Clasp

When night is come and darkness falls; Locks help not, nor do stone walls; Slinking and hiding, like poison asp; Close tight thy eyes, see not the Clasp.

–Childhood rhyme in Clasp-infested towns

Built upon the ruins of the old Winksman Thieves Guild founded under the rule of Drassig, the Clasp is a very well established secret organization consisting of thieves, fences, assassins, saboteurs, spies, and smugglers. Based largely in and under Emon through a network of subterranean tunnels, they run smaller outfits in Westruun, Stilben, and Kymal. Members are branded with the guild's symbol on their mid back, signifying allegiance and commitment. The Clasp operates like a business-minded crime family, celebrating loyalty and truth to one's word over most other merits. A member pays their debts, keeps their promises, and always seeks opportunities for the betterment of the Clasp.
Leaders of a Clasp sect are titled Spirelings, and they oversee assigned elements of the organization's functions. Spirelings hold equal power within a sect, and there is always an odd number acting within that network to break any disagreements over business ventures and actions.

Locations

Emon

The Clasp has a subterranean base located beneath the Graveyard District in Emon, with a secret entrance leading to it from the Diamond Nest Tavern. There was another entrance from the north end of Abdar's Promenade, but it was destroyed by the Clasp after talks for an alliance with Vox Machina broke down. An entrance from the Temple District was blocked after the Chroma Conclave's attack on Emon.

Westruun

There was also a chapter of the Clasp in Westruun, which is how Vax encountered and became a member of the guild.

Figures of Interest

Shenn, Emon Spireling of Secrets

Neutral, male human
A powerful illusionist, Shenn runs a far-reaching network of spies and informants. A shrewd businessman and careful dealmaker, he's eager to spread the influence of the Clasp beyond Tal'Dorei.

Warren, Emon Spireling of Blades

Neutral evil, male half-orc
Deadly duelist turned assassin master of the Clasp, Warren handles all contracts that involve kidnapping, assassination, or intimidation.

Zilloa, Emon Spireling of Shadows

Chaotic neutral, female half-elf
An accomplished burglar, Zilloa has risen to the head of all thieving, smuggling, and black market dealings within the Clasp of Emon. She took over twenty-three years ago, following the killing of Modeth Lei.

Gholesh, Westruun Spireling of Shadows

Neutral evil, male human
A mysterious man whose face is always hidden behind a leather mask resembling an ogre. He is known to relentlessly pursue his ambitions, and the other spirelings watch him closely.

Oalan, Westruun Spireling of Blades

Chaotic evil, female dwarf
Brash and prone to fits of violence when balked, Oalan is one of the more social and publicly visible members of the Clasp in Westruun. Her arrogance is only matched by her skill with a dagger.

Fetch, Westruun Spireling of Secrets

Neutral evil, male halfling
Creepy and unkempt in appearance, his gaunt visage only distracts from his cunning and his keen manipulation skills.

Activities

Drugs

There are two illegal drugs in Tal'Dorei. Oloore root is a heavy psychedelic originally used by druidic cultures, and suude is refined from azuremite or arcane residuum, causes head rush, and enhances senses/magic. Trafficking oloore root is a major source of income for the Clasp.

Sex Trafficking

The Clasp has at least some business in the kidnapping and trading people for forced labor or sexual slavery.

Structure

Emon Spirelings

• Modeth Lai (deceased)
• Spireling Shenn
• Spireling Warren
• Spireling Zilloa

Westruun Spirelings

• Rook
• Spireling Gholesh
• Spireling Oalan
• Spireling Fetch

Stillben Spirelings

• Spireling Vikar
• Spireling Harrok

Membership

One does not apply to join the Clasp; worthy candidates are invited.

• Garthok is a member of the Clasp in Emon.
• Vax'ildan gained partial membership to the Westruun sect of the Clasp and was branded with their symbol before the events in the Critical Role stream.

Contracts

To summon the attention of the Clasp for a contract, one must ask around until they find someone who has already dealt with them and persuade them to reveal the contract request drop-point.

Public Agenda

While the immediate assumption is 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 well known 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 under-the-table deeds that the wealthy and powerful cannot commit with their own hands. The Clasp also understands that conflict breeds a healthy economy, and has occasionally kindled the flames of unrest to keep things tense and profitable. There is also virtue in a distracted administration being easy to manipulate.
Were it not for the branch of the Clasp in Emon, the Chroma Conclave's attack would likely have forever destroyed its culture. However, thanks to the Clasp's role as a "shadow civilization", the people of Emon could maintain their foothold at home, even under the watchful eye of Thordak the Cinder King.

Foreign Relations

While some of the Clasp's activities are secretly state-sanctioned, it is highly illegal and extremely dangerous to be a member or be caught doing business directly with them. Most city guards have orders to arrest upon discovery, and raids are occasionally conducted with varying degrees of success. Having friends in the barracks makes for an easy escape.
The Clasp frowns upon dogmatic religion or cultish behavior, as these have conflicted with the organization's business in the past and always ended messily.
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. Their Stilben sect has already gotten into a few bloody altercations with the Myriad, and rumors of a coming turf war instill worry in the local mercantile.

Type

Guild, Thieves

Location

Tal'Dorei