Murder, Inc.: Difference between revisions

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* The Assassins Guild of [[Discworld]], whose motto is "''Nil Mortifi Sine Lucre''": "No killing without profit". The guild is legal, the head of the Assassin's guild is an influential public figure, and it's common for nobles to send their children to it (though often just for its normal educational excellence, as the Black Curriculum has a high attrition rate). They abide by several rules, including that they're not allowed to kill people unless they are paid to, and cannot kill the defenseless. Though anyone rich enough is considered able to "defend" themselves by hiring someone else to protect them.
* The Assassins Guild of [[Discworld]], whose motto is "''Nil Mortifi Sine Lucre''": "No killing without profit". The guild is legal, the head of the Assassin's guild is an influential public figure, and it's common for nobles to send their children to it (though often just for its normal educational excellence, as the Black Curriculum has a high attrition rate). They abide by several rules, including that they're not allowed to kill people unless they are paid to, and cannot kill the defenseless. Though anyone rich enough is considered able to "defend" themselves by hiring someone else to protect them.
{{quote|'''Dr Cruces:''' No, we do it for the money. And, because we above all must know the value of a human life, we do it for a great deal of money.}}
{{quote|'''Dr Cruces:''' No, we do it for the money. And, because we above all must know the value of a human life, we do it for a great deal of money.}}
*** It is mentioned in one novel that they were inspired by a Klatchian ([[Fantasy Counterpart Culture|read Arabic]]) group identical to the original Assassins. In ''Jingo'', as Ankh-Morpork goes to war with their homeland, Vetinari notes acidly that the Guild's boast of being so good that the Klatchians send their children there really means that Klatch's assassins know Ankh-Morpork's methods, have refined their ancestral skills, and have a working knowledge of the city's layout.
:* It is mentioned in one novel that they were inspired by a Klatchian ([[Fantasy Counterpart Culture|read Arabic]]) group identical to the original Assassins. In ''Jingo'', as Ankh-Morpork goes to war with their homeland, Vetinari notes acidly that the Guild's boast of being so good that the Klatchians send their children there really means that Klatch's assassins know Ankh-Morpork's methods, have refined their ancestral skills, and have a working knowledge of the city's layout.
*** It is also mentioned in ''Night Watch'' that the Assassin's Guild ''does'' have a political opinion and, as they see it, will act for the good of the city if the Patrician's misrule is causing too much suffering. They never act on their own behalf, but are just there when needed.
:* It is also mentioned in ''Night Watch'' that the Assassin's Guild ''does'' have a political opinion and, as they see it, will act for the good of the city if the Patrician's misrule is causing too much suffering. They never act on their own behalf, but are just there when needed.
*** This is further explored in ''[[Discworld/Thud|Thud]]!'', in which it's revealed that the Assassin's Guild does not take contracts on people whose death they feel would be disadvantageous to the stability of Ankh-Mopork (in Vimes' words, "would not only spoil the game but toss the board out the window"). To date, this list contains the current patrician, Vetinari, and the commander of the city watch, Vimes. Both men have proven to be very assassination-resistant anyway: A [[Noodle Incident]] is referred to about the last assassin sent after Vimes before the ban; apparently Vimes overpowered him and had him put on a boat headed for [[Land Down Under|XXXX]].
:* This is further explored in ''[[Discworld/Thud|Thud]]!'', in which it's revealed that the Assassin's Guild does not take contracts on people whose death they feel would be disadvantageous to the stability of Ankh-Mopork (in Vimes' words, "would not only spoil the game but toss the board out the window"). To date, this list contains the current patrician, Vetinari, and the commander of the city watch, Vimes. Both men have proven to be very assassination-resistant anyway: A [[Noodle Incident]] is referred to about the last assassin sent after Vimes before the ban; apparently Vimes overpowered him and had him put on a boat headed for [[Land Down Under|XXXX]].
** Another of the Guild's duties is to maintain its monopoly on the trade. Demarcation being the greatest and most foolhardy of Morporkian crimes (with the possible exception of [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|street miming]]), freelancers lucky enough to be caught by the Watch are considered to be getting off easy.
:* Another of the Guild's duties is to maintain its monopoly on the trade. Demarcation being the greatest and most foolhardy of Morporkian crimes (with the possible exception of [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|street miming]]), freelancers lucky enough to be caught by the Watch are considered to be getting off easy.
* Also from [[Discworld]], and a probable reference to the page quote, The New Firm; Mr. Pin, the brains, and Mr. Tulip, the muscle (with a bad chemical habit and a deep appreciation for antiquities). Aside from referencing Misters Croup and Vandemar, some of their dialogue also echoes Jules and Vincent of [[Pulp Fiction]].
* Also from [[Discworld]], and a probable reference to the page quote, The New Firm; Mr. Pin, the brains, and Mr. Tulip, the muscle (with a bad chemical habit and a deep appreciation for antiquities). Aside from referencing Misters Croup and Vandemar, some of their dialogue also echoes Jules and Vincent of [[Pulp Fiction]].
** Mr. Tulip's purse says "Not A Very Nice Person At All". Says it all, really.
** Mr. Tulip's purse says "Not A Very Nice Person At All". Says it all, really.
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* The Brotherhood of the Hand from ''[[The Death Gate Cycle]]'' is part Murder, Inc. and part [[Thieves' Guild]]; they are the most powerful criminal organization in their world and have their hands in all sorts of dubious enterprises, but are most well-known for producing highly competent assassins, including [[Anti-Hero]] [[Badass Normal|Hugh]].
* The Brotherhood of the Hand from ''[[The Death Gate Cycle]]'' is part Murder, Inc. and part [[Thieves' Guild]]; they are the most powerful criminal organization in their world and have their hands in all sorts of dubious enterprises, but are most well-known for producing highly competent assassins, including [[Anti-Hero]] [[Badass Normal|Hugh]].
* ''[[Neverwhere]]'' by [[Neil Gaiman]] has '' "Croup and Vandemar, the Old Firm, obstacles obliterated, nuisances eradicated, bothersome limbs removed and tutelary dentistry." ''
* ''[[Neverwhere]]'' by [[Neil Gaiman]] has '' "Croup and Vandemar, the Old Firm, obstacles obliterated, nuisances eradicated, bothersome limbs removed and tutelary dentistry." ''



== Live-Action TV ==
== Live-Action TV ==
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