The Spider's Web: A game of assassins and mistrust.

Game Master Tark the Ork

Egorian is not a city of angels. Not even fallen ones. It seems no matter how tight the iron gauntlet of authority squeezes the slippery snakes of society squeeze through and bite the face of the bastard that's holding them while the rabbits and sheep get crushed. It's the way of things. And as you enter your inn room after another bad day doing your part to ensure that the underworld continues operating right underneath the bastard Hellknight's noses you find a curious thing on your person. It's a note written in clear common. You start to sweat a bit as you read it trying to think about who planted it and how easily the letter could have been a very sharp point inserted into a very vital organ. Intrigued, frightened, and perhaps angry you stay awake that night checking the shadows and thinking about who it could be. And as you lay there awake the letter palys itself over and over in your head...

To: The holder of this letter.
From: A potential patron.

No doubt the location and circumstances upon which you recieved this missive has captured your attention. You should know that it is within our power to end your life at will. However it is not in our interest or desire to do so. Instead we are searching for men and women with a particular set of skills. Skills of which that you possess. Know that we pay well for these skills, and more, for discretion in the execution of their use. Names are unimportant at this juncture in our relationship. Know only that we are not associated with any law enforcement, noble house, or other such lawful organization. We are not a cult, band of brigands, or any other such dirty organization that sullies itself with a lack of professionalism, uncalled for greed, or pointless bloodthirst. If these are ideals you can agree with than we can do business. We ask that you meet in the second floor manager's office of the textile mill on the corner of Grimstone place and Erebus road at noon. We will not presume that you come unarmed. However we cannot guarantee the safety of any friends, relatives, or bodyguards you decide to bring with you. We are an organization that protects its secrets as you will soon see.

The Spider's Web is a pathfinder game starting at level 1 about a secretive network of assassins. You play as one of the cells who accept jobs from the network, perform them, and gain reputation based upon the quality of their work. The game starts in Egorian but will go beyond that shortly. The network prides itself on professionalism. You should too.

Character Submission Guidelines.

Answer the following questions in whatever way you deem fit (In or out of character)

1. What can you bring to our organization?

2. Why should we trust you?

3. What future do you see with us?

4. How religious are you?

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

Character creation guidelines.
1st level
All pathfinder material allowed.
20 point buy.
2 traits.
Average wealth.
Neutral to evil characters only.
No Red Mantises, we have no interest in religious fanatics.
No psychopaths, we're professionals here.

Some hints: Stealthy characters are useful.

The direct path is almost always the worst. Make sure the character you build is capable of other means of reaching the target.

Jobs start with a set amount of reputation (explained later when game starts) completing a job will gain you this rep. However actions taken while working can lower or raise this reputation. It's possible to completely botch a job and utterly ruin your rep. You need to keep your reputation.

Recruitment will start now and end at about this time next week or unil I feel I have a suitable group.

Note me for interest, will have to think about what character.

Dotting. This looks interesting

Dotted for interest...looking to play an urban ranger...will get fluff and crunch up asap.
thanks

Interesting. Let me do a quick rework of an old character I got too little use out of, and then I'll go about answering the questions.

Interested :-)

Shadowborn presents Kavelin the Red, Chelish Illusionist

1. What can you bring to our organization?

"Everyone knows that arcane knowledge is the true power in Cheliax. I am a consummate student of the arcane arts. Of all the schools of magic, illusion is best suited for discrete use, and that is my forte."

2. Why should we trust you?

"I take pride in my skills and am pleased to be able to put them to practice. As for trust, I'm certain you'll be able to pay well enough to ensure my continued loyalties."

3. What future do you see with us?

"I'm sure that the experience and wealth I can acquire in service to your organization will propel my art to great heights. Perhaps one day I'll be training an entire class of arcane assassins to answer your beck and call..."

4. How religious are you?

"When facing death, no one is an atheist. Until then, I'm pragmatic enough to adjust my piety to the situation. The Seventh Veil of course holds my faith in light of my occupation."

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

"I would move quietly into a position where all three would be in range of a color spray. The maid will be out of commission. The dog should be incapacitated long enough for me to dispatch the target, who will be unconscious or debilitated to the point where he'll be easily dealt with. Once I have, I can leave. Neither the dog nor the maid will be a threat or potential witness."

