Just for fun, I thought that I would post a collection of some of my favorite NPC assassins that I have made. Even more fun, I made them in the style of the old Villian's Lorebook, and provide a small intro to each character. To contrast their styles and approaches, I have set them up with the same ecenario for each one; killing a fat merchant with a dozen bodyguards. Feel free to borrow or steel what you like. If you have any of your own to contribute, in the same format, I would love to see them!
(Yes, sometimes I have too much time on my hands)
Contents
The Assassins
Devron Taim, The Dirge
Essin Celebrindal, The Black Feather
Jameth Ramathul, The Jake of Shadows
Ssetherra, The Viper's Kiss
She waited until the band had passed directly below her, then she struck! With quick fluid motions born from years of training, her hand dipped behind her sash and drew out the shurikens hidden there. With amazing ease, she sent them sailing into the night with a mere flick of her wrist. There was a slight whistle as they sailed through the air, followed by some wet thuds and curses. All ten had reached their target, and she allowed herself another satisfied smile. The shurikens themselves would do little damage, but the lotus poison on them should prove quite deadly. The poison was difficult, and costly to create, and it was good that none had gone to waste.
The poison did its work, and 10 of the guards fell to street. Her shurikens, magically enchanted to return to her, appeared back in her hand. Then she rose, and leaped over the side of the building. The remaining two guards saw her, and shouted. She had been trained on how to fall, and managed to push off the side of the building and go into a diving roll. She rolled right by the surprised guards, and sprung to her feet in front of the fat merchant. His eyes went wide, and he gave a squeal of terror. Without a word she hit him hard in the solar plexus. Twisting hard at the end and grinding the knuckle of her index finger into the nerve ending there, she watched in satisfaction as the merchant became temporarily paralyzed.
Wasting no time, she turned to the two guards who were now charging in to attack. The guards swung wildly, fear and anger making them reckless. Years of training had honed her combat reflexes and she dodged the attacks with ease. She then countered with a series of blows of her own, crushing the windpipe of one with her fist. The other she caught off balance and tripped him onto his back. Before he could recover, she brought the heel of her palm down, shattering his nose, and sending shards of bone into his brain. She gracefully rose, turned back to the unmoving merchant, and gave him cold, wicked, smile. In a chilling voice she said, “The justice of Sseth is upon you soft skin”.
Ssetherra, The viper’s kiss.
LE Extaminaar Monk 7/Master Thrower 3/Fang of Seth 5
HP: 165
Init: +4
Speed: 50ft
Space/Reach: 5ft
AC: 20 t:18 F:16
Bab: 11/6/1
Attack: Unarmed 12/7/2 2d6+1, Shuriken 16/11/6 1d2+3
Abilities: Str:12 Dex:18 Con:17 Int:10 Wis:14 Cha:8
Saves: Fort 10 Ref 16 Will 9
Skills: Hide 15, Slight of hand 5, Spot 9, Move Silently 15, Tumble 13
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (shuriken), Deft Hands, Alertness, Flick of the wrist, Improved Unarmed Strike, Quick Draw, Snatch Arrows, Stunning Fist, Combat Reflexes, Improved Trip
Possessions: Boots of Speed, Monks Belt, 10 +1 Returning Shurikens, Amulet of Natural armor +1, Ring of protection +1, Black Lotus Extract (DC 20: 3d6/3d6 Con) Features: Evasion, Still Mind, Slow Fall 30, Flurry of Blows, Poison Resistance +3, +2 racial on escape artist checks, Low Light vision, +2 Racial vs Poison, +4 Racial to swim checks, Spider Climb, Serpent Shape, 2d6 Sneak Attack, Enhanced Range Attacks: +1 to attack rolls with ranged weapons.
Ki Strike: Unarmed Strikes are treated as magic attacks
Wholeness of Body: Can heal up to 14 points of damage per day.
Stunning fist: 10/day, DC 19 Fort save or be Stunned one round.
Purity of Body: Immunity to non magical diseases.
AC Bonus: Wis (+2) +2
Spell Like abilities: At will-Speak with animals (Snakes), 3/day-Charm animal (snakes).
Palm Throw: Throw two small thrown weapons with one attack roll. Don't apply strength to the attack.
Deadeye Shot: Crit modifier for a thrown weapon increases by 1.
Combat/Tactics: Ssetherra favors to attack from ambush. From there she strikes out, using her shurikens. These she usually coats with lotus extract. Using her boots of speed, flurry, and her palm throw ability, she is able to make a full attack and throw all 10 of her shurikens in a single round. If poison fails, she will close in and fight in melee, using unarmed strikes.
Friends/Allies: While she has few friends, Ssetherra is an active member of the Fangs of Sseth. As such, she is accorded some small measure of respect in the yaun ti community, and the clergy of Sseth in particular (well…. as much respect as a half breed can aspire to). When in need, she can call on her order for aid and support, provided it is warranted, and her quest important enough to bother her betters.
