tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post6068767840335272321..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Tuned to the Urban: AssassinsAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-80753571719452362782013-03-01T00:26:49.372-07:002013-03-01T00:26:49.372-07:00Makes me hanker to play an assassin again...though...Makes me hanker to play an assassin again...though I might need an actual mechanic like you suggest (my last go was a little obtuse about human nature compared to what you describe).<br />; )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-74148650397790274902013-02-27T18:23:51.673-07:002013-02-27T18:23:51.673-07:00I'll also mention that this has really made me...I'll also mention that this has really made me realize that you are laying a foundation here that could help with concepts like "Aristocrat" classes that have always fallen flat for lack of anything to do or infect. People of influence and means have always been defined, in large ways, by their ability to interact with and impact infrastructure...and here you are giving them the meat & potatoes they need to actually get stuff done in a tangible, meaningful GAME-RELATED way.<br /><br />Color me interested.YagamiFirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280013813938686538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-83192331306135045062013-02-27T13:10:19.178-07:002013-02-27T13:10:19.178-07:00To kill people, you have to know people. You have ...<i>To kill people, you have to know people. You have to watch their little habits, their gestures, their tells.</i><br /><br />That reminded mE of a Fafhrd & The Grey Mouser short story (<i>The Curse of the Smalls and the Stars</i>, in wich two assassins "become" their potential victimes.porphyre77https://www.blogger.com/profile/07620350717226228078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-63420277622000841922013-02-27T12:23:52.954-07:002013-02-27T12:23:52.954-07:00Alexis, after reading this I must say I am sure I&...Alexis, after reading this I must say I am sure I'd enjoy playing an assassin in your world. I dare say (if you'll you're forgive my temerity) that you, in turn, would probably enjoy having me as well. You've hit upon all the high points of why I like assassins. Canny observers. That is their nature. They also wonderfully reward smart play and cleverness. I always hate seeing them played as inelegant, stupid thugs or unimaginative psychopaths...and now, of course, robin hood-esque Creedssassins. If one can't be smart, patient and helpful the assassin class isn't for them.YagamiFirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09280013813938686538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-34245671086695404152013-02-27T11:51:08.447-07:002013-02-27T11:51:08.447-07:00Hollywood does do a good job of portraying the ass...Hollywood does do a good job of portraying the assassin. The first that comes to mind is the assassin from Day of the Jackel. I don't recall the titles but there was a rash of "hitman movies" from the late 60's and early 70's. Forest Whitaker as Ghost Dog also seemed sane.Matthew Mantelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13516805202174430356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-21685784843347143032013-02-27T10:51:23.527-07:002013-02-27T10:51:23.527-07:00Well... if Assassins in your game have the ability...Well... if Assassins in your game have the ability to know the intention of an individual or populace, that would be very useful character to have along.Butchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00470617214750867482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-27286526109261283002013-02-27T09:55:03.643-07:002013-02-27T09:55:03.643-07:00You're really selling me on having my first he...You're really selling me on having my first henchman an assassin.Lukashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05779189363430537747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-26990302427927424692013-02-27T09:26:22.169-07:002013-02-27T09:26:22.169-07:00To kill people, you have to know people. You have...<i>To kill people, you have to know people. You have to watch their little habits, their gestures, their tells. The thief has his or her eye on the little pouch, and how well the carrier protects it ... but the assassin is watching the carrier's soul, and how well the carrier is protecting THAT.</i><br /><br />I agree with this, but it also sums up my problem with Assassins and Thieves -- their activities, if played correctly, are not party activities. Studying the target isn't a party activity -- or if it is, you're asking everyone else to be your assistants in your grand game.<br /><br />I could see a terrific solo adventure with an assassin. Or perhaps as a part of a very specialized urban adventure. (I could see a very interesting and fun campaign of political intrigue and underhanded treachery... "From the drawing rooms of Marseilles to the back alleys of Prague" type of thing... Mission: Impossible set in a medieval setting.)<br /><br />But if you're not playing that way, what role do Assassins play? Sadly, as you've said, when they're part of a standard dungeon delving party they either play as watered-down thieves or they use their assassinate ability as if it were a Finger of Death spell.Butchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00470617214750867482noreply@blogger.com