The Crushed Hand
Ten guards had been paid to guard the fat nobles illustrious manor. Far too many burglaries have occurred over the past weeks, and not a sign of who'd perpetrated these crimes lingered at the scene. No doors had been broke, no windows shattered, and none harmed.
As the night faded into the late hours, the guards stood ever vigilant, wary of any who approached the estate. But thanks to their gargoyle-esque guard, none were able to slip pass them and snatch any of the nobles possessions.
Awakening without a disturbance, the haughty noble roused himself, but instead of his rich linens, jewelry and valuables, he awoke to a ghost of what once was. A fiend had snaked their way passed the guards and made off with everything of value the man once possessed.
As the night faded into the late hours, the guards stood ever vigilant, wary of any who approached the estate. But thanks to their gargoyle-esque guard, none were able to slip pass them and snatch any of the nobles possessions.
Awakening without a disturbance, the haughty noble roused himself, but instead of his rich linens, jewelry and valuables, he awoke to a ghost of what once was. A fiend had snaked their way passed the guards and made off with everything of value the man once possessed.
Structure
The Crushed Hand is a small, tightly knit organization holding only six members at a time, each one bearing an important title relating to their goddess.
Their leader is referred to as "The Palm", named as such since this position holds power and control over the five others. If any of the other five commit a sin against their lady, The Palm renders a verdict, which is then followed through by The Thumb. If The Thumb is the sinner, then The Palm renders punishment. Additionally, The Palm tends to handle matters of the law, such as paying off officials, erasure of evidence, and general information gathering. If there are any issues with in-fighting among The Crushed Hands, The Palm oversees the dispute and makes sure it is settled.
"The Thumb" is the guilds strongarm. This member accompanies other members with high risk tasks, such as when they need to get into The Green Palace. If any of the party are spotted, chased or attacked, The Thumb stays behind to subdue, and dispatch of the witnesses. Additionally, The Thumb acts as the punisher for any guild sins.
"The Index Finger" is the guilds means of fencing, and moving stolen goods. This member generally won't steal as much as his cohorts, dealing primarily in making underground connections.
"The Middle Finger" is the most dangerous of The Crushed Hand, dealing in silencing those who know more than they should about the guild. Dealing in hushed assassinations, the impoverished and the rich alike are both vulnerable to The Middle Fingers cold touch.
"The Ring Finger" is the most intwined with the guild goddess, Izpyltia. This member deals with making offerings to their lady, and keeping them in her good graces, blessing them, and occasionally getting divine targets from Izpyltia herself.
"The Pinky Finger" is the informant for the whole of The Crushed Hand. This member deals in gathering intel, blackmail, good hits, and schedules. Any and all information that can be gathered are gathered by The Pinky.
"The Thumb" is the guilds strongarm. This member accompanies other members with high risk tasks, such as when they need to get into The Green Palace. If any of the party are spotted, chased or attacked, The Thumb stays behind to subdue, and dispatch of the witnesses. Additionally, The Thumb acts as the punisher for any guild sins.
"The Index Finger" is the guilds means of fencing, and moving stolen goods. This member generally won't steal as much as his cohorts, dealing primarily in making underground connections.
"The Middle Finger" is the most dangerous of The Crushed Hand, dealing in silencing those who know more than they should about the guild. Dealing in hushed assassinations, the impoverished and the rich alike are both vulnerable to The Middle Fingers cold touch.
"The Ring Finger" is the most intwined with the guild goddess, Izpyltia. This member deals with making offerings to their lady, and keeping them in her good graces, blessing them, and occasionally getting divine targets from Izpyltia herself.
"The Pinky Finger" is the informant for the whole of The Crushed Hand. This member deals in gathering intel, blackmail, good hits, and schedules. Any and all information that can be gathered are gathered by The Pinky.
Culture
The Crushed Hand isn't any more honorable than any other thief or criminal organization. They deal in thievery, underhanded tactics, blackmail, deceit, and primarily in working from the unseen shadows. The guild tries to avoid killing whenever possible, but this isn't altruistic in nature, but rather to keep the guards eyes off of them more than necessary.
As well, the guild follows in it's ladies ideals, so they abstain from killing animals, regardless of circumstance. The act is a sin, which the guild punishes by severing a finger from the offenders hand. Additionally, the guild does not deal directly with children in any form, whether it be stealing from them, killing them, kidnapping them or trading them and with them. Any guild member who commits this sin has their hand crushed in penance just as their lady once had done to her, and depending on the severity of the crime, they may be banished from The Crushed Hand
As well, the guild follows in it's ladies ideals, so they abstain from killing animals, regardless of circumstance. The act is a sin, which the guild punishes by severing a finger from the offenders hand. Additionally, the guild does not deal directly with children in any form, whether it be stealing from them, killing them, kidnapping them or trading them and with them. Any guild member who commits this sin has their hand crushed in penance just as their lady once had done to her, and depending on the severity of the crime, they may be banished from The Crushed Hand
History
The Crushed Hand has existed since before the kingdom of Hailsoshia. Originally being created in the kingdom of Avalore by a zealot of Izpyltia, Harlom Tiefton, a human hailing from the Furborne lands of Brotar. Taking to stealing from the high lords of the kingdom, Harlom often prayed to his swindling lady, and made offerings daily to her. Through his devout worship, Harlom was gifted great boons from his goddess.
Quickly becoming infamous among the kingdom for stealing relics and treasures from the high kings of Avalore, Harlom came about having five pupils, who grew to be just as talented in thievery, stealth, swindling and even assassinations as him. When Harlom felt they were ready, he bestowed one of his divine gifts to each of them, and gave them a title worthy of belonging to The Crushed Hand. And with them, The Crushed Hand had it's founding members.
As the years went on, and the members grew old, each of them found students of their own who would replace them. One by one they died off, either of old age, or their dangerous lives finally catching up to them. The founding members past on to just memories, but their successors continued on their legacy, teaching the next generation and so on, until they're where they are now, at Hailsoshia.
Quickly becoming infamous among the kingdom for stealing relics and treasures from the high kings of Avalore, Harlom came about having five pupils, who grew to be just as talented in thievery, stealth, swindling and even assassinations as him. When Harlom felt they were ready, he bestowed one of his divine gifts to each of them, and gave them a title worthy of belonging to The Crushed Hand. And with them, The Crushed Hand had it's founding members.
As the years went on, and the members grew old, each of them found students of their own who would replace them. One by one they died off, either of old age, or their dangerous lives finally catching up to them. The founding members past on to just memories, but their successors continued on their legacy, teaching the next generation and so on, until they're where they are now, at Hailsoshia.
Type
Guild, Thieves
Demonym
Crushed Finger
Leader
Leader Title
Deities
Location
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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