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MY CREW STAY OUT PLZ
A full campaign starting from Level 1. The campaign would follow relatively new recruits of the Red Mantis cult and possible associated specialists, follow them through their initial testing, preparation, and then deployment into Razmiran for the ultimate goal of assassinating the false god Razmir and wiping out his organization. Running themes of espionage, working undercover, sabotage, possible underground resistances, dangerous alliances with third parties and wild cards, and so on.
But how to run it?
It would definitely start at Mediogalti, and the early levels would be spent on training missions and other tasks to test them, since you wouldn't want to send untested agents into Razmiran to handle a such a delicate operation. But you also wouldn't want to save the parts in Razmiran until the end, since the theme is pretty much "Get Razmir".
How would you go about running it, or how would you enjoy such a campaign being run if you were playing in it?
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Wouldn't the Red Mantis refuse to have any part of this? God or not, Razmir is the current head of state of Razmiran. I mean, maybe if there's an order from the gods to just eliminate the bastard, but then why wouldn't Achaekek just do it himself?
Edit: Or maybe that's the whole idea altogether. The gods have finally given up trying to deal with Razmir's followers and they want to kill him in one foul swoop. They just need "agents" to go into Razmiran and set up the conditions by which He Who Walks In Blood might be unleashed upon the face of Golarion.
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Wouldn't the Red Mantis refuse to have any part of this? God or not, Razmir is the current head of state of Razmiran. I mean, maybe if there's an order from the gods to just eliminate the bastard, but then why wouldn't Aachakek (sp?) just do it himself?
The big thing I'd have pushing hte issue if I were running it is:
As for the "no regicide" law, it's either going to come down to Razmir's status as leige and "god" coming down to an "either" thing, or this is going to be a secret operation by heretical(in the Red Mantis cult's eyes, not Achaekek's) elements in Mediogalti.
Edit: Or maybe that's the whole idea altogether. The gods have finally given up trying to deal with Razmir's followers and they want to kill him in one foul swoop. They just need "agents" to go into Razmiran and set up the conditions by which He Who Walks In Blood might be unleashed upon the face of Golarion.
Though this has potential too! I'd like to shoot for the PC's being able to land the killing blow, but Mantis kaiju on the loose has appeal!
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This is glorious. You have the coolest ideas!
Razmiran and Rahadoum seem like the two places where Red Mantis assassins would be most active as an organization, for their very different offenses against the gods.
(Although individual missions into Cheliax to 'help' repressed religions facing Asmodean persecution, or into Taldor, to 'help' underground Sarenraens facing regional persecution, in a bloody-handed and extreme manner which appalls the hapless Sarenraens, also sound plausible...)
Achaekek and his faith aren't exactly nice, either, and it's entirely possible to be sent on missions to protect evil followers of evil gods from 'persecution' by goodly folk. Being assigned to kill a crusading Pharasman or Sarenraen clerical leader who is leading a pogram to stamp out a local cult of Urgathoa in Ustalav, or being sent into Cheliax to murder some stubborn Arodenites who have refused to give up their now-blasphemous faith in their fallen god, and 'encourage' (intimidate) the survivors to properly turn their respect to the real and living gods, could make for a grim reminder of the merciless and 'no favorites' nature of Achaekek's mission.
There's also the question of how legitimate Achaekek and his faith considers the worship of demons, devils, daemons and empyreal lords. Missions to the Worldwound, to assassinate and demolish cults to a demon lord, or, more scandalously, to assassinate and demolish a cult to one of the empyreal lords/angels forming among the crusaders, could be an appropriate sub-mission. Iomedae may be accepting of some of the soldiers fighting against the demons of the Worldwound being followers of the empyreals Andoletta or Ragathiel, instead of herself or another 'real god,' but, to Achaekek, they might be seen as just uppity outsiders, usurping worship that is properly due to the 'true gods.' (With Sarenrae, Asmodeus and Lamashtu being the three exceptions, who have gone up the ladder from 'powerful outsider' to become legitimate divinities.)
