Ex-Assassins

[crazy_monkey1956]

Does an assassin who ceases to be evil lose anything? If the same character, in an attempt to atone for past deeds, became a paladin, what restrictions would you DMs out there put on his assassin abilities, assuming he didn't lose any upon becoming good?

 

[Deset Gled]

Complete Warrior introduced a (optional) rule to 3.5 that if you lose pre-requisites, you lose all ablilites from a PrC except for HD, saves, and BAB.

I think this rule is silly. First, I don't think that just because someone turns good, they instantly forget how to kill (how many movies/books would that ruin the plot of?). Second, that rule make your Dragon Disciple asplode.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Using the Paladin as a reference point, they lose all of their supernatural and spell-like abilities and spellcasting if they become non-good. However, their powers are divine based and not necessarily so much learned as "inspired." A monk that becomes non-lawful, on the other hand, doesn't lose anything. So, would an assassin lose spellcasting and any class abilities that are supernatural or spell-like at one extreme, or lose nothing at the other? Looking at the barbarian, a lawful barbarian loses their ability to rage. Using this as a basis, it would seem that the assassin should lose their death attack for alignment based reasons.

So, at this point, for the NPC in my campaign in question, I'm leaning toward not losing anything, but, the character is disinclined to use his death attack, or use poison, though he still has the capacity to.

Thoughts?

 

[darthkilmor]

So, at this point, for the NPC in my campaign in question, I'm leaning toward not losing anything, but, the character is disinclined to use his death attack, or use poison, though he still has the capacity to.

Thoughts?

I see nothing in the Assassin PrC that would require being evil. Its not like paladins don't already kill people. Or can't use sneak attack damage. Or cast arcane spells. And poison isnt evil (although I think that was debated in the general forum recently ? ).

Also remember:

Death Attack

If an assassin studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (assassin’s choice).

A paladin may chose to paralyze instead, but I don't see why unless they typically would take prisoners.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Using poison is specifically called out in the Paladin's Code of Conduct. So, while a LG character of any other class might be able to get away with it, a paladin could not.

 

[darthkilmor]

Using poison is specifically called out in the Paladin's Code of Conduct. So, while a LG character of any other class might be able to get away with it, a paladin could not.

It does , my bad.

Although I'd be swayed by a player arguing that in the context its more of a "Slipping poison into the evil king's wine" not "Putting poison on my blade to more effectively slay my enemies".
Whats the difference between a poisoned blade and a flaming shocking blade?
It's a bit like, since when did act with honor = fight only at day, in the open, and loudly proclaim your presence and give your enemies time to arm themselves. A certain Oots comic comes to mind.

 

[Deset Gled]

Using poison is specifically called out in the Paladin's Code of Conduct. So, while a LG character of any other class might be able to get away with it, a paladin could not.

However, the BoED teaches us that all we need to do is call the poison something other than "poison", and it's okay for good (exalted, even) characters to use it.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

With more thorough thought, and due to plot purposes, I'm not going to make him a paladin after all, at least not right away. Going from NE to LG is a bit too far of a "redemption", NG seems to be the better angle for now.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Thaumaturge]

He could, of course, always become an Avenger.

Thaumaturge.

 

[frankthedm]

I agree with the complete warrior on that with the assasin. The character killed someone for the sole point of getting the death attack. If they character is actully repentant, then he never uses the benefita that came from that cold blooded murder.

Not that the death atatck is that hot inthe dungeon. Grumble, grumble, fort saves....