The Kin

The Kin are a relatively old assassin guild which started in the City of Salvation. Just coming out of the chaos which King Peter brought the human race through, there were still dark and nefarious elements of society who craved the power over life and death. A loose cabal of assassins and thieves bound together to get such jobs and worked hard to keep themselves secret.

They didn't adopt the name Kin until after the War of the Gods, where they were made a tool of the Black Wizards of Shaniko. Many attempts on the Chosen Richard and Amber Goldenstein were made by the Kin on behalf of the Wizards, but none were successful. The name Kin comes from the practice of the current assassins stealing young boys who show promise from their families or off the streets where they were orphaned to train them in the way of death, making the Kin their only family.

Training is hard, some of those brought into the fold die from the training. But those who make it through the training become a part of a tight knit network of assassins who work for the Wizards, but will also work for the highest bidder. They have no loyalty save money and their fellow assassins.

Kin members are almost always human, though some elves and dwarves have been known to be taken in. In recent times the Kin have taken to tattooing their symbol (a striking snake) on their face, where their nose is being attacked and the tail is wrapping around their neck. Though easy to spot, they do have ways to hide such things when need be.

Everyone, from the lowliest peasant to the High King himself, fear the Kin. The Clan Warriors can best them, as can some individuals, but these are the best of the best and if you are marked for death, it will come swiftly by their hand.

Do not allow these as a player character class (unless you are doing an evil campaign). These are purely background filler or a super foe for your players to encounter. I would use the thief class if an assassin class is not available in your system, though focus on those things that would make it easy to kill. They do not train in a specific weapon, but learn to use anything as a weapon. Some, though, are highly trained Blademasters, so they are twice as deadly.
Tomorrow: Society of the King