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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 19:49:14
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I feel I have a problem with listing of everything !
So after the Faerűnian areas through the novels, the 4E novels, the taverns and inns,... listings, I'd like to fake one of Victor Ograygor's idea.
I propose to elaborate a list of the criminal organizations, assassins or thieves guilds,... like Night Masks, Astorians, The Men of the Basilisk, cities' named or nicknamed guilds, Night parade, Shadow Thieves,...
I thought a very short description of them could follow the single listing.
As I'm not a great specialist of the domain and I wait for your help to complete this file !
I already hear you : "If you're not a specialist, why do you begin with creating this topic?"
I just answer : Just have a look to the first sentence of the thread !
So, if you agree, let's work now.
To begin with, what sorts of such organizations could we meet in the Realms ?
I thought to :
- thieves guilds
- assassins guilds
- both ones guilds
- ...
Others ?
N.B. : Dear moderators, I just open two posts following this one because I hope I will have a lot of guilds to pick over thanks to the help of our scribes.
So, please help !
But if you feel it's a great stupid idea, do not hesitate to delete it all !! 
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 19:49:48
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- pre Spellplague era organizations :
- "generalist" organizations :
The Night Masks is a criminal organization that is based in the city of Westgate.
The Black Boar Tribe, a barbaric gang in Waterdeep ;
The Bull Elk Tribe, a gang of primarily Uthgardt barbarians in Waterdeep ;
The Plague Rats, an elite organization of thieves and assassins operating mainly in the Dock Ward of Waterdeep ;
The Savants of the Dark Tide, a foul organisation run by aboleths deep in the Waterdeep sewer system ;
The Kraken Society, a secretive criminal organisation dedicated to gaining information in Waterdeep.
The Iron Throne . They have been charged with attempted assassinations, extortion, thuggery, trading weapons to hostile nonhuman tribes and trafficking in smoke powder, poisons and drugs. They operate in Baldur's Gate.
The Tsui Tong of the Black Cycle : masters of the city of Kai Shan, and control much of the surrounding province of Kao Shan as well. A powerful criminal organization with over 3 000 members. Robbery, murder, extortion, information and terror. (Kara-Tur, Volume I, 1988)
The Mark of the Wolf, killers for hire, proctection rackets. (City of Raven's Bluff, p.18)
The Four Ravens, led by John Porter ; assassion, black mail, breaking and entering, spying, drugs, fenching stolden items. (City of Raven's Bluff, p 17)
The Silver Sheaf, for merchants only, arrson, protection, price mulatipion. (City of Raven's Bluff, p. 18)
The Viper Ring, trade mulitapion, assassion, black mail, drugs. (City of Raven's Bluff, p. 18)
- Assassins guilds :
The Assassins Guild of the Galenas, also called the Citadel of Assassins, is an assassins guild based in the Galena Mountains in Damara
The Fire Knives are a group of exiled assassins from Cormyr. They now operate from Westgate and are allied to the Night Masks.
The Grand Play House . (the Savage Frontier, p. 26) |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
Edited by - Fillow on 20 Nov 2008 14:10:50 |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 19:50:29
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- Thieves guild :
The Astorians, in Teziir ;
The Purple Masks, in Ilipur and Pros ;
The Tide Flowers, in Ilipur and Pros ;
The Shadow Thieves, in Waterdeep ;
The Unseen, an organisation of shape-changers, thieves and illusionists in Waterdeep ;
The Agents of the Eye, Agents recruited to serve the Xanathar (or "the Eye"), the most powerful beholder in Waterdeep. Also known as the Xanathar Thieves' Guild.
