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Over the past month, my characters have been at the /mercy/ of "Assassins" from several different "Guilds". The only reason /all/ of my characters have lived or escaped is because of the quality of Assassin RP I have experienced. Firstly however, I must say that my first RP experiences were on sites like World of Warcraft or on tabletop, and as a result, Assassin RP is very dear to me if for nothing more than nostalgia purposes. So much so that one of the first characters I made for MassiveCraft (and one of the few I actually kept) was an Half-Elf Assassin. Yet, as advanced as MassiveCraft is, and as much as joining this server left me confused, over the past month I noticed a fairly low quality of Assassin RP. Or at least /Good/ Assassin RP. So I am expanding this as a guide from Lutherus for those that are interested in Assassins and either have been at the hands of one or are interested in playing one.
Story Time
Common Knowledge to /ALL/ Assassins
Adding in some personality to your "Cold-Hearted" Assassin
Some Examples
Yup, You're also a wimp
But I am a Highly Trained Assassin! In the name of Sithis! Fus Ro Dah!
Doing your Shady Job
Cause Every Girl's Crazy 'bout a Sharp Dressed Man
For The Brotherhood!!
Quick Recap, Think of it like… your Assassin's Creed Codex of DOs and DONTs
The DO's of an Assassin: This makes you good
- Conceal the tools of your trade: Be it hidden in clothing or used for another purpose
- Take up a citizen job: Be casual, be discreet. You are an assassin because you are not an assassin. Remember that.
- Wear citizen's clothing: Goes with being discreet. If someone in pure black clothing waving weapons over their head comes running at me, I am getting the heck out of dodge. Your target should not see you coming.
- Take up a hobby to reflect your personality: You need something to do during down time. No you won't be killing people 24/7. I recommend taking up herbalism and alchemy.. or knitting. Knitting is nice too.
- Actually kill people: If you aren't killing people I guess you will be doing a lot of knitting?
- Keep your lips sealed of what you do: Besides your hobby and citizen profession, very few people should know very much about you. In other words let no one know of your assassin second life.
The DON'T of an Assassin: This makes you Dead
- Don't run around in your assassination gear in the city with big weapons.
- Don't talk about death every chance you get in the city.
- Don't play with knives in the city. Seriously.
- Don't say you're an assassin or were trained to be an assassin in the city or public.
- Don't give your full name to people you don't trust. Give a false name, or only your first.
- Don't say you're an assassin or were trained to be an assassin in the city or public.
- Don't brag about your kill-count or how you would like to kill someone in public.
- Don't talk about your missions. Ever. Assassination makes you a tool, you are not supposed to think of the job after it's done.
- DON'T SAY YOU'RE AN ASSASSIN OR WERE TRAINED TO BE AN ASSASSIN IN THE CITY OR PUBLIC.
Guide to Assassin RP
So First things First. If you RP as an Assassin, then you are not an AssassinYou most likely do not want to RP an assassin. Just like Vampire RP, you're really not going to run about Regalia bragging to people about it. As assassins, we are the master of deception, and that means being able to get up while you're wife/hubby it still asleep, go out and murder your deader, and come back home in your PJ's while they're still snoozing.
To some assassination is not a lifestyle. It is a job. To others, it is something they are obsessed with as they walk around Regalia, twirling their knives, gloating about their kills every chance they get. The second form of assassin loves to walk around bragging about how they are cold hearted killers who can't get it up without ganking some poor citizen with a /Big Knife/.
Story Time
The first assassination attempt on one of my characters was in the Golden Willow from an assassin of, unfortunately, the later quality. I was sitting at the bar, and my wanna-be assassin sat a few seats away from me twirling a "Special Gutting Knife" between his fingers as he stared at me, muttering under his breath. Needless to say, my character was creeped out by his behavior and easily lost him in the crowd of the tavern and the alleys of Regalia.
The point here is this is not the proper way an assassin would view his job. If a legitimate assassin spotted this display, he would think the wanna-be assassin to be a bit of an idiot. Now this isn't to say your assassin cannot be violent. Depending on your personality you can be any level of assassin you want. You can even be the muttery, stabby-stab-stab guy as long as you do it right. But now let's get to what it means to be an assassin despite your character's more /interesting/ quirks.
Common Knowledge to /ALL/ Assassins
Herbs and their effects: Whether medicinal or toxic, more often than not, Assassins are working as solo operatives. This means that you only have yourself and your enviroment to rely on. While in the field, you will often have to rely on medicinal herbs and your own doctorate skills to 'fix yourself up' in times of duress. Or you will need to rely on the darker side of nature to eliminate targets who just refuse to make your job any easier by getting into that dark corner.
- Poisons: More often than not, these are an assassins best friend. Silent, discreet, and very difficult to trace back to you. Who are they more likely to suspect? The friendly townsperson who is kind to everyone and wouldn't hurt a fly? Or Shayin, an elf with a mastery over poisonous herbs? Sorry Shay, but I would look at you.
