The Almsmen

The Almsmen are an international crime syndicate whose goal is to amass wealth and valuable artifacts across Vadovass. The Almsmen is known for employing beggars and others of low birth to operate as the eyes and ears in the cities and across nations. They are known to use these local members to contact potential members as well as investigate possible leads. The trained thieves of the group are kept in reserve until needed for a heist or some other job that requires their expertise.

Originally founded during the collapse of the Virdamidian Republic, the Almsmen quickly made a name for themselves as a devious group that was powerful enough to alter the fate of other organizations and even nations, yet approachable enough for their illicit services to be entertained by those who wanted to get ahead. Because of this, the guild grew quickly in the wake of the nation's collapse, establishing themselves in the surrounding countries. Today, the Almsmen operate in nearly every nation to some extent, though their core nations are the Almaridian Empire, New Elven Union, Middelgemard, Free Kingdom of Soldern and Kingdom of Salandi. They also work closely with other crime syndicates such as the Gilded Hand, and many of the thieves guilds that operate across the continent are managed by, report to, and in many ways represent the Almsmen and their interests.

The Almsmen, though known as a thieves guild is more of a administrative organization, and the only thieves they maintain are the best of the best. When a potential member is found, they are tested and offered to be officially trained by the Almsmen as an informant or thief. According to some sources and former members, the Almsmen are very generous initially and are friendly towards the trainees, only to force them into debt and make them bound to the guild for life. Many in the Almsmen, even successful members, find that should they not keep up with jobs fast enough, they are threatened to be killed by the other members, or framed for terrible crimes. Others simply end up guards or spies in dubious establishments owned by the Almsmen. Others are sent to other guilds to assist in their operations. However, those who do well in the group easily become rich and secure.

As is part of their organization, the Almsmen make a lot of their gold through heists, theft, and the reselling of artifacts, both magical and mundane. Many who wish to find or get a hold of certain items may find it worth contacting and hiring the organization, though it is not easy and not cheap. Despite that, the group also operates several perfectly legal businesses and illegal operations within other cities and towns, such as wineries, taverns, brothels, casinos, shops, and drug rings. They also work as smugglers when the time is needed, though that is typically worked out by one of their subordinate organizations.

The exact size of the Almsmen is not known, and little outside of their modus operandi is well established. Though not known by their true name, the leader of the group is known for being charismatic and friendly according to many stories, and goes by the pseudonym, "the Poorest Among Men", or simply, "the Poorest." Former guild members report that this is an old title and a joke, justifying why the leader needs so much wealth.

Give what is due
Or we'll take it all from you

Type

Illicit, Syndicate