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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ridley's Cohort" data-source="post: 2223740" data-attributes="member: 545">Just to throw another wrench into the works...What about an Assassin expertly disguised as a beggar on the Street?  Or someone Polymorphed into an average member of the species, etc.?He is standing there in plain sight on a busy street.  No Spot or Listen roll necessary.Are you aware or not?If awareness means awareness of actual danger without ambiguity, then the Assassin automatically gets Surprise.  He can just waltz up and put a knife between your ribs.The other possibility is that the Assassin can never get Surprise because you see them.  You have sensory information of his presence and therefore are aware.  That is equally strange.The RAW does not really handle this situtation.  We just have to start making things up.My answer would be:(1) Can you see the Assassin?  Yes.(2) Are you expecting combat?  Sort of, yes.  You are a paranoid adventurer. (3) Are you initiating combat?  No.Result: 2 of 3.  So you cannot be surprised by default. If the Assassin wants a Surprise round the burden is on him get you off guard.  The obvious way to do this is use Bluff or some other skill to fool you.</blockquote>