Black Recluse
The Black Recluses, an elite force of spies and assassins. It is a name that is whispered throughout the world. I am proud to be a Black Recluse, especially since I am one of the few women in the guild. The guys like to tease me a little. It's all in good fun and I get them back. We are a strong group, slipping about in the shadows. The work can be messy, hard even when it comes to assassinations, but we do it because we want to protect our people.
I'm the spymaster for Queen Beithir. I serve her proudly and prank our team often. Someone has to lighten the mood. If my moods' down, Veryan usually tries to cheer me up. I help protect them; I get them the information they need. I help keep them alive. It's what I do. It's not easy, but I keep them safe.
Orithil Doron, Royal Spymaster
Qualifications
They go through extensive training in stealth, learning common poisons, hand-to-hand combat and knotting. Most possess some form of shadow or illusion magic. Good reading comprehension, quick writing abilities and a great memory is also highly desirable.
Requirements
Shorter the better. As a result, the majority of the Recluses are men, as most of them are from the Lhingril and the men are noticeably smaller than the women which makes it easier for them to sneak around. Women can become Recluses, though most come from outside the Lhingril tribe. While technically not a requirement, it is preferred for them to be less than 6'3.
Duties
Scout out paths for armies, search out enemy troops/encampments, gather intelligence, spy on people or governments and occasionally carry out assassinations, among other things their commanders may ask them to do along the vein of their job and other abilities.
Responsibilities
On the day-to-day they maintain their intelligence lines, checking in on informants and cleaning up whatever stray pieces of mess they might have.
Benefits
They're paid fairly well but the better funded their teams are, the better they get paid. While not everyone respects them, their teams and families will give them the respect and care they need.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Dark, tight-fitting clothes while in the field and narrow, light weight but strong armor. A lot of small weapons; throwing knives, daggers, net-traps and thin metal filaments that they can weave into whatever they need. Rope is also useful and most have poisons on hand as well. Depending on the Recluse, they might have a larger melee weapon, like a sword or spear.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Treason of course, leads them to be execution. Spectacular job failure can lead them to be removed as well. There's no real course of removal, usually just one really angry superior who usually drops them off at the guild headquarters and tells the masters of their Recluses failure.
Disability can also lead to a formal, kind dismissal. Their superiors, either a Corps commander or spymaster, usually treat them well when it is discovered they can no longer complete their work, making sure they get a pension, even assisting in helping them find other work. Some simply can't do field work anymore and are moved to supervise others. Whatever the cause, injury is not seen as a dishonor.
Their name carries far, even as a whisper. They are known in the underbelly of most major kingdoms across the world. Black Recluse, one wove a web here once. Black Recluse, that death had to have been caused by one, even though it looked natural. Know the name, know the job, fear the spider in the night.
Type
Civic, Military, Commissioned
Status
Active
Alternative Naming
Assassins and Spies
Source of Authority
The power is ultimately handed down by the Eledhrim's king or queen but more directly it is given by the masters of the guild.
Current Holders
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