Fragsie
Explorer
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A few years ago, I was a player in a 3.5 edition campaign that ran from level 1 to 20. Although not the original concept for my character she ended up being quite the spy-mistress; making new contacts every time the party moved to a new location. In time she was able to acquire some nifty magic items that indulged her voyeuristic habits, and learnt of certain tattoo rituals that allowed all of her spy contact to keep in communication with her wherever she was. By the time we reached level 20 my character was privy to information from half of Faerun, and quite often made the party some extra money (or furthered her own causes) by selling information to certain groups or kingdoms, and she had begun to influence some of her underlings into worshipping her as the goddess of secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the character, and when she was elevated to NPC status, and we began a new campaign we would from time to time come across the influence of her network.
I would like to add something similar to the LW4 setting; an international network of spies known as The Ravens; that hold no allegiance to any one country/kingdom, but will sell information to those that can afford it, or will provide information (often anonymously) when it suits their purpose. These group of ‘mercenary spies’ are also the clergy of a church to the Goddess of Secrets (whose very existence is a bit of a secret itself). What their actual purpose, or goal is remains unknown, but their choices and actions could neither be described as overtly evil or good. But one thing is for sure, their knowledge and information are a very powerful weapon; the right info given to the right person at the right time could influence anything from the construction of a new building in Daunton to the selection of the next Iron Shogun of the Jade kingdoms. Who knows how long they have existed? What part they have played in the history of the world?
They would have hidden temples in major cities across the many lands of the Shifting Seas, which also serve as training academies for new spies. Each initiate would be marked with a magical tattoo in the shape of a raven in flight; when touched by the barer they may communicate with the one who placed the mark upon them; no matter the distance between them.
So, what does everyone think? It’s only a rough idea at the moment, and I’d love to hear any ideas people might have that could expand on this. Also, as a relatively new player here at LW4 I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, or harm the great work that has already been put into the setting.
A few years ago, I was a player in a 3.5 edition campaign that ran from level 1 to 20. Although not the original concept for my character she ended up being quite the spy-mistress; making new contacts every time the party moved to a new location. In time she was able to acquire some nifty magic items that indulged her voyeuristic habits, and learnt of certain tattoo rituals that allowed all of her spy contact to keep in communication with her wherever she was. By the time we reached level 20 my character was privy to information from half of Faerun, and quite often made the party some extra money (or furthered her own causes) by selling information to certain groups or kingdoms, and she had begun to influence some of her underlings into worshipping her as the goddess of secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the character, and when she was elevated to NPC status, and we began a new campaign we would from time to time come across the influence of her network.
I would like to add something similar to the LW4 setting; an international network of spies known as The Ravens; that hold no allegiance to any one country/kingdom, but will sell information to those that can afford it, or will provide information (often anonymously) when it suits their purpose. These group of ‘mercenary spies’ are also the clergy of a church to the Goddess of Secrets (whose very existence is a bit of a secret itself). What their actual purpose, or goal is remains unknown, but their choices and actions could neither be described as overtly evil or good. But one thing is for sure, their knowledge and information are a very powerful weapon; the right info given to the right person at the right time could influence anything from the construction of a new building in Daunton to the selection of the next Iron Shogun of the Jade kingdoms. Who knows how long they have existed? What part they have played in the history of the world?
They would have hidden temples in major cities across the many lands of the Shifting Seas, which also serve as training academies for new spies. Each initiate would be marked with a magical tattoo in the shape of a raven in flight; when touched by the barer they may communicate with the one who placed the mark upon them; no matter the distance between them.
So, what does everyone think? It’s only a rough idea at the moment, and I’d love to hear any ideas people might have that could expand on this. Also, as a relatively new player here at LW4 I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, or harm the great work that has already been put into the setting.
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I also like them being pervasive - that you could find them almost anywhere of significance - but I'm not sure I want them to be totally pervasive. Again, with the inherent vagueness of the setting, I'm not sure I want to have an organization that is widespread and well-established enough that they could steer the events of the entire world, when it's a crap shoot to even travel from place to place. (That is, not that it's any more dangerous to travel in this setting than in others, but that ... places move, and you're not actually guaranteed to get to where you're going if you follow the same path twice, sort of thing.) Also, islands and even continents occassionally appear and disappear, which makes a totally pervasive organization ... very tricky, to say the least 