There are implications that the goddess Sivanah, herself as legitimate a diety as Achaekek himself, is providing some support to the Razmiran deception, for who knows what purpose of her own. (Gods & Magic mentions that Sivanah's illusionist-priests can use shadow conjuration to emulate cure wounds spells, and there is a Razmiri magical item of curing that uses shadow magic as a prerequisite, for instance.) That sort of thing might end up with Red Mantis assassins in the awkward position of opposing actual clergy of a recognized goddess, which goes against their 'kill alla blasphemers' mandate. Murdering a cleric, in active pursuit of the poorly-understood goals of her secretive goddess, might be one of those things that leads a Red Mantis Assassin to needing to atone...
It might be more important, in fighting Razmir, to not kill him, but to undermine his faith. Character assassination might prove far more valuable than an actual blade. If some of his priests are unmasked as being unfaithful (by manipulating them into being 'caught' abusing their positions, spending tithed money on hookers and blow, etc.), that's more effective in the long-term than just stabbing the dudes, since Razmir can just grab any old slob, take them away for magical brainwashing, and replace the fallen priests. A dirtied reputation, the increasingly widely-spoken of notion that Razmiri 'priests' are powerless thugs who steal money for their own use, and have no actual respect for Razmir himself (charming one, or impersonating one, and 'drunkenly' denouncing Razmir, would be one way of discrediting them), could have much longer-lasting ramifications than just killing someone.
The difference between a thoroughly discredited leader, and one that's just been assassinated, is the difference between Nixon and Kennedy. Indeed, in being assassinated, Razmir might end up crossing that line he could never cross in life, and, like Urgathoa, become a diety post-humously.
The action probably shouldn't start in Razmiran, as that would allow Razmir himself to throw ridiculous resources into cover-ups and counter-campaigns and sending his own magically-assisted assassins to blow up those meddling kids and their dumb dog. (And make no mistake, blowing any village that the party of Mantis provocateurs have been scryed to have frequented into smoldering charcoal is very much the sort of thing that Razmir would do... He's demonstrated in the past his fondness for solving 'problems' with the arcane equivalent of carpet bombing the area with napalm.)
Starting it instead in Absalom, where the cult of Razmir has a presence in the streets, might make for an interesting 'trial run' for a new group of Mantis recruits. They would have to infiltrate Absalomi society, make contacts, etc. and find ways to undermine the Razmiri cult in the city, to test out tactics to use later, when they land near Razmiran itself.
After success in Absalom, Tymon, to the east of Razmiran, seems like the natural staging ground for a Red Mantis campaign against the Living God's 'church.' They may have to boat *through* Razmiran to reach Tymon, and deal with the possibility of being recognized by survivors of their shenanigans in Absalom (or simply discover that the Razmiri church has one of their faces on a wanted poster, because of those events, forcing them to make a frantic dash for the Tymoni border, with Living God cultists at their heels).
While in Tymon, they'll need to do what they did in Absalom, setting down feelers and working their way into the local community, to find resources, locate Razmiri partisans (and eliminate or discredit them), and get 'in' with local underworld contacts. Given the arena-centric nature of the community, one way to garner respect is for the best fighter among the party to work the crowds during exhibition matches, garnering local status that will give them more contacts and opportunities (as well as a platform to spread appropriate sentiments among fellow competitors and, subtly as possible, among their fans).
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Dude.
Wow, there is a lot to work with here. The Absolom mission alone is perfect for a Red Mantis group and all the sorts of plots in which they can get involved. (I know some players would absolutely love to indulge in some Assassin's Creed 2 sorts of shenanigans while in the area as well, and that city is ideal for it)
The discrediting had been considered as a nail in the coffin, but with the Nixon/Kennedy analogy...yeah, that's powerful stuff. And then there's all the fun that comes with Razmir's increasingly desperate retaliation and escalation, to keep the playing field ever changing and dangerous for the Red Mantis to dance through. I imagine with these players that a number of the Mantis will be folks of some modicum of conscience(or at least standards), so what they're willing to do and how they go about their mission with the common folk and people they've made contact with are increasingly caught in the crossfire...things could get really interesting.
If this thing gets off the ground after CotCT wraps up, the Sivannah complications are definitely in. :D All the notions of these decidedly not-nice assassins being the sort to seek atonement and lending protection to some benign faiths that would be horrified by their tactics are just too rich to pass up.
