The GUILD
The Guild as it stands today has gone through many transformations, though its origins come from the old tradition of the shipbuilding Castellani family and the fishing Nicolottis. The two warring families created the first guilds in Venice, groups that ostensibly would work together for the benefit of their own workers, but realistically were only created to organize the fighting between the two families. The Guild consists of both these groups and more, coming from destitution into power. Venice always had several guilds representing the various businesses of the city. As Venice struggled financially the Guilds lost their power and pull over the running of Venice, eventually becoming nothing more than a collection of out-of-work, impoverished commoners. This led to them turning towards the criminal underbelly of La Serenissima. In little time the Thieves Guild became the biggest and strongest guild throughout all of Venice.
MEMBERS OF THE GUILD
The Thieves Guild
The largest faction in the Guild, the Thieves run organised crime in Venice. A secret society with members spread throughout the city they specialize in muggings, extortion, and smuggling. Whilst they may be criminals, they abide by the Three Rules:
- Omertà - The most important of the three rules, ensuring complete secrecy.
- Fedeltà - This rule demands the complete loyalty of all members to their superiors.
- Fraternità - All dealings or businesses must be authorized by the Guild.
Behind the Thieves and their shady dealings is the King of Thieves, whose identity is known to no one. For how long he has been in charge is a similar mystery or whether this is a title passed from down instead of a single individual.
House of Virtue
The longest alliance the Guild has is with the harlots. Once a disparate collection of sex workers, this group has now become a full guild in its own right. The house is led by an elected council of Madames, headed by Lady Magdalene, who oversees all brothels in the city. No longer focused on the Ducats of Venice's elite, some harlots have shifted their focus to magic.
During the Bloody Night, the Matron Guiliana sealed a pact with the ancient witch Baba Yaga. Through sacrificing a party of revelers, they forged a powerful bond and were gifted a small taste of her magic. Whether this was a trick is yet to be revealed...
The Great and Noble Cult of the End of Days.
Nobody knows the circumstances surrounding this cult's founding or why they chose the Pulcinella character as their champion. Infected with a madness linked to the Rent, they claim that the heavens have opened and the end of days has arrived. With no reason to continue living civilized lives, the cult members have embraced hedonism.
Drinking, fighting, gambling, and causing mayhem are what the cult does best, and giving into the insanity of the situation for many is the best outlet. For if the end days are here then the members of the cult will enjoy their last few days to the fullest.
Trade Workers
Many members of lesser Guilds such as the Mascareri, Dockworkers, Union of Butchers, and more have thrown their lot in with The Guild. With the City rapidly falling into chaos many of its working class had no choice but to band together for survival. This rapid recruitment quickly saw the Guild rise in status and when the rival Rialto Assassins group affiliated themselves with the King of Thieves, they rose even higher.
Offering a variety of services to its members, the Guild represents the largest affiliation of citizens in Venice.
GANGS OF THE GUILD
OSTRICH CHARIOT
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
OSTRICH CHARIOT
Even among the crazed cult of the End of Days, the Pulcinellas that draw the Ostrich Chariot are renowned for their chaotic nature, finding any excuse for a fight. Pulled by two ostriches, the Ostrich Chariot causes absolute pandemonium as it charges around the narrow streets of Venice, knocking over stalls and civilians alike.
SANGUINE SIN
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
OSTRICH CHARIOT
Harlots. Their depravity knows no bounds and it is said that even fellow members of the Guild have been brutally murdered for their blood. These harlots use the collected blood for their magic’s and rumours are rife amongst the other Courtesan houses that the Blood Matrons even bathe in the collected blood.
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
The Harlots have bound Baba Yaga to themselves and Venice. After spilling the blood of an entire party of Patricians, these Harlots have made Baba Yaga’s magic their own. Fuelled by blood sacrifice and dark rituals, these ladies of the night apply their newly acquired magic for the profit of The Guild.