Dot for now - Inquisitor or Fighter coming soonish ;)

A question. If, for example, I wanted to play a character who was skilled in disguises and poisons, could I use the Ninja class without having to use the pseudo-asian background and flavor for it? I've seen Monks run as bareknuckle brawlers instead of meditative martial artists, and I think doing something similar would be fairly easy.

I've got to go to bed soon, but I'm interested in a chaotic neutral martial artist. He would be more of a heavy who works for whoever has the cash.

Very, very interested. As either a Ninja or Shadow Sorcerer.

1. What can you bring to our organization?

My presence, my diverting talk and crowd attraction skills. Every organizations needs a face, even if a disguised one. Like the shiny sparkling dust of a magic trick, I'm what people look at when you do your job.

2. Why should we trust you?

I want to be famous, I want to live comfortably, I want people to look at me and listen to me. If you can provide that position to me, I'll use it for you.

3. What future do you see with us?

Laying down on soft pillows, while people stand in front of me petitioning for my favors. Having nobles to weight their own words with me, knowing there is more than meets the eyes with me.

4. How religious are you?

I worship commodities, good living, wine, women. Gold is a mean, power is a result.

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

I shout out loud, down in the street, I call for attention, I do my piece, when everybody is looking down from their windows, when the hound ears are full of distracting unfamiliar noises, someone else, skilled in the dirty work, will be free to act unseen and undetected.

I have a couple of ideas for this character, either a human or a half-elf that hides his elf ancestry (Cheliax is no place for inferior races). Classes will be between rouge and bard, still have to see the archetypes options. Expect high carisma, diplomacy-bluff focused character. Violence is the last resort of the incompetent.

Here is the crunch portion of my submission...I will get to the fluff later today.

hmm, perhaps my Dark Tapestry Oracle based on Trixie from HBO's Deadwood would have fun here?

I'll think on the questions for a few and get back to you.

And yes, Tark, I am aware of the profanity of Oracles. *laughs*

Dotting.
Standard races only?

I offer my excellent negotiating skills (diplomacy and intimidate), clerical powers and my status as a member of the Asmodean Church, which should come in handy in Egorian and other parts of the world where Cheliax holds sway and beyond. I also believe in research.

You can trust me because it is a matter of religious dogma that the sanctity of contracts must be maintained.

If you allow me in your organization, then we shall go very far. And I assure you: Asmodean clerics do not stay at the bottom for too long.

Answer to Q4, see Answer to Q2.

Answer to Q5, I wait for the maid to go out before invoking a spell to take on the likeness of the maid. I then offer the target some wine which I have laced with slow acting poison. After I confirm the target has drank the brew, I immediately leave the scene.

Other solutions are possible depending on whatever data prior research may turn up.

N.B. I haven't gotten into the actual writing of the stats; the profile shows the old stats of this character for another pbp

Collation of Submissions (apologies if anything is misrepresented or incorrect):
Tirion Jörðhár - ?
A CR20 Seagull - ?
Daniel Stewart - Urban Ranger
Shadowborn / Kavelin the Red - Chelish Wizard (Illusionist)
Radavel / Muad-dib - Human Cleric of Asmodeus
Mark Sweetman - Half-Orc Inquisitor of Zon-Kuthon (with Fighter levels)
Groth - Non-Asian Ninja?
Future Monk Name - Martial Artist?
Monkeygod - Ninja / Shadow Sorcerer?
Marak the alluring - Rogue or Bard?
Hu5tru - Oracle?
Pixel Cube - ?
InVinoVeritas - Oracle (Waves / Deaf) / Ninja

I will be putting forward a Half-Orc Inquisitor of Zon-Kuthon, who will be taking Fighter levels assuming he survives past his first job. Build will be favoring being a melee grunt... depending on how he shapes up - it may just be straight Fighter...

Full crunch and the answer to questions posed will be up later after I've had a chance to adequately massage them.

I'll be putting forth a Deaf Waves Oracle/Ninja specializing in silence and fog.

1. What can you bring to our organization?

A smirk tugs at the corner of Lilith's lips, but the smug expression never once touches her clouded eyes. "Are you blind? Class, of course."

2. Why should we trust you?

"Arithmetic. I am but a single woman, you are an organization. It may seem... elementary, but I expect that you fine gentlemen boast more numbers and the ability to employ a greater number professionals to dispose of a rogue element rather quickly. And I do enjoy living."