The Red Mantis just seem rich with this sort of stuff.
While it mostly falls outside the scope of the campaign idea, now I have to wonder about the possible parallels and rivalries between their faith and those of Norgorber and Dhalavei. ...actually the Norgorber angle could come up as opportunists looking to take advantage of the Red Mantis' operation...hmmm. And then again they could account for some dangerous supernatural assassins sent to counter the RM by a desperate Razmir.
I really think Absalom is going to make this campaign easier to sell to the players...thanks, big time!
Damn, now I have to try and run this.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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My group is hunting down and killing Red Mantis assassin groups. They are currently in Rahadoum. They are looking for a Red Mantis hideout in the capital, Azir. The assassins have been hunting down the hidden followers of the various gods.
As for your campaign, Razmir is a legitimate ruler and not an allowable target for the Red Mantis, as it would be a sign of disrespect. Having Achaekek deal with him is within his bounds, but not fun for the players. Instead they could take out his loyal supporters secretly and making it seem like accidents. They can take out vocal opponents of Razmir, making the assassination obvious to foment a rebellion. Then when he is ousted or flees, he is a valid target.
"Sons and daughters of Achaekek, we are called with one voice to set right what has been wronged and topple the pedestal upon which the False God has set himself! Let the saber descent, the venom flow, the Mantis take what is his due. The Contract is called, and we will answer. The False Gods days are numbered. Razmir; we come for you."
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Yeah, this sounds awesome.
Thanks to the tenets of Achaekek, Red Mantis followers are perfect to oppose a false god like Razmir, or a godless faith-persecuting society like Rahadoum or perhaps even secular Druma, and to end up defending hapless Sarenraens persecuted in Taldor (to their utter horror) or oppose demon lord cults in Mendev (to the shock of Iomedan paladins, who want none of their 'help') or defending various other enclaves of persecuted faithful in lands that aren't tolerant of their faith (or any faith, in the case of Rahadoum).
On the other side of the coin, the tattered remnants of Aroden's faithful might have cause to fear them, as well, as they turn their faith away from real gods to the memory of one whose time has passed.
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One thing's for certain now: Weird supernatural Norgorberean rival assassins and spies have to come into play somewhere. I'd bring in the cult of Dhalavei too(kind of like how the Bakiraka featured in Berserk) if it wouldn't make everything so crowded.
As for your campaign, Razmir is a legitimate ruler and not an allowable target for the Red Mantis, as it would be a sign of disrespect. Having Achaekek deal with him is within his bounds, but not fun for the players. Instead they could take out his loyal supporters secretly and making it seem like accidents. They can take out vocal opponents of Razmir, making the assassination obvious to foment a rebellion. Then when he is ousted or flees, he is a valid target.
As I remember it, the Red Mantis 'Code' does not allow them to accept a job on Royalty. As a self proclaimed head of state, Razmir does not qualify. At least that is how it looks to me.
Graywulfe
I'm double-checking the Red Mantis article when I get the chance, but I think Graywulfe has it right on "regicide only". Either way I'll have a workaround for it with the Pharaonic apotheosis-seed thing plot. ;)
You might want to try running Masks of the Living Gods as an intel mission - possibly move it somewhere else. It could even be a proving mission as far as the characters are concerned, and when they get back they find out what they're being prepared for...
Damn! I've been reading Masks for research for something else and this campaign idea and that idea never crossed my mind. This is actually perfect, though yes, it might be best to move it somewhere else.
"Sons and daughters of Achaekek, we are called with one voice to set right what has been wronged and topple the pedestal upon which the False God has set himself! Let the saber descent, the venom flow, the Mantis take what is his due. The Contract is called, and we will answer. The False Gods days are numbered. Razmir; we come for you."
Stealing this. :D
and to end up defending hapless Sarenraens persecuted in Taldor (to their utter horror) or oppose demon lord cults in Mendev (to the shock of Iomedan paladins, who want none of their 'help') or defending various other enclaves of persecuted faithful in lands that aren't tolerant of their faith (or any faith, in the case of Rahadoum).