- Deception or Mental Manipulation: It isn't any good if you are everyone's prime suspect. As stated above, people should look to anyone but you.
- Lock Picking: Sometimes on the job, it is necessary for you to get through that door to reach your target. Odds are smashing it may bring attention to you, be sure to bring plenty of picks. If untrained, you may be there for a while.
- A Weapon Mastery: Unfortunately, while it is preferable, poison cannot be your only weapon. You should have at least adept skill in some form of combat or another.
- Precise Knowledge of the Anatomy of Every Race: Every race has their pros and cons. I would say that a lithe elven assassin running straight at an iron-clad Orcish warrior wouldn't fare so well. Know your limitations, know their weaknesses, and capitalize on them.
- Subtly and Agility: Assassin… Stealth… I shouldn't have to spell this one out for ya. But just in case I do, please explain that you are an assassin to the nearest Regalian Guard and you aren't sure why you should be stealthy. I am sure they can bring you on the quickest path to the guillotine.
These are the roots of what makes Assassins such formidable opponents
Adding in some personality to your "Cold-Hearted" Assassin
You CAN be the crazed-stabby type as long as your character is containing it. Meaning that your character will appear very dodgy to others. Barely containing his desire to kill, he would be a bundle of nerves and nervous ticks. These types of assassins are very suspicious and I would only recommend trying to play this type to people who are already very skilled at assassin RP, or people who just want to have their character die for some reason…
However! The second type of assassin is a bit easier to RP as (in my opinion). You are the calm killer, blending in seamlessly with the crowd. Possibly a bartender at the Golden Willow, the local smithy, or even a guardsman. The point is that your character can be whatever profession you desire, /on the side/. Because in order for them to be a successful assassin, no one should know they are an assassin.
Some Examples
Ex 1: The local butcher has made his name known. People all throughout Regalia are ordering his cuts. This enables him to get the job done by poisoning the food he serves, then sending it off to the unsuspecting target who has been buying from the jolly dwarf's shop for months now. Despite the dwarf's bulky size, he goes through the days unsuspected because he knows how to deceive the eye of the populace.
Ex 2: A new bar-maid has been hired at the Golden Willow. She seems harmless and sweet, smiling kindly at all the customers and only bopping the drunk ones who get a little too /fresh/ with her a little. But no one realizes how deadly this little girl is. Perhaps her target is someone who drinks at the bar all too often. This would give her the opportunity to slip a deadly toxin into his drink. Or even tampers with the chandelier, causing it to crash upon the head of her target and possibly whoever is too close to them (Hey we're assassins, not rocket scientists. Casualties come with the job description).
Ex 2: A new bar-maid has been hired at the Golden Willow. She seems harmless and sweet, smiling kindly at all the customers and only bopping the drunk ones who get a little too /fresh/ with her a little. But no one realizes how deadly this little girl is. Perhaps her target is someone who drinks at the bar all too often. This would give her the opportunity to slip a deadly toxin into his drink. Or even tampers with the chandelier, causing it to crash upon the head of her target and possibly whoever is too close to them (Hey we're assassins, not rocket scientists. Casualties come with the job description).
These are just two little examples of the VAST amount of personalities for your assassin. Get creative, but remember to be subtle.
Yup, You're also a wimp
Now here comes the fun part: Limits. You have them. Perhaps your assassin figure can easily sneak into a building, but should the /rare/ occasion occur that you're caught or something goes wrong, you can ONLY flee. No, you're not going to fight anyone. No, you're not going to punch someone in the face. You're a pathetic worm and it's about time someone shoves a boot up your bum for sneaking around their homes and stealing their toothpaste, boy!
But seriously. As an assassin, /MOST/ of us, depending on background, are not the most well-trained direct combat types. Should you get in a scrap, you're going to rely on dirt in the face and being elusive. In English that means GTFO'ing there. Our basic combat skills usually are not on par with the hulking retard-strength, spiked-refrigerator (AKA: Warrior) that's looking at you funny.
But seriously. As an assassin, /MOST/ of us, depending on background, are not the most well-trained direct combat types. Should you get in a scrap, you're going to rely on dirt in the face and being elusive. In English that means GTFO'ing there. Our basic combat skills usually are not on par with the hulking retard-strength, spiked-refrigerator (AKA: Warrior) that's looking at you funny.
The most IMPORTANT thing though about our limits is our counter identity. Should we be discovered, our job is over. So never, ever choose to stay and fight. Should a real fight occur for your assassin (Make sure it's a scripted one so you both don't look dumb), you should consider your alter identity. Flee if possible. If the person in question fights you in a bar, call for help. Don't think of valor, think of your life. Remember: To the world you are just a flimsy citizen, no one expects you to defend yourself.
But I am a Highly Trained Assassin! In the name of Sithis! Fus Ro Dah!
Calm down there Dragonborn. Assassins are stealthy. If you are a /good/ assassin then you should never be seen. And if they do see you, it should already be too late for them. In the words of Master Yoda. "Hide you must, or a sword up your bum you will get", got it?
