Orzhov Syndicate

Structure

The Obzedat - or Ghost Council - rules a rigid hierarchy of syndics, priests, and oligarchs.

Public Agenda

The Syndicate is the official bank and most prominent religion of Ravnica, the two being related functions. The Church of Orzhova worships worldly accomplishment, claiming it alone is what tethers the soul to life. Consequently, it makes an ideal investment agency, moneylender, and stronghold for valuables. These services are available to all citizens of Ravnica (for a price) regardless of guild association.

Assets

The Syndicate's main ideal is the acquisition of wealth. They hold entire vaults full of gold, artifacts, art pieces, and precious gems and metals. Because of their financial purposes, they also have an interest in most business ventures throughout the city. Moreover, they maintain churches, cathedrals, and basilicas across the city.

History

The Obzedat founded the Syndicate. As a group, its purpose and power has not changed since the first Guildpact was signed. As individuals, it is impossible to say if those on the Ghost Council today are the same as those 10,000 years ago.

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When the Syndicate was first founded, its practices were legal, if extortionate. They skated the bounds of Azorius law. Eventually, restrictive laws and their own ambitions pushed their business practices toward racketeering, bribery, counterfeiting, and fraud. It is an open secret that the Syndicate is a criminal organization, but official sanctions against them have yet to stick.

Military

The Knights of Orzhova are followers of the Church of Orzhova with martial training. They act as personal guards of Orzhov oligarchs, vault guards, and property enforcers. They can be trained before joining the faith, or join with the intent of rising through the martial ranks. As is the Orzhov custom, Knights either pay for their education or work off their debt in service.

Technological Level

The Orzhov, along with the Azorius Senate, have made significant developments in the field of lawmagic.

Religion

The Orzhov Syndicate is synonymous with the Church of Orzhova.

Foreign Relations

Orzhov View on Other Guilds

In the eyes of the Orzhov Syndicate, the other guilds primarily represent either opportunities for exploitation or dangerous threats to its way of life.

Azorius: "Their new laws challenge everything we know Ravnica stands for. If they will not protect the people, then we will do it for them."

Boros: "Though their structure is reasonable, they are naive in theur outlook on justice. What glory is there in risking one's life when work continues in the afterlife?"

Dimir: "It's hard to begrudge them their love of secrets. As long as they stay out of our business, we will leave them be."

Golgari: "Admirably resourceful and elegant, but tragically unhygienic. The swarmers may persist, as long as they don't try to force their aesthetic sensibilities on us."

Gruul: "They know nothing of order and dignity, and therefore they serve little purpose as an organization."

Izzet: "Combative and obnoxious. Their allegiance lies with no one, and their naiveté isn't worth our time."

Rakdos: "A necessary source of creativity and satire. Wit is a dangerous weapon, and their critiques speak to the people more than fear and surveillance ever will."

Selesnya: "The Selesnya are idealistic fools. Looking toward nature ignores the problems at hand in the civilized world."

Simic: "Their preoccupation with life disregards the might that death can provide."

Education

The Syndicate instructs its members in faith, magic, diplomacy, accounting, and law. As per Orzhov custom, the faithful incur a debt for their education to work off in service of the guild.

Infrastructure

The Syndicate maintains underground vaults throughout the city to store valuables and collateral. Additionally, they manage churches, cathedrals, and basilicas and the communities that develop around them in the urban-most parts of the world.

Founding Date

1 ZC

Type

Illicit, Syndicate

Leader

The Obzedat

Currency

The Vizkopa Bank mints copper alms-coins, platinum 10-zino coins, and platinum 100-zino coins.

Official State Religion

Church of Orzhova

Subsidiary Organizations

• Church of Orzhova

Location

Orzhova

Controlled Territories

• Orzhova
• Vizkopa Bank

Notable Members

• The Obzedat