Foes/Enemies: She is sworn to dispose of all enemies of Sseth, and by association, the clergy of Sseth. As a secondary priority, she vigorously protects Yaun-ti interests in Hlondeth and those of house Extaminos.
Appearance: Ssetherra is tall, and lithe, almost inhumanly thin. Though slender, she is graceful, and her muscles are honed from a life time of training. She has a long, narrow face, with high cheekbones. Her eyes are an unusually emerald color. Her hair is a deep red, a sign of Sseth’s favor. Normally it is long and wavy, but she tends to keep it in tightly braided cornrows, to keep it out of her way. She can pass for human at a glance, but there are small patches of brown spots along her neck and back, like the scaled patterns of a snake. She usually keeps these hidden, favoring loose fitting, baggy clothing to cover them, yet offer her full freedom of movement.
Personality: Ssetherra strives to be unemotional, cool, and calculating. She knows that she is considered inferior to her Yaun-ti brethren, and in return views humanity as little more than slaves at best, fodder at worst. She demands perfection from her self, striving to prove herself better than the tainted human blood that flows within her. When on assignment, she is ruthlessly efficient. No mercy, no hesitation, and no doubt. She fully believes that she is carrying out Sseth’s will, and is almost fanatical in her devotion.
History: Born as part of the 2nd generation of extaminaar, she was sent at an early age to Hlondeth’s greatest temple of Sseth. With her human like characteristics, the temple intended to use her as an operative in human society. While obviously unworthy to be trained in the clergy, due to her tainted heritage, the temple did have a monastic order that she was allowed to enter. She was soon indoctrinated in the teachings of Sseth, and his followers. There she flourished. By her early teens, she had impressed her superiors with her unwavering devotion, and her martial skill.
Her master soon determined that she was ready to be initiated into the Fangs of Sseth. This was an incredible honor for her, as she would be the first extaminaar to enter the order. She resolved to prove her self, and set an example for her race. The master put her through a series of grueling and sometimes deadly tests. When he was finished, he praised her as being, “Cold, quick, and deadly… Just like a Viper’s kiss”. The name stuck, and she was admitted into the order.
Since then, she has been an assassin, spy, and enforcer for the temple of Sseth. Able to go where many Yaun-ti cannot and pass for a human, she has exceeded expectations and become invaluable to them. Like wise, she has risen high in the ranks of the Fangs of Sseth, and is one of their best operatives.
Motivations and Goals: As one of the 2nd generation Extaminaar, she is out to prove them worthy of being Sseth’s children. As such she as distanced herself from the parts of her that are human, and has embraced everything that she considers to be Yaun-ti. Her utmost secret desire is to prove her worth to Sseth, and gain his favor so that perhaps one day he will transform her into a full blooded Yaun-ti. She keeps this desire a secret, for she knows her betters would punish her severely for such presumption. In the meantime, she strives to earn their recognition and respect by carrying out Sseth’s will.
Making his way back to the inn, he thought back on last night, and the circumstance that brought him to this. He had worked late again. His employer, that bastard, had seen fit to keep his guards late as he caroused with some lovely wench that his coin must have bought. Certainly, a man with that many chins couldn’t have gotten a girl like that any other way. The long hours, and his current lack of coin to procure a wench himself further soured his mood. He went to his favorite inn, content to drown his sorrows in cheap ale. Then he saw her… she was beautiful. She must have been new, for he had never seen her work there before. When she brought him his drink, she was all smiles and her eyes seemed to linger far too long upon him. Emboldened, he started chatting with her, with a generous amount of playful pats and suggestive comments thrown in. There was a bard playing tonight, a good one. The atmosphere in the inn that night was magic, and the hours seemed to fly away.
It came time to close, and the woman huskily ushered him into a dark back room. A sudden light appeared from an uncovered lantern, revealing a beggar sitting at a table. He quickly bid the woman to leave, and began to talk. By the gods he was persuasive. He seemed to know every indignity suffered, and every slight his employer made against him. The bulging bag of gold also proved very enticing. When the beggar revealed his plan, it all seemed so easy, so reasonable.
At last he made it to the inn, and cautiously made his way into the back room. Soon he was joined by the beggar, who plopped the bag of coins on the table. The beggar told him, “Well done”, and began to merrily hum a tune. The tune was hauntingly familiar, he was sure that he had heard it before, but just couldn’t place it. Warily, he poured out the contents of the bag onto the table and began to count. Was the gold slightly slimy to the touch, or was that just his sweaty hands? It was probably just nerves. Was it hot in here? His brow had broken out in a sweat. Finally he was satisfied that he had not been cheated, and began scooping the gold back into the pouch… and then he collapsed to the floor. The room started to spin. Poison! It had to be. The last thing he saw before death claimed him was the man’s features changing into those of the bard from the night before, still humming that haunting tune.
Devron Taim, The Dirge.
