The Scale

Viximio Faldranas Voz

Where shadows dwell, the scales thrive

The Scale is a secret society of thieves based on the continent of Vidari. Although secret in the sense of none outside of the guild know the location of their headquarters or inside workings, they are known throughout Vidari for their thieving antics. The Scale was originally founded for Lizardfolk, Dragonborn, Tiefling and Tortle heritage due to the immense hardship that befell these races once civilization was rebuilt after The Sundering. This then expanded to anyone who was cast out and needed a place, regardless of their history. They now have a couple of hundred people scattered across 14 hubs throughout Vidari Most officials will turn a blind eye to some of their activities due to them aiding the continent's economy and not causing any physical harm to an individual, but big heists cannot be ignored and are investigated thoroughly. Those that put themselves above the parapet are dealt with legally and the leaders of the guild have been known to oust their own members for the protection of the guild. The public don't feel the need to bother about their work unless they are one of their targets. Most people believe that crime doesn't pay and such a guild isn't great to be associated with, so they act on the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. Members of the guild are usually downtrodden individuals who fell on hard times in life, and as a result turned to crime. A lot of members just want to make a better life for themselves, other's want to steal as much as they can for coin, regardless of the reason individuals are welcomed as equals. The members of the guild also help and support each other without question or expectation. That being said they do still have tenets to live by:

The Scale is strong- Each member must pull its weight, keep the guild safe and hidden and not bring unwanted attention to it
The Scale can move- No member is a slave to the guild, they are able to do work as they see fit but remain connected to it. Unless they bring the guild into further disrepute, then they are handed to officials without a backwards glance
The Scale are one- Members must help and support each other, they are all in the same place for their own reasons, but they all live and work together free from judgement
The Scale will protect- Members of all ranks will protect each other as long as they keep the guild alive and don't draw the attention of the law. Each job has a contract that will be signed by the Overscale or an Underscale and also the agent on the job to make sure all parties are aware of the benefits and more importantly the risks.

Structure

Overscale- This rank is the highest a scale can climb. The Overscale's role is ensure the longevity of the guild, aquire jobs, keep the communication and trade lines of the guild running and clear. They themselves have a team of secret informants that gather intel for whatever purpose the Overscale sees fit. Underscale- Members of this rank will spearhead a hub and keep it running effectively, reporting into the Overscale, they must ensure that all moving parts run smoothly and keep order in their respective hubs. Fence- This rank is awarded to those who keep the internal economy running. They sell all manner of things that are "acquired" out on jobs. They act as standalone merchants but also as fences. The people holding this rank will be very well connected to each Hub and also people above ground. They can station themselves down in the Hubs or in daily life Shadowscales- These are the best thieves the guild has to offer, and are very rarely kept out of the loop. They can take any job they like and have access to the most exclusive jobs with the highest risk and highest rewards. They are thieves that have proved themselves time and time again. Scales- This rank is the bulk of the guild. They go out on jobs, seek rewards and help the guild to stay alive and function. They expect to be take on higher risk jobs for higher rewards and mostly have them available but the heists of VIP citizens are reserved only for that of Shadowscales Footscale- These are initiated members of the guild that are utilised in low risk jobs with low reward. They still have something to prove to the guild but are welcomed among most. Dirt- These are the initiates of the guild, they are kept away from the hustle and bustle of the main hubs, but are kept to smaller hubs. They are taken through training and initiation. If they fail they are cast out "like washing dirt off the scales".

Public Agenda

The purpose of The Scale is to provide shelter, aid and a livelihood to disadvantaged people, even if some of that work has to be illegal. They are group of people forgotten by the system and trying to forge their own path and create a life for themselves anyway they can.