Giga Games 1/Giga Games.iso/net/d_d/caltech/fluff/guild.flf

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                     TALES OF THE GUILD

              by Harlequin <[e-mail]>

                         Chapter 1


The room was filled with beings of various shapes and sizes, and in fact the
only common factor was that all were dressed in black.  Various murmurs and
imprecations, in most of the languages of sentience, were stilled as a figure
in a cowl and cloaked appeared at the podium.  In a voice that was cold as ice,
yet soft as silk, he began:

"Fellow masters, returning journeymen, and apprentices new and old.  I have
been Headmaster of the Guild for many years, and have given this speech many
times, but this year is special.  Since the Great Change, the Guild has been
forced to expand its operations into new areas, most especially those of Magik.

When I decided to allow non-thieves into the guild, many on the board felt that
I was dooming members of our profession to obselesence, since if we allowed
those who can kill with a word into our ranks, what need is there for a simple
dagger?

I say the need still exists! True, mages can kill with great ease, as can a
simple thug with a club in a dark alley.  But we are not murderers, thugs, or
footpads. We are ASSASSINS!

We do not kill for vengeance or anger.  The great Carolus, founder of our Order
said it himself, when he opened our charter with the words 'We are not beasts
who slay at random, for food or shelter.  Nor are we Barbarians, who kill for
whim or pleasure.  We are the Tigers of Night, Hunters of Men, and Bringers of
Eternal Sleep'.

My fellow hunters of men, do we not learn to take pride in a killing which does
not look like any other than a natural death?  Does not magic shine out like a
beacon for those with the eyes to see?  Then why do we need mages in the guild?

Quite simply, because they offer us tools that it would be senseless to ignore.
Deception and mystery are part of our creed, and what is more deceptive than an
illusion?  What is more mysterious than a room which was entered, though the
door was locked from within?  One should not see magic as a crutch, but rather
as a stout staff, giving support only when needed, and also a weapon in times
of danger.

What of our stronger brethren, the staunch warriors and rangers?  Of what use
are they in matters of stealh and secrecy?  Quite a lot.  Often a target will
be warned of our attention, and flee.  Then do the skills of the fighter come
in handy, as we must track our clients to their dens, and fulfill the contract.
We are of the city, yet our target may live anywhere, so we must be able to
handle any terrain.  True we do not 'fight', but we do hunt, and there is no
better hunter than a fighter.

Finally, we have those servants of the Outer powers, the priests and clerics.
It is not to our advantage to be bound to the service of any one god, but there
are times when we must conceal the black of the assassin with the white of the
healer, and times when we too must be healed.  We do not serve evil, but
instead, like chiurgeons, we lance the boils of society, to heal it of its
ills.  For the cost of a contract is not the prime concern, but rather the
purpose.  For this reason the guild was formed, and I welcome you to its ranks.

CELER, SILENS, ET MORTALIS!"

The crowd as one stood and replied,"SWIFT, SILENT, AND DEADLY!"

They shuffled out, some returning to their career, and others to prepare for
their first steps on the path of the hunter, for their instruction would soon
begin.

========================================================================

                       Chapter 2: First Class

A gong rang as the new students ran into the gymnasium.  There two figures
stood, one lanky and muscular, the other slender and graceful. The first spoke:

"Welcome to your worst nightmare.  I am John of the Wood, and this is my
partner Panther.  We will be handling the physical part of your training.
When we get through with you, you will be able to handle many situations,
and will hate us to your dying day"

A quiet voice added,"And if you try anything funny, that day will not be far
away."

The lessons began.  First on the syllabus was gymnastics.  The workout was
simple. Each student had to run down a corridor. At various points along the
way, older students would try to strike, poke, or otherwise trip up the
newcomer with nonlethal weapons.  The grade was based on how quickly one ran
the Gauntlet.  Much has been written about this exercise, but none have
mentioned that at higher levels, lethal weapons are used.

One by one, the students made the run.  Some were more nimble than others, and
cleared the gauntlet in 30 seconds.  Others were tripped, knocked over, or
dumped into traps, and made it in a minute or more. One dwarf simply ran
through every obstacle, but fell into a pit at the very end [35 seconds].  A
young human seemed the fastest of all, coming through in twenty seconds, but it
was discovered he'd used magic. In punishment, he was told to do it again,
running backwards. [2 minutes].

John then invited the new students to take the place of the testers, and ran
the gauntlet himself, blindfolded.  Displaying unnatural agility, he
successfully completed the entire run in 15 seconds.

As the weary students stumbled out of the gym, one was heard to remark, "Man,
that guy is harder to hit than a Cynastian windworm!"

