise of opponents, the defender cannot be aware of the assassin's existence. This is plainly not possible if the defender and assassin are in combat.

Victims of assassination may be restored through the death's door spell.

Regarding the possible assassination of very large creatures, such as giants, if the intended victim is thrice the height of the would-be assassin, or has more than four times the assassin's weight, the victim is too large to be assassinated.



See Also,
Assassin
Murder
Player Characters

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