CE Bard 11/ Zhentarim Spy 2
HP: 108
Init: +6
Speed: 30ft
Space/Reach: 5ft
AC: 16 t: 12 F: 14
Bab: 8/3
Attack: 11/6 1d6+3
Abilities: Str:13 Dex:14 Con:16 Int:10 Wis:10 Cha:18
Saves: Fort: 6, Ref: 12, Will: 10
Skills: Perform 15, Spellcraft 15, Slight of hand 15, Hide 15, Move Silently 15, tumble 5, spot 5, listen 5, Bluff 5, Disguise 5, Forgery 5, Gather information 5
Feats: Decietful, Lyrical Spell, Subsonics, Arcane Strike, Spell Focus (Enchantment), Improved Initiative.
Possessions: Ring of Chameleon Power, Mythral Shirt, Cloak of Charisma +2, +2 Rapier.
Features: Bardic knowledge, Sneak Attack 1d6, Undetectable Alignment, Cover Identity.
Bardic Music: Counter song, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +2, Inspire Competence, Suggestion, Inspire Greatness.
0 lvl spells/ 3 per day: Prestidigitation, Message, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Ghost Sound, Summon Instrument.
1st lvl spells/ 4 per day: Charm Person, Comprehend Languages, Feather Fall, Expeditious Retreat.
2nd lvl spells/ 4 per day: Silence, Invisibility, Sound Burst, Tongues.
3rd lvl spells/3 per day: Charm Monster, Dispel Magic, See Invisibility, Gaseous Form.
4th lvl spells/1 per day: Dominate person
Combat/Tactics: Devron seldom likes to enter combat directly. Instead he prefers to allow others to do his killing for him. His spells and bardic abilities allow him to control the minds of others, at which he is a master. He is also a master of disguise, with his ring of the chameleon allowing him to appear as whomever he likes. No one knows his true identity, and he takes great pains to ensure that no one will. As such, he never shows his true face on the job. If forced into a direct confrontation, he will attempt to dominate one of his attackers. If it fails he will use his rapier and arcane strike ability to melee his foes.
Friends/Allies: As a Zhent agent, he has the nominal support of the organization. As a respected Bard, doors are open to him that otherwise might not be.
Foes/Enemies: No one outside his immediate Zhent superiors know his true identity. As such he has no real enemies. However, if his involvement in the various deeds he has carried out come to light, any number of good aligned organizations, victims, or local law enforcement would be hot on his trail.
Appearance: He has long blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. He is extremely handsome, and takes great pains to keep up his appearance. However, he is a master of disguise, so he could appear to look however he wants too.
Personality: While in public, he is polite and charming in the extreme, a real bard’s bard. In private however, his true personality comes out. Cold, ruthless, and completely amoral. He thinks nothing of using his looks, charm, or bardic abilities to get what he wants. Everyone and anyone are disposable, except for him of course. To him people are only useful as an adoring audience, or as pawns to do his bidding. He has a quick temper when things don’t go his way, and has been known to vent his frustrations in particularly cruel fashion.
History: Devron was an orphan in Lyrabar. He was taken in by a kindly priest of Ilmater, and became a ward of the church along with several other young boys. Early on, he learned that he had a wonderful gift for song. He also learned that charm and good looks can get you far in life. Despite the priest’s best efforts to raise him to be a just and virtuous man, the boy grew up devious and manipulative. When he came of age he was apprenticed to a famous bard, and it seemed that his future was secure. However, his darker nature would not allow him to be content with the life of a wandering minstrel. He was drawn to the seedier places, and he began to love the thrill of danger and intrigue.
It started small, robbing drunkards of their purses. Then things went wrong, and he committed his first murder. That was a thrill unlike any other, and he became addicted to it. Even more addicting, was the thrill he gained by manipulating others into doing his dirty work for him. Eventually, his antics brought him to the attention of the Zhents. The Zhents offered him a choice, work for them or be exposed. This suited Devron just fine, and he even found the whole thing to be exhilarating. Ever since he has been cultivating his identity as a well known and respected Bard; all the while concealing his more sinister activities. The Zhents have come to value him as an operative that can get things done, without leaving any evidence implicating them.
Motives and Goals: Devron exists simply to sow chaos. He loves the thrill he gets from manipulating others into doing his bidding. The Zhents provide a wonderful outlet for his inclinations, and even provide support and income from them. His main goal is to increase his reputation as a bard, and to gain more autonomy within the Black Network. Then he will be free to indulge upon his whims whenever he desires.
For an example of him being used in a campaign, click here.
