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*****Murdoch Family*****
A family of born killers, trained from birth to be protectors of the di Alkanov family. Although Tunny cares deeply for every member of his family, he would expect them capable of taking care of themselves, and would only leave Aurelion's side to rescue a Murdoch if he felt he were their only chance for survival. Any Murdoch family member should be considered dangerous.
Lyndon Murdoch: Tunny's brother. Should be considered a Barbarian of equal (or slightly lower) level than Tunny.

*****Miscellaneous*****
Other NPC's whom Tunny knows or cares about.
Adenni: A woman of the lower class living in Coran. Tunny is romantically involved with Adenni, but no one within his family or the di Alkanovs know of her. Although Tunny truly loves Adenni, he feels that he has nothing to offer her in life, and expects that she will one day find another man. Even so, he is willing to do anything for her, even if it meant sacrificing his life and charge.
Black Market/Thieves Guild: Because of his life-long career as spy and thief for an illegal merchant, Tunny has many connections with the darker side of Coran. These connections are varied and the GM may feel free to bring them up. Although Tunny would not care for the safety of such people, there are undoubtedly members of these groups who Tunny may owe favors (or that may owe him one), whom he would have interest in keeping positive relations with if possible.

Backstory:
The Murdoch’s and the di Alkanov’s have long been partners. The di Alkanov’s skill in business, legitimate or otherwise, has earned them powerful reputations among the merchants of Coran. People who associate with the di Alkanov’s believe the Murdoch’s to be advisors, or business partners, but in truth they are guardians. Along with powerful reputations come powerful enemies. The Murdoch’s have protected di Alkanov’s for generations. Trained from childhood to be killers, spies, and even assassins, the Murdoch’s skill in combat is equal to the di Alkanov’s skill in business. This is a secret that has been kept for generations.

28 years ago…
Tamerra Murdoch was brave, and she bore through the last moments of her pregnancy in a manner befitting a Murdoch. Hamel Murdoch was so proud of the strong woman she was. He had done well finding her. Certainly she would give him a strong boy or girl that would keep well with the Murdoch tradition. A scream split through the quiet of the birth room. A boy was born, yelling and kicking. Strong indeed. Those in the room quietly congratulated Hamel and Tamerra. A knock at the door and second later it opened. Arcturin and Anton di Alkanov entered. Hamel proudly showed off his strong, bellowing baby boy. “I will name him Lyndon,” announced Hamel.
The nurse squealed. Everyone turned to look. Tamerra and her nurse both stared in surprise at the second baby boy, lying quietly on the floor. “Twins,” started the nurse, “but I did not deliver this one. He must have come out on his own.” The baby remained quiet, moving only slightly as the nurse prepared it. Hamel took the second baby into his other arm, struggling to maintain control over the wiggling and crying Lyndon with only one arm. “And this one I will name Tunny.”

23 years ago…
Tamerra searched through her draw for the third time. Where had those earrings gone? A scream from the bedroom. Tamerra entered the room, expecting to see Tunny in a headlock. She kept expecting it, but it seemed as though, bully that he was, Lyndon had never been caught picking on Tunny. She’d catch him, though, sooner or later. She was certain Tunny was just too shy to admit to the bullying. Lyndon lay on the floor, holding his arm, tears touching his eyes behind obvious attempts to stop them. Tunny was standing calmly nearby, untouched. “I fell off the bed and landed on my arm funny,” came Lyndon’s strained response. His broken arm was set, and in time it healed. But it wasn’t the last time such an accident happened. Two more times screams that Tamerra expected to lead to a bruised Tunny lead instead to a broken Lyndon.

18 years ago…
“He’s holding back still.” It was said with the same calm tones that Hamel always spoke in, but Anton di Alkanov could feel heat in them. He was upset. An upset Murdoch was a dangerous thing. Now was probably not the time to ask about his missing ring. “He loves his brother too much. He refuses to dishonor him.” Anton didn’t understand. But his expertise was in other things. They stood watching Lyndon and Tunny duel. “Explain to me, Hamel. Lyndon always wins. Are you saying he draws out the duel to humor Tunny, make him feel better about his losses?” From the corner of his eye he caught the slight upturning of Hamel’s mouth. Was that almost a smile? “These boys are to be your protectors, Anton. I would not show you this otherwise. Watch the left hand. Tunny’s.” For two more duels he watched, but saw nothing different. “I don’t see it.” Hamel sighed. “Tunny lets Lyndon win. Every time. At the end, he has a chance to strike, but does not take it. I’ve seen him fight the other boys. I’ve seen him fight the trainers. He never wins. Not once. Not ever. He purposely holds back. He should be winning every one of those duels.”