The Fences Syndicate. (the Savage Frontier, p.23)
The Thieves Brotherhood. (the Savage Frontier, p. 29)
- Slavers :
the Men of the Basilisk, in Ilipur and Pros
to be continued... |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
Edited by - Fillow on 20 Nov 2008 14:12:30 |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 20:13:04
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- post 1479DR organizations : (* : These gangs already existed before the Spellplague)
- generalist gangs:
The Fire Knives* are still operating in Westgate. They now employ "the majority of the assassins, extortionists, enforcers, and spies" in the city, and the head of the guild is the First Lord of Westgate. see the 4EFRCG, p.116)
The Night barony. Generations of bandits, dozens of them now vampires swarm the caverns under the barony of Ahlarkhem. Saestra rules the gang. (see the 4EFRCG, p.127)
The Company Yargo: One of the "Five Companies" of halfling "mercenaries, smugglers, traders, and buccaneers" who carry something of the legacy of Halruaa through the skies in magical flying ships. (4EFRCG, p.254)
The Nine Golden Swords is a Shou criminal organization in Telflamm. (4EFRCG, p. 116)
The Shadowmasters, powerful criminal guild, gathers servants of Shar and users of shadow power. They are active throughout Thesk, but especially in Telflamm. (4EFRCG, p. 183)
the Black Dragons , a yakuza gang that is especially active in the Shou-dominated city of Phsant. (4EFRCG, p. 183)
the Blue Dawn controls Illipur, a ruined seaport on the Dragon Coast. Many speculate that the pirates can operate out of a landbound port because the group controls one of the few remaining skyships in Faerűn. (4FRPG, p. 92)
The Shadowkiss is "a drug- and poison vending gang active all around the Dragon Sea led by Nandrel Gostur and by Zasheena Drethyl. (4EFRCG, p. 203)
The Storm Rune, in Eskorn, is a secret cabal of merchants who secretly work to advance mercantile interests. They use theft, vandalism and arson against merchants who aren't members of their organization. (4EFRCG, p. 204)
- thieves guilds:
The Stone Bears are notorious Aglarondan thieves, led by Ambal. They operate out of Old Velprintalar.
Baldur's Gate thieves guild, led by Nine-Fingers Keene. (FRCG, p.94)
The Salt Creepers, the largest gang of thieves in Buldamar, on the eastern shore of the Lake of Salt. (FRCG, p. 167)
The Shadow Thieves*, active in all Tethyr and Amn and certainly based in Darromar. (FRCG, p.178)
The vampiric Night Masks*, led by Orbakh the Night King (Manshoon). They still operate over Westgate. (FRCG, p. 284)
- assassins guilds:
The Dark Moon Monks is an order of "stealthy, terrifying assassins" that the Church of Shar sponsors in place of a knightly arm. They're specifically not priests. "The group prefers those who have a talent for arcane or shadow powers." (see the 4EFRCG, p. 240)
- slavers :
The Crimson Chain, with its Chainsmen, known throughout the Moonsea. (see the Swordmage novel)
The Black Moon Brotherhood are corsairs who often descend on the ruins of Zhentil Keep, selling their captives into slavery and taking on new crew members desperate or wicked enough to sign on." (see the 4EFRCG, p. 151)
The Bloodreavers, a hobgoblin slavers band, are known to reside in the Thunder Peaks, around the disreputable “city” in Thunderspire Mountain. (from the Thunderspire Labyrinth FR Conversion, Dungeon 156, p. 32)
to be continued... |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
Edited by - Fillow on 05 Oct 2008 11:58:46 |
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Yuen
Acolyte
Austria
22 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 02:56:20
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- Assassin's Guild
The Fire Knives are a group of exiled assassins from Cormyr. They now operate from Westgate and are allied to the Night Masks. |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 09:43:59
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the only two guilds I know of as they are listed in the frcs somewhere.
the shadow thieves, still picking pockets up and down the sword coast
and the fire knives, who now control westgate.
the vampiric guild once known as the night masks were ousted |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 00:48:40
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There is an incredibly bizarre organization written-up in one of the old Dragon magazines.
It was run by a beholder wearing a 'zoot suit'. 
Edit: I just looked it up - he (it?) was only hired muscle. The real brains of the operation is an Illithid named 'Dutch'.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 18 Sep 2008 00:56:55 |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 20:26:50
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| My players (cheapskates that they are) are still passing around my copy of Swordmage, so I can't answer that one off the top of my head. But, for the 4E stuff you might want to put the Night Barony in under generalists, or wherever you feel a band of vampire bandits belongs. |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 21:19:21
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The Night Barony operates in Erlkazar, and information on them can be found in the FRCG. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 21:24:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
quote:
Thanks Christopher.