His hopes lifted as the docks came into sight. Only a narrow stretch of road remained before he was in the clear. And then a figure stepped out of the shadows in front of him. He was dressed all in black, with a pair of gleaming short swords held at his sides revealing his intent. His face seemed to congeal the shadows, and no trace of his identity could be detected through their darkness. “My Gods”, Brom thought, “it’s him”! His cry of alarm cut off as the shadows seemed to flicker around him, and the man was gone. Was he real? His fears were confirmed a moment latter as something unseen started tearing into his guards. The air was misted red as invisible blades tore into his men. They were incredibly fast, first in one direction, and then another. Within seconds, half his men were down, cut down with barely a warning. The man then appeared over two of the corpses, his blades dripping with gore. Brom let out a shriek of fear, and ran as fast as his corpulent frame could carry him towards the docks. His remaining guards charged him, but the man was unnaturally fast and agile, dodging and parrying their blows with dizzying speed. Brom continued to run, but risked a look back. The last of his men were down, and the man was turning to face him. There was a flicker of shadow, and the man was gone. The Brom started to turn his head, but then gasped as twin fires of ice exploded in his gut and he came to a halt. His head slowly continued to try to face in front of and he saw that the man had some how appeared in front of him. Looking down he saw both the man’s swords plunged hilt deep into him. He tried to scream, but the blood had welled to his throat and it came out as a gurgle. The man jerked out his blades, and Brom fell to his knees. The last thing he saw as the man raised his blades high and sent them hurtling down toward his throat, was the swirling mass of shadows covering the man’s face.
Jameth Ramathul, The Jake of shadows.
NE Human Shadow walker Rogue 1/Fighter 2/Swordsage 4/Teflamar Shadowlord 4/ Sword Sage 5
HP: 170
Init: +
Speed: 30ft
Space/Reach: 5ft
AC: 23 t: 16 F: 17
Bab: 11/6/1
Attack: Short Swords x2: 17/17/14/14/9 1d6+8
Abilities: Str: 10, Dex: 20 (22), Con: 17 , Int: 10 Wis: 10, Cha: 10
Saves: Fort 9, Ref 19, Will 6
Skills: Search 19, Move silently 19, Hide 19, Tumble 18, Spot 5, Listen 7, Open Lock 5, Use Magic Device 5, Gather information 4, Balance 4, Climb 2, Swim 2, Disable device 1
Skill Trick: Acrobatic Backstab
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Finesse, Two Weapon Fighting, Blind Fight, Shadow Blade, Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Possessions: 2 +2 Keen Short Sword, Deathstrike Bracer (+2 dex), Rogue’s Vest, +5 leather armor, Boots of speed.
Features: Light blindness, Dark vision 60ft, +4 racial on hide checks, Sneak attack 1d6, Trap finding, Evasion, Discipline Focus: Defensive Stance (+2 to saves while in a shadowhand stance).
Spell like abilities: Shadow Mask 3/day, Dimensional Door 2/day, Darkness 3/day, Shadow Spray 3/day, Shadow Walk 1/day, Displacement 2/day, Evard’s Black Tentacles.
Shadow Sight: can see through normal and magical darkness without hindrance.
Shadow Jump: D-door up to 20ft per shadow lord class level per day. Can be broken up into increments of 10.
Shadow Blur: While not in daylight or bright light, gains a 20% miss chance.
Shadow Walk: can use shadow walk as a caster equal to his Shadow lord level.
Shadow pounce: can make a full attack any time he uses an ability with the teleport descriptor.
Spells Per day
2 1st: blindness/deafness, chill touch, darkness, darkvision, invisibility, knock, levitate, shadow mask, shadow spray.
1 2nd: air walk, black light, displacement, haste, greater invisibility, non-detection, vampiric touch
AC Bonus: +wis to AC
Discipline Focus: Weapon Focus (Short Sword),
Insightful Strike: +wis to damage (Shadow Hand)
Quick to act: +2 to initiative.
Sense Magic: 10 minutes study, DC 10+CL check
Possessions: 2x +2 Keen Short Swords, Boots of speed, +3 studded Leather, Ring of Protection +1
Maneuvers: 14 known, 7 readied, 4 stances
Maneuvers Readied
Shadow Jaunt: D-door up to 50ft as a standard action.
2. Cloak of Deception (Boost): Gain greater invisibility till end of turn.
3. Shadow Stride: D-Door up to 50ft as a move action.
4. Stalker in the night (Strike): You can move, make a single attack, and remain hidden.
5.Elder Mt. Hammer (Strike): Deal an additional 6d6 and over come dr and hardiness.
6. Shadow Garrote (Strike): Ranged touch attack (60ft), deal 5d6 damage and must make a DC 13 fort save or be flat footed till next turn
7. Shadow Blink: D-Door up to 50ft as a swift action.
Stances
1. Island of Blades: You and your allies gain flanking as long as you are both adjacent to your opponent.
2. Assasin's Stance: Gain 2d6 Sneak attack
3. Dance of the spider: Gain spider climb wile in stance.
4. Hearing the Air: +5 to listen checks, and Blindsense 30ft.
Combat/Tactics: Jameth begins each encounter by activating his boots of speed, using his cloak of deception boost, and using his Shadow Blink, shadow jaunt and shadow stride maneuvers. This triggers his shadow pounce ability, allowing him to make a full attack after each one, gaining an extra attack each full attack from the haste effect and hopefully dealing sneak attack damage as well. He will then try to follow up with an acrobatic backstab and using his strikes.