THIEVES
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
LADIES OF THE NIGHT
Although the Guild has many legitimate business concerns, they are still at their core a guild of thieves. Dangerous thieves who would prefer not to slip a knife between your ribs but aren't above doing so if they avoid starving.
SHIPHANDS
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
DOCKWORKERS
Crewing a ship is a valued profession in Venice, although in these turbulent times, just protecting the ship is hard enough. The Shiphands are ready to lay down their lives for the Guild (or just for profit), defending the shipyards at all costs.
DOCKWORKERS
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
DOCKWORKERS
The Venetian docks are historically controlled by the Guild. Shipbuilding leads to smuggling, and smuggling leads to profit. The Dockworkers are the Guild’s answer to water combat. They’re tough, defensive, and not too bad in the canals either.
OSTRICH RACING?!
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
Sorry, did you say “ostriches”? In Venice? I suppose the streets are too small for horses! It would later be revealed that the streets of Venice can fit horses, the Pulcinella's are just too crazy to ride them.
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
PULCINELLA PUB CRAWL
The Great and Noble Cult of the End of Days is a very selective organisation. If you don’t like drinking and fighting, you probably won’t get in. If you do like either of those things, welcome aboard! Grab your Pulcinella hat and raise a mug!
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
One of the largest subsets within the Guild, the House of Virtue has the ability to infiltrate into any group. Whether they’re helping wealthy nobles looking for a good time, or blending in with people on the street, the House of Virtue hears every whispered secret in Venice.
PRINCE'S COURT
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
The Guild is led by a shadowy figure known as the King of Thieves. With his five Princes he rules the underworld of Venice, sending out spies and thieves into the streets to steal riches and the most expensive commodity of all: secrets.
GUILD STARTER
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
GUILD STARTER
The Guild an organisation shrouded in secrecy. Existing in even more anonymity than the rest of Venice, this sprawling group have a hand in every pocket across Venice. Their agents hide in plain sight, protecting the citizens of the city, but only for a price.
PULCINELLAS
HOUSE OF VIRTUE
GUILD STARTER
Crazed beyond most, the Pulcinellas claim that the Rent in the Sky was the end of the world. They believe that humankind is now simply living on borrowed time, so why not make the most of it? The King Pulcinella spurs his subjects on to new heights.
BUTCHERS
GONDOLIERS
GONDOLIERS
Although they're best at chopping steaks, the muscle required (and no small amount of blades) make butchers a priority choice of fighter for most Capodecine.
GONDOLIERS
GONDOLIERS
GONDOLIERS
There's nothing quite as relaxing as a peaceful gondola ride along the canals. Although make sure to have a gondolier with a bladed oar: this is no peaceful gondola ride!
CITIZENS
GONDOLIERS
BLACK LAMP
Whether you're a simple merchant or run a gondolier booking hut, chances are you're owned by the Guild.
BLACK LAMP
GONDOLIERS
BLACK LAMP
The Guild own a small number of Lamps. These mystical artefacts were stolen from a Doctors shipment. They emanate a strange field, anyone touched by the glow feels their magical abilities wane, and effects of spells dissipate.
RIALTO ASSASSIN
RIALTO ASSASSIN
RIALTO ASSASSIN
Mercenaries without equal, the Rialto Assassins lived for many years out of the spotlight, fighting for whoever paid them their price. Now, through an uneasy alliance with the King of Thieves, their skills are used primarily by the Guild for eliminating persons of interest.
BABA-YAGA
RIALTO ASSASSIN
RIALTO ASSASSIN
Some say that Baba-Yaga has lived in Venice for a thousand years. An old crone that according to other old crones has always been there, she is a private and unassuming woman. However, given the right blood sacrifice, she will manifest her magical powers.
RABBLE ROUSERS
RIALTO ASSASSIN
RABBLE ROUSERS
While the Guild is led by secretive members of the underworld, they need numbers to stand up to the other forces of Venice. They recruit from dockworkers and craftsfolk across La Serenissima, dragging them out to fight against enemies that may or may not be worse than the Guild themselves.