3. What future do you see with us?

Lilith laughs and taps the corner of a sightless eye. "That would be my charm. I am not far sighted. Which lends itself to a great deal of flexibility, and discourages ambition."

4. How religious are you?

Lilith crosses a leg, and studies her fingernails for several moments. "I am sorry, what? I believe you said something concerning religion in Egorian. Are we not all placid in our Great Mother Thrune's embrace?"

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

"The more pertinent question should be: what have I done. If the maid is a regular in the master's household, I would question her about his habits, and if she is particularly vulnerable to enchantments, instruct her to eliminate any threat the pooch poses. When that has been accomplished, I would harvest the man's secrets and drain his life."

1. What can you bring to our organization?

In my experience, an organisation like this needs someone around who can, on occasion, take a few hits, rough up some informants and be the tough guy around. Overspecialisation is a weakness after all. I'd take the punches, protect the.. well, less useful in combat, and let them get on with the job.

2. Why should we trust you?

Like I said, I'm good a taking a few hits, so a few rounds with the guards doesn't scare me too much. I'll hold out long enough for any information I had to be useless, anyway. And you'll be paying me enough so I don't blab to anyone around.

3. What future do you see with us?

A long term job that I can be satisfied in.

4. How religious are you?

As religious as anyone in this city. I say my prayers before going into a scrap, but they don't take up all my time or anything.

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

Having already 'politely' bribed the maid to head off early for the night, I wait for her to leave, then fire off my crossbow at my target. If the dog comes after me, I'd just punch it in the face till it goes to sleep.

This is Groth again. I had some spare time and the character came together quickly, so I went ahead and wrote her up. If that doesn't sit right I'll adjust things or do someone else. So let me present Talithia Foundling, half-elven ninja.

What can you bring to our organization?

The half-eleven woman gives her questioner a cold stare. "You sought me out to recruit me, so you know very well what talents are. But very well." She curtsies with exaggerated politeness. "My name is Talithia Foundling. My preferred tools of murder are disguise and poison, though I'm decently skilled with a knife in a tight spot. I suppose in a cooperative venture I'd be valuable for my ability to infiltrate a location, report on the defenses, and open doors from the inside. Does that please you?"

Why should we trust you?

One eyebrow raises in surprise. "Trust? An odd question in our profession. I believe you can trust me for two reasons. The first is that if you deliver on your promise of reliable work and good pay I would have no reason to turn against you. The second is that you've already proven I have no defense against your best assassins if I give you cause." She shrugs. "Your letter spoke poorly of fanatical devotion to any cause or faith, so can you honestly expect more than that?"

What future do you see with us?

"Well, that depends very much on who you are and what advancement you offer." She smooths her skirt to check on her hidden knives one more time. "I'd like to be wealthy, I suppose. Enough so that I can wear nice dresses and eat good food every day. If I find your organization pleasant enough to associate with you for more than business, I should like to rise to a rank that recognizes my talents. My future stretches a good many decades more than humans, so I try not to plan more than a single one ahead."

How religious are you?

A slightly bitter note creeps into Talithia's voice. "Foundling is not a family name, you know. It's given to the babes left with the temple. I was raised by the priestesses of Calistria and taught in her ways of service. I was good at it, too. However I was also good at killing people, and felt nothing wrong with using my talent to help others in search of revenge. The priestesses disagreed, and so now I am here." With a tiny shake of her head the mask of detachment settles in place again. "I still hold some fondness for Calistria, but I show my faith in my own way. If you're worried about conflicting loyalties I can promise that I have no connection to the temple anymore."

Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

She closes her eyes to picture the scene and taps her chin in thought. "If this were my plan, than the maid is myself in a disguise. I'd have dosed the old man's tobacco with oil of taggit when I brought the pouch to him. I need only wait for it to put him to sleep. Then I'll feed the hound some dinner scraps similarly dosed. With both helpless I can easily slit his throat." She nods firmly and looks up. "Depending on the request I can leave him like that, or use some lamp oil to make it seem as if he fell asleep smoking and accidentally immolated himself. Then I'd slip out the side window, switch my disguise to a courier boy, and make my escape."

I though about Marak and I think he will be a bard that maybe will took few levels as rouge.
I really want to focus him on charisma hoping to keep him away from any real battle. Since this is my first pbp and first bard I have a couple of questions about how some rules will be handled.