Now I am not saying you can't have fighting skills or magic skill or really really… really good cooking skills. But as you add these skills into your character, you start leaving the realm of an assassin and start entering the business of a Wetboy.
*snicker snicker* "He said Wetboy"
Yes, and let us be just a tad more mature than a 5 year old for a few seconds so I can explain alright? Wetboys are not hidden. Everyone knows what they are even if no one knows who they are. The most well known Wetboy can waltz right into the Golden Willow and no one will touch him. Wetboys are 1-part Extremely deadly skill matched by their heightened senses, 1-part magical combat, and 1-part bat-s**t crazy. Many Wetboys are hired by nobility or even royalty, just because they are so good at their job.
But anyways, that is a post for another time.
Doing your Shady Job
Now you can't be an assassin without getting your hands dirty. IC, your character can work for any underground agency that hires you. This can be totally made up by you, being that little is known of the underground crime realm. Perhaps you could ask a friend of yours to hire you as their personal assassin! Or perhaps even work to form your own. As of right now, I can tell you there are at least 7 legitimate agencies that deal in these "darker dealings". But they are not listed because they do their job correctly. While you can choose to make your organization public knowledge, some of the most deadly ones are unknown by many people. The only way to find them is to stumble upon them through a truckload of luck in RP, assuming they don't kill you for finding them. *shrugs* Assassins. We're finicky like that.
Another option is for you to post papers on an IC board or something, like an advertisement for getting things done. Don't put your name on it, just say, "If you want one less body breathing on this world, give a specific name and place it in a bag full of X amount of Regals at a certain shady location." With your cunning skills as an assassin, should there be anyone sly enough to set you up for a trap you'll most likely spot them before they spot you. You can do this by posting the IC advertisement on the forums or something. This promotes RP, so it's heavily recommended!
Cause Every Girl's Crazy 'bout a Sharp Dressed Man
There's a very mislead idea that all assassins should prance about in their deader gear with an arsenal of weapons strapped to them. Any good assassin will clothe themselves in casual citizen clothing and conceal their weapon, or perhaps use it for another purpose (a hatchet for a butcher cleaver, or a thin knife used as a writing utensil). I will be the first to admit that if I see a man (or woman. No hate. No hate) running around on the roofs of Regalia in an Assassin's Creed skin, I sit at my laptop silently chanting hoping that he falls just so we can clean up the gene pool to make way for some more intelligent assassins. Remember, nothing gives you away more than running about with a dark hood on in broad daylight. At night time when you're on the job, but not when you're trying to lay low in the city.
For The Brotherhood!!
God dangit, Dragonborn didn't I already deal with you? Anyways, with guilds and organizations, I am biased. I prefer elite organizations that you have to find in RP over ones that just are like "Here… heeeerrreee. Take this knife. Heeeeerrreee. Go kill things". The first type just feels more legitimate to me. So for those of you that are aiming to create a "Guild", here are some quick tips.
First off, you should have a standard. If your guild takes in every random person on the street then you won't have anyone to kill will you? Also the view people in the know have on your group will decline if you display low-quality assassins as well. Second. You should have a code. More often than not, one of the few things that distinguish guilds from one another is the code their members abide by. Be sure to not be afraid to punish your members that do not abide by these rules. If you are their leader you have to make sure that your rules. Your code. Is their law. Third. Well I think that is enough for now, if I gave you ever secret in the book you would be competition. And we can't have that now can we? :3
Quick Recap, Think of it like… your Assassin's Creed Codex of DOs and DONTs
The DO's of an Assassin: This makes you good
- Conceal the tools of your trade: Be it hidden in clothing or used for another purpose
- Take up a citizen job: Be casual, be discreet. You are an assassin because you are not an assassin. Remember that.
- Wear citizen's clothing: Goes with being discreet. If someone in pure black clothing waving weapons over their head comes running at me, I am getting the heck out of dodge. Your target should not see you coming.
- Take up a hobby to reflect your personality: You need something to do during down time. No you won't be killing people 24/7. I recommend taking up herbalism and alchemy.. or knitting. Knitting is nice too.
- Actually kill people: If you aren't killing people I guess you will be doing a lot of knitting?
- Keep your lips sealed of what you do: Besides your hobby and citizen profession, very few people should know very much about you. In other words let no one know of your assassin second life.
The DON'T of an Assassin: This makes you Dead
- Don't run around in your assassination gear in the city with big weapons.
- Don't talk about death every chance you get in the city.
- Don't play with knives in the city. Seriously.
- Don't say you're an assassin or were trained to be an assassin in the city or public.
- Don't give your full name to people you don't trust. Give a false name, or only your first.
- Don't say you're an assassin or were trained to be an assassin in the city or public.
- Don't brag about your kill-count or how you would like to kill someone in public.
- Don't talk about your missions. Ever. Assassination makes you a tool, you are not supposed to think of the job after it's done.
- DON'T SAY YOU'RE AN ASSASSIN OR WERE TRAINED TO BE AN ASSASSIN IN THE CITY OR PUBLIC.