This is something I really would love to mine, though I'm not sure if I'd prefer it from the RM's point of view or from those they're aiding. With the former it could be easy to get the players on board with the notion of their characters having frighteningly and dangerously certain views on their place in the world...
"We are, each and every one of us, fanatics.
We are, each and every one of us, murderers.
And one day you, each and every one of you, will be thankful for that."
In all seriousness, I'm highly unlikely to get to ruin this campaign, but if this encourages anyone else to do it, and post about how it turned out in detail, BONUS.
It's a little more specific then just Royalty. The Red Mantis will not take a contract on any rightfully seated monarch, due to the divine right of Kings. Anyone else, the Crown Prince/Princess, his wife, his kids, his uncle, his entire family. They'll kill them all if they decide to take the contract, but if you're on the throne and your rule is legitimate, they wont touch you.
Whether or not Razmir is "rightfully seated" or even a monarch, well, that's the million-dollar question.
The fact that he's impersonating a God makes me think the rules might not apply.
Possible twists:
- Assassination of Razmir is not punishment for blasphemy. It is the test of his divinty (either he is deity and can't be touched with the power of Mantis God or he isn't and assassination will succeed)... Maybe all the previous ascended deities were subject to such test as well - Aroden, Norgober, Cayden, etc. Or maybe they made their first testing of ascended deity just about hundreds years ago and learned that ascended deities are lacking in the immortality department and are preparing for further testing.
- Assassination of Razmir is neither punishment nor test. It is vital part of the divine ascendency, required step to true divinity. All the previous ascended deites passed that (even if some were too smashed up to remeber that before entering certain building there was assassination attempt on them).
- Achaekek itself is subject to Razmir's deception and can't sense the self-proclaimed Living God.
- Razmir cult and his false divinity is actually a bait for Achaekek. His blasphemous cult exists to attract Mantis God into a trap which will allow Razmir to use secret arcane knowledge (maybe acquired from the Whispering Way or Tar-Baphon) to kill deity. And maybe Razmiran happened to correct Tar-Baphon's magical error that prevented the Whispering Tyrant from draining divinity of killed deity.
Also about Razmir's royal status. Aren't he usurper without rightful claims on the Razmiran's throne?
One thing's for certain now: Weird supernatural Norgorberean rival assassins and spies have to come into play somewhere. I'd bring in the cult of Dhalavei too(kind of like how the Bakiraka featured in Berserk) if it wouldn't make everything so crowded.
Maybe Norgorber secretly wants to help Razmir into setting a trap for Achaekek to dispose of Mantis God and claim sole rulership over assassination? Or maybe God Of Secrets knows that ascended gods are not-so-immortal as they would like to be and Achaekek will come for all of them so he wants to make a preemptive strike against it.
Razmiran is or was once a rover kingom....
He stole it when he killed the duke er whatever.
He's not a king, he is its ruler
if you really want to take a stab at him, there are otehr ways than out up killing him.
drop plagues in his port cities that will slowly kill off the population within a few weeks
Question is, does legitimacy of kingship start with conquest, or with the first heir of the conqueror...
I would say give your PCs a chance to use Razmiran's enemies against him. If you help bring war to his lands or even other powerful organizations then he will be too busy dealing with them to notice your PCs creeping up behind him to stab him in the back. Kyonin has no love for Razmiran, while you wont get them into a war you could get them to offer support. Also their are the druids of Sevenarches which could be a huge help in taking care of that brainwashing fort, effectively cutting off anymore "true" believers until its retaken. Then their is Lord Kamdyn Arnefax from Lambreth who has kept Razmiran from his lands and even pushed back an invasion leaving few survivors, their well suited for full battles and have planar allies. We cant forget Tymon the main reason why Razmiran could not take more of the river kingdoms, their champion has a secret which if found out could get him to help or better yet solve his problem to gain him as a willing ally. Or just unseat the champion and make Tymon yours.
If your looking for allies that are a little trickier and off the beaten path you could look up Druma and Molthune. Druma is all about the mighty coin, fixing some sort of trade agreement upon the fall of Razmiran could draw them in with their limitless resources and loyal merc armies. Molthune is a military power with no one to invade with a high chance of success, give them that and you will need little else to get them to join then offer them some land or control when the false god has fallen to seal the deal.
