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View Full Version : Stuck on character concept: ex-assassin in D20 Modern.



gomipile
2010-10-22, 05:46 AM
I'm writing up a character background for a D20 Modern character, and I've run into a mental block.

The character was an assassin until several years ago, until he went straight. My problem is that his only skills involve killing people, and he doesn't deal well with authority, so a career in the military/law enforcement is out.

What kind of legal occupation could such a character have occupied himself with for a few years that uses an assassin's skill set?

pingcode20
2010-10-22, 05:48 AM
What was his modus operandi? Depending on how he acted as an assassin, it could easily shape what he chooses to do afterwards.

DragonOfUndeath
2010-10-22, 05:51 AM
non-lethal 'messages' from mobsters?

gomipile
2010-10-22, 05:54 AM
What was his modus operandi? Depending on how he acted as an assassin, it could easily shape what he chooses to do afterwards.

A lot of that is up in the air until I have some ideas on this part. My mind is stuck on this point in backstory creation, for some reason.

Cespenar
2010-10-22, 07:03 AM
Private investigator, mob thug, war correspondent, paparazzi :smalltongue:, bodyguard, any kind of paramilitary organization/security company job, etc.

GodGoblin
2010-10-22, 07:07 AM
Government spy? If he specialised in info gathering or breaking and entering style stuff it would be the same job without the killing!

Psyx
2010-10-22, 07:11 AM
^Not with no respect for authority.


How about a second generation survivalist, bought up by his paranoid gun-nut father in the middle of nowhere? That could result in a paranoid, sociopathic background, with no real trust of authority, due to all the conspiracy theories that he's been fed.

GodGoblin
2010-10-22, 07:21 AM
Mabye he was freelance then? A thief for the mob?

Earthwalker
2010-10-22, 07:34 AM
I would go for Florist with his own market stall.

Tyndmyr
2010-10-22, 07:50 AM
Criminal. Personal firearms proficiency is gained, if memory serves, which seems most appropriate. From the skills you can pick options like hide, move silently, and knowledge(streetwise), all of which seem appropriate as class skills.

And, of course, an assassin IS inherently criminal.

That's the char build option I suggest. For legit job, I presume he would want a cover job that would provide reason to travel a lot. Businessman is the easy one.

GodGoblin
2010-10-22, 07:53 AM
I would go for Florist with his own market stall.

That right there is your answer.

Urpriest
2010-10-22, 07:55 AM
Are you looking for a background as in the mechanical profession the game wants you to have? If so, that can come from you being an assassin, and is probably, as Tyndmyr said, Criminal.

If you're looking for things he could do in the meantime, I'd recommend not putting a high priority on using the assassin skills. It creates a more interesting situation for this character/jumping off point for a game if he's discontented with his current occupation. I'd suggest bouncer/private security, getting kicked out of job after job when he gets impatient/violent/insubordinate. Ex-con is stereotypically a pretty ****ty life, and it would make sense for him to have a hard time adjusting.

DwarfFighter
2010-10-22, 08:04 AM
Dillettante.

He made out like a bandit shortly before retiring and invested it all in hedge-funds. As a result he's been free to spend his time pursuing various hobbies such as ice sculpting, performance arts or even community service.

The credit crunch hit him badly, though. His investments went bust and now he's down on his luck, forced to open that black briefcase in the attic one more time.

-DF

gomipile
2010-10-22, 09:02 AM
Criminal. Personal firearms proficiency is gained, if memory serves, which seems most appropriate. From the skills you can pick options like hide, move silently, and knowledge(streetwise), all of which seem appropriate as class skills.

And, of course, an assassin IS inherently criminal.

That's the char build option I suggest. For legit job, I presume he would want a cover job that would provide reason to travel a lot. Businessman is the easy one.

Since I'm still looking for more ideas, I'd like to comment on this.

I think I wasn't clear. He has been totally and completely legit for a few years. Zero crimes committed whatsoever in the last 2 years. I'm looking for ideas on what he did to make money during those two years.

He was not pursuing the profession of a criminal during the years in question.

Sorry for the confusion.

Shademan
2010-10-22, 09:04 AM
baker.

just invest two skillpoints in baking s' all I'm sayin'

Earthwalker
2010-10-22, 09:15 AM
Working for yourself as.

Drug Store Owner (Owning the place means less dealing with a boss), you might have many skills dealing with chemicals and medicine (not sure how you kill people)

Mechanic - You are good with cars and other devices. When you can build a mechanical trap that can kill a man while you are in another state keeping cars running is easy.

Professional Wrestler (on some small local circuit) Your known in the state you work in but not a big name nationally. You love the irony of wrestling under the handle the Masked Assassin when you were in real life a masked assassin. Might explain why your unarmed combat skills are so high too.

GodGoblin
2010-10-22, 09:18 AM
He could run a shooting range game at a carnival? or if he was the dextrous jumpy type then a circus performer?

Ooh as assasains are skilled with knives, make him a chef! Sounds silly but could work..

prufock
2010-10-22, 09:55 AM
A butcher? Handy with a knife, can kill quickly, and you know where all the best meat is!

Self-defense teacher? "If I were trying to kill you, here's what I would do... Now, here's how you prevent me from doing that."

Personal bodyguard?

Any no-training-required job? Construction labourer, fast-food server, anything you can get with a high school diploma. He doesn't need to be trained for such things.

gomipile
2010-10-22, 06:09 PM
There are some very good ideas here. Thanks all. Of course, if anyone comes up with anything else, that's be great. :smallsmile: