Amber DRP and Being Sneaky...

[Nihilistic Mind]

Ok, here's a question... How difficult is it to sneak up on an amberite? Does one need to outclass his enemy in order to land an attack that hits without the potential for fast reaction?

I'm looking at Caine sneaking on Corwin and stabbing him. Without the Jewel of Judgment, what could have Corwin done?

How would this translate in game terms?
I mean, it's kind of a dick move to just tell your player, "sorry, your character just got hit in the back. He's not dead but there was nothing you could do..."

What kind of hints do you drop in order to make things fair? Any in-game examples?

I've never really had a chance to do that before and I'd like to hear some thoughts...

[Seanchai]

Interesting question.

Personally, I'd make it clear that the NPCs get all the same benefits and considerations as PCs. If the PCs can just do stuff, so can the NPCs.

And the way I like to run games, the players and I are standing shoulder to shoulder, looking at the gaming table together, creating something together. So, hopefully, if an NPC sneaking up on a PC adds to the game and the fun, they won't mind too much.

In game, I see two ways to approach it. We're dealing with modeling the behavior and capabilities of hyper-intelligent beings, so...

No explanation. The NPC just does it. It's mysterious. Maybe the PCs will find out how, maybe they won't. Shadows are a big place and Amberites and their ilk are smart.

Or there are clues, but the PCs couldn't act on them in time. Maybe next time.

I know that's vague, but...it seems to me like there are a number of possibilities. Undershadow. Pattern teleport. Shadow of desire.

Seanchai

[RPGPundit]

If the guy doing the sneaking has an overwhelming advantage in warfare, or is using a great deal of compensatory advantages (ie. magic, high tech, whatever) or the guy he's sneaking up on is particularly wounded/tired, distracted, or doing something that would reduce the likelihood that he would notice the sneak attack, then the sneak attack is going to succeed.

If the guy being sneaked up on is clearly superior in warfare, and the sneaker is doing fuck all to compensate; or the guy being sneaked up on has safeguards (again, magic, high tech, etc), then the GM should just openly tell the guy being sneaked up on that someone is there about to try to attack him.

If neither of those two scenarios apply, and the two opponents are evenly matched, then one should check to see if there's a vast difference in stuff. If there is, in favour of the sneaker, then the sneaker will likely get a light wound in on the sneakee before the latter can react; if its in favour of the sneakee, then the sneaker will somehow reveal himself just before he can attack.  If its dead even, then the result should totally depend on whether the sneakee has stated (or has any good reason) to be wary; if so, then the sneakee should see the attacker just as he's about to land his blow, and get to have a split-second to react somehow; if not, then the sneaker should be able to get in a light wound on the sneakee before the latter can act.

RPGPundit