Hope some of these ideas help, its an interesting idea for a game. ;)
P.S. Before the land was renamed it was part of the river kingdoms, due to the freedom of you have what you hold their are no true kings. So Razmiran did not even kill a true king to become ruler. He is fair game.
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The Red Mantis specifically don't assassinate Kings and Queens. If you're calling yourself an Emperor, or a President, or a Prime Minister, you're fair game. Semantics? Absolutely. You were expecting sanity from a crazed cult of murderous assassins?
Also, do please note that Razmir has been noted in Inner Sea Magic as being a 19th level wizard, so the killers may have their work cut out for them... (Not that you can't change it for your game, of course. The full write-up is 'LE male Taldan wizard 19', if you're curious.)
Mikaze, tell me you'll write us a campaign journal.
... pretty please?
Speaking of Inner Sea Magic they have info on the Crimson Citadel as a school. That could be helpful to keep track of ranks in the organization.
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Wow, when did this get bumped? Oh. :P
Thanks to everyone making the latest suggestions, though the why/how justification for the hit on Razmir is already set in stone for us, if we ever get around to this adventure. If anyone else wants to take this and run with it though...
That new info in Inner Sea Magic is definitely being taken into account though. :)
Mikaze, tell me you'll write us a campaign journal.
... pretty please?
Heh, we're honestly unlikely to get around to this any time soon if at all, since we've got Jade Regent and Carrion Crown both on tap as soon as Crimson Throne finishes and I'm gonna be GMing some other Golarion/homebrew off and on. But if this ever takes off for us, will do. :)
Still going to add to the basic campaign path from time to time though when I have time(a bit tied up with one fan project already).
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Hey Mikaze;
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Hey Mikaze;
** spoiler omitted **
:D
Man, I keep forgetting how downright cuddly 3.x-style bugbears are compared to the Golarion ones.
Hmm. This seems like an interesting concept/campaign.
You could, if it turns out that having a group of assassins is a bit too unwieldy, have be a group of mercs that the RM use as a kill team. They know enough that they know who they are probably work for, but not enough to point fingers at the RM if they get caught.
At least, that's one view.
It's certainly an idea that will have to be kept in mind if PCs die and need to be replaced in the field. There's something about the entire group starting off as true believers or at least loyal to the Red Mantis cult though, even if that brings some issues of its own. One thing I told the crew to relax about though(if we ever do get around to this) is that not everyone has to be an "assassin" assassin. They could all be Red Mantis Assassins regardless of their class. Some may build towards actual levels in RMA, while someone might go straight bard and carry out his part of the mission in that capacity. It's all going to come down to what the group prefers though.
Providing Red Mantis Assassin-themed options for all appropriate classes would probably be worth looking into...
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That goblin with the flowers and his (her?) hair neatly parted and the big soulful eyes just slays me.
PF Goblins are kind of fun, but quickly get one-note, IMO, with the built-in illiteracy and stuff. I also much prefer earlier portrayals of hobgoblins and bugbears, visually.
Although Claudio's hobgoblins deserve honorable mention. :)
They could all be Red Mantis Assassins regardless of their class. Some may build towards actual levels in RMA, while someone might go straight bard and carry out his part of the mission in that capacity. It's all going to come down to what the group prefers though.
Providing Red Mantis Assassin-themed options for all appropriate classes would probably be worth looking into...
My choice, way back in the Vampire the Masquerade days, was to play an Assamite who didn't kill people, but gathered information to make the assassins lives easier, serving as a contact person and profile-builder in whatever community he occupied, schmoozing the locals and scouting out where they hunted and resided, so that, when an assassin *did* come into town, he'd come to the safehouse set up by my character, and peruse a dossier on his target, detailing habits, known abilities and associates, likely hangouts (and hangups), etc. then arranging a safe exit strategy for the operative when the task was done, getting him smuggled out of town safely.
In Red Mantis / Pathfinder terms, a Bard would be best at this sort of role.
A Cleric of the Red Mantis would also work, but likely play up being an Adept or Oracle, rather than admit their true allegiance publically.
