The Hounds of Fortune

The Hounds have always held to the idea of loyalty within the organization. They see themselves as a true brotherhood, and betrayal within the group was met with immediate expulsion or even more drastic repercussions.   The Hounds also valued freedom as an ideal. Their interpretation of their own history was that of cultural revolutionaries, outcasts who were abandoned by the hierarchy. They saw themselves as "true patriots" and supporters of the people of Capellia. They were known to donate large portion of their scores to public works.   In honor of their founder, the master art forger Jakob 'the Hound' Bernhardt, the Hounds were known to paint scenes from each of their jobs. These paintings were kept as memorials within individual guild halls.  

The Hounds of Fortune were founded by Jakob 'the Hound' Bernhardt in the wake of the Shattering of Dreaux. Bernhardt, a minor Capellian noble, was a prolific spy of renown as part of the 3rd Capellian Legion during the Skybreaker Wars. At the conclusion of the conflict, however, he was stripped of his titles and estate due to his association with the 3rd Legion. Although his remaining political clout allowed him to escape branding with the Mark of the Skybreaker, Bernhardt was left penniless and without dignity. He turned to his considerable espionage training to find a new lot in life as a gentleman thief. He chose the moniker of "the Hound", naming himself after the national symbol of Capellia, a barbed jab at the country who forced him from patriot to criminal.   Over the course of years, Bernhardt developed a criminal network. Initially, specializing in art theft and forgery, Bernhardt's crew eventually branched out into all facets of unseemly gains. Over time, the loose knit gang became more organized, and the group adopted the name of their founder. Thus, the Hounds of Fortune were formed.   Over the centuries, the Hounds orchestrated many of the highest profile criminal undertakings across Capellia. They grew to include guild halls in every major Capellian city, with some halls even popping up in Dreaux. The Hounds became synonymous with the "good side" of organized crime: underdogs who were pulling fast ones over on a apathetic and uncaring ruling class.   The sterling reputation of the Hounds would not last, however. After centuries of success, the Hounds face major setbacks. As the world became darker and more cynical, rival organizations came to power. These rivals lacked the ideals of the Hounds, which meant they were inclined to do any job no matter how morally objectionable. The Hounds own success painted a target on the organization, and undercutting them became the goal of every gang in Western Aerd.   Over the last 100 years, the Hounds have faded into obscurity. The last known guild was based in the Capellian city of The Sisters, but it is not known currently if there are any active members.