Rogues of Seltaren
 | This article is about a topic found primarily or only in the RPGA's Living Greyhawk campaign (2000-2008). While it is officially sanctioned and is frequently based on officially published material, it may be considered unofficial or non-canonical to the setting. |
| Rogues of Seltaren | |
|---|---|
| Other names: | The Rogues |
| Type: | Criminal element |
| Founded: | ~572 CY |
| Leader: | Masseir until 595 CY Tralkes from 596 CY |
| Headquarters: | Seltaren |
| Allies: | Black Blade School of Fencing, Seltaren Performers Society, and School of Security |
| Enemies: | House Kressel |
The Rogues of Seltaren is a criminal organization (essentially a thieves' guild) which is responsible for most of the shady activities that occur in Seltaren.
History
Seltaren, once the capital of the Duchy of Urnst, was a city of wealth and splendor. After the capital moved to Leukish, it declined into a hub of politics and crime. Despite this, noble families kept part of the city pristine, while the rest of Seltaren became divided. Upper Seltaren remains affluent, while Lower Seltaren is plagued by poverty and crime. Though Duke Karll's efforts reduced crime in Leukish, it flourished in Lower Seltaren, where the Rogues of Seltaren have recently gained power, secretly controlling much of the illicit activities in the city.
At the heart of the Rogues of Seltaren is an enigmatic Oeridian named Masseri, who has skillfully united various Rogue Bands through diplomacy and underworld expertise. He maintains control by enforcing a code of secrecy, low profiles, and informal rules, ensuring that no one person knows all the important Rogues. Masseri regulates the level of crime in Seltaren to avoid attracting the Duke's wrath and focuses on low-impact crimes like smuggling, pickpocketing, and money laundering. He has also established a mutually beneficial relationship with the Lower Seltaren Watch, which turns a blind eye to their activities in exchange for bribes. Masseri runs an annual event called "The Night Where Nothing Happens," a secretive scavenger hunt where Rogues gain prestige and rewards, while he oversees the game to ensure everything is returned to its original state by morning.[1]
The Rogues operate various cover organizations to engage in legal business activities in Seltaren and beyond, using them to plausibly mask their operations. Some of these organizations include the Black Blade School of Fencing, the Seltaren Performers Society, and the School of Security[2] and prior to 596 CY, the Lamplighters Guild before they were forcibly disbanded.
Structure
- Street Runner
- Street Runners, typically beggars, pickpockets, or small-time thieves, have not yet earned the Rogues' trust. They serve as lookouts and messengers, deferring to all higher-ranking Band members.
- Confidant
- Confidants are full members of the Rogues, handling most daily tasks within their bands but with little autonomy outside their assignments.
- Thief
- Thieves are highly respected within the Rogues, skilled in various operations and granted limited autonomy in their areas of expertise.
- Master Thief
- Master Thieves, the highest rank among the Rogues, are elite operatives—noble cat burglars, court spies, and master smugglers with far-reaching influence.
Members
Notable individuals
- Masseri-(male human (Oeridian) rogue) a very non-descript human with a huge frock of brown curly hair[3]
- Tralkes-(male human Ranger 1/Rogue 3) Masseri's assistant
- Sly-Winner of "The Night Where Nothing Happens," of 596 CY, and appointed "First Rogue of Seltaren",joined Tralkes in leading the Rogues after Masseri went missing.
Bands
The Rogues of Seltaren are organized into Bands, each specializing in specific illegal activities like smuggling, burglary, gambling, and information brokering. Each Band controls a distinct territory in the city, and trespassing into another Band's area often leads to conflicts, which are subtly discouraged by Masseri.
- Black n’Blue[4]
- The BBs, composed mainly of half-orcs and others with rough features, are known for their straightforward extortion tactics, threatening shopkeepers and citizens in Lower Seltaren Market. Historically, they were uncontrollable, but recently, Storg, a former member of the Lower Seltaren Guard, has gained influence and notoriety among them.
