the assassins' guild has a strict code of conduct. it is considered absolutely unforgivable for an assassin to kill (or as they refer to it, "inhume") for any reason other than being paid to do so. of course, to distinguish themselves from common hitmen, the assassins' code also demands that they be paid a "very large amount" to do so. typical guild contracts have the guild taking half of the payment, with the assassin keeping the remainder. the code also demands assassins never reveal the source of the contract. after an inhumation they must by law always leave a receipt. they must also give the client (they view the victim as the client) a sporting chance, and thus are forbidden from accepting contracts on those who are unable to defend themselves (though for their purposes, anyone wealthy enough to "afford" bodyguards is considered able to defend themselves, whether they have actually hired any or not). with this in mind the guild strongly disapproves of firearms (which are, in any case, extremely uncommon on the disc), and also of most (but not all) other mechanical (beyond bows and crossbows) or chemical weapons (beyond poisons applied to implements or comestibles). also, it is apparent that the guild will only accept one contract per client (who would be relieved to know that only "one" assassin is planning to kill them), as mentioned in "making money". they also frown on performing jobs on the street (again to distance themselves from common hitmen) and prefer to service a client in his/her home or place of business (as mentioned in "feet of clay").