1) can I dump stats? I noticed this is usually avoided and sometimes forbidden. I picture him a bit chubby so thinking of taking penalties on STR and DEX.

2) versatile performance: I read it in the manuals and looked it up in the forums (the most extensive discussion with an official answer is here). What I get is that bonuses granted by traits (i.e. charming), feats (i.e. deceitful) and class abilities (i.e. Famous, from Celebrity archetype), that give bonus to the swapped skill roll, still apply. Am I correct?
More, those skill points, spent in swappable skills, are they moved elsewhere or lost?

To answer some questions:

1. You can reflavor a class to your liking to a degree. I'll let you know if you get too far off track and should consider a different class.

2. You can be a non-standard race. Consider however that you are in EGORIAN the capital of an evil devil worshiping human empire. Think about that.

3. Dump stats are fine. Just don't whine when you get plopped right out of commission by a single ray of enfeeblement, shadow, or cha draining ghost.

4. Re: Versatile performance. I would say that any modifiers that would apply to the skill check in question will apply to the perform check unless the same type of modifier is added to the perform check in which case you use the higher modifier.

5. Switching skills invested: No.

To get to the results of the scenario I presented:

Kavelin: Congratulations. You angered the fire elemental in the fireplace.

Marak: An idea. But we are assassins. Not loud buffoons. Disctractions are what we hire. Not the other way around.

Muad-dib(seriously? Do you want an Harkonnen antagonist?): A good idea. But do you fool the dog? The man? Have you studied his habits to know that he won't find the imbibing of wine strange? Will your poison even be potent enough to take effect before a healer is summoned?

Athamas: A wise decision. We live in a world where the mans armchair might very well be his bodyguard. It is impossible to be too cautious. Impossible to ask too many questions. The only real danger is hesitancy.

Lilith: Reconnaissance is always wise. But beware the use of magic. A dagger to the heart is simple and reliable. A charmed person is fickle and prone to sudden bouts of willpower.

Giuletta: Simple and easy...for a thug. We do not deal in the simple. The dog may prove an easy match for your fist. But how would you fare against the fire elemental in the fireplace?

Talithia: But what of the maid? We are not mindless killers. We kill only when we absolutely must, or by contract.

Some excellent entries so far but want to see more.

Talithia: But what of the maid? We are not mindless killers. We kill only when we absolutely must, or by contract.

Talithia clicks her tongue in irritation. "I can name you three different scenarios that don't require her death." She counts off on her fingers. "In the ideal scenario she doesn't exist. With enough time I can forge a false identity, find employment with the household, and simply discard her name after the job. Second would be to have her intercepted before she reached the household that day. Confederates would be useful, but if required I could restrain her myself at her home the night before. Third would be to ambush her at the mansion itself. A blow to the back of the head and a nap in the broom closet in intelligent but can suffice in a tight spot. Satisfied?" Her glare dares the questioner to argue.

Giuletta: Simple and easy...for a thug. We do not deal in the simple. The dog may prove an easy match for your fist. But how would you fare against the fire elemental in the fireplace?

Giuletta raises an eyebrow at that, before continuing. 'A complication? Well, one must always be ready for unforeseen circumstances. Assuming that the target is sensible with his fireplace, it's more then likely he'll have something nearby to put the fire out incase it gets too large. Such as some water. I'd use that.'

'Of course, it'd have to be put out. I imagine that a massive house fire would be considerably too 'loud' for your organisation.'

Athamas nods once. "A hunter knows his prey and can wait. A hurried kill is a sloppy one."

Would it be alright to play a Fetchling? Seems like a good race to play for this type of game, and they aren't too bizarre looking

What can I bring to your organization? "I manipulate people as well as the very shadows. My skills at going unnoticed are better than many a seasoned thief. Plus I have several aliases I can adopt to help in a variety of situations."

Why should you trust me? "Because your paying me, or providing me other incentives for my work and I never bite the hand that feeds me. Besides, if I betrayed you, I am sure you would snuff my life out quicker than I could blink, and I've gotten rather used to being alive and enjoy it, and would like to keep on living, for a little while at least"

What future do I see with you? "I am hoping this organization can help me elevate my mastery of the shadows as high as possible, while also providing me opportunities to put such mastery to good use. After all, being a shadow mage isn't exactly something most people see in a favorable light. If said opportunities happen to also increase my personal wealth, all the better"

How religious am I? "Not very. I pay passing service to Zon-Kuthon as he is the ultimate master of shadows and darkness, but it's not even close to worship. Honestly, I can't stand most religious folk. I am all for venerating the dual gods of money and power however."

