Qa'til Brotherhood

The Qa'til (caw-teal) Brotherhood, or the Mubattan wa Qadim Ukhuwwa min Qa'til (which literally means the "Hidden and Ancient Brotherhood of Killers") is a secretive assassin's guild that exists and operates within the desert kingdoms of the east, and reaches into the Heartlands. It's origins date back thousands of years and it is, quite probably, the oldest assassin's guilds operating within the Heartlands, and quite probably all of Albuanon. It is certainly among the most powerful and feared. Although the Qa'til are undoubtedly evil, being assassins, they obey and odd and somewhat unknown moral code (it is believed to be dictated to them by the Brotherhood elders). This code controls their actions and they often take up assassinations for their own political or other ends independent of private contracts. In fact, the Qa'til are very difficult to contract by an outsider, which is probably a good thing as it ensures at least some level of stability among the upper echelons who might otherwise have to live in constant fear of an usurper sending legendary assassins after them. The majority of the Qa'til assassins engage in Brotherhood business, carrying out assassinations to further the internal goals of the Brotherhood (usually gaining wealth for the Brotherhood and dominion over an area). The Brotherhood are masters of deception and many of the Brotherhood specialize in roles other than assassination (although all members are competent in this art). These members often serve administrative roles and do a great deal of work building and supporting the Brotherhood's legitimate side (the front businesses, meeting places, controlled politicians, etc.). Although te Brotherhood's goals vary with its leadership, they have a few unifying features in the broadest sense. First of all, the Brotherhood work to restore some kind of cultural ideal to the western kingdoms, which involves embrace of cultural traditions, celebration of western superiority, and prohibition of "foreign" practices (which boils mostly down to rules regarding alcohol and the handling of money and wealth). They usually seek some kind of Pan-Western unification into a superpower, and the enhancement of western power. They usually go about achieving this by "replacing" the power centers with ones that are Qa'til puppets or sympathizers and removing "corrupt" (their favorite label for undesirables needing removal) powers.

Qa'til Hierarchy
The Brotherhood is ruled by a Mualim Azim (Great/Magnificent Teacher), who directs the actions of the various Qa'til Bayt (guild houses). He is advised by a Majles wa Sheik (council of elders/sheiks) comprised of the most senior and decorated Khoya (Brother). Each city where the Qa'til have a presence has a Guild House where a Seyid wa Bayt (Guild Master, or literally Master of the House) issues orders to the local Brothers. The Guild Masters are selected by the Majles wa Sheik, who are usually the most senior members in the area. The different Guild Houses communicate with each other and the Brotherhood's stronghold, which houses the Mualim Azim and Majles wa Sheik by means of either messenger birds, some magic, and the brothers themselves travelling between cities (or allied merchants and others). The Majles wa Sheik is a democratic body which elects its own members, recognizing the value of the most skilled, experienced, and decorated assassins (and also often those whose age is beginning to limit their usefulness "in the field"). The Council has some powers, although the Mualim Azim has the most power over the organization. It is not entirely certain how the Mualim Azim gains his office, although it is for life or until he steps down or is killed (interestingly enough, inter-guild violence is strictly prohibited, frowned upon, and severely punished and is rarely heard of). It is believed that the process involves an heir named by the Mualim Azim, which may be a hereditary descendant (son, nephew, grandson, etc.), but is quite often not. The heir is then voted on by the Council. The number of votes required is in dispute among those who have studied the Qa'til and has been said to be a majority, a supermajority (either 2/3rds or 3/5ths), or some even claim unanimous. If approved, the heir assumes the post (a vote only takes place upon the fulfillment of a condition that would require a new Mualim Azim). If, for whatever reason, the Mualim Azim did not select an heir (perhaps due to untimely death, as most Mualim Azim wait until the last minute to select an heir, wanting to be assured that the very best is leading) the process for selecting a new Mualim Azim is unclear. The Council is believed to elect one of its own members to be the Mualim Azim. Some scholars claim that there is some kind of trial or quest that each Mualim Azim must fulfill in order to take the post. Very little of this can be confirmed due to the highly secretive and close-knit nature of the Qa'til Brotherhood.