The second part of class was knife throwing. Under the eagle eye of the
Panther, the students were drilled in throwing overhand, underhand, backhand,
and no handed [It's amazing what you can do with your feet]. The knife range
was similar to the gauntlet, in that speed was essential.  The students walked
through a room filled with obstacles, and occasionally a target would pop up.
Points were given to hits on these targets, but subtracted if the targets were
children, obvious bystanders, or teachers.  The scores varied, but oddly
enough, nearly everyone hit the target depicting the Panther.   As the last
student made his run, the gong rang, ending the session. None of the students
were sad it was over.

========================================================================

                       Chapter 3: Field Trip

The first few months of training went by quickly, as the young assassins
learned the various tricks of the Trade.  Many of the newer students chafed
under the Guildhouse's restrictions.  One day, however, all that changed.
Master Simon, the Wallmaster, ended the climbing drills early.  A collective
sigh arose from the assemblage, for the Wall was another challenge little loved
by the first year students, especially when Simon tilted it so the top of the
Wall sloped outward.  As the Wall returned to its normal state, Simon addressed
his class:

"Many of you have wondered if you'll ever get real experience at our work.
Although you may not accept contracts until you have graduated, there are
several other skills that are of use, including wallwork.  Because of this, as
well as a few other things, I've been authorized to put together a field
trip, so that you may see the city from an assassin's point of view.  Report to
the roof of the gatehouse,at midnight, in full unarmed kit.  Class dismissed."

This news was met with various responses, but it was clear that each student
was looking forward to the trip.  As midnight approached, shadowy figures
detached themselves from the dormitories, and tried to get into the gatehouse.
When they found the door locked, they huddled together to try to figure what to
do next.  As they discussed, and cussed, Simon's voice came to them from above.

"They always give me idiots.  Do you think the door will always be open?  For
Hermes' sake, climb the wall!"  Sheepishly, the group clambered up the wall,
and assembled on the shingled roof.

"OK then, our first stop will be the Bell Tower of the Temple of Ra.  Use throw
lines to climb to the top.  From there, we'll hit the Battle Zone, and finally,
a bit of a surprise."

The group continued, following his instructions.  They climbed walls, and
crossed rooftops.  Several times, the whistlesign for "Freeze" echoed across
the skyline, as members of the town Guard made their rounds.  Each building was
a new challenge, and several students were sent back to the House, for
disrupting the trip.  In these cases, other assassins acted as escorts,
although it seemed that they were only visible when needed.  Finally, the
remaining students gathered on the scaffolding holding up the new statue of the
Baron, and heard Simon's final instructions.

"This will be a blind exercise.  Put on these hoods, and follow my instructions
exactly."  The list was complex, and it was impossible to predict where they
would end up.  The group dispersed, only to meet up again 20 minutes later, in
a hallway of a building they had infiltrated.  The order came to remove their
hoods.  The sight which greeted them was surprising.  Completely on their own,
they had entered the Baron's stronghold, and now stood outside his private
chambers.  No guards were visible.  A whistled code told them the way out, as
well as the path back to the guild.

Later, over wine in the Master's lounge, Simon remarked," Sometimes I wonder if
we should tell them that the Baron lets us do this, and specifically orders his
guards to let them enter."

The Grandmaster replied,"Why spoil the fun?  Anyway, it certainly released the
tension.  Now they won't be so edgy.  Cards next Tuesday?  I'm bringing the
food."

"Don't let Alexander bring the drinks.  He still likes to experiment with new
poisons."
"Of course, I have learned a FEW things in 40 years."

=========================================================================

                         The Final Lesson

The student assassins assembled in the great hall to hear the Guildmaster's
final lecture, before their graduation.  It had been a long 4 years, filled
with surprises and dangers.  Of the original 300 students, only sixty remained,
but those sixty were trained to a razor's edge.  Each had passed the final
exam, a live kill assigned by the masters. Now they were being told the
greatest secret of the Guild, which made the assassin a force to be feared.

The master began,"Hunter's of men, you have passed all the tests.  You know how
to kill with poison, with sword, and with magic. You can enter any fortress,
and leave undetected.  Yet these skills alone do not make an assassin special.
We have one skill that none can defeat.  Spells may be destroyed, swords
blunted, and poisons rendered inert.  But against our greatest weapon, there is
no defense.

I speak of the Kill Royal, which brings the true Death.  Throughout the ages,
this skill has been passed from Master to Prentice, and none have resisted it.
Because of its power, the laws of the Guild forbid its use against all but
those of royal blood, else our minds be blunted by lack of use.

The Kill leaves no mark, physical or mystical, and will leave the target dead
beyond hope of ressurection.  It is the touch of Death, and cold as ice."

The Master then performed, without focus, the gestures required to summon the
Kill. Had he focused his mind, the next person he touched would have died
instantly.

The final lesson had been given.  Once again the assembled students raised
their hoods and, students no longer, gave the ancient cry of the Assassins.

"Celer, Silens, et Mortalis!"   "Swift, Silent, and Deadly!"

        The End