Spy
Profession, single-classed
A specialist in subterfuge, espionage and undercover work who hides behind aliases and disguises. Each spy chooses either Waylay or Assassinate as a special ability and has sharp powers of observation.
From the book
Spies are experts at deception, espionage and covert operations. Secretive by habit, most use a string of aliases and disguises so their real identities stay hidden. On top of their listed skills, every spy picks one of two special abilities: Waylay, knocking a foe senseless with a single blow from a blunt weapon, or Assassinate, killing with one strike, typically by dagger or garrotte; neither can be used in open combat unless the victim can be caught from behind or by surprise, and Assassinate still needs an ordinary hit first unless the target is helpless.
Either ability succeeds 25% of the time plus 5% per level (Assassinate tops out at 95%), and a failed assassination still deals the weapon's normal damage. Their trained observation gives them +1 on Perception saves for every two levels. As specialists they readily find well-paid work in any large city, where nobles, officials and other important people routinely keep spies as informants; through such patrons a spy may win great power and influence, though it is said the best spies are known only by the results of their work.
Skills by level
- Level 1
- Any 2 Weapons
- Stealth
- Hide
- Scaling Walls
- Evade Pursuit
- Tailing
- Lock-Picking
- Lip Reading
- Level 3
- +1 to Hit
- Decipher
- Infiltrate
- Set/Disarm/Detect Traps
- Level 6
- +1 to Hit
- Interrogate
- Forgery
- Level 9
- +1 to Hit
- 2 Attacks per Round
- Level 12
- +1 to Hit
- One Additional Weapon
- Level 15, 18, 21, etc.
- +1 to Hit
At a glance
- Minimum attributes
- INT 12, DEX 12, CHA 10, PER 14
- Alignment
- Any
- Combat training
- Skilled
- Hit points per level
- 1 H.P. per point of CON, plus 4 H.P. at first level; then +4 H.P. and any CON bonus per level gained; after 12th level, +1 H.P. per level with no CON bonus (optional rule, page 48)
- Special abilities
- Pick one: Waylay (25% + 5% per level) knocks a foe unconscious with a single blow from a blunt or heavy weapon like a club, mace or blackjack; Assassinate (25% + 5% per level, 95% maximum) kills with a single blow, thrust or strike, usually with a dagger or garrotte, but needs a normal hit first unless the victim is asleep, unconscious or incapacitated, and a failed roll still deals normal weapon damage. Neither works in combat unless the victim is attacked from behind or taken by surprise. +1 saves vs Perception for every 2 levels of ability.
- Free skill choices
- Choice of one special ability: Waylay or Assassinate
- Restrictions
- Waylay/Assassinate usable in combat only against a victim attacked from behind or surprised
- Equipment
- Blunt or heavy weapon for Waylay; dagger or garrotte typical for Assassinate