A Red Mantis *Druid* would be a freaky creature, concentrating on insect life, and jungle life (central to Ilzmagorti, perhaps involving dinosaurs), and brewing toxins from natural substances, channeling the forces of the natural world to further the Red God's agenda.
Red Mantis Barbarians could be failed cultists, lacking the grace or subtlety, drawn into separate rites involving drugs and toxins that unleash their rage and channel their frustrations, and used primarily as 'homeland defense' on Ilzmagorti, but occasionally going abroad to serve as 'muscle' (or even as cover 'disractions') for their subtler kin.
Pretty much any class but Paladin (or Cleric of another god) could find a role in the organization, I suspect.
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That goblin with the flowers and his (her?) hair neatly parted and the big soulful eyes just slays me.
PF Goblins are kind of fun, but quickly get one-note, IMO, with the built-in illiteracy and stuff. I also much prefer earlier portrayals of hobgoblins and bugbears, visually.
Although Claudio's hobgoblins deserve honorable mention. :)
Damn my link-blockin' work. But yeah, Golarion goblins are fun but they do seem to lack range. And that flower-goblin in the pic was what did me in. :D
My choice, way back in the Vampire the Masquerade days, was to play an Assamite who didn't kill people, but gathered information to make the assassins lives easier, serving as a contact person and profile-builder in whatever community he occupied, schmoozing the locals and scouting out where they hunted and resided, so that, when an assassin *did* come into town, he'd come to the safehouse set up by my character, and peruse a dossier on his target, detailing habits, known abilities and associates, likely hangouts (and hangups), etc. then arranging a safe exit strategy for the operative when the task was done, getting him smuggled out of town safely.
This is pretty close to the on-the-job game flow I'd like to shoot for. Sure full combat with the whole party will happen sometimes, but if it does while they're on a mission something must have gone wrong. Seems like this could be a real skillmonkey's paradise.
In Red Mantis / Pathfinder terms, a Bard would be best at this sort of role.
A Cleric of the Red Mantis would also work, but likely play up being an Adept or Oracle, rather than admit their true allegiance publically.
A Red Mantis *Druid* would be a freaky creature, concentrating on insect life, and jungle life (central to Ilzmagorti, perhaps involving dinosaurs), and brewing toxins from natural substances, channeling the forces of the natural world to further the Red God's agenda.
Red Mantis Barbarians could be failed cultists,...
I had completely written off barbarians as a serious consideration. You just put them back on the table. I love the ways this angle could be played.
Sample Red Mantis NPC contact.
Saving and using for the Absalom chapters! Thanks! :D
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If only there was a satisfying insectoid base form for an Eidolon, Red Mantis Summoners would be wicked.
But yeah, other than Paladins (and possibly Cavaliers and Samurai), most of the classes would make decent Red Assassins (and, as with most organizations, the larger number would probably be Experts, Aristocrats, Adepts, etc. scattered among the cities of the world, loyal to their secret faith, and watching for signs of behavior that would warrant the involvement of their more martial brethren).
An Aldori swordsman or Chelish gladiator might 'on the side' work as a Red Mantis, and occasionally 'mix business with pleasure' by calling out a target for a duel or a challenge, and then killing them in front of hundreds of onlookers, with no one present knowing that he's just carried out an assassination for the Red God...
You were expecting sanity from a crazed cult of murderous assassins?
Well, note that they're Lawful Evil assassins.
This is, after all, an order of assassins that says, "Kill the king?! Why, we would never. That goes against our rules! Say, would you like to purchase this excellent king-killing poison?"
Even if a guy like Razmir (who seemingly should be offensive to their god) declares himself to be a King, I fully expect the RMA to be able to weasel some kind of loophole wherein he really isn't, to them, and kill him.
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If only there was a satisfying insectoid base form for an Eidolon, Red Mantis Summoners would be wicked.
But yeah, other than Paladins (and possibly Cavaliers and Samurai), most of the classes would make decent Red Assassins (and, as with most organizations, the larger number would probably be Experts, Aristocrats, Adepts, etc. scattered among the cities of the world, loyal to their secret faith, and watching for signs of behavior that would warrant the involvement of their more martial brethren).