Regarding the mission "I would have persuaded the maid to assist me, either through my natural charm, a bribe, or magic. She would take the warhound out for a walk in order to relive itself, or perhaps have drugged the dog to be asleep. With the dog out of the way, I would further asses the situation, and use whichever means seems most appropriate to deal with the target. Of course, the question must be asked, is this an assassination? a theft? something else? The answer to that could very well alter my tactics."

Hm, most interesting. I might stat out a tiefling master summoner as soon as possible, but in the context of the Fiendish Heritage feat I was wondering, should I do the d% rolls here?

After mulling and trying to force fit things I came up with a more elegant solution to my character. I've settled upon a Half-Orc Ranger with the Warden archetype (and Urban as the primary Favored Terrain).

I'll have the answers to the questions plus basic crunch tonight, as well as an update to the collated list of apps.

A momentary look of surprise crosses Kavelin's face, but then it spreads into an easy grin.

"Easy to miss something when it hides in plain sight...a good lesson to learn. In any event, if I can dispatch my target before the elemental is on me, then the best option is to flee. If it pursues, it sets the house ablaze. Unfortunately messy, but then people die in fires all the time. The target's death becomes an accident. Alas, the maid and the dog go too, but not everything goes according to plan; it simply goes as needed."

Dotting for interest thinking Cleric of Cthulhu from Faiths of Corruption book
And I thought it always be fun to be a Cleric of Cthulhu

@ Tark - am I to understand that we will be individual assassins then?

I thought this was a party thing. I'd obviously leave it to someone with sight and aptitude to do the stabby thing. :P

Seems interesting. I have an idea I want to try. Will ahve relavent info up later.

Still not sure about the Fiendish Heritage power, but I'll go ahead and post this.

"Well then, let us get the formalities out of the way. Shall we?"

1. What can you bring to our organization?

"Why, I could do myself a disservice by simply saying 'power'. Ah, but it is from where that power comes from that truly matters - I can bring you abominations from this world and beyond, from Hell and the Abyss, each of them bent to my will. Strength in numbers, of course."

2. Why should we trust you?

A coy smirk forms on strange man's blue face. "Why, I do not expect you trust me at all, regardless of what I say. But I am fond of riches, and even fonder of my life. Thus I can assure you, the thought of a knife in my back is all the consolation I need to offer you my loyalty."

3. What future do you see with us?

"Wealth. Power. The opportunity to look upon those sneering, Chelish bigots and smile, knowing that I am far above them in ways they could not imagine."

4. How religious are you?

Laughter ensues. "For this tainted blood, my greatest treasure, I have but perhaps one god to thank. The Prince of Darkness be praised! But alas, it is not for his sake that I shed blood, though he may have his fill."

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

"I would begin by swallowing the room in darkness, just one among my dark gifts. Amidst the confusion, I conjure a beast, perhaps a hound of my own. I'll have it find my target by scent, and tear him into shreds. When the deed is done, I would simply dismiss my summon and leave under the cover of lingering darkness."

Alrighty, I think I have a character that should be fun to play.

I am pleased to present Gethric Orted as my submission for this game.

A Half-Orc native of Egorian Gethric has grown up at the bottom of the dungheap. He is an accomplished street thug and enforcer for a couple of low level loan-sharks immediately prior to getting the invitation. He will be a Ranger - specifically the Warden archetype from UC - focusing on two-handed mayhem.

Collation of Submissions (apologies if anything is misrepresented or incorrect):
Tirion Jörðhár - Fetchling Sorc/Wizard?
A CR20 Seagull - ?
Daniel Stewart - Urban Ranger
Shadowborn / Kavelin the Red - Chelish Wizard (Illusionist)
Radavel / Muad-dib - Human Cleric of Asmodeus
Mark Sweetman - Half-Orc Ranger (Warden)
Groth / Talithia Foundling - Half-Elf Ninja
Future Monk Name - Martial Artist?
Monkeygod / Kheldor - Fetchling? Shadow Sorcerer
Marak the alluring - Half-Elf Bard (Celebrity)
Hu5tru - Human Oracle (Dark Tapestry)
Pixel Cube - ?
InVinoVeritas - Oracle (Waves / Deaf) / Ninja
Giulietta Rossi - Chelish Fighter
Mahorfeus / Cyphus Vrago - Tiefling Master Summoner
valliss - Cleric of Cthulu?
AdamWarnock / Trella Stillsman - Aasimar Rogue (Sniper)

To answer some questions:

Hu5tru: No this will be a party game.

