So I'm going to be starting a new game soon playing a psi-warrior fighter who was essentially a mindflayer sleeper agent that never got the chance to be used. He was created, altered, and brainwashed by them. but before they got the chance to test run him, an order of paladin's destroyed the colony and rescued my character.
Its currently about 4 days before the start of campaign and my DM is asking me for a short (1-5 word) "activation phrase". I'm trying to think of something cool, but subtle that would be programed into my character. something simple, yet not so generic to the point where it accidently goes off.
So, the trick to a good sleeper agent phrase is that it has to be something that won't sound out of place in normal conversation, but also something that is extremely unlikely to be said on accident in most conversations. Unless, of course, you want to have a phrase that could be said in the game on accident for one reason or another, in which point a common phrase would be kind of funny.
This phrase isn't a reference to anything, it's just something that sounds ominous to me and fulfills the conditions for a good sleeper agent phrase I talked about earlier:
A funny one in a book I read was 'I like your hair'. This was based off a previous gag that the character spends a lot of time on his hair but all he succeeds in doing is making it look bad.
Basing my spy craft knowledge entirely on movies, it’s usually a short conversation, like a call and response, not just a phrase. So someone doesn’t accidentally say it.
So if we take yurei’s:
Activator: Looks like a hard rain tonight.
Sleeper: And I forgot my coat
A: Was it a green coat
S: No, it’s purple with stripes.
Then they’re off with explaining the mission, or handing over the dossier, or what have you. And if you really want to get deep into it, the jacket colors can be signals. Like if either of them says yellow, that means they are in danger, or orange means they are actively being watched right that second, etc.
Basing my spy craft knowledge entirely on movies, it’s usually a short conversation, like a call and response, not just a phrase. So someone doesn’t accidentally say it.
So if we take yurei’s:
Activator: Looks like a hard rain tonight.
Sleeper: And I forgot my coat
A: Was it a green coat
S: No, it’s purple with stripes.
Then they’re off with explaining the mission, or handing over the dossier, or what have you. And if you really want to get deep into it, the jacket colors can be signals. Like if either of them says yellow, that means they are in danger, or orange means they are actively being watched right that second, etc.
That makes sense if both parties are fully aware of their situation, but what LeBattery describes for their character is someone who has been brainwashed and has no control over the situation they're in. On top of that, their DM specifically requested a 1-5 word phrase, so even if that makes more sense in the long run, I think the DM wants something more simplified.
Basing my spy craft knowledge entirely on movies, it’s usually a short conversation, like a call and response, not just a phrase. So someone doesn’t accidentally say it.
So if we take yurei’s:
Activator: Looks like a hard rain tonight.
Sleeper: And I forgot my coat
A: Was it a green coat
S: No, it’s purple with stripes.
Then they’re off with explaining the mission, or handing over the dossier, or what have you. And if you really want to get deep into it, the jacket colors can be signals. Like if either of them says yellow, that means they are in danger, or orange means they are actively being watched right that second, etc.
That makes sense if both parties are fully aware of their situation, but what LeBattery describes for their character is someone who has been brainwashed and has no control over the situation they're in. On top of that, their DM specifically requested a 1-5 word phrase, so even if that makes more sense in the long run, I think the DM wants something more simplified.
Oh my. I did not read the OP closely enough. Thank you for the correction.
If it’s a mind flayer phrase, it could be something like:
Thanks all for the responses! Though I think I may have wasted your time lol.
My DM for this game actually messaged me after this post saying "ya know what, I'll make one up so that you (the player) don't know it either" and he'll just make me do a WIS save or something (or just auto activate) that way if it was something subtle worked into a conversation, I (the player) would have to work out which part of the conversation it was.
Thanks anyway though! lots of cool ones in here lol
I was going to offer ... "The Arch deacon expects to obey." This should go little to unnoticed by anyone listening. It is the phrases that follow that matter.
