My players just rolled up an Assassination event, which (randomly) targeted the kingdom's Royal Assassin, a LN inquisitor of Pharasma. Any suggestions for interesting things to do with this setup? I could just build a NPC rogue/assassin of two levels higher than her, and have it attack her on the rooftops one dark night, but I'd like to at least consider some more interesting options. Any ideas?
If the assassin kills her then he will probably expect retaliation. He should go after the entire group so he doesn't have to watch his back. Make it a boss level encounter.
An assassin with a cleric to heal him, and an arcane type to do arcane type stuff and minions to provide flanking, and a barrier between the PC's, and the evil casters.
Its a game of cat and mouse.
Start by having an introduction between the two. Use the public to your advantage. Have the assassin taunt him quietly in a very public place like a bar. Imagine citizens disapproval if they witness the royal assassin attacking a citizen.
Use opposed checks over a long period of time to heighten the drama.
Example:
Venue: A very public event preferrably a wedding or other event with a positive connotation.
Use Opposed checks.
Have the goal of the assassin to slip a note into the inquisitors pack that reads "Advantage mine"
Venue: Any time the PCs are in town.
Have a small child approach them with a 2 small bottles. As the child approaches the Inquisitor it hands the inquisitor a bottle and says that he/she was given magical potions that will make him/her as strong as the person he/she drinks it with. It should be obviously a poison. But play up the assassins practical joke as arrogance. The assassin is willing to go to all lengths to get his job done and doesn't think giving a poison to his target will change the ultimate outcome of the assassination attempt.
After several events, have your combat. Have it when the inquisitor appears to be at a weak point.
Reward clever ideas. Especially if the PCs set up an ambush.
I actually went off in a very different direction, in the end. The player had already generated her replacement character for if the inquisitor died so I (with her permission) took that base, added two levels (to bring it up to the target CR), and used that as the assassin, with the understanding that if the assassination attempt succeeded, the she would play the upgraded character and join the party (with ulterior motives).
Through some pretty amazing luck, and good use of mind-affecting spells, the 4th level inquisitor survived an ambush by a 6th level bomb-alchemist with high ground, although the alchemist got away. I had a great time with the repercussions during the next session, since the alchemist had an absurdly high intellect - whatever the PCs tried to do to catch her, she had planned a counter for (even the half-orc with scent). It was the first time I've been able to apply the advice for playing a NPC smarter than you: Make plans retroactively.
Thanks for the suggestions, though!