Master Assassin Squads

Overview

The Master Assassin Squads are an elite formation within the Peaceful Tears, designed for the most challenging and high-profile assassinations across Rondo. Created as an experimental initiative by "The Mentor" these squads consist of four veteran assassins working in perfect harmony, combining their unique skills to eliminate targets deemed untouchable by conventional methods.

Feared as the deadliest instruments of the Peaceful Tears, the squads are more than assassins—they are legends whispered about in courtrooms, guild halls, and the underworld. Their existence alone is a psychological weapon, causing paranoia and fear among those who suspect they might be the next target.

Formation and History

The concept of the Master Assassin Squads emerged during a period of stagnation within the Peaceful Tears. With high-profile contracts becoming increasingly complex and targets better protected, "The Mentor" devised the squads as a solution.

The first squad, dubbed Squad Alpha, was assembled from four of the guild’s most skilled assassins. Their initial mission—to eliminate a well-guarded noble who was protected by an elite mercenary band—ended in resounding success. The noble was found lifeless in a locked and guarded room with no trace of the assassins.

Following Squad Alpha’s success, the model was refined and formalized. Today, Master Assassin Squads operate as the Peaceful Tears' most fearsome resource, reserved for assignments requiring unmatched precision and collaboration.

Structure and Roles

Each squad is composed of four members, each bringing a specialized skill set to the mission:

1. The Scout: Responsible for reconnaissance, tracking the target, and identifying vulnerabilities.
2. The Infiltrator: Expert in stealth and sabotage, adept at bypassing defences to reach the target.
3. The Sniper: Specializes in ranged eliminations and providing cover during escapes.
4. The Enforcer: A combat specialist who handles direct confrontations and provides muscle if plans go awry.

The squads are handpicked from the most experienced members of the Peaceful Tears. To qualify, candidates undergo rigorous trials that test their adaptability, teamwork, and resilience under pressure.

Notable Squads and Missions

• Squad Alpha:

The prototype squad is credited with dozens of legendary kills. Their most famous mission was the assassination of an impossible-to-kill paranoid adventurer who could attune an unlimited amount of magic items to themselves somehow, but the knowledge was lost(Siren stole it) with his death.

• Squad Thorn:

Known for eliminating a cabal of mages who had fortified themselves in a magical stronghold. Squad Thorn used counter-magic and traps to outwit their targets.

• Squad Dagger:

Renowned for operating deep in the Wastelands, they dismantled a rogue faction of assassins attempting to rival the Tears.

Tactics and Equipment

The squads employ advanced tactics and strategies, blending stealth, misdirection, and psychological manipulation:

• Silent Synchronization: Using magical earpieces or telepathy spells to coordinate in real-time.
• Signature Tools: Each squad member carries customized weapons and gadgets, including collapsible blades, enchanted smoke bombs, and portable teleportation devices.
• Disguise and Deception: Masterful use of illusions and disguises to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Reputation

The introduction of the Master Assassin Squads has solidified the Peaceful Tears' dominance in the assassin’s trade. These squads embody the guild’s values of precision and discretion, and their success has enhanced the guild’s reputation for taking on the most impossible contracts.
Rumors of an incoming squad are enough to incite paranoia and desperation in potential targets. As one noble famously said, “You don’t know the Master Assassins are coming until it’s too late.”

Future Prospects

While the Master Assassin Squads are highly effective, their existence has sparked internal debates within the Peaceful Tears. Some argue that concentrating too much power in a few squads risks making the guild overly reliant on them. Others foresee the squads expanding into larger operations, potentially reshaping the guild's approach to contracts.
The squads operate under the direct command of local Masters but are often granted significant autonomy. The Mentor oversees squad creation and mission approval, ensuring alignment with the guild’s broader goals.

A thousand cuts bleeds fastest

Founding Date

37AFGW

Predecessor Organization

• Experimental Master Assassins Group

Demonym

Assassin

Leader

The Mentor

Ruling Organization

Peaceful Tears

Leader Title

Captain

Parent Organization

Peaceful Tears