The Cutting Edge

### Symbol

A small wooden cutout of a humanoid figure, sometimes with the letters "CE" etched or drawn onto them.

## Common Knowledge

The Cutting Edge isn’t very well-known outside of Aiur itself, but it is very well-known by those from the country. Most Aiurians will recognize anyone who has tally marks on them as a member of The Cutting Edge, a fierce organization of assassins with a strong moral compass.

## Further Description

The Cutting Edge is an assassins’ guild based in Aiur. They have hideouts and bases in most cities in the country.

## Philosophy and Culture

The Cutting Edge has a very strict culture that it enforces on its assassins. They only take a job when given a good reason behind it, and they only make clean kills unless given a stellar explanation as to why the kill shouldn’t be quick. Cutting Edge assassins always leave their mark on whoever they kill, usually in the form of a small token with a “CE” on it so that anyone who sees know who did the deed. Some assassins choose to wear subtle emblems or symbols that represent the guild, but all of them keep tallies of how many kills they have carried out. Some of the assassins simply draw markings on themselves, others tattoo them, others sew the tally marks into their clothing or possessions, etc. Those tally marks are the main giveaway of the guild for those who know it, although The Cutting Edge isn’t known much outside of Aiur. The guild has specially marked tokens for people outside of the guild that they consider allies. Those tokens can be used to ask the guild for help or gain access to one of its bases.

## History

### Founding and History

The Cutting Edge was founded by a wood elf adventurer named Kay Kullan. Once the member of a small adventuring party known as the Bright Blades, the group went their separate ways after many years together and Kay decided to put his skills of stealth to use. He moved to Aiur and began assembling people he deemed had good morals and formed The Cutting Edge, training them to be assassins. He enforced the rules he had put in place, making sure that kills were quick and that every job taken was legitimate. Kay’s identity was kept anonymous outside of the guild and he became simply known as the mysterious “Lord of the Edge”. The guild formed hideouts all across Aiur and became recognizable by the tally marks they wore. After overseeing the guild for several years, Kay eventually left to explore the lands beyond the Worldline and has only recently returned to once again lead The Cutting Edge.

### Notable Members

#### Kay Kullan, “Lord of the Edge”

Kay is the founder and ultimate authority of The Cutting Edge. He founded the guild after retiring from his life as an adventurer with his party, the Bright Blades. He oversees training and is the final judge of whether one of his assassins should take a job on or not. He rarely takes jobs for himself unless he feels they need his skills or he has a personal investment. Not wanting his name to spread, he has simply become known as the “Lord of the Edge”. A small group of Binturians helped him with a job involving an old friend that had mixed results, so in turn he has mixed feelings towards the party as a whole.

#### Myrna Roswood

Myrna is a mid-ranking hobbit assassin of The Cutting Edge. She was taken in by the guild at a young age when a group of Cutting Edge assassins were sent after her family for a trade deal gone sour, and Myrna managed to kill one of the assassins on her own after the rest of her family was killed. Impressed by her natural skill, the assassins offered her a place in the guild. She eventually went on to join the adventuring party The Seven Eves – currently known simply as The Eves – and travel across Orelisle, representing her guild and befriending the Binturian Party.

#### Pippascapalandria “Pippa” Madeira

Pippa is a high-ranking gnome assassin of The Cutting Edge, a former member of the Bright Blades, and an old-time friend of Kay’s. She’s been in the guild since the very beginning and often helps Kay with recruiting and overseeing the guild. She also has taken it upon herself to make sure Kay’s temper stays in check. She uses a large hammer as her weapon of choice.

## Further Information

* Aiur
* The Binturian Party
* Brightglade
* The Eves
* Seven Nations' Alliance