The Clasp

The Clasp is a well-established secret organization consisting of spies, thieves, fences, assassins, saboteurs, and smugglers. It was built upon the ruins of the Winksman Thieves’ Guild, an organization that flourished during the reign of Drassig, but crumbled under the rule of Zan Tal'Dorei. Based largely in Emon —and under it, via a network of subterranean tunnels—the Clasp also runs smaller outfits in towns and cities across the continent. Members are branded with the guild’s symbol on their mid-back, signifying allegiance and commitment. The Clasp operates like a business-minded family or mafia, celebrating loyalty and an ability to keep one’s word. A member pays their debts, keeps their promises, and always seeks opportunity for the betterment of the Clasp.

Goals

While most common folk assume that the Clasp is merely interested in profit at any cost (and that is a merit of the Clasp), they also wish to preserve the function and prosperity of civilization. It is commonly held that a thriving city is a profitable one, and an enemy of civilization is a foe of the Clasp. They largely consider themselves a necessary dark underbelly, willing to do the under-the-table deeds that more wealthy and powerful citizens cannot commit with their own hands. 

Relationships

Since the arrival of The Myriad within Tal’Dorei from Wildemount, the Clasp has been on extremely high alert, seeking information on them and any means of banishing this new competition. Gang warfare has broken out sporadically between the Clasp and the Myriad in cities from Stilben to Emon over the past twenty years, and though the rival organizations are currently at peace, everyone knows the whole thing is just one poached client away from reigniting.