The Hidden One
By Ian Thomson and Greg Stafford
Additional ideas by Stephen Martin
Based on material by Greg Stafford and Anders Swenson
The founding spirit of the Hole Lords is named only as the Hidden One amongst his ordinary
followers. He provides a single magical affinity. He came from Dragon Pass soon after the
city was established, leading a small band of followers who were refugees from the law.
The Hidden One's skills in agility and deceit were remarkable, and he and his people earned
a good living for many years from petty theft and activities of borderline legality such as
confidence games. The city authorities eventually put a price on his head, even though they
did not know his true identity, and at last he was run to ground near the Puzzle Canal.
Mortally wounded by the magic of the constables, he escaped into the Canal and was never seen
alive again. In typical flamboyant style he triumphed over death by becoming a minor god, and
his followers worshipped him in exchange for his new magic.
| Entry Requirements: |
Invitation only, although this can be sometimes encouraged by impressing current cult
members by ostentatious acts of thievery. One must already be proficient in skills
considered valuable by the cult. Almost all initiates are elevated from the ranks of cult
supporters amongst the local petty criminals. Since thief rings maintain secrecy through
their small size, progress into, and through, the cult is often via "dead man's shoes". |
| Physical Abilities: |
Foil Restraints, Hide in Cover. |
| Mental Abilities: |
Big Rubble Survival, Evaluate Loot, Know City Laws, Mythology of the Hidden One. |
| Virtues: |
Cunning, Resourceful. |
| Affinity: |
Concealment (Face in the Crowd, Forgetfulness, Hide Object,
Obscure Truth, Pass Without Trace). |
| Secret: |
Bolt Hole (This ability allows the devotee to blend into any
surrounding natural material, including stonework, if he is being pursued. It acts
as a Hide ability that can only be opposed by an appropriate magical ability.) |
| Worshippers: |
This is a cult of the Pavis criminal underworld, which members may look to for
concealment and improvement of skills. Cult members include not just simple thieves, but
also look-outs, fences, specialist craftspeople, smugglers, itinerant traders, and con
artists of all descriptions. |
| Other Side: |
Followers of the Hidden One are guaranteed protection against any form of retribution
following beyond death. The Hidden One has his Safe House somewhere in the Otherworld, and
here his followers continue to develop their selfish abilities. From this hideout they venture
forth to commit their crimes against spirits and unwary travelers, always having a place of
absolute security to return to. |
| Other Connections: |
Co-ordination between thief rings occurs whenever individual gang bosses see fit to
arrange it. Groupings of rings are called families, and stay together for a long time, or
break up immediately after the job that they allied to perform is over. Through bribery and
threats of retribution, the head of Lunar Intelligence in Pavis has gained some influence
with the Hole Lords, but this is a relationship of mutual convenience and mistrust, rather
than a friendly alliance. |
| Disadvantages: |
In Pavis, being convicted as a worshipper of a thief cult is a severe crime. The official
punishment is to have a hand chopped off and to be outlawed from the city. |
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