My DM recently decided to have us roll up first level commoners with what amounts to 0 point buy. (You roll 3d6 for each stat. No more, no less) The stats for my character are thoroughly locked in. To give you guys an idea of what we're dealing with, my only positive ability modifier is +1 from Intelligence with an ability score of 13. My Strength is at 7.
Our party (somehow) escaped from the underground dungeon after being captured by slavers in a raid (hey, we're commoners) and guess where we ended up after making our getaway and leveling up out of commoner-hood? The Underdark.
Thus, I challenge you guys to somehow come up with a build that will allow this poor apprentice blacksmith halfling, along with similarly beleaguered heroes, to survive in the Underdark with the eventual goal of becoming a chop-stick wielding Assassin at the earliest possible level (No, I am not kidding).
Unfortunately, I am something of a newbie to DnD and haven't really had much time to look over much of the readily available content (My DM has an entire shelf of books). However, I am open to ideas and this post is also a sort of exploration of the "Commoner in the Underdark" idea, so any other sort of builds for this sort of scenario are more than appreciated.
The direction this particular character wants to go into is melee combat with rogue-like activities (such as sneaking, searching, backstabbing, and the aforementioned chop-stick death attacks) going into the mix. Swash-Buckler seemed like good choice before Assassin, considering Weapon-Finesse for free and Insightful Strike at also low levels meaning good synergy with my only good stat and dodging the 7 Strength bullet. I'm pretty sure my DM will even allow me to train Hide, Move Silently, and Disguise whilst taking levels in Swash-Buckler even though none of them are class skills.
For some restrictions on the Swash-Buckler-Assassin, my DM does not allow Psionics and I don't really like playing spellcasters.
Thank you for any help that could be rendered to save these poor commoners from ultimate doom at the hands of a 5th level encounter.