Friends/Allies: As one of the Shadow Lords, he is a high ranking member within the Shadowmasters organization. This affords him tremendous contacts and resources, particularly in Thesk.
Foes/Enemies: While few know his true identity, he shares the same enemies as the rest of the Shadowmasters. In addition, many within the organization would relish the opportunity to enhance their reputation by taking him down.
Appearance: Jameth is middle aged, tall, and wiry. He keeps his hair cut short to a bristly stubble, and his body is covered in scars. Prominently is one that lines a good portion of his left cheek and chin. As a shadow walker, he tends to have tendrils of shadow undulating over his body, making him harder to see in dark areas. As the “Jake of Shadows”, he favors clothes dyed black, including his leather armor. He wears a crude mask, essentially a piece of cloth with eye slits cut out, which drapes over his face with two cords that tie behind his head. He further hides his appearance with a shadow mask spell. He usually prefers to fight with a pair of short swords, as they are easier to conceal and are fairly light in weight.
Personality: Jameth’s upbringing in the streets of Teflamm has left him hard, and without pity. Life in the shadowmasters honed him to a ruthless edge. Anything less and he wouldn’t have survived, and above all else he is a survivor. Pragmatic and ruthless, he won’t hesitate from doing what needs to be done. He has no friends, and no family, he has purposefully divested himself from these perceived weaknesses. He has done all he can to keep his identity a secret, and encourages the tall tales about his exploits to further lead people away from the truth. His one loyalty is to the Shadowmasters, and it is his life. It is that loyalty that makes him so valuable to the Shadow Lords.
History: Born into poverty in Teflamm, he had to fend for himself at an early age. Like many young men in Thesk, the Shadowmasters proved a tempting opportunity to advance himself. He joined the organization, and received their basic training. While his natural agility and speed served him well as a thief, they served him even better with a blade. Soon he found himself drawn to the enforcement side of the organization, helping to track down and punish those who betrayed the guild. Eventually, his natural talent and skill with the sword attracted the attention of the Shadmaster’s blade master. He began to teach him the organization’s most sacred blade techniques, known as the shadow hand discipline, and sponsored him to undergo the ritual that transformed him into a Shadow-walker. Under the blade master’s tutelage, and with his new found abilities, Jameth surpassed his teacher in skill. He became one of the organization’s most dangerous operatives, and eventually became one of the Shadow Lords.
As a Shadowlord, he became something of a boogyman in the organization. Stories began to circulate about the men and woman that were butchered in grizzly fashion, examples made of those who crossed the Shadowmasters. Appearing and disappearing like a ghost, he was given the street name, “The Jake of Shadows”. Throughout Thesk, when people crossed the Shadowmasters and suffered a grisly end, they were said to have “danced with the Jake of Shadows”. Synonymous with death and merciless retribution, he enforces the organizations will through fear.
Motivations and Goals: As a Shadow Lord, he seeks to further the goals of the organization. His unique niche in the organization, is the policing of its own members. However he is known to make examples of outsiders who cross the guild from time to time as well. He seeks to further create fear and rumor of his Jake of Shadows persona to help keep it’s members in line. In many ways, his legend keeps such a large organization running smoothly.
Rogue 6 / Fighter 3 / Cleric [Mask] 11 / Divine Agent 2
Rogue 5/Assassin 4/Cleric 11/Chosen of Mask/Semi-Divine Guy :D
So now lets stop derailing this thread.
-Bonzai, I think I might borrow Ssetherra.
-RW
Dark and Empty, nice "Straw Man" you got there.
That's not a strawman, Delta. A strawman is a misrepresentation of your opponent's argument to make it easier to "knock down".
Anyway, IIRC the actual Assassin PrC requires an evil alignment, not just a "non-good" one.
Fortunately, the Avenger, from here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070401a
Only requires non-Chaotic.
Assassin, from the DMG, requires an Evil alignment.
Fortunately, the Avenger, from here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070401a
Only requires non-Chaotic.
There's the one I was thinking of.
-RW
Assassin, from the DMG, requires an Evil alignment.
Dark and Empty, I stand corrected BadCatMan.
I guess that is a houserule. Not in my Realms, right. ;)Bonzai, sorry for my part in de-railing your thread. Nice NPC's.
-Anyway, I looked her over, and I am going to use Ssetherra. I'm going to change her into a Yuan-Ti Pureblood, but other than that, I like the stats, and I like the personality.
NE Human Shadow walker Rogue 1/Fighter 2/Swordsage 4/Teflamar Shadowlord 4/ Sword Sage 5
What's that supposed to be? Two different classes (and I'm only familiar with 'swordsage', but not with 'Sword Sage') or just Swordsage 9?
-Anyway, I looked her over, and I am going to use Ssetherra. I'm going to change her into a Yuan-Ti Pureblood, but other than that, I like the stats, and I like the personality.
Yes, I like the effort put into the stories, myself.
Well, looks like fluff is more important here than crunch, isn't it?
