Veiled Syndicate

The Veiled Syndicate is an underground "black market" organization that deals with arcane items. While the crown will never openly acknowledge their existence, they are known to exist, and allowed to operate, due to their ability to feed information of threats to the realm directly to the Crown. The existence of the guild is widely known throughout the population.  However, conversations about it is done in hushed tones, mostly due to respect for the Crown.
The Veiled Syndicate is a collection of dealers in various arcane items. There are those that specialize in potions, armor, staffs, books etc. Most members are eccentric and are more concerned with acquiring the items for study vs, selling them for profit. Although, they do sell items from time to time out of necessity in order to fund the guilds activities. For this reason, the members are often just as interested in acquiring lower powered items, that they are not as reluctant to part with, so that they can maintain a cash flow, and not feel pressured into releasing their most powerful items.
The syndicate operates from an older mansion in Frona, a city in Dramore, with well appointed rooms, and an elaborate basement.  Members do not normally seek these items themselves, but hire out adventuring parties to acquire items. The syndicate obtains permits for parties under the auspices that they are doing more minor jobs unworthy of notice.  This preserves the secrecy of the guild's activities as well as protecting the authority of the Crown and shows respect for turning a blind eye.

Structure

Veiled Syndicate is a loosely structured organization. Aaralyn of the Veil is currently the Guild Master. A beautiful, but scarred human female who uses her looks and charming personality to mingle with the nobles and make the necessary deals/bribes for the guilds existence. In turn she is allowed final authority on any major decisions that need to be made by the guild.
Under the Guild Master, are the guild members. This is made up of the various merchants who are permanent members of the guild. They enjoy full access to the guild facilities and all membership privilege's. These members are given authorization to make certain low level decisions, such as making contracts for jobs. They also give council to the guild master on major decisions confronting the guild. This rank is granted by the Guild Master
Finally there are the guilds hirelings. These people are hired by the guild to perform various tasks. They are given a contract that allows them to work, within restraints, under the protection of the guild and also access to various areas of the guild house. If they have the coin, this rank usually allows them to buy various items offered by the guild merchants, something normally reserved for the very well connected. These contracts given to hirelings normally have a limited time frame from a few days to a few months depending on the job that has been assigned.
For those who have earned the guilds trust and/or have performed extraordinary service to the guild, can be given the special rank of Revered Hireling. Revered Hirelings have permanent contracts with the guild, may come and go from the guild house as they choose, and have access to all areas of the house. These hirelings are normally given first choice of jobs. This rank can only be given by the Guild Master.

Culture

The guild does not seek arcane knowledge for the sake of obtaining power.  Most members either seek to protect the realm, it's citizens, or just acquire knowledge for the sake of knowledge.  Those with openly harmful intentions are not allowed into the guild and are reported to the crown as persons of suspicion.

Public Agenda

The public face or "front" of the Veiled Syndicate is that it operates as a small guild interested in the healing arts.  The first floor of the guild mansion are used to sell potions of minor healing, cure poison and disease spells, etc. For those unable to afford magical remedies, the guild also sells non-magical healing remedies such as herbs, bandages, tinctures, and salves.

Assets

The guild posesses many rare arcane items of various sorts.  However, their primary asset is Highwood Manor.  An old, but nicely appointed mansion in Frona.

History

The Veiled Syndicate was recently founded by Aaralyn and the Nero in the year 1490 DR. It was decided amongst the two that Aaralyn would be the Guild Master.  As such, she began to form relationships with the nobility so that Nero may act on his desires to acquire books dealing with the arcane.  Their first expedition was carried out completely outside the bounds of the law. However, it uncovered a plot against a member of the The kings Guard, The Argent Dragons.  Aaralyn used this information to develop an "understanding" with the Crown, which has deepened since.  She no has complete trust of the ruling authority, however, so that no other guilds attempt to form, they publicly deny their existence.  Since the first expedition and the forming of the understanding, the pair has recruited and/or been approached by other like minded individuals who have become members of the guild.

Through the shadows we preserve and are persevered

Founding Date

1490 DR

Type

Guild, Merchant

Alternative Names

The guild we all know that doesn't exist

Demonym

The veiled ones