A palm-sized note, seen as a glyphbound slip of silver parchment, made from Hexamere’s silver boreal forests in Southern Eretejva. There are arcane glyphotypes and symbols around the edge, and they offer a very faint silver glow in the dark, in the light you don’t see them. In daylight the silver parchment is generally very hard to read but in the shadows you can see the severity of promise and thus debt the parchment holds, as well as the name of the one who owes the debt. To fully reveal the date of origin and the previous owners of the slip a small sprinkling of dry skreshwood herb in darkness is needed.

The one who owns the slip may either call upon the promise when the owner is in earshot, or hand them a written request via letter if they are deaf. While some negotiation is permissible before an agreement is reached, the magic itself is a hex to any refusal to honor the deal once agreed, no matter who holds the slip. Likewise, if the slip is stolen, or not promised to a new owner, the silverslip will not record the new owner and the hex will not function. The severity of the hex depends on the severity of the debt, a minor hex might be a cold that doesn’t go away, a major hex bankruptcy, and a life hex your very life in constant peril. The magic itself is a contract, empowered and bound by the original agreement between the two parties involved. Once both parties agree to a promise with the note nearby it will be sealed, and as long as the task is completed the silver slip will fade to a blank parchment.

Contractii were once thought an Aspectii of Eleth, however this was a mistake and a poor name for them. Djnn is also not accurate, as although their spirit is woven into the slip, and bound by its runes they are quite happy to be there. The Contractii were purely arcane creations made for the necessity of contracts, laws and arcane rules, and so this is the purpose of their existence. While the Tundra elves themselves hate routine and the predictable nature of the contracts, their society requires them to function. As well as traders, merchants, governors, criminals, mercenaries etc. Assassins and Assassinae both need them to carry out their work, and they make a very useful currency for those who live anything up to a thousand years.

Silverslips are a promissory note. They agree a minor, major or life promise to the owner from the one whose name is on the slip. Thus they can be traded like currency, meaning if you sign one your favor can be traded to any with a mind to call it in. A mark from the one offering the promise is needed, a thumbprint, a palm print, a seal, a cross it doesn't matter as long as they make it.

Examples of a Minor Promise Slip:

• Fetching something mundane from a long-distance away.
• Teaching a pupil a language or skill.
• Attending an important meeting to lend advice.
• Financial aid for a business.

Examples of a Major Promise Slip:

• Danger is often found in a major promise, this can be life-threatening or not. Generally speaking, if a danger exists it's not walking into certain death, its just a factor.
• Serving someone for a year.
• Retrieving a dangerous magical artifact.
• Giving your support in a council vote.
• Stealing a deed to land from a baron.

Examples of a Life Promise Slip

• Saving their life or someone they love at your own peril.
• Serving someone for fifty years.
• Generally risking your own life against bad odds.
• Leading a long war and bitter campaign for a king.
• Teaching someone forbidden magic that’s likely to get you both in mortal trouble.
• Assassinating a noble who is surrounded by guards.

To those hexed and not intending to make amends to the owner of the contract with another deal, which also can work. Breaking a hex is a tricky affair, as it's a hex you agreed to yourself if you broke the contract. It’s believed it could be done but it wouldn’t be a walk in the park, incurring some personal risk from the Contractii spirits bound within the slip. On top of that, the people with vested interests in keeping these slips legitimate may well hunt you down, and they have long memories as well as gifted assassins for just such an event, that is if the owner of the slip doesn't get you first!

The loophole here is obvious to those reading between the lines. To endlessly negotiate what that favor, boon or promise will be. While some of that is par for the course, too much can also provoke a reaction from not only the owner of the slip but also the contractii spirits behind the creation of the slip, albeit in a more ‘friendly capacity’, a reminder of your obligations, a missing coin purse, getting lost without your map, or someone blaming you for something serious that you didn't do for example.

One final note. You are useful to the people that hold these silverslips. Meaning they may well protect you until you've carried out their task at a later date. They are a way of maneuvering through the more dangerous landscape of spies, thieves and assassins while keeping an ace in the hole, but then it's even better if you are holding a slip yourself to someone who is influential.

Enigma City | Eleth the Unknowable
It's Just Good Business: First Mention.