"They doubtless sell their services to anyone willing to pay their horrible price. Their cursed skills were perfected in the Far East, which is why they seem alien to our own civilized sensibilities. Yet, these methods are quite effective. Even the bare hands of these bestial assassins are as effective as swords, and they strike like snakes from the darkness. To be marked by them is to be consigned to Morr’s kingdom, for naught can save you once such a thing has come to pass."
- —Steffan Paulus Adelhof, Scholar of Wolfenburg
The fearsome Assasin, the elite of the elite of Clan Eshin
The Eshin Assassins of Clan Eshin represent the culmination of years of training and ruthless assasination undertaken on behalf of the Clan and the Skaven race. Some of the most feared Skaven to creep through the Under-Empire belong to this elite group. Masters of poison, exceptionally skilled in the arts of hand-to-hand combat, and versed in the ways of stealth and conspiracy, these killers sell their services to anySkaven Warlord who can meet their exorbitant fees. They even offer their services to Humans who ask the right people and who offer the proper compensation.
All Eshin warriors are trained to learn these defining skill-traits, but only the Assassins have the skill and experience necessary to undertake the highest teir of the Clan's training. It is then that the secret arts are taught, some of which are ancient techniques studied in the Far East, but many more are unique fighting styles of the ratmens own design.
By the end of the long initiation, an Eshin Assassin can jump many times its own height, hurtle over obstacles or back-flipping at great distances. He can run faster than a galloping horse and climb smooth surfaces with ease. In motion, an Assassin is a blur, able to rain blows upon a foe or pluck arrows out of mid-flight. These assassins are so adept at hiding in the shadows that many suspect supernatural magic at work. The final test in an Assassins training are death missions assigned by Clan Eshin's ruling council, presided over by Lord Sneek, the leader of the Clan and one of the Lords of Decay. After surviving the mission, the Assassin is considered an achknowledged master of the arts.
It is thanks to their fearsome reputation that theCouncil of Thirteen often employs Eshin’s Assassins in their day to day affairs. Maintaining the status quo requires precision that only an Assassin can provide. In effect, the Assassins have been relegated to the status of a secret police force at the beck and call of the Lords of Decay. Clan Eshin is aware of this, and is perhaps a bit too smug within its position of power. So long as they remain useful to the Council, however, the assassins of Clan Eshin are beyond reproach.
When the Skaven hordes march for war, they are sometimes accompanied by Clan Eshin's finest hiding amongst their numbers. These death-dealing agents pose as a regular rank and file trooper until the moment is right. At this time, they cast off their disguise and leap into position where they can do the most damage. Fighting with poisoned blades in each paw, an Assassin can unleash a murderous flurry of attacks that is more then capable of striking down an enemy leader. At other times, an Assassin will operate on the battlefield alone, working to wreak havoc behind enemy lines, setting timed bombs or using poisoned shurikens to slay targets of opportunity.
Source
- Warhammer Armies: Skaven (7th Edition) -- pg. 52
- Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Children of the Horned Rat (2nd Edition) -- pg. 68