To me, the Shadow-Hand is just like any other thieves' guild - only larger and meaner. It is such a cliché that the headquaters is located in the slums and the identity of the guildmaster is a secret. That he (Valinor Acindelyrovius) is actually in daily life a respectable and upstanding member of society.
I think that since the location of the guild's headquaters is known to the authorities (they just don't dare to touch it) it would be interesting to create a true court of thieves with a "King of Thieves". A mockery of the aristocracies, kings and emperors of the Known World.
I remember the guild in "Dungeons & Dragons - The Movie" (not a good movie but it had interesting features). The leader of that guild sat on a throne and was the "king" of all the poor, the beggars and the thieves of that city. He had no desire to mingle with the rich and sophisticated upper class and participate in booring balls and ceremonious dinner parties. No, here was a man who had worked his way up from the dirt of the street and the course of his life had shaped him into a cruel, sadistic despot who delighted in mortal combat and other depraved forms of entertainment. (Which can also be said for some of Thyatis' upper class, I know).
Anyway, I think it would be intersting to have a true "king of the underworld". One who is not afraid to show his face because he knows that his rule is supreme. After all, why settle for being "just another aristocrat" when you can be the king of the poor and wanting masses? As long as he makes sure that none of his lieutenants are capable of topling him and that the masses worship him for the bread and wine he distributes among them, he's got it made.
I imagine Valinor as cruel and self-reliant, arrogant and suceptible to flattery, slightly megalomanic and an iron-fisted ruler of the underworld. His underworld stronghold features a throne raised high on a dias where he can accept the cheers of the masses of poor and hungry, who come to him for wine and bread. His realm is a depraved mockery of the emperor's court with the most decadent forms of amusement imaginable. He is confident in his loyal bodyguard (but not overconfident) and has resources available to him rivaling the wealthiest of senators.
Any comments?
:-) Jesper
My player's once crossed their way with another set of characters and the result is that with the current characters, the simple mention of that name...well...you should really see their faces...
I also like the original idea that the Guild Master's identity is publicly known, but that the Senators don't dare to touch him out of fear of reprecussions. Cool ideas
Havard
why not give them international connections?
Think of the political possibilities of the interactions of various orders from different nations. For instance, the Shadow Hand negotiating with the Iron Ring for a reliable and steady supply of illegally aquired slaves. Then, those in Karameikos who hear of such an arrangement (say, members of the Church of Karameikos) start wielding their power in an effort to get Stefan to pressure Thyatian authorities to "get active" in countering it. The possibilities are massive.
And that's saying nothing about the activity that would take place in Thyatis to get the new slaves "inserted" into the legal slave-trade.
Guilds and organizations attempting to strengthen themselves by using others, spying on each other, or even cell groups within such orders persuing personal goals like revenge or "side business".
I never really thought about quite like this before. Or maybe it's just in a fresh light, but I have a new vision for running guilds (thanks to you guys) - "No guild is an island!".
Originally posted by havard
I just posted a couple of emails on the MML about organizations of the Known World
Can you post it here as well for those of us who are not on the MML ? Please? Or will it be at the Vault soon? I'd really like to read it!
:-) Jesper
Originally posted by Spellweaver
Can you post it here as well for those of us who are not on the MML ? Please? Or will it be at the Vault soon? I'd really like to read it!
My article on Organizations of the Known World is currently available on the Vaults. Just follow this link.
Havard
I particularly like the League of Rakes - that's gonna fit right in with my campaign!
A few questions about the Storm Legion (e.k.a. Storm Soldiers):
1) Ares (Alphaks) as their immortal is a cool idea, but in your campaign is Ares then an immortal worshipped openly or in secret?
2) What reason did the Hattians have to switch their worship from the Thyatian patron Vanya to Ares?
3) Do the Heldannic Knights consider the Storm Legion as un-believers or as allies?
And about the Iron Ring:
1) I like the idea of a tatoo of manacles but where did it arise? is it yours or "official"? How big is the tatoo and where on the body do the members have it?
:-) Jesper
Originally posted by Spellweaver
Cool article, Havard!
I particularly like the League of Rakes - that's gonna fit right in with my campaign!
Thanks!
I didnt see much point in importing the class to 3e as it was, but once I realized it could be turned into an organization, I saw more potential for it.
1) Ares (Alphaks) as their immortal is a cool idea, but in your campaign is Ares then an immortal worshipped openly or in secret?
2) What reason did the Hattians have to switch their worship from the Thyatian patron Vanya to Ares?
3) Do the Heldannic Knights consider the Storm Legion as un-believers or as allies?
I stole the Ares idea from James Mishler. Basically, I think he should be openly worshipped, but that his actual identity (Alphaks) should be unknown. The change of worship is a gradual shift, through manipulations by Entropic agents among the Hattians. The relationship between the Storm Legion is interesting. I am open to ideas on this one. Basically, I think they might view eachother as allies for the time being, but may eventually grow more distant to eachother.
And about the Iron Ring:
1) I like the idea of a tatoo of manacles but where did it arise? is it yours or "official"? How big is the tatoo and where on the body do the members have it?
Actually Im not sure. I think it is from B10 though. They would probably have the tatoo on their chest, right above their heart. It shouldnt be too big, but not tiny either.
Havard