This skill represents the character's knowledge of the assassination trade. It can be used to identify well-known assassins, spot assassination attempts in the making or even analyze an apparent accident or suicide to determine if it was actually an assassination. Other skills could compliment this, such as poison lore if poison was used.
This skill can also be used to determine whether an assassination attempt succeeds or fails if the GM does not want to play out all of the details of a specific attempt.
Spot Assassination Attempt
The skill bonus to spot an assassination attempt in the making is equal to ((PER - 15) x 3) + (Rank x 5)
Knowledge of Assassins
The skill bonus to know of particular assassins, legendary or current, of assassin's guilds, is equal to ((KNOW - 15) x 3) + (Rank x 5)
Assassination Attempt
An Assassin has a chance of instantly killing an unsuspecting victim with assassination. The chance of successfully assassinating a target depends on the amount of planning that goes into the assassination attempt, as well as the target’s rank, perception and security arrangements. It is much easier to assassinate a target who is unaware that they are the target of an assassin then it is to assassinate someone who knows, strongly suspects or is simply paranoid that they might be the target of an assassination attempt.
The Assassination Modifier (AM) is as follows:
AM = ((Assassin rank x PREP) + ((INT – 15) x 3) + ATTEMPT) – ((Target rank x 5) + ((Target PER – 15) x 3) + SEC)
PREP is short for preparation and represents the assassin’s level of detail and planning.
ATTEMPT refers to whether the assassination is to be a direct attempt on the target’s life by the assassin, an indirect attempt, or a remote attempt.
SEC represents both the amount of security around the target, and the general awareness of the target that he is, or might be, the target of an assassin. Bonuses are cumulative. Thus, if a target lives a life of danger, and is also aware that they are the target of an assassin, they get a SEC bonus equal to PER x 2.
Once the modifier is known, the GM rolls percentile dice, adds the AM modifier, and compares the result to the assassination table. Note that, if poison is the primary method of assassination, the target is entitled to a saving throw regardless of the degree of success, though the save is made at –20 if the degree of success is Absolute Success.
| Planning | PREP |
| Poorly planned – Almost no time was spent in planning. The assassin simply seeks out the target and tries to assassinate him with little to no planning or advance preparation. | 2 |
| Moderately well planned – The assassin spends some time in planning. He knows where he will make the assassination attempt but is not extremely familiar with the location. He knows some of the habits and routines of the target. | 4 |
| Well planned – The assassin spent many days planning the assassination. He did research on the location of the assassination attempt and studied his target at length. He knows the target’s habits and routines. | 6 |
| Very well planned – Goes beyond “Well Planned” in that the assassin is able to gain unrestricted access to the location of the attempt or maybe has developed the trust and confidence of the target. | 8 |
| Extremely well planned – The assassin has planned everything to the last detail. He has been able to gain unrestricted access to the location of the assassination attempt and has also developed the trust and confidence of the target. | 10 |
| Type of Assassination Attempt | ATTEMPT |
| Direct Attempt – The assassin is at the scene of the of assassination attempt and tries to kill the target with a melee weapon or ranged weapon used at point blank range. | +15 |
| Indirect Attempt – The assassin as at the scene of the assassination attempt and tries to kill the target with poison, a triggered trap or a ranged weapon. | +0 |
| Remote Attempt – The assassin sets a trap that the target will hopefully walk into. | -15 |
| Awareness or Security | SEC |
| Target lives a life of danger. This includes all adventurers and others who get into potentially fatal combat on a regular basis. | PER |
| Target is aware that they are targeted for assassination. | PER |
| Bonus for each bodyguard whose sole job is to protect the target. This bonus can increase if the target has extremely skilled bodyguards. | 5 |
| Target takes elaborate measures to avoid assassination such as riding in closed carriages and never standing in front of open windows. Bonus can range anywhere from 30 to 100 depending on how elaborate the measures. | varies |
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