An Aldori swordsman or Chelish gladiator might 'on the side' work as a Red Mantis, and occasionally 'mix business with pleasure' by calling out a target for a duel or a challenge, and then killing them in front of hundreds of onlookers, with no one present knowing that he's just carried out an assassination for the Red God...
Biped + Legs evolution? Not perfect, but I'd be more than willing to let any Summoners fine-tune their flavor where the mechanics fall short.
Also now have a better angle to bring in replacement PCs while they're out in the field!
Even if a guy like Razmir (who seemingly should be offensive to their god) declares himself to be a King, I fully expect the RMA to be able to weasel some kind of loophole wherein he really isn't, to them, and kill him.
That's how I'm rolling with it mostly. Razmir trying to steal the apotheosis-seed that rightfully belongs to the Pharaohs of Osirion is probably going to be the tipping point that marks him for death.
Perhaps their limitation on killing nobility could be a later-level twist to their mission - in order to kill Razmir, they must become enemies of the Red Mantis Assassins, and are forever more hunted by their former friends and allies. All in the name of a loop-hole that allows them to kill a king.
There's definitely going to be some conflict in the ranks, but I'm not entirely sure what yet.
One of the PCs targets they need to remove in order to get to Razmir suddenly being revealed as true nobility is probably going to turn up though...
Ok the RMA can kill anyone but a rightful king. So that means they can kill any noble they want they can even kill the kings whole family without breaking their rules. Only the king is off limits, so lets say the king wants to retire and let his heir rule by turning him into the king then the former king becomes fair game going by their rules. Razmiran is not a rightful king, he did not even kill a rightful king as the guy was a river kingdoms duke. Kings are chosen by the people or gods, he gained approval from netheir.
Seeing as he never leaves his inner sanctum it could just be that no assassin has survived trying to kill him, your PCs could be a new project of the RMA's. Raised and trained for the sole purpose of taking down one of the hardest targets the RMA's have ever encountered thru out their history.
The main reason I think big red has allowed Razmiran to live is because he claims to be a god. He does not deny the gods place or importance in the world which are the crimes that call down their wrath. If Razmiran ever placed himself above the gods then that would put him directly in the RM god's crosshairs. But that does not mean his mortal worshipers cant still waste him.
Just some thoughts. Sure it will turn out good no matter the way, having different paths makes it more interesting.
Edit- Forgot to mention it last time but inner sea magic also has the razmiran priest (sorcerer archetype). Also some feats to go with it. ;)
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Here's a chapter I'd want to see:
Youth's Fading Blossom
The PCs travel to Thuvia, on reconnaissance. There is word that Razmiri agents are sending a retinue to one of the outlying villages (Dowwor?). It turns out, when the PCs get there, that it's the village's turn to auction off the Sun Orchid Elixir. Razmir, of course, wants some elixir for himself to stave off his aging. However, he can't be seen asking for the elixir, so his retinue is acting as agents for agents, unaware that they are trying to purchase the elixir for Razmir.
Can the PCs learn which retinue in town represents the Razmiri contingency?
Add complications, like the present ruler of Dowwor is growing old himself, and plans to turn rulership over to one of his children, who are gleefully salivating at the possibility. Any of them would love to have Red Mantis Assassins on their side. If one of them were to become the ruler before the results of the auction were released, then the new ruler would get the final say.
Here's where Thuvian auctions get interesting. Ultimately, all bids are collected by the village, including the losing bids. Therefore, one can easily surmise that all bids are actually surrendered to the village upon bidding, not upon winning. Who wins is up to the ruler. The ruler could simply play favorites and not necessarily choose the highest bidder. It might not be the best strategy in the long term, but perhaps this lesson has not been imparted to one child or another? Perhaps a bid is best measured not by the monetary value of the bid, then, but by the power that the bid provides. So, when a Chelaxian bidder mentions that there might be an offer of an infernal contract of restored youth without using the Elixir to the seated ruler of Dowwor...
You could have a family at each other throats. Outside factions trying to gain control in town. HUGE amounts of intrigue. And, in among it all, some agent of an agent trying to secure some Elixir for Razmir.