What's that supposed to be? Two different classes (and I'm only familiar with 'swordsage', but not with 'Sword Sage') or just Swordsage 9?
Yeah it's Swordsage 9. I wrote out the build in the order the levels were taken. So if you wanted to scale it back to an eighth, tenth, or whatever level build, you could. So for this build, he took the first four levels of Swordsage, then went on to take 4 levels of Shadowlord, then back to Swordsage.
LK- GLad you liked them. I have a few more that I'm going to post, it just takes some time to type it all up.
The Raven saw the arrow fly through the wall and through a surprised bodyguard to land right on target. The fat human began to flail and gurgle as the lodged in his throat. The poison quickly took effect and the human’s spasms ceased. His panicked body guards searched franticly for their unseen attacker, and the city watch was soon on the scene. They never paid a second glance at the blind Elven beggar, nor the raven on the nearby roof.
Essin Celebrindal, The Black Feather.
NE Elf Ranger 2/ Binder 1/ Rogue 2/ Assassin 4/ Arcane Archer 6
HP: 138
Init: +6
Speed: 30ft
Space/Reach: 5ft
AC: 21 t: 16 F: 15
Bab: 12/7/2
Attack: 17/17/15 1d8+5+1d6 electric
Abilities: Str:14 Dex:18 (22) Con:15 Int:14 Wis:10 Cha:8
Saves: Fort 11 Ref 21 Will 5
Skills: Hide 15, Move Silently 15, Listen 16, Knowledge Nature 5, Jump 5, Climb 5, Disguise 4, Search 5, Open Lock 6, Disable device 6, Survival 5, intimidate 4.
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (long bow), Rapid Shot, improved Binding, Many shot, dodge, mobility.
Flaw: The character cannot see. He takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class, loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), moves at half speed, and takes a -4 penalty on Search checks and on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Spot checks) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) to the blinded character. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
Possessions: +2 Shocking Human Bane Compound Longbow, +3 Leather Armor, Gloves of dexterity +4, Cloak of Resistance +1, 2 potions of Cure Moderate, 40 arrows.
Features: Immune to sleep, +2 vs enchantments, low light vision, +2 racial to spot, listen, and search. Wild Empathy, Track, Favored enemy (humans), Trap finding, Sneak Attack 3d6, Evasion, Death Attack, Poison Use, +2 vs poison saves, Uncanny dodge.
Enhance Arrow (+3): non-magical arrows gain a +3 bonus.
Imbue Arrow: Can imbue arrow with an AoE spell.
Seeker Arrow: 1/day, Arrow ignores concealment and cover, and moves around obstacles to hit the target.
Phase Arrow: 1/day, Arrow ignores concealment and cover, and goes through obstacles to hit the target.
Vestiges (Malphas): Poison use. Sudden Strike (1d6).
Invisibility: full round action, lasts one round per binder level.
Birds eye viewing: Summons a raven or a dove. It obeys your commands, and you see and hear everything it does.
Spells: 1st lvl (3 per day): True Strike, Sniper’s shot, Critical Strike, Feather Fall.
2nd lvl (1 per day): Spider climb, undetectable alignment, alter self.
Combat/Tactics: Essin prefers to strike while hidden. He uses his Raven to target his opponents, and will use his sneak attack from range (plop three more levels of assassin on him, and he will have the Sniper’s eye spell and will be able to death attack as well from a distance of 60ft). He will use poison, and make full use of his spells and abilities to make a single arrow deal the most damage possible. With his seeking and phase arrow abilities, he can fire behind walls, around cover, and stay completely concealed. He uses this to great affect when planning his hits, allowing him to make the best use of his escape routs.
Friends/Allies: Essin has no true friends, but considers the Eldreth Veluuthra to be comrades in arms. He has the organizations nominal support, and is a valued asset.
Foes/Enemies: Essin considers all of Humanity to be his sworn enemy. Secondly, any non-humanoid who consorts and aids human kind also draws his ire. While none of them know his true identity, the harpers and various local law enforcement officials would be very interested in stopping him. Hillsfar in particular has a substantial reward out for his capture, alive or dead.
Appearance: Essin is a gaunt sun elf, with long chestnut colored hair. His most obvious feature are his eyes… or lack of them. They were gouged out years ago, leaving nothing but scarred, hollowed out sockets. He never bothers to cover them up, and proudly displays them as a mark of what he has endured. Being blind, he cares little for his appearance. Wearing stained and tattered clothing, he is often mistaken for a beggar, which suits him fine.
Personality: Essin is solemn and taciturn. The only emotions he ever displays are his anger and bitterness towards the human race. They are the only thing that sustains him, and gives him purpose. He could care less about his appearance, but is meticulous in the care of his bow and armor. To him, killing humans is his business, a business that he takes very, very, seriously.
