C18 Manor House
The Thieves’ Guild Beneath the Vacant Manor
Hidden DepthsThe seemingly decrepit Vacant Manor in the civic center district of Verbobonc conceals more than meets the eye. Beneath the surface, the manor houses a well-organized and secretive The Battirovka Family Thieves’ Guild. Known as the "Family," this guild operates from the refurbished basements and sub-basements of the manor, utilizing the city’s old sewer system as both a sanctuary and a network of escape routes. This article delves into the lore, structure, and enigmatic operations of this hidden criminal organization.
Lore and History
- Foundation: Originally an esteemed manor house, the property fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned due to undisclosed tragic events linked to its last owners.
- Transformation: The Thieves’ Guild, seeking a discreet headquarters, capitalized on the manor’s neglected state and rumors to mask their activities.
- Evolution: Over the years, the guild has expanded its reach, making the manor a central hub for operations across the region.
Facilities Description
- Basement and Sub-basement: Refurbished and secured, these areas serve as the guild’s main quarters, equipped with training areas, meeting rooms, and storage for stolen goods.
- Secret Entrances/Exits: Multiple hidden passages connect the manor to the city’s sewer system, allowing members to move undetected.
- Security Measures: Advanced security, including traps and secret codes, protects the guild from unwelcome visitors or law enforcement raids.
Relationships and Politics
- City Officials: While most are unaware of the guild's true headquarters, some corrupt officials may be in league with the guild, providing protection or information for a price.
- Other Criminal Organizations: The Thieves’ Guild maintains a delicate balance of cooperation and competition with other criminal factions in Verbobonc.
- Local Businesses and Citizens: The guild often extorts or protects local businesses, influencing the economic dynamics of the civic center district.
Motivation and Goals
- Profit and Power: Primary motivations include gaining wealth and influence within and beyond Verbobonc.
- Survival: Ensuring the ongoing secrecy and security of their operations is paramount.
- Expansion: Aiming to expand their reach and control over the city’s underworld activities.
Notable People
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- Guild Master: The elusive leader of the guild, known only by their alias, orchestrates the guild’s operations and strategies.
- Security Chief: Manages the security measures and the training of new recruits.
- Liaison Officer: Handles relations with other criminal factions and negotiates with corrupt officials.
Guild Activities
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- Training Programs: New recruits are trained in the arts of stealth, lock-picking, and other necessary skills for thievery. Planned Heists: Coordination of complex burglaries and heists is a regular activity.
- Community Engagements: Despite their criminal nature, the guild occasionally engages in acts that could be seen as supporting the local community, whether for goodwill or strategic purposes.
Description of the Manor
First Floor- Foyer: Grand in its day, now the foyer is littered with debris from the collapsed ceiling, with faded murals peeling off the walls.
- Parlor: Once a room of luxury, the parlor is now dominated by broken furniture and a fireplace choked with soot.
- Dining Hall: The large dining hall features a rotting wooden table and scattered chairs, with a chandelier precariously dangling by a single chain.
- Bedrooms: Multiple bedrooms, each in varying stages of decay, their once opulent furnishings now moth-eaten and dusty.
- Library: Shelves stand mostly empty, the few remaining books swollen with moisture and mold.
- Gallery: This room once displayed valuable art, now only the faded outlines on the wallpaper suggest their previous existence.
Basement and Secret Exits
- General Condition: Dark and damp, the basement holds the remnants of what might have been a wine cellar and storage rooms.
- Secret Tunnel: A hidden door leads to a narrow tunnel that connects to Verbobonc’s sewage system, a pathway rumored to be used by criminals.
Relationships and Politics
Impact on the Community- Local Lore: The manor is the subject of many local ghost stories and myths, contributing to its eerie reputation.
- Criminal Element: The secret tunnels are suspected to be in use by local thieves and smugglers, creating a reluctant tolerance among city officials due to the difficulty in policing these passages.
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