17 years ago…
Anton di Alkanov stood outside in the gardens. He couldn’t bear to watch the suffering. He briefly recalled seeing another woman in labor once, she had not seemed to suffer at all. “You wanted to speak with me, sir?” Anton barely contained himself from showing surprise. Tunny stood not five paces from him. How had the boy gotten so close without notice? Had he ever heard the boy speak so many words before? He must have. “Yes, Tunny, thank you for seeing me. I wanted to speak with you about your future. Your family has provided great service to mine for generations, and we in turn have provided great wealth and comfort for your families. The time will soon come for you and your brother to take your places as my protectors.” The boy didn’t even fidget. Not a sound, not a blink. “I, however, am in a rather unique position. I have decided that I will not have both you and your brother for guardians, but only one of you.” Not even an inch. Yes, he was making the right decision. “I have chosen your brother to stand by my side, as my partner. What do you say to that?” The boy nodded. “Is that all, sir?” Anton smiled. “Oh no, Tunny. I have far more important things for you to do. You see, Tunny, you seem a fool to those who watch you, but you do not fool me.” Another nod. “I want to give you a task, one that will allow you to maintain the concealment you desire, but still grant you ample opportunity to be of use to the di Alkanov’s, and maintain the honor of the Murdoch’s. What do you say to that?” Nod. “Very well. Then I am placing my child in your charge. You will protect them, watch over them. The world grows increasingly dangerous, and I will appreciate the extra protection over my family during the troubling times to come.” Nod. “And, also, it will give me opportunity to make use of your more discreet abilities.” Nod. A cry from the upper window. The nurse poked her head out. “You have a son!”

8 years ago…
To any observer he would have appeared to be sleeping, but he was counting down. Five… four… three… two… one… The sound of paper sliding over wood. Tunny rose from his bed and retrieved the envelope from the floor. An address, a description and a note to leave behind. The letters had started coming the seventh day of every month since he had been given his charge. Minutes later he was in the street. The Veraa Estate was a large one. A guard was always posted at the gate, and others patrolled the property. None of them saw Tunny. He walked freely through the rooms, past sleeping figures in beds. None woke. Then he found it. The silver heron statue had emeralds for eyes, and golden highlights. The locked glass case was open in seconds, the metal bird tucked away in his sack, along with a few pieces of jewelry. Minutes later he was back on the street. One more stop to make. Adenni was asleep. Beautiful Adenni. She would wake to find a new golden chain and two silver rings on her dresser. He couldn’t wait to see her. A gentle kiss and Tunny was away again. Not two hours after he had rose from bed Tunny was back in it, asleep.

Several Days ago…
Aurelion di Alkanov was an intrepid young man. He always had been. Tunny had taught the boy how to use a blade, in secret. He couldn’t help it. The boy had pleaded, and he had given in. But the boy was good, a natural. Brash, loud, but a natural with a blade. Like Lyndon, he thought. How much trouble had Aurelion and his friend Tavor gotten themselves into over the years? Not half as much as he had gotten them out of before they knew it. Tunny sighed. And now this. “He plans to run away.” Anton di Alkanov nodded. “I knew it would come to this.” Their eyes met. Tunny held. “You plan to stop him, certainly,” Lyndon commented. Anton sighed. “No.” He looked at Tunny again. Nod. That was that. Tunny would follow Aurelion, wherever he decided to go. The charge was still in place. That night in his room there was a knock. Lyndon entered. Had he been crying? “Brother.” They embraced. “Take care of yourself, Tunny. And that foolhardy boy.” Nod. “I had something made for you. I was waiting for the right moment. I guess this is it then.” Tunny remained silent as Lyndon stepped from the room to retrieve a box in the hall. He didn’t tell Lyndon that he already knew. “I have something for you as well.” Lyndon failed to hide his surprise. They both opened their packages. Tunny retrieved the shinning blades from the box. “What’s this?” Lyndon held aloft the amulet. “Extra protection. For the strike you never see.” Once more an embrace, then Lyndon left. That night there was the sound of paper sliding over wood. One last mission. He quietly left the estate to see Adenni one last time, not knowing when or if she would ever see him again. Certainly he would keep watch over her.