Nakira's Tale

'I was born in the Raj of Paka-Shei in a society where all other races were enslaved. My father was High Assassin for the Rajah and it was he who taught me most of my skills desiring me to survive in a dangerous world. I made a good marriage, however, within the nobility and led a comfortable life bringing up two daughters and a son. My father, however, came to question much of the policy of the Rajah and in due course was tried for treason.

Asked to denounce my father I chose instead to flee with my children. I was hunted but I was a difficult prey to catch and the hunters frequently paid with their lives. My children were, however, my weakness and I resolved that I would hide them where they could not be found. I heard of a world that was increasingly difficult to travel to and in any case had fallen from its high civilisation and was of little interest to the rest of the multiverse. I can steal as well as I kill and paid for my passage and for my children’s upbringing visiting them sparingly because of the risk of their discovery.

In due course my children came of age and I visited them more rarely. My daughters I had taught my skills but they had no reason to use them professionally, finding acceptance in the fringe of society that you call ‘adventurers’. My son, Nasim, however, was more difficult to teach. Like his father before him he prefer to dabble in magic, seeing it as an easier life. Perversely he used it to become an assassin calling himself ‘Kyren Darkmantle’ to conceal his identity.

I grew apart from my son and he from me. Away from the cruelties of Paka-Shei society my daughters blossomed but Nasim seemed intent on bringing the values of that society into your world (a society ironically that has sentenced him to death for the crime of being my child). He became cruel and vain with no loyalty to family of friends.

It was in Greatport that he committed the crime for which there is no forgiveness. An underground cult began blooming in the city protected by criminal elements and secret worshippers in the nobility. My eldest daughter Nahira was hired to uncover its workings which she did to great effect and their temple was destroyed. The cult, however, put out a contract on her head. Nasim took the contract and used his kinship to betray her.

My other daughter Nifara has spent five years untangling this deceit and would have attempted to avenge her sister. I have, however, taken this task upon myself and because I could not bear to lose another member of my family, Nifara lies drugged in a safe place.

• Nasim will come here because he believes you are held here by the Greatport Assassins Guild
• A priest of the cult will come here because he believes that Kyren Darkmantle holds you here
• Representatives from the Greatport Assassins and Thieves Guild will come here because they believe that Kyren Darkmantle is holding an unsanctioned meeting here (they claim to ‘own’ this place)
• Assassins from Paka-Shei will also be here demanding the head of Nasim since someone has tipped them off that he is here. They will be the most dangerous people in the room (excepting myself)

I intend to kill all who step into this room with the exception of your friends who will come to rescue you. If that seems impossible do not underestimate my skill, the conflict between the parties I have named and lastly the nature of the room above which is designed as a killing field, a place where beings die for the entertainment of others. I have delved its secrets and it will be under my control.'