In the shadow-drenched corridors of fiction, there are establishments that don’t bother with such trivialities as customer service or opening hours, unless, of course, you count opening hours as the time it takes to open a lock or someone’s throat.
Welcome to the world of assassins’ guilds, where the members are always sharp, both in wit and weaponry.
Here are some of the coolest guilds where killing is less of a sin and more of an art form.
The Faceless Men of Braavos – A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin
Nestled in the Free City of Braavos, the House of Black and White doesn’t stand out for its vibrant decor.
Home to the Faceless Men, this guild is more than just assassins; they are religious zealots of the god of Death.
They change faces quicker than a politician changes policies, making them not only deadly but also untraceable – the ultimate combination for occupational longevity.
The Assassins’ Guild – Discworld, Terry Pratchett
On the Discworld, assassination is as much a part of the culture as is a strong cup of tea accompanied by a distrust of anything foreign.
The Guild of Assassins in Ankh-Morpork operates like a well-oiled machine, complete with a school curriculum that includes such diverse subjects as ‘Artful Dodging’, ‘Creative Writing’, and ‘Advanced Humbug’.
It’s one of the few schools where you literally ‘pass’ or ‘die trying’.
The Wetboys of Cenaria – The Night Angel Trilogy, Brent Weeks
Forget everything you thought you knew about subtlety because, in Cenaria, Wetboys take the art of assassination to another level.
These are not mere assassins; they are the elite with magical talents, who consider regular assassins as amateurs playing with pointy sticks.
The term ‘Wetboy’ comes from the fact that, unlike mere assassins who leave dry corpses, their targets are often left in a more… ‘liquid’ state.
The Hashashin – The Alamut Series, Vladimir Bartol
Often considered the historical (and some would argue, mythological) forebears of all subsequent fictional assassins’ guilds, the Hashashin of Alamut were both feared and revered across the Middle East.
Their stronghold in Alamut was a place of legend, and their leader, Hassan-i Sabbah, was the sort who believed in motivational speaking through targeted killings.
Their motto might well have been, ‘Join us or die terrified’.
The No Peak Clan – The Green Bone Saga, Fonda Lee
In the city of Janloon, jade is the source of all power and the No Peak Clan are the master wielders of its power, combining martial arts with deadly politics.
This family-run guild deals in protection, enforcement, and when necessary, calculated assassinations.
It’s like a family business, but with more bloodshed and fewer board meetings.
Choose Your Guild Wisely
Whether you’re in the mood for a straightforward throat-slitting or an elaborate political manoeuvre with a side of assassination, these guilds have something for everyone (except, perhaps, the targets).
If this has whetted your appetite for shadowy figures and moral ambiguity, don’t miss delving into Guild of Assassins.
Follow the story of Soren as he navigates through the deadly politics of his own guild, where every day could be his last, and every decision could cost more than he’s willing to pay.
It’s the perfect read for those who like their ethics murky and their action sharp.