A phrase I use for assassins in thieves can't is, " I need to deliver the philter to [name] to help him sleep. "
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
So I'm going to be starting a new game soon playing a psi-warrior fighter who was essentially a mindflayer sleeper agent that never got the chance to be used. He was created, altered, and brainwashed by them. but before they got the chance to test run him, an order of paladin's destroyed the colony and rescued my character.
Its currently about 4 days before the start of campaign and my DM is asking me for a short (1-5 word) "activation phrase". I'm trying to think of something cool, but subtle that would be programed into my character. something simple, yet not so generic to the point where it accidently goes off.
“Would you kindly…?” - I like this because it reminds me of Bioshock, but I don’t know how you guys feel about referential nerd humor.
”Why don’t you play a game of solitaire?” Same thing, but from Manchurian Candidate.
”It’s time to make the donuts.”
“Now, you’re in the Sunken Place.”
“These violent delights have violent ends.”
..or, if you want something original…
Something-something “next year’s tulip harvest.”
The Strawberry Moon is rising in June.
I’d wager my life on (insert funny name) to win the derby./Only a fool would wager that/Only a fool indeed.
P.S. Actually, I really like that last original one. Your DM ends up with a good line.
So, the trick to a good sleeper agent phrase is that it has to be something that won't sound out of place in normal conversation, but also something that is extremely unlikely to be said on accident in most conversations. Unless, of course, you want to have a phrase that could be said in the game on accident for one reason or another, in which point a common phrase would be kind of funny.
This phrase isn't a reference to anything, it's just something that sounds ominous to me and fulfills the conditions for a good sleeper agent phrase I talked about earlier:
"Be Mindful of the Deep Ravine".
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Hmm. Lessee...
"Looks like hard rain tonight"
"The Guildmeister sends their regards"
"Mind your manners, good fellow"
"
Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November"Please do not contact or message me.
Unlikely to come up trigger:
My, that Goliath family at the next table sure is quite.
I wish that bard would stop reciting scripture.
Wow! Look at all those mastermind rogues!
More serious:
The harshest winter follows the simplest fall.
The witching hour comes early tonight.
Be mindful of your path, it's darker than it looks.
A funny one in a book I read was 'I like your hair'. This was based off a previous gag that the character spends a lot of time on his hair but all he succeeds in doing is making it look bad.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Basing my spy craft knowledge entirely on movies, it’s usually a short conversation, like a call and response, not just a phrase. So someone doesn’t accidentally say it.
So if we take yurei’s:
Activator: Looks like a hard rain tonight.
Sleeper: And I forgot my coat
A: Was it a green coat
S: No, it’s purple with stripes.
Then they’re off with explaining the mission, or handing over the dossier, or what have you. And if you really want to get deep into it, the jacket colors can be signals. Like if either of them says yellow, that means they are in danger, or orange means they are actively being watched right that second, etc.
That makes sense if both parties are fully aware of their situation, but what LeBattery describes for their character is someone who has been brainwashed and has no control over the situation they're in. On top of that, their DM specifically requested a 1-5 word phrase, so even if that makes more sense in the long run, I think the DM wants something more simplified.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Oh my. I did not read the OP closely enough. Thank you for the correction.
If it’s a mind flayer phrase, it could be something like:
Githyanki suck!
Mmmm. Brains.
Ceremorphisis
Vlaakith’s end
Hello, you cute little tadpole.
Or you could go kind of meta: Baulder’s Gate III
Thanks all for the responses! Though I think I may have wasted your time lol.
My DM for this game actually messaged me after this post saying "ya know what, I'll make one up so that you (the player) don't know it either" and he'll just make me do a WIS save or something (or just auto activate) that way if it was something subtle worked into a conversation, I (the player) would have to work out which part of the conversation it was.
Thanks anyway though! lots of cool ones in here lol
I was going to offer ... "The Arch deacon expects to obey." This should go little to unnoticed by anyone listening. It is the phrases that follow that matter.
A phrase I use for assassins in thieves can't is, " I need to deliver the philter to [name] to help him sleep. "