Assassins’ Guildhall
This unassuming structure appears to be nothing more than a decrepit boarding house, yet its true purpose is far more sinister. Few ever witness anyone entering or leaving, and those who do rarely speak of it.
The Assassins’ Guild
In Greyhawk, assassinations of locals are rare, as most citizens fear the repercussions. The shadowy mastermind behind the guild, Turin Deathstalker , is never openly acknowledged as its leader, yet his name is spoken in hushed, fearful tones. As a Director of the city, any contract placed on a local could easily reach the ears of Greyhawk’s rulers, deterring potential clients.
Instead, the guild primarily targets outsiders—those of no consequence to the city’s elite, unless they hold noble rank or exceptional influence. The result is a lean but elite order of assassins, numbering only 25 skilled killers, most of whom are highly proficient. At any given time, 5–16 (1d12+4) members are away on distant contracts, reinforcing Greyhawk’s reputation as a place where one can hire a deadly professional to eliminate a target anywhere, for the right price.
The Thieves’ Guild and Assassins’ Guild maintain an uneasy but functional alliance, as their guildmasters find mutual benefit in cooperation.
The Guildhall’s Hidden Depths
The Assassins’ Guildhall is deeply concealed, a subterranean labyrinth of magically hewn chambers beneath the Thieves’ Quarter. Access points include hidden doors in sewer tunnels, secured with deadly traps and magical locks, known only to guild members. Additional secret entrances exist beneath select buildings, including a hidden passage in the floor of Gundri Garraldson’s locksmith shop .
Contacting the Guild
Arranging a meeting with the guild is a perilous endeavor. PCs must inquire discreetly within notorious taverns of the River, Thieves’, or Slum Quarters. If successful, they may be granted an audience on the assassin’s terms—often in a noisy, crowded tavern, with hidden allies watching.
Wealthy patrons, however, employ intermediaries and dead drops, shielding themselves from suspicion. If an assassination target is of notable importance, the request will be escalated to Turin himself.
Notably, no half-orcs are permitted in the guild—a direct reflection of Turin’s deep-seated hatred for them.
Guild Membership and Alignment
The guild’s membership is a dangerous mix of cold-blooded killers:
- 4 Lawful Neutral
- 3 True Neutral
- 1 Chaotic Neutral
- 10 Lawful Evil
- 3 Neutral Evil
- 4 Chaotic Evil
Those who deal with them should tread carefully.
Turin Deathstalker – Master of the Assassins' Guild
Turin, a Shield Lander of grim reputation, stands 6’1”, with olive skin, gray eyes, and auburn hair. His past is steeped in suffering—his family slaughtered, he was enslaved by orcs, then trained in the ways of death by a half-orc warrior. Escaping to the Horned Society, he survived Molag’s desolation, waiting for the right moment to flee.
His hatred for orcs, half-orcs, and hobgoblins is legendary. He frequently embarks on solitary hunts, crossing into the Wild Coast, the Nyr Dyv, and even the Pomarj, seeking vengeance.
Turin owns three Greyhawk businesses:
- Garraldson’s Locksmithy
- Vesper’s Pawn Shop (in partnership with Vesper)
- Turin’s Servant Agency
He keeps multiple residences, including rooms above his businesses and with three mistresses scattered across the city. He frequents The Golden Phoenix , The Black Dragon Inn , and The Hanged Man, often in the company of Nerof Gasgol , Org Nenshen , or Vesper.
His true concern lies with the Shield Lands, now under threat by the Bandit Kingdoms and the Horned Society. While Greyhawk finances Furyondy’s war effort, Turin’s patience wears thin. If left unchecked, he may ignore the counsel of Nerof and Org, assembling a mercenary force to defend his homeland.
Senior Guild Members
Beyond Turin, four assassins hold notable rank:
Vesparian “Vesper” Lafanel – Second-in-Command
A grey elf of striking contrast, Vesper is 5’3”, 100 lbs., with black-dyed hair and violet eyes. In Greyhawk, he is a fastidious teetotaler, obsessively clean and impeccably dressed. Yet, in the field, his demeanor shifts—alternating between paranoid vigilance and reckless audacity.
A master assassin, Vesper prefers quick, clean kills over brutal slaughter. He wields spells like Invisibility and Fly and is an expert in poisons. Oddly, in adventuring contexts, he refuses to use lethal poisons, considering them a crutch that undermines his skill and honor.
His intellect is formidable, but his wisdom is lacking, making him calculating yet emotionally detached. He keeps detailed records of guild business, secured within a ledger protected by explosive runes and a symbol of stunning.
He is rarely found in taverns, preferring the Guild of Wizardry, where members turn a blind eye to his profession.
Caprice Molara – The Insidious Blade
A muscular woman of unremarkable appearance, Caprice stands 5’7”, with brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin. A recent refugee from the Shield Lands, her shared enmity for humanoids earned Turin’s trust. However, Vesper suspects something is deeply wrong with her.
He is correct—Caprice is insane, a lingering effect of a symbol of insanity cast by a Horned Society mage. She harbors a split personality: one rational and cunning, the other a brutal, bloodthirsty killer. Her darker half has already slaughtered multiple victims in the city’s slums and docks.
She dwells in the Thieves’ Quarter, posing as an adventurer living on past spoils, and frequents shady establishments in the Slum, Thieves’, and River Quarters. Her unpredictability makes her a ticking time bomb within the guild.
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