History: Essin grew up in the forests of Cormanthor, and was taught the ways of the ranger from an early age. He roamed far and wide protecting the woods, and occasionally saving the occasional foolish adventurer heading to or from Myth Drannor. One day, while ranging farther North than usual, he encountered a beautiful elf maid being attacked by a group of Red Plumes from Hillsfar. He rescued her, and sent her attackers fleeing. The elf maid’s name was Belissara, and she was an escaped slave from Hillsfar. From the moment he laid eyes on her, Essin had fallen head over heels in love. They dwelled in the forest for a time, Essin attempting to nurse her back to health. Then one morning, he returned to the camp, to find Belissara ringed by Red Plumes. He tried to save here, but was forced to surrender when they threatened her life. It turns out, that Belissara had led the humans right to the camp, and had betrayed him. Essin was bound and beaten. When his captors didn’t like the defiance in his eyes, they gouged them out.
He was never sure how long he was their captive. The days seemed to blend in to one another. Eventually though, he was rescued by members of Eldreth Veluuthra. They cared for him as best they could, but there was nothing they could do for his eyes, or his shattered soul. Years of captivity had left him on the edge of insanity, and he became fixated on the ancient elven legend of Malphas. Malphas, the Turnfeather, had supposedly given everything for his love and in turn was betrayed by her. Essin sympathized with his plight, and would often speak aloud to him. To his great surprise, one day Malphas answered. Some vestige of Malphas yet remained in the world, and Essin’s calling had bound them to one another. Through this binding, Essin gained power. Chief among these was the ability to summon a raven or dove under his control. He could see and hear all that they could. In this way, his sight was somewhat returned.
With his sight returned he found new purpose, he has devoted himself to Eldreth Veluuthra’s cause. Under their tutelage, he has become a notorious assassin. His signature, a tribute to Malphas, it to fletch his arrows with two white feathers, and one black one. This has earned him the nick name, The Black Feather.
Motivations and Goals: Essin is motivated by revenge, and he takes great pleasure in killing humans whenever possible. Hillsfar in particular has earned his ire, and he will gladly seize any opportunity to pay them back for what they have done. However, he knows the value of subtlety, and realizes that he won’t be able to wipe them out himself. So he bides his time, taking his opportunities as they present themselves, and aiding his brothers and sisters in Eldreth Veluuthra.
-Might I suggest, linking the individual NPCs in your original post, as well.
By linking, are you saying to list all the sources used. or putting all the NPC's together some how?
Anyways, I may use a varient of that build as a PC one day. I love the concept of the blind elven archer. One level of bonder and a feat help you over come your loss of sight, and grant several other abilities as well. Perhaps a Ranger/binder/duskblade/arcane archer build might be a fun npc. As an NPC, a few more levels of assasin, could lead to 60ft ranged death attacks. Wacky hijinx are always fun for the party. :P
-You also gave me a very good idea, too.
Done! I've also decided to expand from just posting assasin's, to other NPC's as well.
-Put the Roguish ones here, put the Warriors in the Warrior NPC thread, the Magicians in the Magician NPC thread, and so on.
LE Human Rogue 4 / Fighter 1 / Invisible Blade 5 / Master Thrower 3
HP: 90 (13 HD)
Init: +9
Speed: 30 feet
Space/Reach: 5 feet
AC: 21
BAB: +12/+7/+2
Attack: Multiple
Abilities: STR 10, DEX 20, CON 14, INT 14, WIS 12, CHA 18
Saves: Fort +05, Ref +11, Will +03
Skills: Appraise +7, Balance +10, Bluff +14, Climb +4, Decipher Script +6, Diplomacy +12, Disable Device +5, Disguise +8, Escape Artist +12, Forgery +5, Gather Information +14, Hide +12, Intimidate +12, Jump +2, Knowledge (Local) +7, Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty) +6, Listen +4, Move Silently +11 (+21), Open Lock +10, Search +5, Sense Motive +11, Slight of Hand +12, Spot +4, Tumble +8, Use Rope +5
Languages: Tabotan, Kao Te Shou, Trade Tongue, Tuigan
Feats: Far Shot, Point Blank Shot, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Precise Shot, Hamstring
Possessions: Masking Mithral Chain Shirt of Silent Moves, +3 Returning Dagger, +1 Dagger of Wounding, +2 Vampiric Dagger of Wounding, Vanishing Dagger, Gloves of Storing, Amulet of Natural Armor +2, Ring of Animal Friendship, Ring of Warmth
Features:
Human Qualities
Sneak Attack: Khon Ma deals an extra 2d6 points of damage when striking an opponent when the opponent is denied a Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, such as when it is surprised and flat-footed, or when you attack from a flanking position. This extra damage only applies to living creatures that have a discernible anatomy. Undead, constructs, oozes, plants, incorporeal creatures and creatures immune to extra damage from critical hits are not vulnerable to this extra damage.
Trapfinding: Khon Ma can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20. She can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magical traps.
