Guildhall of the Beggars' Union
A fortress-like blockhouse, the Guildhall of the Beggars' Union dominates its ramshackle domain. Once the heart of a fierce war between the beggars and thieves of Greyhawk, the guildhall—also known as the Palace of Trash—now stands as a monument to a hard-won truce.
The Beggars' Union: A Web of Secrets
Fifteen years ago, the King of Junk, Beggarmaster Theobald, ignited a bloody conflict with the Thieves' Guild . The war ended in disaster for the beggars, culminating in the infamous siege of the Palace of Trash and Theobald’s mysterious disappearance. In the aftermath, his successor, Gaspar, negotiated a fragile peace, drafting a mutually beneficial charter with the thieves.
Under this agreement, the beggars were granted control over the Slum Quarter, with limited rights to pickpocket and pilfer—so long as they did not infringe on the thieves’ primary enterprises. In return, they now serve as the eyes and ears of Greyhawk, selling intelligence to the highest bidder. Beggars flood the gates, docks, and markets, watching, listening, and following unwitting targets. Their covert relay teams shadow people through the streets, passing messages via a secret sign language known only to the union.
Want someone found? For the right price—starting at 5 gp—the Beggars' Union will track their movements, but their information is never exclusive. Anyone with deeper pockets may purchase a competing narrative, spreading misinformation instead. Adventurers beware: those who flash too much wealth might as well hang a sign on their backs for the Thieves' Guild, while those who give nothing may find themselves the victims of a "lesson in generosity."
The Palace of Trash: The Union’s Hidden Stronghold
The Palace of Trash, a crumbling relic of Greyhawk’s past grandeur, serves as the union’s main headquarters. Inside, it boasts ornate furnishings scavenged from across the city, alongside the dormitories, training halls, and feasting chambers of its members. The building hides secret tunnels connecting to the sewers, allowing the beggars to move unseen across the city—even past the locked gates of the watch.
More sinister is the presence of the indentured beggars—children stolen from workhouses, trained relentlessly in espionage, deceit, and survival. These lost souls are destined to rise through the ranks as the next generation of masters in the union’s ever-watchful network.
Key Figures of the Beggars' Union
Gaspar, the Beggarmaster
Ruler of the beggars and architect of the current truce, Gaspar is a man as cunning as he is ruthless. Under his leadership, the beggars are no longer just pitiful street rats—they are a formidable information network feared by even the most powerful lords of Greyhawk.
Haarkon Diardra, the Taskmaster
A former master thief from the Sultanate of Zeif, Haarkon fled to Greyhawk after Sultan Murad sent assassins to purge his guild. Now, he trains Gaspar’s elite spies and indentured beggars. Stern but fair, he reminds his students daily: "The skills I teach you may one day save your life." Despite his new life, he never stops watching the shadows, knowing his old enemies still seek his head.
Simeon Hellwater, the Treasurer
A pale, bookish man, Simeon’s mastery of ledgers and coin keeps the Beggars' Union afloat. He is Gaspar’s most trusted confidante, yet few know that he is a secret agent for the Thieves' Guild, feeding their Guildmaster, Org Nenshen, critical intelligence about the beggars’ finances.
Diarmid Hesperion, the Spymaster
With his weathered face, graying stubble, and ever-present eyepatch, Diarmid is a master of disguise and one of the most dangerous men in the city. Once possessing a gem of insight, his memory is near perfect, and he never forgets a face. His hat of disguise lets him slip unnoticed through the streets, though he can never alter his missing eye, a constant mark of his past battles.
Comments