I have no issues with fetchlings.

If you want to do the fiendish heritage thing go ahead and make the percentile rolls here.

InVinoVeritas here.

The answers to these questions were delivered written out, by a boy courier.

1. What can you bring to our organization?
I can bring a way of viewing and accessing the world that most do not. This is not merely through any mystic connection nor some arcane power. That is available in many places. I perceive and deceive the world because I am deaf. I cannot hear words of compulsion your foes might use against me. I am not swayed by sob stories, nor distracted by cries from afar. Fear not that I will miss the call to alarm, for while I cannot hear, I can read a face, smell the air, and feel the passing breeze as well as anyone--in some cases, even better. And many never suspect the deaf.

2. Why should we trust you?
I have no agenda. I only have talent. If you give me purpose, then my purpose is yours to give.

3. What future do you see with us?
Service until the end comes.

4. How religious are you?
There are those who have witnessed my powers over water and death, who have claimed that I am clearly a scion of Pharasma. Whether I am or not is immaterial. I know the purpose for which I am able. What I am can never be changed by what I believe. I focus on what is.

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?
I hide my scent with oils so the hound does not smell me. This gives me time to detect whatever spells and magical effects may be in the room. Once aware of my surroundings, I nudge the hound to attack his master. This will not last, the target will not die. But the ensuing chaos will be enough to give me the opportunity to lace his pipe with concentrated othur. He will smoke it. If I remain to witness it, it will be only to confirm the deed.

3d100 ⇒ (37, 76, 18) = 131
18-You gain DR 2/bludgeoning.
37-You can use death knell once per day as a spell-like ability.
76-You can hold your breath for 3 rounds longer than normal.

Eh. I think the free damage resistance wins here. :|

1. What can you bring to our organization?
A point of view that you don't have. Humans are a predictable lot, and birds are inscrutable for them. If you think like a bird of prey, they will think like rats and mice, and will fall prey to you just as easily. And I can think like a bird.

2. Why should we trust you?
Nobody is to be trusted, ever. Trusting me or anyone else would be an error, so this question has no real answer.

3. What future do you see with us?
A future where both you and I have survived, thanks to our mutual cooperation and complementing abilities.

4. How religious are you?
I respect the Old Gods of my native island, but I don't serve them. They choose me for exploring the world on behalf of my people, and this I will do, but the way I do it is for me to decide.

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?
I fill up the room with smoke with the help of my alchemical bombs. This will obscure the sight of my target and the sense of smell of the hound. Then, I will close up with my targe and swiftly put a pinch of venomous herb inside his pipe while he's busy coughing. The maid will open the window to make the smoke go away, and the open window is the way I'll leave, climbing down while still sorrounded in smoke.

And when my target will inevitably surrender to his smoking habit, he will be smoking pure poison. By the rime he dies I will be long gone.

This character was made for a pbp that never started. Character is 3rd level now, will downgrade him to 1st level if I get recruited.

Ok - after much thought and reading, here is my thoughts, no crunch yet:

Tiefling (may change) Witch - with a level of Crossblooded (Umbral/Serpent) Sorcerer.

Alternate Tiefling Abilities:

3d100 ⇒ (46, 78, 6) = 130

46 --> +1 Int
6 --> Levitate self +10 lbs at will
78 --> Spiky skin - 1d4 damage if grappled

Still working on this character, just posting my tiefling if I go with it.

An idea. But we are assassins. Not loud buffoons. Disctractions are what we hire. Not the other way around.
Marak raises both his eyebrows and smiles in the most innocent way.
-As you said, distractions are what you hire. Why am I here if not to be hired?- Then keeps talking in a more confident way -You know, there is only so much distraction an amateur can bring. Diverting a professional bodyguard? a suspicious watcher? a careful tender? that's a scrupulous job.
You talked about an organization, a structure. Just like a body: to perform at his best it needs different parts to attend different duties. So your organization could not shine if built solely of hands.-
a subtle slyness in his voice
-A good "worker" needs some steel, but needs also a mask. Soft boots, but also a solid law-abiding reputation. Let me be the smile people see, when fate swiftly come.-

I submit for you a Palaveesh, a female Teifling rogue soon to be mage going arcane trickster. Basically I haven't done much with prestige classes and thought I would give 1 a try along with the chance to play a monster race. That and I play a fighter and a Paladin. Time for a change of pace.

