The Talons
The Talons is the main thieves' guild that works around the world. They used to do mainly thieving jobs, but now they're also sneaking in items and helping magical creatures in and out of the city, too. Most do not kill on their jobs, only in self-defence. The Talonbreakers are the only members allowed to kill.
The main base is called the Roost, which is located in Novi, the capital city of Shilengene, and the smaller bases in cities and towns are called Nests.
Structure
The Silent Strix: Absolute leader so decisions are final.
Inner Circle
The Nightclaw (Chief of Operations): Runs all burglaries, heists, infiltration, and assassination contracts. Personally trains elite thieves. Commands the Shadowwings.
The Gloamfeather (Master of Secrets): Oversees spies, informants, blackmail archives, and coded communications. Maintains the Whisperroost- the intelligence vault.
The Burrowkeeper (Logistics & Safehouses): Handles money, fences, smuggling routes, warehouses, lairs. Ensures members have food, shelter, and escape tunnels. Manages the Hollow Network, a chain of hidden safehouses.
The Talon-Seer (Lore & Forbidden Knowledge): Studies magical history, banned relics, and anti-magic methods. Helps the guild avoid magical traps from the era before the ban. Keeps magical artefacts.
Mid-Tier Divisions
Shadowwings (Elite Thieves): Personal agents of The Nightclaw. Perform the hardest infiltrations and political burglaries. Each wears a carved ceramic owl mask.
Whisperers (Spies & Informants): Street-level and palace-level eyes. Often not official members (bards, servants, monks, beggars). Report to The Gloamfeather.
Hollow Runners (Smugglers & Couriers): Transport stolen goods, messages, forbidden texts. Often younger members aspiring to rise higher. Skilled at avoiding patrols and checkpoints.
Featherbinders (Forgery & Disguise Experts): Create documents, counterfeit coins, disguise kits. Also craft the signature owl masks and talon rings.
Rank-and-File Members
Rooklings: New recruits. Given the most dangerous low-level work: pickpocketing, rooftop scouting, or message running. Must prove loyalty through doing the jobs.
Hollow Owls: Full members trusted with actual contracts. Wear a simple leather band with an owl claw charm.
Mask-Owls: Graduated thieves who completed a major heist. Earn their personalised owl mask, symbol of status. Can lead small crews.
Support & Auxiliary Roles
Perchkeepers: Safehouse caretakers who pose as innkeepers, carpenters, or healers. Keep hidden rooms stocked and secure.
Scrivener-Talons: Code-makers, mapmakers, and record-keepers
Talonbreakers: A quiet but deadly enforcement arm. Deal with traitors, infiltrators, and rival gangs. Feared both inside and outside The Talons.
Culture
The Rites of Plucked Feathers
If a member betrays the guild, their feather charm is burned, and their mask is shattered.
Public Agenda
They are just looking for ways to make money. But they are now helping those who are also deemed outcasts.
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