The Thieves' Quarter

Thieves’ Quarter

It is said that if Greyhawk's New City were to vanish from Oerth, Old City would carry on as it always has — but the reverse is unlikely to be true. Though the Lord Mayor and the Directing Oligarchy ostensibly rule from New City, their true power bases are in the Old City’s Thieves’ Quarter, rooted in the Thieves’ Guild and Union of Merchants and Traders. The decisions made here affect life everywhere in the city and even across the central Flanaess.

Many lower class families in the Old City have been here for generations, but immigrants also flow into this district, working their way up from the Slum Quarter where most new poor immigrants find themselves without homes or money. Subtle ethnic differences can be found between each street in the Thieves’ Quarter as a result. Demihumans are few, usually outcasts or wanted criminals from distant clans, but many of the city’s half-orcs live here. This area is as tough as the River Quarter but less chaotic and more settled, with fewer transients around.

Crime in this quarter is considered to be rampant because thieves are known by all to be in charge here, but there is, nonetheless, a certain adherence to civil order, bred by long years of routine and tight rule by the Thieves’ Guild. Murders are usually criminals killed by other criminals; regular citizens are beaten by thugs for their money, but rarely killed to avoid attracting the City Watch’s attention. Few murderers are actually caught and fewer still are convicted unless someone important was the victim. Pickpocketing and petty theft are rampant and usually ignored by authorities. Most wealthy criminals go free, and poor criminals go to prison or workhouses. Most “active” criminals are young males, as unemployment is very high here; older criminals are usually skilled thieves or leaders in criminal groups.

Despite such lawlessness and corruption, law enforcement is present and does make a difference. The Nightwatchmen are the strongest force here, serving to protect common citizens and businesses against the thugs who populate this area. Many locals save their money to buy the protection that this guild offers. The priests of St. Cuthbert monitor the Nightwatchmen closely to make sure that bad elements do not turn the guild into a criminal protection gang extorting money from helpless Old City residents. The City Watch is present during the day (with near-maximum numbers of guards present), but two patrols march together at full strength on patrols at night.