1. Currently all the tricks of the night you would want to exploit most situations, but I soon hope to learn the secret of twisting reality so I can shape it to suit my needs and if employed by you, your needs as well.

2. In operations like this, trust is everything. A lack of trust gets one of us killed and I know who that would be. If I don't follow your instructions, I will be the next name on top of the list.

3. Once in, your in for life...literally. There is no backing out unless you say so.

4. As religios as you want me to be.

5. A simple question to a not so simple scenario. Does the hit need to be done this instant or is there time to watch, study, and learn. Knowledge is power and I plan to be well empowered. The habits and tendencies of the man need to be taken into account. The answer also depends on what type of death you want. Do you want it to be known that this is a hit and make it bloody, or are you going for a silent death that can be attributed to accident or normal causes. Either way, darkness is an ally to those that travel the night. By cover of darkness you either slit his throat ignoring the dog, shoot him from afar, or knock him and the dog unconscious with a sap. Position both dog and target in a postiion of fighting and it appears that the dog ripped the man's throat out but not before succumbing to the strangulation from the man. Anything else will require more recon and quick thinking as the situation arises. No plan remains intact fully upon implementation. There must be room to ad lib and adjust. Strict adherence to the plan will just get someone killed.

I went with a cleric of Shub-Niggurath (Mostly because Cthulhu wasn't in Hero labs)

Forath - 1 Cleric OF Shub-Niggurath
(Evil\Chaos Domains)
(Murder Variant Channeling)

This seems like the perfect place to play a sandman! Will have my submission up at latest tomorrow night to contend with the others (if there is still a chance)..

This sounds awesome! Stats to come soon

Ducela Exsusa (Female Rogue Poisoner)

1. What can you bring to our organization?

I can be whoever you need and wherever you need me. Adaptability is key. Weapons, intrigue, and diplomacy are all tools to achieve a goal. There is an endless line of padfoots, sliver tongues, and thugs who could easily use one to achieve their goal. They may even be pretty clever. But, the individual who knows that tools are only as good as the craftsman wielding them and focuses their attention on personal perfection, and by extension perfection of their craft are the ones who rise above the rest of cattle. They are ones who are special. I don't plan on living among the herd. To organization I bring myself, a Shepard who can talk the wool off a sheep, who can sheer the animal without it even knowing, and who can bring the beast to slaughter when ordered.

2. Why should we trust you?

You shouldn't. Trust is a sign of weakness. Do not think I will idly kneel before the headman's chopping block. The organization has strength of numbers, it has power, it has wealth. These are all things I desire and the Organization is the best way to achieve these goals. I will loyally serve the masters of the guild for they are a tool to my success just as I am a tool to serve their needs. Loyalty is assured, I will die before I betray those who've I sworn my blade to regardless of the threat to my being.

3. What future do you see with us?

I see as sea of second smiles. A crimson gash cut across the throat Golarion as the enemies of the Organization perish in droves. I see chaos and bloodshed as, under the orders of the Organization of course, I sow fear and dissent amongst the ranks of our targets to the point where they suspect that their oldest friend or brother of being an enemy. I see the spread of the fear as kings, nobles, dukes, and crime lords all watch the shadows a little closer, as they walk just a little quicker, a world where the powerful jump at the slightest noise. And all the while for myself and the Organization I see the endless flow of coin.

4. How religious are you?

Faith is for the weak. The only faith I have is in my own abilities and if those fail me I deserve whatever befalls me. That said, I pay homage to those beings from beyond time and space who, like me, relish in the shadow trade.

5. Your target is sitting in his study smoking a pipe. Next to him is his prized warhound. Across from him his maid is quietly dusting the mantle of the well lit fireplace where a blaze is going brightly on top of the stone floor of the hearth. Thus far you are unseen. What do you do?

He is already dead. The pipe has been poisoned, as has the dog. Though to make sure, I am the maid and have been in place for weeks. A pretty face can open oh so many doors. If he is canny and has some sort of antitoxin then I will give him a second smile; there is no cure for that as far as I know.