Rogue, Spy

The spy sees all, while none see him.

The Quintessential Rogue
Author Michael Mearls
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2002

He watches and takes notes, trading in something often more valuable than pure gold – information. A warlord who has a copy of his opponent’s battle plan has already won the battle. A merchant who knows a rival’s business goals and the routes for his trading ships can quickly cripple him with a few well-placed bribes to pirates. The spy slides between the cracks of society, lurking in the background and waiting for the one chance he needs to uncover his quarry’s secrets. Spies play a strange game of cat and mouse, carefully cultivating friendships solely to one day betray their allies and aid their enemies. Often, spies become enmeshed in complex games of intrigue, unsure of who to trust or follow.

Adventuring: A spy’s line of work is an adventure in itself, but often fledgling spies work with adventurers to track down outlaws or monitor events and activity in a region. Spies often work on behalf of governments or large organisations, such as a church or trading cartel. They construct the façade of just another adventuring rogue, but in reality they pursue a hidden agenda determined by their true masters. Many spies work as sleeper agents, working in an area or observing a group until their masters one day contact them with orders. Most spies in such an operation live with the quiet fear that they will be one day ordered to betray those whom they have come to see as friends, though most accept such a risk as part of their Profession.

Role-Playing: The one constant with most spies is their quiet, drab nature. Spies try not to attract too much attention to themselves, fulfilling their tasks in an adventuring group to the best of their abilities while observing events around them. Other spies take an opposite attitude and gladly take the limelight, especially when working with others who know their true nature. These spies work more like commandos or Stealthy champions for their cause, focusing more on infiltrating castles and cities rather than slowly burrowing their way into deep cover.

Bonuses: The spy excels at clouding his true nature. Furthermore, the spy is an adept liar who can talk his way out of situations that leave other flustered, panicky, and confused. He gains a +2 competence bonus to all Bluff checks. In addition, he gains a +2 competence bonus on his choice of two of the following skills; Decipher Script, Forgery, Innuendo, Gather Information and Sense Motive.

Penalties: While the spy weaves a convincing web of lies, he has trouble opening himself up and working with others in a frank manner. He suffers a –-2 competence penalty to all Appraise, Craft, Jump, Perform, Profession, Use Magic Item checks. In addition, to maintain his cover identity the spy must spend at least one rank per level on a Craft or Profession skill that represents his supposed line of work.