The Kingdom of Thieves
by George HrabovskyIntroduction
The Kingdom of Thieves is a national criminal organisation specialising in spectacular robberies, burglaries, and piracy.
Joining the Kingdom of Thieves
Independent thieves are not usually bothered by the Kingdom unless they become too active (thus risking the scrutiny of the powers that be). When this occurs they are invited to join the Kingdom of to quit their activities. There is no other option.
Upon joining the initiate, as they are called enters the profession Kingdom Thief. If a Kingdom Thief ever breaks ranks or reveals any information they gain two conditions: Hunted by The Kingdom of Thieves, and Bounty (500 Royals upon the death of the thief). [In my game the primary coin is the crona).
15% of all loot must be given over to the Kingdom. This 15% provides for a reliable and untraceable fence for the goods of the character.
The symbol of the Kingdom is a wooden circle with a white square surrounded by a red square, which is in turn surrounded by a blue square.
Organisation
The head of the Kingdom of Thieves is a mysterious individual known as the Thief-King. No one knows his identity. He works through a series of Lieutenants known by a special Kingdom symbol bearing a black diagonal line through it. The King will call upon members through his lieutenants to perform special jobs when the need arises. The lieutenants will often work through their own Assistants who are the people most members deal with. Each Assistant operates a Team. Teams will frequently specialise in one or two special types of operations:
Daylight Robbery: This is where a team will rob merchants in a town in broad daylight. Such teams are well trained in concealment, planning, evasion, and weapon use.
Burglary: This is where a team will break in to a place at night and make off with any valuables without being detected. Such a team will be well trained in stealth, infiltration, evasion, and locating and disarming traps.
Con Jobs: This is where a team will convince some greedy person or other unwitting victim to give the team their money. Such a team is highly trained in deception and evasion.
Highway Robbery: This is where a team will ambush travellers on the Duke's roads. Such a team will be highly trained in concealment, riding, evasion, and weapon use.
Espionage: This is where a team will specialise in stealing secrets (either for a government or a business concern). Such a team will be highly trained in concealment, deception, infiltration, and evasion.
Piracy: This is where a team will specialise in robbing ships on the high seas or on the rivers and lakes. Such a team will be well trained in seamanship, deception, weapon use, and evasion.
High-Risk Jobs: This is where a team specialises in one of three areas: Robbing Magical Targets (requiring some magical ability), Robbing Tribes, or Robbing Thieves. Such teams are drawn from the other teams as the need arises.
Location of Teams
Daylight Robbery Teams: 2 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, Kelvin, 1 each in Dmitrov, Highforge, Luln, Penhaligon, Threshold, and Vorloi.
Burglary Teams: 2 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, Kelvin, 1 each in Dmitrov, Highforge, Luln, Penhaligon, Threshold, and Vorloi.
Con Job Teams: 2 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, Kelvin, 1 each in Dmitrov, Highforge, Luln, Penhaligon, Threshold, and Vorloi.
Highway Robbery Teams: 2 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, Kelvin, 1 each in Dmitrov, Highforge, Luln, Penhaligon, Threshold, Vorloi.
Espionage Teams: 2 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, Kelvin, 1 each in Castellan Keep, Dmitrov, Duke's Road Keep, Highforge, Luln, Penhaligon, Radlebb Keep, Riverfork Keep, Rugalov Keep, Threshold, Vorloi.
Piracy Teams: 1 each in Specularum, Fort Doom, and Kelvin.
High-Risk Teams: 1 of each type in Specularum, Fort Doom, and Kelvin.
Location of Specialists
There are four types of specialists employed by the Kingdom of Thieves: Fences, Bribed Officials, Healers, and Safehouse Operators.
There are secure fences in every city, town, village, and fort. There are bribed officials in all of the major cities, towns, and forts. There are healers in every city and town. There are safehouses in every city and town.
Enemies of the Kingdom of Thieves
The chief enemies of the Kingdom are:
The Government of Karameikos, particularly the 3rd Guard Battalion (rumoured to be the
Queen's Own Guard, and an intelligence gathering unit).
The Iron Ring, a group of slavers and thugs.
The Veiled Society, a well organised and brutal criminal organisation.