Halfling Guild
The Halflings' Guild of Bral is the Theives' Guild in that city least likely to have someone killed, or to steal from the starving. The Guild's master, Meredin Sandyfoot, is well aware that the guild's success rests on the good will of the neighborhood folk. To this end he makes low or no interest loans to the poor when needed, and has the guild's enforcer's act as unofficial police when needed. The halfling community naturally enough reveres him (as the head of a merchant house) but the Halflings' Guild is well though of throughout the Middle City because of their exceedingly fair practices.
Meredin runs a large trading company, House Sandyfoot, which specializes in textiles. The Halflings' guildhall is tunneled directly below the main offices of House Sandyfoot. Many on Bral know or suspect that Meredin is the Underbaron of the Middle City. The guild is large, with perhaps 35 theives ranked as members or masters. In addition, they maintain a few dozen mercenaries and enforcers.
The Guild's symbol is the slingstone, one is left behind on jobs where the target is expected to know who performed the deed. A slingstone hammered into the door post is also the sign used to show a shop or home has paid protection money to the guild. The guild makes a great deal of money in two ways: Protection Rackets: The "off limits" stores pay a small fee (1-10 sp a month) to the guild to avoid theft. If a theft occurs the shop is compensated and a member is assigned to hunt the theif down and punish him, if possible. Fencing Stolen Goods: Guild fences charge a flat 20% value, but value is always fairly appraised. 10% of this goes to the guild. The guild often purchases unique items itself then from the fence and ships them off Bral for sale at a profit elsewhere.
Meredin runs a large trading company, House Sandyfoot, which specializes in textiles. The Halflings' guildhall is tunneled directly below the main offices of House Sandyfoot. Many on Bral know or suspect that Meredin is the Underbaron of the Middle City. The guild is large, with perhaps 35 theives ranked as members or masters. In addition, they maintain a few dozen mercenaries and enforcers.
The Guild's symbol is the slingstone, one is left behind on jobs where the target is expected to know who performed the deed. A slingstone hammered into the door post is also the sign used to show a shop or home has paid protection money to the guild. The guild makes a great deal of money in two ways: Protection Rackets: The "off limits" stores pay a small fee (1-10 sp a month) to the guild to avoid theft. If a theft occurs the shop is compensated and a member is assigned to hunt the theif down and punish him, if possible. Fencing Stolen Goods: Guild fences charge a flat 20% value, but value is always fairly appraised. 10% of this goes to the guild. The guild often purchases unique items itself then from the fence and ships them off Bral for sale at a profit elsewhere.
