Chapter 4: There are absolutely no assassins at Dark Tides

*"Sometimes, Back alley politics is the most efficient way to get a job done."*
  - Levericus, former gaming Commissioner of Vrosa.

… But if there were, hypothetically. This is how you would become one.

From Truefolk auditors to Slegorian deep callers one thing is the same. Assassins are creatures of stealth and subterfuge. This is not a path for thugs and foot-pads. Assassin’s work is clean, efficient, and quiet. The open battlefield is not a place for a professional killer. (Aka This tournament is not combat based. Stealth and guile are your true weapons. The Assassination tournament does not run during field battle hours. You are not swinging weapons at people. Just in case you didn’t understand that.) Victims are not fools. Do not get caught. Do not let them see your face. For the victim you attempt to slay may well recognize you at a later time. They may even contact the authorities.

If this wet work is what you desire, look to where adventurers gather or the deepest of shadows, to find the Shady Contact. The Shadows are out there somewhere. Once you find them you can start your wet work. (Seriously. There will be a place marked “The Shadows.” This is where you return to play and find a hint on who the shady contact is for that Dark Tides.)

### A Note on “Thuggery”

As agents of stealth you should be silent and sneaky. Thuggery still kills the target(guard or victim) but it does NOT earn you any coin. In fact, too much thuggery could get you unwanted attention from the authorities. Collaboration is allowed but only the killing blow on the victim counts

### Hours of operation

Hours are 4pm-10pm, starting the first official day of Dark Tides. Tournament ends at 10pm on the last day of Dark Tides, at which time a winner will be announced.

Once you have found the Shady Contact, you can get started with your work.

### Choose your tools

* Cost of tools is 1 silver for either 2 Daggers or 1 Poison
* Shady Contact can provide tools to those with less money on credit.
* Starting load out is free and is either 2 Daggers or 1 Poison, modified by titles.
* Assassins can only carry 10 Daggers and 5 Poisons. These are also your purchase limits per day.
* Shady Contact has a limited supply of Poison but unlimited Daggers.
* All sales are final.
* Poisons can be purchased from Alchemists and Daggers from Blacksmiths. Cards gotten from Alchemists or Blacksmiths don’t count towards these limits until turned in for the appropriate clothespin.
* Shady contact stops selling tools at 7 pm each night. Can still turn in Poison/Dagger cards for Poison/Daggers but not above your carrying limit. Alchemists and Blacksmiths have no curfew for sales of items
* Tools must be turned in at the end of the tournament for use next tournament as part of your starting load out.

#### Dagger

* To use the silver “Dagger” clothespin, the assassin must attach it to a part of the victim’s person without being noticed. After which they must inform the victim they have perished. A whispered “die quietly” will do. The victim will then expire immediately.

#### Poison

* To use a green “Poison” clothespin, the assassin must attach the pin. Then instead of “die quietly” whispers, “You have been poisoned.” The victim will expire in the next few minutes.

### Victims

All “victims” will have a long piece of neon green fabric(the headbands used to separate teams at Field Battles) tied to one of their wrists. No fabric means not currently a “victim” even if previously they were. There are different types of victims:

* Easy: unguarded, fairly oblivious.
	+ Worth 1 silver.

* Guarded:
	+ Still fairly oblivious but they have 2 guards. Guards carry a slegorian bomb, which is instant death to those hit by it. They are worth 2 silver.( the victim not, the guard. They are a copper a dozen)

* Hard:
	+ More vigilant(or maybe paranoid), you have to study them to find an opening. They may or may not be carrying a Slegorian bomb. They are worth 3 silver.

Once killed “victims” have to respawn.

### End:

The winner of the tournament is determined by the assassin who made the most money.

So, what happens when it is all over? What is in it for you? First off, there is the reward of cold hard coin. The more assassins in the darkness, the higher that payout will be. Also, you may gain the title befitting of your new-found status. (See titles)