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Just like the city and its inhabitants, the criminal underworld of Melza is vast, varied and multi-layered. Even as thieves, we are not a wholly united lot. Far from it. Though we pride ourselves in being more than the petty criminals and mobsters who often threaten us, we are not above mutual competition within our own ranks, whether it be between freelancers, fellowships or whole guilds. “What's our turf is our turf. Unless an acceptable deal is made, we guard our own turf and our own activities from others.”, goes the old maxim. We stick to it. But we're a mostly welcoming bunch to people of all shapes and sizes, species and sexes. If there's one thing that will get you far in the thieving world, it's professionalism, politeness, diplomacy and honesty. Don't disregard these things and you might get along well with thieves you are unfamiliar with (including members of the competition).

Work in progress.

This list concentrates on established thief guilds, or on long-existing fellowships of freelancers that have not adopted guild status within the thieving underworld.

Nicknamed “The Ditchers”, this guild is not particularly old itself (just some 40-45 odd years), but resides on the eponymous street. They are a moderately successful outfit and control some turfs and front businesses of their own, but they aren't exactly the biggest thieves' guild in Melza.

Temav Arpols

Species: Midfolk
Sex: Male
Job: Current leader of the “Ditchers”.
Specialisations: Guild Boss
Birthplace/Homeland: The City
Biography: Temav has been the head of the guild for well over a decade. Previously, he served as the Front Manager and later Aide to the old patriarch of the “Ditchers”. After the man's rather sudden death, the then members of the guild decided to elect a new boss. Temav received the largest number of votes. At first, he was very vocal about refusing this position, and giving it to someone else, but after his fellow thieves convinced him, he begrudgingly took over the reins. Though insisting in the first few years that he's not particularly happy about this arrangement, he's eased in to the mundane governance of the “Ditchers” and doesn't seem that interested in quitting anymore.

Rhíko Zarzara

Species: Stoatfolk
Sex: Female
Job: Rhíko is Temav's right-hand woman, an Aide, and she also works as a melee teacher.
Specialisations: Aide, Shadowblade, Melee Teacher
Birthplace/Homeland:
Biography:

Lonaj Pertenet

Species: Bigfolk
Sex: Male
Job: Lonaj is the dependable scribe, archivist and occassional errand master of the “Ditchers”.
Specialisations: Scribe, Pencil-pusher, Dogsbody
Birthplace/Homeland: Árast Atrav, Melza
Biography: A sour and usually taciturn man, few question Lonaj's long-standing loyalty to his home guild, despite his cold and detached demanour towards most of its members, even the boss. Greying and with sharp facial features, he's known to pay regular visits to his hometown in the nearby mountains, not far from Melza. Some of his co-workers like to joke behind his back that the frequency of his visits is motivated by a girlfriend he has over there.

Geleska Čelerna

Species: Hedgefolk
Sex: Female
Job: Geleska is the of counsellor, recruiter and pawnbroker of the Old Ditch Street thieves' guild.
Specialisations: Counsellor, Recruiter, Pawnbroker
Birthplace/Homeland: The Hetmanate
Biography: Matter-of-factly in work matters, but with a wry sense of humour and a cordial approach to others, Geleska's been overseeing the recruitment of new guild members for well over fifteen years at this point. Her family were originally emigrees to Melza, but after a property dispute tore apart the family ties, she eventually found herself homeless and alone. After a period of clinging to short-term employments to earn a living, she found herself in real dire straits and nearly gave up. That was when she was given an offer to enter the shady world of Melzan thieves. Torn on this decision at first, she accepted, hoping for the best. Since joining, her hopes have been far exceeded by her achievements, as Temav, Lonaj and other veteran mebers quickly realised she's a very capable, head-strong and energetic organiser.

TBA.

TBA.

TBA.

Their name derives from the idiom “caught red-handed”. Their symbol is a painted red palm.

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There are plenty of professional freelancers in the city, you can find most of them by name, if you're lucky.

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Setting: The City

Overviews: NPCs of The City's Criminal Underworld

Overviews: NPCs of The City's Law Enforcement and Private Security

Overviews: Civilian NPCs of The City

Overviews: NPCs of the Aporuean Continent

Thick as Thieves RP Overviews

Thick as Thieves