Assassin
Patient and precise, trained to deliver sudden death. Rare is the person who can master these skills.
In the far shadowed reaches of Altius, where darkness lurks in every corner and treachery is a way of life, a deadly class emerges from the depths of secrecy. They are known as assassins, masters of stealth, precision, and lethal arts.
These enigmatic figures navigate the murky waters of the underworld, their skills honed to perfection, and their purpose shrouded in mystery.
Assassins are often born from a life of hardship and survival, usually finding themselves on the fringes of society. They are not bound by honor or allegiance, but rather guided by their own set of rules and principles. Their path is solitary, their existence veiled in secrecy, and their actions whispered in hushed tones.
Assassins are the unseen hand that strikes from the shadows, the silent executioners who leave no trace behind.
The art of assassination is a delicate dance between patience and precision. Assassins possess an innate understanding of the human body, knowing exactly where to strike to incapacitate or end a life swiftly and efficiently. Their movements are fluid, their reflexes honed to perfection, allowing them to strike with deadly accuracy. Whether it be a swift knife to the throat or a well-placed arrow to the heart, their victims seldom have time to comprehend their impending doom.
Assassin Class Stats
Note that these stats are not specifically used in Eternity TTRPG. Instead, these representative stats are meant to provide an overall idea of how the class plays. Definitions are provided below which do directly align with the Eternity TTRPG system.
Attack: the overall ability of the class to deal damage and set the tempo in a battle.
Defense: the innate ability of the class to reduce damage and negative effects taken, both from physical and magical attacks.
Intuition: represents skills such as perception, stealth, or sixth-sense abilities to help them avoid otherwise unforeseeable harm.
Magic: the innate ability of the class to manipulate the very fabric of Altius and The Dream, turning those powers to their will.
Special: not all unique "powers" are magical in nature, and some classes have magic-like, "special" abilities.
Quickness: the overall speed, mobility, and initiative of the class.
Utility: the ability of the class to bolster allies, debilitate enemies, or provide useful effects in various out-of-combat situations.
Versatility:
the class' ability to adapt to any situation or environment, both in and out of combat.
Assassin Traits
| Trait | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Skill | +5 Stealth |
| Knowledge | +5 Politics |
| Life-Ender | +1 Strike Bonus |
| Infiltrator | +1 Speed |
| Expert | +1Initiative |
Assassin Abilities
The following assassin ability descriptions provide summaries of their actual in-game effects.
Assassinate
If you hit, you have a chance to instantly kill the target, based on their remaining HP. "Assassinate" gains an increased hit chance from the following conditions:
- If the target is completely unaware of your presence.
- For every stack you have of “Lethality” from using “Rupture” and various Critical Options.
- If a target currently has a debuff of any kind.
Assassin’s Blades
You can equip two Weapons. Whenever you attack with your main- hand Weapon, you also attack with your off-hand Weapon.
For every stack you have of “Lethality” from using “Rupture," “Cold Blood,” and various Critical Options, you can choose to gain
additional hit chance with your main-hand Weapon.
Assassin’s Poisons
You can apply poisons of any kind to Weapons of your choice without risk of harming yourself.
Cold Blood
After you use this Ability on yourself, every turn you have the chance to gain one “Lethality." You can choose to continually maintain this Ability.
Feint
This Ability can only be used on a turn after you take damage. Instant Action. Act as if you are under the effects of “Unassuming” again, for 1turn.
First Strike
This Ability can only be used both 1) the first time you attack an enemy, and 2) the first time you are attacked by an enemy. Instant Action, you have a chance to deal damage to your target.
Premeditate
You gain one stack of “Lethality," and you gain bonus Initiative for 1turn.
Rupture
An attack with increased hit chance. If this Ability hits, you gain you two (2) stacks of “Lethality." If you hit with this Ability, it also allows you the chance to apply poisons that you have added to your Weapon.
Sprint
Move double your Speed value this turn and you gain bonus Speed for Battle Duration.
Unassuming
You are untargetable for either the first 3turns in Battle or so long as there are other allies of yours who can first be killed – whichever lasts longer. This condition is removed if you attack, cause healing, or “get in the way” of an ally becoming harmed.
Assassin Playstyle
When it comes to combat, the assassin class functions as an all-or-nothing damage dealer. It's a fun experience to use "Unassuming" to initially avoid combat, letting your allies run into the fray.
While your enemies are distracted, you can constantly use "Premeditate" to bolster your impending attack(s), while passively letting "Cold Blood" provide the same effect for you.
Once you've accumulated enough "Lethality," it's time to "Sprint" in and "Assassinate," making use of your dual-wield effect from "Assassin's Blades." Alternatively, you can use "Rupture" for a near-guaranteed hit, with the chance to apply "Assassin's Poisons" to your target for debilitation effects.
Finally, if you're attacked or under too much pressure, you can use "Feint" to more or less reset the battle, gaining distance from your enemies to again amass "Lethality" and otherwise let your poisons do their work of weakening your foes.
Assassin Lore
Assassins are not mere killers; they are masters of deception and disguise. They possess the uncanny ability to blend seamlessly into any environment, becoming one with the shadows. Their attire is often dark and nondescript, allowing them to vanish into the night. They are the chameleon, adapting to their surroundings, and striking when least expected.
Their skills in stealth and subterfuge are unparalleled, making them the perfect infiltrators and gatherers of information.
In addition to their lethal prowess, assassins are also skilled in the art of poisons and toxins. They possess an extensive knowledge of herbs, venoms, and concoctions that can paralyze, incapacitate, or even kill. Their ability to manipulate these substances is both a deadly weapon and a means of survival. With a single touch or a sip of tainted wine, they can render their enemies helpless, ensuring their swift and silent demise.
While assassins are often associated with darkness and death, they are not always without their own code of ethics. Some do not kill indiscriminately, but rather choose their targets with care. Others’ actions are driven by a higher purpose, whether it be justice, vengeance, or the greater good. For the righteous avengers, they are the judge, jury, and executioner, delivering justice to those who have evaded the light side of society.
Regardless of reasons, background, or personality, the path of an assassin is not for the faint of heart. It requires unwavering dedication, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the darkness within.
Assassins are prepared to make sacrifices, to sever ties with their former lives, and to live in the shadows. For those who are willing to walk this treacherous path, the rewards are great. They become the embodiment of fear, a force to be reckoned with, and a legend whispered in the darkest corners of the world.
In both Altius society, and the dark roads that connect the disparate Baronies, where danger lurks at every turn, assassins are the epitome of lethal grace. They are the unseen predators, masters of death, and the harbingers of justice.
Their presence is a constant reminder that in these darkest of times, there is always someone watching from the shadows, ready to strike when least expected.
