In the Mika Waltari book "The Wanderer / The Sultan's Renegade" (these name-translations are _so_ weird), there is an excellent model for imperial assasins / spies, that I intend to use when the need arises.
Set in the Turkish empire around 1400, the "agents" in question are a mystic brotherhood of the Geomailers. These people wonder the earth as inspiration takes them, composing poetry, playing music and seeking new sights to see. They have a reputation of being bold and interesting (if somewhat heretical) thinkers, and thus excellent guests for the homes of the mighty.
The Geomailers dress in a fancy and inpractical manner, often with silver bells and tufted cords as belts.
But when they are "on duty" and represent their sultan (or rather the Grand Vizier, the head of the order) they wear the Red Cord (the belt) very prominently. The symbology (and practise) is that the belt is also a strangling cord, and the apprearance of a visiting Geomailer can bring you good news from the Sultan's court, but also mean a quick and quiet death, if the Sultan desire's it.
This, I think, sounds pretty good for the Spoken Word, who I bet also do some politically necessary assasination as a part of the job.
-Adept
PS. Personally I'm not fond of the idea that the empire has half a dozen compeating "intelligence organizations". This sounds very modern to me, and not in the spirit of Glorantha (or our history either) as I understand it.
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