The Deathstalkers – The Guild of Assassins
Contents
The Deathstalkers are the unseen blade in the dark, an elite order of assassins who carry out contracts for those with enough coin—or those powerful enough to demand their services. Unlike common killers, the Deathstalkers follow a strict code and see themselves as weavers of fate, guiding history through death.
They are feared, respected, and almost never seen. A Deathstalker who is noticed has already failed.
Origins & Structure
The Deathstalkers formed from the remnants of ancient executioner orders, assassin cults, and secret militant groups. Some say their origin lies in Velmorne, where their first contract was to eliminate a vampire lord who had ruled unchecked for centuries.
They operate in isolated cells, each trained independently to ensure secrecy. No member knows more than a handful of others, except for the Grand Harbinger, their elusive leader.
Hierarchy of the Deathstalkers
- The Grand Harbinger – The unseen leader, the one who whispers death’s commands. No one meets them twice.
- The Nine Shadows – The Grand Harbinger’s most elite assassins, each a master of a specific discipline (poison, blades, magic, deception, etc.).
- Harbingers – Cell leaders who manage assassin groups and distribute contracts.
- Silenced Blades – Fully trained assassins who take on contracts, eliminating targets with surgical precision.
- The Veiled – Initiates who undergo brutal trials to prove their worth before receiving their first contract.
The guild’s structure is designed for secrecy. If one assassin is captured, they cannot reveal the entire network.
The Code of the Deathstalkers
The Deathstalkers are not common killers—they are professionals who follow a code:
- “Death must be earned.” They do not kill randomly; every target must be justified by contract or purpose.
- “A contract is a promise.” Once accepted, an assassination must be completed—no matter the cost.
- “No unnecessary blood.” Collateral damage is considered sloppy and unprofessional.
- “The Deathstalkers do not die.” If captured, an assassin must ensure they do not reveal their secrets, even if it means their own death.
A Deathstalker’s failure is not tolerated. If one fails to eliminate a target, they must either correct their mistake or be hunted by their own guild.
Operations & Contracts
The Deathstalkers offer their services to those who can afford them, though their prices are astronomically high. Their contracts include:
✅ High-profile assassinations – Rulers, generals, and powerful figures who have outlived their time.
✅ Silencing threats – Traitors, informants, or individuals who hold dangerous secrets.
✅ Covert eliminations – Quiet, untraceable deaths that look like accidents.
✅ Selective mercenary work – Rarely, Deathstalkers take on elite combat missions.
However, they do not accept just any contract. They have been known to refuse petty revenge killings or targets that serve no greater purpose. Some believe the Deathstalkers have their own hidden agenda, influencing the world through strategic assassinations.
Rivals & Conflicts
🔻 The Maskarrans (Thieves’ Guild) – While the Maskarrans control crime, the Deathstalkers rule the art of assassination. The two guilds maintain a fragile alliance, but tensions exist when their interests overlap.
🔻 The Assembly (Mage Guild) – Mages fear them because even magic cannot always protect against the Deathstalkers. The guild’s elite assassins have ways to neutralize arcane defenses.
🔻 The Church of the Radiant Dawn – A militant religious order that seeks to purge the Deathstalkers, viewing them as servants of darkness.
🔻 Rogue Killers & Unaffiliated Assassins – Any assassin who operates outside the guild is either recruited—or eliminated.
Symbol & Calling Cards
- The symbol of the Deathstalkers is a black dagger with a crimson tip, often left at the scene of an assassination as a warning.
- Their assassins wear no uniform, but most carry a ring engraved with a coiling serpent, marking their loyalty to the guild.
- The most infamous contracts are sometimes sealed with the blood of the requester, binding the assassin’s oath to the kill.
Recruitment & Membership
Becoming a Deathstalker is not a choice—it is a test of survival. The guild seeks out individuals with exceptional skill in stealth, combat, or deception and presents them with a single task:
“Kill or be killed.”
Those who succeed are marked for training. Those who fail… vanish without a trace.