- Storg
- The Eyes of the Great Observo[4]
- The Eyes are a newly formed band known for their exceptional skills in gathering information, observing events, and uncovering secrets. They offer intelligence services, engage in information brokering, and occasionally participate in indirect blackmail. The Eyes gained recognition by winning the "Night Where Nothing Happened" in 596 CY.
- The Great Observo
- The Gray Mists[5]
- The Gray Mists, led by S'voren, a Rhennee outcast, specialize in smuggling goods along the Lower Lukala River. Rumored to use secret subterranean passages to bypass the Draw, they rely on expert counterfeiters to provide proper documentation for their goods. The group maintains strong ties with shady riverboat captains.
- S'voren
- The Ground Hogs[6]
- The Groundhobs, active since 588 CY, were favored to win the 590 CY competition. However, Grumbar gained widespread respect by choosing to save a teammate who fell accidentally instead of securing victory.
- Grumbar Mumbar Brumbar Rooster Tumbar-(LG male gnome Rogue 3)
- Lisendha-(N female half-elf Ranger 3)
- Kavin Houndswallow-(N male halfling Sorceror 3)
- The Love of the City[7]
- Nearly wiped out by a tiefling band called The Cultured Shadows that sought to win by killing the other bands at the "Night Where Nothing Happened" in 591 CY.
- Falls-(N male human Rogue 3)
- Masseri's Men[8]
- Masseri's Men handle front operations and information brokering for Masseri. Tralkes was Masseri's assistant until 595 CY, then assumed leadership in 596 CY after Masseri left Seltaren.
- Masseri
- Tralkes (NG male human Rng1/Rog3)
- The Seven Bells[4]
- The Seven Bells is a secretive organization focused on training pickpockets. Its leadership remains mysterious, as an unknown figure always attends meetings and ensures that instructions are followed. The group is exclusive and highly organized.
- The Shadow Cats[5]
- The Shadow Cats, led by a mysterious figure rumored to be a shave or vampire, specialize in second-story burglaries. They target Upper Seltaren estates, often replacing valuables with counterfeits, making most of their thefts go unnoticed.
- The Snake Eyes[4]
- The Snake Eyes are recovering from a past defeat and are now led by One Eyed Jork, a small-time rogue with ambitions to expand into loan sharking. Currently, the band mainly operates in various games of chance, and Jork is actively seeking new members to grow his influence.
- One Eyed Jork
- The Spectral Hands[9]
- Nerrisor, expelled from the College of Sages and Sorcery for dark summoning, found a place within the Rogues of Seltaren. Feeling overlooked by other band leaders, he formed his own band, attracting spellcasters. His group earns money by offering their services to other bands on a job-by-job basis.
- Nerrisor
- Sue's Surly Sores[9]
- Sue is a key member of the Rogues and is known for being approachable. She often disguises herself as an old beggar woman to stay in touch with the scattered members of her Band.
- Sue
- The Tears of the Laughing Rogue[9]
- The Tears of the Laughing Rogue, devotees of Olidammara, uniquely combine religious zeal with burglary, specializing in looting temples. They originated in Lower Seltaren by plundering abandoned temples after the Temple Coalition Revolt of 571 CY. Despite a setback during the "Night Where Nothing Happened," they have recently regained prominence through successful temple raids in and outside Seltaren.
Locations
While the Rogues operate primarily in Seltaren and her environs, they have been known to operate in other cities like Leukish and Nellix.
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.49
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.60
- ↑ The Night Where Nothing Happens (2001)(RPGA), p.13
- ↑ a b c d Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.54
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.56
- ↑ The Night Where Nothing Happens (2001)(RPGA), p.20
- ↑ The Night Where Nothing Happens (2001)(RPGA), p.19
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.57
- ↑ a b c Living Greyhawk Duchy of Urnst Meta-Org Book (2007) v1 , p.55
- ↑ a b c Tears of the Sun (2005)(RPGA), p.5
Bibliography
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
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