Emerging from the Cleft of Shadows, comes a group of a few dozens. Members of all races, practitioners of many professions, though they all have something in common. A dirty piece of brown cloth ornated with a golden “X” is slid across their heads to rest against their chests, and a greedy glint of gold adorns the eyes of each individual, occasionally accompanied with a wicked smirk, which is sent for the crowd that gathers on the streets to follow this curious sight. The citizens of the Drag as well as its visitors pause and make way for the gang as it passes by, silent whispers spreading amongst the confused. Who are these people? Why are they here? What do they want? They received no response, for those few who knew or remembered, remained silent, and simply nodded their heads along the passing group.
The shady folk walked along the street to the north, pausing only briefly before the tower on the bottom of which an alchemist had made his shop, prior to entering the building and making their way up the stairs. From atop of the tower, the group overlooked the streets. From here, they would begin their flow of goods. From here, they would sweep across the pockets of the unaware to relieve them of the burden of coin. From here, they would control the streets of the city once again. It was good to be back home. This was their place. This, was their throne.
One of the citizens back down in the crowd muttered in a careful tone, once the gang had engaged in hearty discussions and cheers of excitement in celebration of a new era. “..The Sixty Thieves are back.”
Who are the Sixty Thieves?
The Sixty Thieves consist of a wide and colourful variety of crooks and criminals, although not all of them were previously thieves by profession. The gang keeps an eye out for all sorts of potential that could help to fill up the gang's coffers. Most are in it for the money, perhaps some regard their profession as a way of striking back at a society that so cruelly discarded them, while some merely enjoy the thrill, or even regard their abilities as an art form, and a rare few have a more heroic attitude, of relieving the rich of their money to help the people of the slums (or perhaps just themselves in particular). Either way, they live their life by blood and silver, and every coin is a victory to be treasured.
The gang, which likes to refer to itself as a family, is held together by a mutually beneficial relationship. It provides protection, shelter and companionship for its members, as well as resources and aid in pulling off big jobs, and in return, it expects a small cut of the profits of each individual, as well as absolute loyalty and obedience. It also offers a place to form bonds of loyalty and trust, a rare luxury in the criminal underworld. The Thieves need to be able to trust each other to survive, and so each thief safeguards the secrets of his fellow, knowing full well the damning evidence against him his companions could provide, should he betray his oaths. Friendship and trust is encouraged between members, and a "family" atmosphere is endorsed, as members are most often outcasts with no family or home of their own. The Sixty Thieves look after their own, and thus a thief is rarely seen working alone, and rather operate as a part of a larger group.
What do they do?
The Sixty Thieves, as the name suggests, are ready to commit a variety of crimes in order to reach their goals. These acts include (but are not limited to) petty thievery, pickpocketing, mugging, and burglary, as well as bribery, blackmail, and dealing various narcotics on the nightly city streets. Similarly, the Thieves are infamous for pulling off countless bigger heists, targetting anyone and anything rich enough to sate their greed. Many high-scale burglaries and caravan raids have been attributed to the gang.
Although some of its members' rather violent nature is recognised by many, it is known that the family prefers to refrain from inflicting unnecessary bloodshed – they are thieves, after all, not a bunch of murderers or assassins. It is also common knowledge that the Sixty Thieves are willing to carry out a wide variety of tasks given to them by outsiders – granted that you've got the coin – whether it is to do with roughening up an old rival, or retrieving or transporting items of interest. The gang is up for near everything that's in their skillset to do, as long as a promise of gold is involved.
How to find them?
The gang's presence would seem most apparent in the neutral towns Ratchet and Booty Bay, which offer plenty of smuggling opportunities with their ever-so-busy ports, and allows interaction between races of opposing factions. Thus, those interested in becoming a part of the family of crime, would probably seek them out there. However, their influence reaches to the far corners of the world, and it is almost as likely to bump into a thief in any of the racial capital cities, or other Steamwheedle controlled towns.
A member of the Sixty Thieves is recognised by a scar or brand in the shape of an “X”, which stands somewhere on their flesh as a symbol of their undying loyalty and contribution for the good of the family. Similarly, they're sometimes clad in a brown piece of cloth upon which a golden cross is printed, shameless and unafraid to show their affiliation with the Sixty Thieves; for in numbers, there is power.
How would one go about joining them?
Upon contacting a member of the Sixty Thieves with the intention of joining, they will be taken to a group going by the name 'Hanged'. This group consists of the most skilled and able gangmembers, who act as the leading figures for the numerous crooks and scoundrels that the family holds. The name, as well as the cut-off nooses that they wear around their necks, serve in mockery of the fact that this would exactly be the likely fate to befall on each of them, should they ever be caught in chains. It is the Hanged who serve as the judge on whether an applicant is worthy of joining their ranks or not. Obviously, the gang is more inclined to recruit slumdogs with nothing to lose, and therefore will dedicate themselves most enthusiastically to thievery and the gang.
Whilst the Sixty Thieves open up plenty of opportunities for those walking the path of a criminal, applying also means closing certain doors. It should be taken into account that the gang is not a temporary working place for its members, and whilst they cannot keep track of everyone's doings at all times, seeking to abandon the family is heavily frowned upon. Many of those who have attempted such, have seemed to - perhaps rather discouragingly - disappear with naught but rumors speculating their possible fate. Loyalty and security are valued above all else.
How does applying work in practise?
To apply to the guild you are to write a brief application on our forums (link below) and if approved by the officers, a small IC "interview" will follow, and then a trial period during which your character gets to prove their worth.
Guild rules:
1. This guild is heavily focused on RP. And not just any RP, but RP concerning criminal activities. Participation in crime-themed RP is expected and required.
2. Members should behave maturely towards each other, keeping up the polite and friendly atmosphere in and outside of the gang.
3. Follow World of Warcraft's lore. Respect the game's setting, and if any questions arise whether something is explainable by the lore of the game, discuss it with the officers.
4. Don't be overpowered. We are RPing the lowest of the society, and thus are almost always in a disadvantage in terms of power level. RP isn't about winning, it is about creating a story.
5. We frown heavily on ERP. If this is something you want to participate in, then this is not the guild for you.
6. The crimes your character commits, have to happen in actual RP; through events and random encounters with the community. We want as little as possible happening "behind the scenes".
Greetings, Argent Dawn! Sixty Thieves, founded by Admus Crane back on Defias Brotherhood, have decided to seek out new pockets to pick and citizens to harass on this new soil. The guild has been up and running since 2006, being one of the oldest and biggest roleplaying guilds back on our previous realm, and we are now to make our new home here – to bring colourful and interesting criminal-themed roleplay for the plentiful residents of Argent Dawn! No safe or purse is secure any longer, for the gang is here to stay.
To put it simple, the Sixty Thieves are a bunch of criminals, who aim to become as rich as they possibly can, whilst having the time of their life drinking, gambling, and brawling with their like-minded partners in crime. To find more information regarding the guild, feel free to visit our forums (link below), and see you all in game!
Officers to contact: Thalindor, Laerynna, Einsam, Erthamar, Morduas
Forums: http://tinyurl.com/sixtythieves
AA page: http://www.argentarchives.org/node/163285