Training and Technique
The Brotherhood assassins are legendary for their deadliness and efficiency. Each assassin may be a bit different as all develop their own unique style and preferred techniques. However, all Qa'til Assassins share a few similarities. To begin with, Qa'til assassins tend to be acrobatic and nimble in their combat and maneuvers. They generally employ lightning fast strikes and a great deal of climbing and tumbling movement to gain an advantage or evade capture. Thankfully for most people, they generally express little interest in travelling or operating beyond the western kingdoms. In the areas where they operate, however, their knowledge of the local area allows them to blend flawlessly with the masses. They usually utilize this to close with a target unnoticed, strike with deadly effectiveness, often utilizing a concealed or improvised weapon, then fleeing using their extraordinary athletic abilities (climbing up buildings, zipping over walls, etc.). The Qa'til are proficient in using improvised and concealed weapons and more than a few assassins have made quite a career of assassinating targets with a variety of odd and uncanny weapons (such as one infamous assassination, see below). Although they have no taboo or prohibition regarding its use, poison is not commonly utilized by the Qa'til in comparison to other assassins. They have a few poisons whose ingredients and creation are a product of the Middle West, but by and large poison use is far less common amongst the Qa'til then one might expect for an Assassin's Guild. The reasons for this are unknown (perhaps they prefer the certainty of a steel blade which can be thrown off by a fortitude save), as they do utilize poison from time to time. The Qa'til utilize a variety of weapons, based upon what the individual assassin is proficient and comfortable with, as well as most having a special talent with improvised weapons. However, there are a few items that are considered part of the "standard kit." These items include a hidden blade worn on the assassin's primary hand. The blade is identical to a masterwork punching dagger. The device works via a ring attached to the assassin's ring finger. A metal wire runs from the ring up into the gauntlet which contains a series of springs and cogs. When the assassin curls his ring finger (or entire hand, or any combination that involves his ring finger being clenched) tension is put on the wire which pulls a series of cogs extending the hidden blade. In game terms this means the assassin can "draw" or "sheathe" the weapon as a free action. It takes a DC 20 Search check to detect the hidden blade (15 with someone who is familiar with the Qa'til and is looking for the hidden blade). Because of the way the hidden blade's tension is calibrated it doesn't spring when the assassin grabs something or grips it (so for example when the assassin draws a sword with his primary hand the blade doesn't spring), only when he closes an empty fist (the tip of the ring finger must reach the palm for the proper tension to be achieved). Most Qa'til assassins also carry several throwing knives with them. Although they do not use poison regularly most Qa'til assassins carry 3 cylindrical 1 dose vials of the following poisons: Most Qa'til assassins also carry a kit with the following Qa'til Assassins may also carry a variety of other items with them as one might expect from such a versatile and elite group of assassins; the above is a mere sampling of what is common amongst them.
 * Black Cactus Flower Extract; Contact DC 20; 3d6 Con Initial and Secondary Damage; Functionally identical to the poison manufactured from the black lotus made in the Orient, this poison is manufactured by a distilling process known only by the Qa'til using small black flowers found on cacti growing near the Brotherhood's mountain stronghold. The assassin's use this poison on either their blades or in the food of a very high profile target (as the cost of making the poison is rather steep).  It is not uncommon for a Brother to drink this poison if it appears he will be captured as he will autmoatically fail both saves and certainly fail both saves.
 * Lichen Dust; Inhaled DC 16; 1d4 Wisdom and Unconsiousness Initial, Unconsiousness for 2d4 Hours Secondary; This poison is utilized for knocking out targets that the assassins want to take alive for whatever reason. It's made by crushing certain lichens found in the catacombs and caves under the Brotherhood's mountain stronghold and mixing them with an alcohol.  The assassin's administer this poison by dumping the vial into rag soaking it, then smothering the target.  The poison is stored in a powder form, which can be inhaled if it's scattered in the air, but when it's carried it's usually kept in a vial already mixed with an alcohol (or perhaps kerosene) ready to be poured over some kind of cloth.
 * Camel Spider Venom; Injury DC 22; 2d6 Dex Initial and Secondary; The Qa'til Brotherhood manufacture this poison by extracting the venom of the enormous camel spiders found in the Middle West kingdoms. When they desire to paralyze a target with their attacks rather than kill them immediately the use this poison.  In addition, they prefer using this poison as it allows for an easy kill without the expense of the Black Cactus Flower Extract.
 * Pocket grappling hook (functionally identical to a grappling hook but able to be stored in a belt pouch)
 * 60ft. of reinforced twine (functionally identical to hemp rope but can be coiled and fit into a belt pouch)
 * A Masterwork Disguise Kit
 * A Masterwork Climber's Kit incorporated as leather greaves and bracers (one of which houses the hidden blade)
 * 5 Flash pellets
 * 1 Bag of Caltrops (which fits into a belt pouch)
 * A set of Masterwork Thieves Tools
 * A wire garrote (see Song and Silence) coiled and able to be stored in a leather pouch.
 * 3 Days worth of dried trail rations stored in a large belt pouch.

Infamous Assassinations
Solus 12th, 5966KR--During a banquet thrown by Governor Talis An-Saddr, an assassin slipped in disguised as a servant.