Thieves Guildsman

 

Daniel Comerci – danielcomerci.com

Mythos and History

It is said that the first of the Thieves’ guilds was an informal affair - cooperating thieves working together on jobs on a regular basis in the largest cities in the realm. Leadership and structure only came after some thieves broke the trust of others, risking everyone. Clever, cunning, and sometimes flat-out brutal leaders arose from this, imposing the notion that there is honor among thieves, molding them into what they are today.

Nature

Quite simply, the Thieves’ guild is a business where the business involves the illegal acquisition of wealth. Often, there are legal fronts and occupations to help with this, but the core of the business is illegal. Variants of this exist for burglary, extortion, fencing, pickpocketing, and dozens of other crimes. A smart guildmaster will diversify into many.

Thieves’ guilds are often confused with assassin’s guilds. While they do often have similar skills, thieves do not generally kill for direct profit. They would prefer to have their marks keep generating wealth for them.

Organization

Normally a strong hierarchy, with a Guildmaster at the top, under whom are several Masters. These are normally a master of one form of theft - Master of Pickpockets, Master of Cons, and so on. Under them are various Journeymen overseeing Apprentices and managing relationships with Associates - those outside the guild but willing to cooperate.

Membership

Standard

Restrictions

All thieves must take an Oath to the guild, at 30% + POW +INT. This is periodically tested, and always when a thief is gaining a rank. Theft from within the cult is taboo. The first offense finds the thief losing a finger. The second offense removes a hand. A third is normally fatal.

Thieves operating under guild auspices must tithe 80% of their haul to the guild. In return they gain a wage.

Skills

Conceal, Deceit, Evade, Gambling, Lockpicking, Mechanisms, Seduction, Sleight, Stealth, Streetwise, Thief Combat Style (Club, Dagger/Knife, Hatchet, Mace, any Crossbow; Knockout Blow)

Gifts

While Associates can get training from the guild in skills, all members in good standing of Apprentice rank or higher gain access to training in any guild skill at a discount. A small number of combat style traits are also taught, costing 1 month of tutelage and 3 experience points each.

Wages are provided for those who are actively taking jobs in the area. Wages are contingent upon successful operations and flow of money, as well as enough thieves to perform them. 

Rank	Training Discount	Traits	Daily Wage (SP)	Law Enforcement Protection Frequency
Associate	0%	None	0	None
Apprentice	25%	Cautious Fighter	2	Once per Year
Journeyman	50%	Daredevil	10	Once per Month
Master	75%	Hidden Weapon	50	Once per Week
Grand Master	100%	Blind Fighting	250	Always

Those who join the Thieves’ guild are also entitled to room and board for themselves at a facility that houses the guild. Companion rates are available for Journeymen with an Oath sworn for their good behavior during their stay, while Masters and Grand Masters can make room for their friends as needed.

This facility, for those in good standing, acts as a Sanctuary if a Master or Grand Master is present on the grounds or within an hour of travel time.

Those of Apprentice rank and higher may expect protection from law enforcement (bailing out, sheltering, etc.) in cities where the guild is established. This normally takes the form of shelter from searching police forces, bail when required, and distractions during heists. The frequency of these services depends on the rank of the thief and the importance of the task. For tasks of normal importance, the frequency is listed in the chart above.

Journeymen, Masters, and Grand Masters all gain the Weapon gift upon reaching each of those ranks. This need not be explicitly a weapon, but could be an exceptionally fine piece of art, suit of armor, or other high value object. Grand Masters benefit from first pick of virtually all goods stolen, thus gaining the highest value items for themselves.