Evasion (Ex): If Khon Ma makes a successful Reflex Saving Throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she takes no damage. This ability can only be used if Khon Ma is wearing light armor or no armor. If Khon Ma is helpless, he does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Trap Sense (Ex): Khon Ma gains a +1 bonus on Reflex Saving Throws made to avoid traps and a +1 Armor Class bonus against attacks made by traps.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Khon Ma can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
Fighter Bonus Feat: Weapon Focus (Dagger)
Dagger Sneak Attack (Ex): Khon Ma deals an extra 3d6 points of damage to her Sneak Attacks when using a dagger, kukri or punching dagger.
Unfettered Defense (Ex): Khon Ma benefits from an increased survival instinct during combat. She adds 2 to her Armor Class when she is not wearing any armor, and is armed with one or more daggers, kukri or punching daggers. If she is caught flat-footed, or is otherwise denied her Dexterity bonus, she loses this bonus.
Bleeding Wound (Ex): Khon Ma can choose to sacrifice 1d6 points of Sneak Attack damage from her Dagger Sneak Attack ability to deal a bleeding wound. Such an attack deals normal damage in the round when the attack hits. Thereafter, the wound bleeds for one point of damage per round. Multiple wounds result in cumulative bleeding loss. The bleeding can only be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check, or the application of any Cure or other healing spell. Creatures immune to Sneak Attack damage are immune to bleeding damage as well.
Uncanny Feint (Ex): Khon Ma has the ability to feint in combat as a free action, rather than a standard action. She can only do this when armed with a dagger, kukri, or punching dagger.
Feint Mastery (Ex): Khon Ma is so sure of her ability to mislead opponents that she can Take 10 on all Bluff checks made when feinting in combat, even if stress or distractions would normally prevent her from doing so.
Master Thrower Bonus Feat: Quick Draw
Improved Evasion (Ex): Khon Ma takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth, and she takes only half damage on a failed save. If Khon Ma is helpless, she does not gain the benefit of Improved Evasion.
Thrown Weapon Trick (Ex): Khon Ma has access to the Sneaky Shot and Doubletoss Weapon Trick abilities.
Combat/Tactics: Khon Ma is a professional assassin. When on missions to assassinate others, she uses her womanly charm to distract foes, and then strikes when they least expect it. In more prolonged combat, she keeps foes off-balance with a combination of feigns, weapon throws, and sneak attacks.
Friends/Allies: Khon Ma is loyal to Peyma Holang, the Empress of Phutan. As such, she enjoys the political prestige that serving her comes with, though Khon Ma is a member of her secret police, and her presence is rarely made public. She shares a Rary’s Telepathic Bond that was made permanent with her twin brother, Dorje, though, being a Diviner, he was much more receptive to this idea than she.
Foes/Enemies: Khon Ma considers any enemies of Empress Holang his enemies. Because his existence is a tightly controlled secret, very few know that Khon Ma exists. As such, there are very few individuals who she can consider foes. Phyug Phen Do, the consort of Empress Holang, distrusts Khon Ma and her brother, believing them to be plotting to overthrow the Cypress Queen.
Appearance: Khon Ma is an attractive ethnic Tabotan. Because of the wealth that she has accrued from serving the Cypress Queen, she has a large collection of beauty supplies and materials that she uses to enhance her beauty. Khon Ma considers her attractiveness one of the weapons in her repertoire. Indeed, she is not above using sex as a weapon, or as a source of information.
Personality: Khon Ma is fairly conceited. She knows that men find her attractive, and that she is very skilled in numerous trades, and is not above reminding others of these facts as often as she needs to. She rarely “dumbs herself down”, as many Tabotan, or Phutanese women do.
History: Phyug Mukow Jian of Pim Tung raised Khon Ma, along with her twin brother. The two were found as orphans in the streets of the city, which Mukow Jian came across, and raised as his own. That is the story that the noble told, however. Subsequent divinations by Dorje revealed a much different past: He and his sister were indeed found as orphans, but they, like other children, were trained as assassins and soldiers by the noble, and had their memories erased using wizardry and herbal mixtures.
When Phyug Mukow Jian rose up against Tabot, Khon Ma, as a member of the Vian-chi, supported the noble. When his wife Peyma Holang killed Mukow Jian, Khon Ma was aware of this, but did nothing to help him. Peyma Holang had always been nice to Dorje, her brother, so in gratitude, he allowed her to slay Mukow Jian, even thought she knew of her plot to assassinate him. Khon Ma also felt a kinship with her, as they are both strong women.
Since Peyma Holang became Empress of Phutan, Khon Ma has served her much in the fashion that he served her late husband. Khon Ma is one of the empress’ most trusted advisors and assassins. Secretly, Khon Ma longs for the power that Empress Holand wields, but is unsure if she wants to actually try to challenge her for it.
Motivations and Goals: Empress Holang is the absolute ruler of Phutan, and she intends to keep it this way, using her secret network of spies and assassins to discover and stop plots seeking to topple her government. As such, Khon Ma serves her queen by secretly killing those who are plotting against her. Khon Ma has secret aspirations to replace the queen, but these plans are very murky and not long thought out.