Here is a profession I made. I did this because I am not onboard with assassins as a subclass, it is a profession imo. Anyone can really chose to take a contract on someone, and whether you take them out with your axe, bow or blade...from the darkness or as a message right out in the opened...it does not matter.
You are an experienced fighter with a sketchy past of killing. You may have started as a thug, or a mercenary, or maybe you are just on the psychotic side, but you have gravitated towards the darker sort of contracts. More rightfully so, you are endoceratid into one of various orders of Assassins. You may have also spent a lot of time among other criminals, such as thieves, and have contacts within the underworld. You’re are now enwrapped within the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by ending the lives around you who have threatened you. Now your dark calling temps you to provide your specific skill set to a higher calling.
There are many kinds of assassins, and within guilds or similar organizations, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of contracts over others. An Assassin can be a Fighter, Rouge, or even a spell caster, but some classes like a Druid or a Paladin would forbid such actions. You must choose what type of assassin you are based upon your class chosen. Some use blades, some use magic, and of course many use poisons, nevertheless your specialty is yours to mold. You can also chose to role from the chart below to influence what class you chose.
d8
Assassin Specialty
1
Assassin (Hashishin)
2
Poisoner
3
Enforcer
4
Mercenary
5
Ninja
6
Spellsword
7
Infiltrator
8
Military Spy
Feature: Assassin Guild
You have a reliable and trustworthy network that resides in many cities. They are secretive, and very hidden, maybe more so than a Thieves' guild. You know how to look for drop points, and secret messages from your organization(s), even over great distances; specifically, you know the guild's Hands and Voices who give out all the contracts.
Suggested Characteristics
Assassins 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. Maybe you just like murder, or maybe you see the bigger picture and understand the world is better off without certain "influences" or "power" structures out there. You may like changing the fate of houses, guilds, businesses, castles, cites or the even grander picture. You may show disrespect to authority like a thief, but you may understand its role better, knowing that your contracts might just help that order...the peace of things.
d8
Personality Trait
1
I always have an escape plan for when when things go wrong.
2
I am always calm, no matter what the situation. My voice never gives away my true intentions.
3
The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of guards, escape points and prying eyes; I will learn all patrol routes and crowd patterns.
4
I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy, for an ally can get me closer to my "target".
5
By training and nature, I am incredibly slow to trust. I have the most to hide...so might you...
6
Never tell me the odds. My profession requires me to beat all the odds, besides...odds are you will only ever see me once.
7
The best way to get me to do something is to give me a contract.
8
Failure, I hate failure!
d6
Ideal
1
Honor. I don’t take contracts against those who do not deserve it. (Lawful)
2
Freedom. I am a freelancer, I hold no bonds to a house, a voice or a guild. I take contacts on a whim. (Chaotic)
3
Best way to make change is to route out evil and corruption. I am the knife that stikes from within. (Good)
4
I will do whatever it takes to complete any contract; any age or anybody. Nobody will get in my way. What I do, I do for my greed alone. (Evil)
5
People. I’m loyal to my friends, guild or house, not to any ideals. Give me a reason to not complete this contract? (Neutral)
6
Redemption. My knife is at your throat, convince me why it will not cut today... (Good)
d6
Bond
1
I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a house or guild.
2
My ill-gotten gains go to support my family, kin or house.
3
A shadow tried to take my life. I am now the shadow...I will find them.
4
I will become the greatest assassin that ever lived...but will anyone ever know?
5
I’m guilty of accepting the wrong contracts. I unbalanced the order, I hope I can redeem myself and restore balance.
6
Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again.
d6
Flaw
1
When I see they are vulnerable, I strike...I cannot help the blood lust.
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
When things look bad, under a dead body is a good place to hide.
6
An innocent person was assassinated by my guild. I’m okay with that.
Variant Assassin: Spy
Although your capabilities are are honed more towards that of a assassin, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. This also aids your assassin contracts, as espionage provides you with access to what you would not otherwise have. You might be an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sell the secrets you uncover before you "finalize" a contact to the highest bidders as a side hustle.
Very cool! I have a Grung Arcane Trickster Rogue in one of my games that wanted the flavor of assassin, but while being arcane, so I think this would work out for him nicely. I think its an all-around pretty great profession! I agree that a Fighter, Wizard, even something like a Ranger could be assassins while still having their class features, not having to multi in Rogue, so this is a nice addition :)
Very cool! I have a Grung Arcane Trickster Rogue in one of my games that wanted the flavor of assassin, but while being arcane, so I think this would work out for him nicely. I think its an all-around pretty great profession! I agree that a Fighter, Wizard, even something like a Ranger could be assassins while still having their class features, not having to multi in Rogue, so this is a nice addition :)
Hey again,
Here is a profession I made. I did this because I am not onboard with assassins as a subclass, it is a profession imo. Anyone can really chose to take a contract on someone, and whether you take them out with your axe, bow or blade...from the darkness or as a message right out in the opened...it does not matter.
Feedback welcome.
You are an experienced fighter with a sketchy past of killing. You may have started as a thug, or a mercenary, or maybe you are just on the psychotic side, but you have gravitated towards the darker sort of contracts. More rightfully so, you are endoceratid into one of various orders of Assassins. You may have also spent a lot of time among other criminals, such as thieves, and have contacts within the underworld. You’re are now enwrapped within the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by ending the lives around you who have threatened you. Now your dark calling temps you to provide your specific skill set to a higher calling.
There are many kinds of assassins, and within guilds or similar organizations, individual members have particular specialties. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of contracts over others. An Assassin can be a Fighter, Rouge, or even a spell caster, but some classes like a Druid or a Paladin would forbid such actions. You must choose what type of assassin you are based upon your class chosen. Some use blades, some use magic, and of course many use poisons, nevertheless your specialty is yours to mold. You can also chose to role from the chart below to influence what class you chose.
You have a reliable and trustworthy network that resides in many cities. They are secretive, and very hidden, maybe more so than a Thieves' guild. You know how to look for drop points, and secret messages from your organization(s), even over great distances; specifically, you know the guild's Hands and Voices who give out all the contracts.
Suggested Characteristics
Assassins 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. Maybe you just like murder, or maybe you see the bigger picture and understand the world is better off without certain "influences" or "power" structures out there. You may like changing the fate of houses, guilds, businesses, castles, cites or the even grander picture. You may show disrespect to authority like a thief, but you may understand its role better, knowing that your contracts might just help that order...the peace of things.
Although your capabilities are are honed more towards that of a assassin, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. This also aids your assassin contracts, as espionage provides you with access to what you would not otherwise have. You might be an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sell the secrets you uncover before you "finalize" a contact to the highest bidders as a side hustle.
Very cool! I have a Grung Arcane Trickster Rogue in one of my games that wanted the flavor of assassin, but while being arcane, so I think this would work out for him nicely. I think its an all-around pretty great profession! I agree that a Fighter, Wizard, even something like a Ranger could be assassins while still having their class features, not having to multi in Rogue, so this is a nice addition :)
Cool thanks. One of my main builds in all the Elderscrolls games is an assassin spellsword. I had a trickster in mind for this too.
This is now published, just an FYI.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/backgrounds/186210-assassin
Cool! He is thinking about playing another Rogue in our next campaign, so I will show that to him.