The Hand
The Hand is the roots (or as some claim, the vestiges) of the Imperial spy network. Most organized crime within the Empire is in some way affiliated with the Hand, or so it is said. The internal structure of the Hand is predominately a network of trust, with a semi-codified form of doublespeak (known colloquially as Thieves Cant) and graffiti to transmit basic messages to members in a town. Members of the hands come from all backgrounds and include thieves, killers, smugglers, and worse. Who heads up the hand, and even if there is one, has never been clear.
Structure
Unlike true guilds, the Hand does not follow any strict manner of consistent hierarchy. Some cities have their guilds ruled by councils, while others have a singular individual with a title such as 'Prince'. The guild is a network of cells and trust, unified only by the tenuous connections through such groups as The Millers, smugglers, and similar movers in illegal goods. If there is a higher council, as was rumored to exist in times of old, it has ceased to make itself known.
Public Agenda
To not be seen, and conduct and perform the 'necessary' lucrative businesses that keep the organization in its many fascets employed.
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