by Dughal on Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:51 pm
The Thieves Guild
Summary:
The Thieves Guild was once a loose organization of pick-pockets. Now, it is a mercenary company that works primarily for it's own interests, taking on jobs that pay well but might not be the nicest. This includes theft, larceny, assassination, intimidation, kidnapping and extortion. Anyone wishing to join needs to possess a strong constitution and fluid moral character; otherwise they might find themselves at odds with a group of people who are willing to do nearly anything for a bit of money.
Lore :
The Thieves Guild is not a group of simple cut-purses. They aren't the local thugs who bully coins from peasants. They are professionals dedicated to the goal of making themselves rich. They rely on the skills and abilities of the other members of the Guild to accomplish jobs that none of them could do on their own, as well as offering each other some protection from reprisals when things go pear shaped. It's a group that survives only because each and every member knows it can rely on every other member to back them up in a fight and keep their mouths shut if they get caught. Anyone who fails to live up to those simple standards often come to terrible ends rather suddenly.
Having established themselves in Nanthalion some time ago, the Guild recently came to terms with the local authorities. Promising not to take jobs that undermine or work against the interest of the Empire, they are allowed to operate out of the town with minimal interference. Officially, StormBringer and his government have no love for such criminals and will offer no protection or help if they are caught. Unofficially, it is to the benefit of the Empire that they continue to operate, as these freelance agents can gather valuable intelligence that traditional methods would miss. So, the underlying agreement is that the Thieves Guild may continue to operate and exist so long as they prove useful... and avoid too much notice.
Proposed alterations and additions
First Proposal: The creation of a new position within the Thieves Guild called the “Task Master/Mistress” that will act in concert with the current Guild Leader. The purpose of this role is to create and run quests that at centered around knavery, in all it's various forms. These quests will only be open to members of the guild in most instances.
Second Proposal: The Thieves guild will be opened up to all characters who are primarily physical classes. This will allow for a much wider range of players to join, while still keeping the focus on characters who “fit the bill”. This also gives physical classes something unique to them, if they want it.
Third Proposal: Higher standards and barriers to entry to help encourage people to “work for it” rather then having it be something automatically given to a character simply because he is a certain class. The barrier for entry will still be lower for Thieves then other classes.
Fourth Proposal: A Ranked skill that can only be learned from the thieves guild called “Hand Talk”. This skill will allow communication between members who wish to share information privately between themselves in almost any situation.
Hand Talk
Rank 1 - They can understand half of what is being communicated. They can sign basic words and ideas, but the motions will be easily noticeable.
Rank 2 - They can understand whatever is signed. They can communicate single words without being noticed.
Rank 3 - They can communicate single sentences without being noticed. They can recognize it if they see someone else using a different type of sign language.
Rank 4- They can translate in real time something spoken into hand talk without being noticed.
Rank 5 - They can hold a verbal conversation and a signed conversation at the same time without being noticed.
To join the Thieves Guild:
You must be at least level three.
You must pay a 250 mhl joining fee.
You must be primarily a physical class character. This means you cannot take ranks in a magic class then a physical class. Ex; A Mage x5/Ranger x2 could not join. A Warrior x2/ Shaman x2 could.
OR, if you are have the Thief class you may choose to do the following;
You can acquire and present a Mark of the Unseen Hands to the Guild Master/Mistress.
Marks of the Unseen Hands
These blank looking tokens will be found on certain members of the Thieves Guild and close allies. They can be pick-pocketed in the place of coins, sold, traded or acquired by whatever means the potential applicant wishes to employ. Any thief carrying one of these marks has ALL other requirements waived when they try to join. Fakes have been attempted before, and so genuine marks are enchanted to react when held next to another, a faint red hand will appear just bright enough to be seen by the naked eye in pitch blackness.
Membership Requirements:
You do not talk about the Thieves Guild in public, or in front of non-members.
All members of the Thieves Guild are expected to participate in at least 1 Thieves Guild related quest every 2 months.
Any illegal or illicit activity a member wishes to conduct MUST be approved by the Guild Master/Mistress or the Guild Task Master/Mistress before being done. This includes shop thefts and pick pocketing at various events. This rule typically only applies when you get caught... so don't get caught!
Any member caught breaking these rules will be removed from the guild after one warning is given, unless the transgression is so severe that it warrants immediate expulsion. For example, drunkenly bragging about the guilds exploits to a big chested Minoess at the Inn, loud enough for everyone to overhear.