You are, or were, a professional assassin or hit-man. Your job, possibly even your purpose in life, was to kill people without getting caught. By luck or talent, you must have been fairly successful- a famous assassin is a dead assassin after all. Were you born into the profession, or were you otherwise forced into it, or did you intentionally take up the dagger? Were you a solo act, or did you work for an agency/guild, organized crime group, or private individual? Did you work for money, personal beliefs, to avoid some threat from your employer or your own freedom? Were you brainwashed or tortured to do this type of work? Did you receive professional training as an assassin, or did you learn it by yourself? Did you hang up the hat, or are you still available for hire? Did you enjoy your work? How do you feel about your marks? What do you think of other assassins? Were there any really important people you were tasked to kill or were there any missions that were especially difficult or memorable?
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools
- Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp
There are many kinds of criminals, and within a thieves’ guild or similar criminal organization, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the table below.
| d6 | Criminal Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tracker |
| 2 | Executioner |
| 3 | Poisoner |
| 4 | Manipulator |
| 5 | Shadow |
| 6 | Infiltrator |
Like an artisan, you belong to a guild but instead of merchants you consort with killers. You live a comfortable lifestyle without charge, and your guild will grant you protection from any crimes you are charged with, up to a finable value equal to 10 × your level in gp. To remain part of the guild you must pay them 10 gp every month. In addition, your guild provides for the cost of the maintenance of your weapons and your living costs (food and shelter) while away from the guild. If you are ever convicted of a charge for assassination, roll 2d8.
On a 2 the guild puts a hit on you.
3-5 someone bails you out, your fine is paid. You have it on your record as arrested, jailed , and punishment served and fines paid.
6-7 " A call from the Boss" A ranking member of the guild has a very personal talk with the guard captain. You are freed immediately. No charges.
On 8 Yay??? The guards fumble and stammer apologies and immediately free you.
Gain 5 d 4 gold
Gain 1 d 4 silver / copper jewelry
(They frantically are giving you their purses and jewelry)
You have no idea who freed you or why. They are terrified and will not speak of it.
Ever.
Suggested Characteristics
Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals rarely show any respect for law or authority.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
Should you choose the path of a solo assassin, you may choose this alternative feature instead. Instead of belonging to a guild, you have acquired acquaintances that will provide a suitable alibi should you fall under suspicion after you have completed a job. You must pay 100 gp to the person who covers for you to use this feature, or they will turn a blind eye. You may use this feature again after 1d4 weeks of not committing murder. If you want to use this feature again before then, the cost doubles for each consecutive use and you must add an additional 1d2 weeks to your original wait period after each use. At your DM's discretion, excessive use of this feature before the waiting period is over will accrue suspicion of yourself and your acquaintance, and you may be investigated, kept under surveillance, or abandoned by your acquaintance as they break ties with you. also, choose a cover (choose from the other backgrounds) as an assassin works best when not known as an assassin.
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