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A thief run town... How?
- Thread starter DrunkonDuty
- Start date
Once you make the mental connection of Thieves' Guild = Organized Crime, it becomes obvious that the the Thieves Guild would control most fantasy cities. In the real world, there are many examples of places where the line between government and organized crime is purely academic. Also, remember that the Thieves' Guild is a Guild; it doesn't just commit crimes, it also regulates crime. The Guild would probably only allow so many crimes to be committed in a given month, for instance, in order to not deplete the city's resources. Excess crime would not be tolerated. Also, being professionals, the Guild would avoid killing (because you can't keep robbing dead people). The Thieves' Guild would in fact be the de facto law enforcement agency of a fantasy city. (In the same way, the Assassin's Guild would investigate and punish unsanctioned murders, keeping down the overall crime rate in the city). In such a situation, there would be a great deal of collusion between the legal authorities and the Guild. This situation also creates many adventure opportunities, such as the PCs being hired to crack down on some outlaw gang that's robbing people without Guild permission.
CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing (He/They)
Competing syndicates of thieves run everything, from law enforcement to religion. Every guild (or club, or family, or whatever) has a "legitimate" face to their business, which gives the appearance of an ordinary town...but the longer the party stays in the town, the more seedy and shady the place becomes until eventually they are drawn into one of the crime syndicates.
For inspiration, check out:
LAT: 36°10′30″N
LON: 115°08′11″W
For inspiration, check out:
LAT: 36°10′30″N
LON: 115°08′11″W
JDJblatherings
First Post
I don' think it's hard to imagine a community run by thieves...
most U.S. communities are run by members of the Democrat and Republican parties after all.
(that's humor, feel free to replace the real world parties above with Liberal Dagonists and Anno Leaning Thuggans)
most U.S. communities are run by members of the Democrat and Republican parties after all.
(that's humor, feel free to replace the real world parties above with Liberal Dagonists and Anno Leaning Thuggans)
In game terms, because rogue != chaotic evil.
There can be good, neutral, and evil rogues, even lawful ones. Not to say that all thieves are rogues, but it is pretty clear that this rogue guild is at least largely populated by 3.5 rogues.
In my mind you may have a large LE mafia type organization nominally running the city, with all manner of alignments within it with their own agendas, robin hood types, CE types, and the more people post about it the more it is seeming like an awesome place to adventure!
On the flip side you can have a LG thief leadership, which has already been pegged as socialism. I am sure with enough brainstorming you can come up with all 9 alignments' view on a thief run town.
Jay
There can be good, neutral, and evil rogues, even lawful ones. Not to say that all thieves are rogues, but it is pretty clear that this rogue guild is at least largely populated by 3.5 rogues.
In my mind you may have a large LE mafia type organization nominally running the city, with all manner of alignments within it with their own agendas, robin hood types, CE types, and the more people post about it the more it is seeming like an awesome place to adventure!
On the flip side you can have a LG thief leadership, which has already been pegged as socialism. I am sure with enough brainstorming you can come up with all 9 alignments' view on a thief run town.
Jay
Treebore
First Post
Well, politicians have always been crooks of some type.
Since I know the history of Chicago best, I would have to say its history would definitely support your statement.
Treebore
First Post
Before a mod shows up lets show some restraint about real life, current, politics, I like the intent of this thread and don't want to see it shut down.
lmpjr007
Explorer
What you never heard of Chicago?
Said mod has shown up...
Dudes and dudettes, you all signed on to The Rules when you made accounts on EN World. And one of things you agreed to is No Politics.
Don't continue with the real-world political commentary/jokes. Don't expect another warning. Threadbans or site bans may come without warning to those who keep it up.
JDJblatherings
First Post
Don't have one monolithic thieves guild. Have crime families and lesser gangs. The crime families are tolerated by the "real" (but totally ineffective government) because they keep the lesser gangs and solo rogues in check a good amount of the time.
There could be a "Thieves Guild" but it should really be a more of meeting hall and means for the families to solve disputes without resorting to messy assassinations or open violence.
There could be a "Thieves Guild" but it should really be a more of meeting hall and means for the families to solve disputes without resorting to messy assassinations or open violence.
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