Assassin

 

People are a resource that are too precious to waste frivolously. War is one of the greatest contributors to the loss of life and resource alike. For this reason, and countless others, many prominent figures use the stealth and secrecy of the Assassin's guilds to weaken their foes or turn the tide of politics.

Professional assassins usually move in the shadows, stalking their prey silently until the opportunity arises to make their move. Then, like an invisible viper, they strike down their mark without the target ever being aware that they were in danger. It is this attack upon the unaware that gives them the upper hand.

Assassins do not have the ability to maintain prolonged battle, nor the skill to tussle with skilled warriors in open combat. They must rely on stealth and guile. Whether patiently waiting from atop a perch to deliver their death with a missile weapon or stepping out of the shadows right behind their mark to deliver the killing blow with a dagger, the assassin is the epitome of patience and cunning.

The most common type of assassin is the Mercenary. They are not as stealthy as other assassins, however, what they lack in stealth they make up for in cunning and combat prowess. Mercenaries are fond of laying traps to cut their prey off from support and then outnumbering them. As a consequence, they are generally used by the less affluent for character assassinations and more for attrition.

Members of the Shadow Blade, or Veneri, practice shadow magic. This allows them to amplify their abilities with incantations and spells. They supplement their clandestine abilities by using magic to reduce their visibility, to distract their prey or amplify their attacks. They are masters of the shadow and are sought after for their ability to capture their prey, render them unconscious and deliver them into the hands of their wealthy benefactors.

The Arcaneri, on the other hand, utilize talismans, and enchanted items that resist and sometimes even render magic useless. By doing so they are able to reach out and snuff the flame of the magic users of Epimetheus. An invaluable asset to anyone who wishes to resist the influences of the Covenant of the Magi, a powerful organization of Magicians that have terrorized the continent of Aborlon for generations.

Lastly are the Kingsblades, a highly-skilled sect of assassins that rely entirely on stealth and cunning to deliver their messages of death. Their mastery of disguise is unmatched in the lands. It is said that not even a Gryphon could spot a concealed Kingblade, so great is their ability to stay hidden. It is uncertain whether they are named so due to the frequency with which the rulers of the land seek them out for their services or the fact that they are responsible for the deaths of so many Kings throughout history.