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Message: <blockquote data-quote="atom crash" data-source="post: 2111610" data-attributes="member: 22162">Again, if he gets within 30 feet of the king without tipping off the guards, then the guards aren't very good at their job. Or the assassin is very good at his job. The guards can always move between the king and the guy approaching before combat starts. Just like the assassin can approach the throne before combat starts. You seem to assume that everyone is standing around woodenly until the surprise round happens. I'd think that guards who see someone appraoch their king would naturally shift into defensive position. It's standard practice. Roll an opposed skill check right then, and let initiative (or the surprise round) follow. The king (and his guards) demands that anyone approach the throne slowly, head bowed, as a proper supplicant. Or better yet, the guards accompany him to the proper position to address the king. Anything else, and the situation isn't being played properly. And any such example doesn't illustrate the point.Before combat begins, the party expects a battle, but it may or may not actually happen. They are pumped on adrenalin but trying to stay cool, because they don't want to jump the gun. They keep searching for a threat to materialize, but they don't want to outright attack people who aren't intent on attacking them.Ever been playing hide and seek outside at night? You think someone might be hiding in that toolshed out back, and you're for them to jump out when you approach, but it still scares the bejeesus out of you when they do jump out.But when the battle is joined, they know who the enemy is and where they are. Except in the first few seconds, when the element of surprise is tstill in effect.Nope, I don't see a contradiction.</blockquote>

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