Where could I find any information about the Night barony ? They play in Swordmage ? I do not remember them !
Nope, they're a long way from the Moonsea!
The Night Barony is the nickname for the cavern realm below Ahlarkhem, one of the Baronies of Erlkazar, the area north of the Lake of Steam (and across the Thornwood and the Cloven Mountains from there).
The surface baronies are the "Day Baronies." The Night Barony is the realm ruled over by the vampire bandit queen Saestra.
This is all on pages 126 and 127 of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
Edited by - Christopher_Rowe on 19 Sep 2008 21:25:07 |
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Nilus Reynard
Learned Scribe
Canada
137 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 21:34:20
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| The Iron Throne - They have been charged with attempted assassinations, extortion, thuggery, trading weapons to hostile nonhuman tribes and trafficking in smoke powder, poisons and drugs. They operate in Baldur's Gate. |
Nilus Reynard
Doom Master of Beshaba, Hand of Despair.
P24 Hm CN
(2nd Edition AD&D) |
Edited by - Nilus Reynard on 19 Sep 2008 21:37:10 |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 22:58:52
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Here's a couple more from the FRCG:
Dark Moon Monks: an order of "stealthy, terrifying assassins" that the Church of Shar sponsors in place of a knightly arm. They're specifically not priests. "The group prefers those who have a talent for arcane or shadow powers." (p. 240)
Company Yargo: One of the "Five Companies" of "mercenaries, smugglers, traders, and buccaneers" who carry something of the legacy of Halruaa through the skies in magical flying ships. It seems that any of the companies may be engaged in outlawry of one kind or another at any given time, but I picked out Company Yargo in particular because they seem the most, well, criminal. The members "aren't reluctant to spill blood for the right price" and their halfling captain, "the brash Shil Yargo, has been implicated in high seas and overland piracy." (pp. 254-255)
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My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
Edited by - Christopher_Rowe on 19 Sep 2008 22:59:39 |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Nilus Reynard
Learned Scribe
Canada
137 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2008 : 11:10:30
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Tsui Tong - Operating in the semi-independant city of Kai Shan, in the landlocked Kao Shan Province. (Shou Lung)
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Nilus Reynard
Doom Master of Beshaba, Hand of Despair.
P24 Hm CN
(2nd Edition AD&D) |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2008 : 17:35:49
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Here's another 4E entry for you, Fillow. From page 88 (the Aglarond entry) of the FRCG.
"The Stone Bears are notorious Aglarondan thieves. They operate out of Old Velprintalar, the squalor of which frustrates any real effort by city officials to bring the thieves to justice." |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2008 : 13:37:13
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| Hmmm...this one's a little tougher for listing purposes. There's definitely a thieves' guild in 1479 Baldur's Gate (it must be huge), because it's head, a woman called Nine-Fingers Keene, is listed on p. 94 of the FRCG as "one of the most powerful inhabitants" of the city, but it's not given a name! Maybe just list it as "Baldur's Gate Thieves' Guild" until more information comes to light? |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
Edited by - Christopher_Rowe on 28 Sep 2008 13:37:50 |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2008 : 20:23:03
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Some more post 1479.
The Fire Knives are still operating in Westgate. The now employ "the majority of the assassins, extortionists, enforcers, and spies" in the city, and the head of the Fire Knives is also the First Lord of Westgate. –FRCG, p. 116
The Nine Golden Swords is a Shou criminal organization in Telflamm. A related (or descended) Shou group of the same name is active in Westgate, but there they claim to be "an organization of the people, and operate in public opposition to the Fire Knives. –FRCG, p. 116
"The powerful criminal guild known as the Shadowmasters, servants of Shar and users of shadow power," are active throughout Thesk, but especially in Telflamm. –FRCG, p. 183
Numerous yakuza gangs are active in Thesk as well, with the Black Dragons usually on top in the gang wars that are especially active in the Shou-dominated city of Phsant. –FRCG, p. 183
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My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2008 : 20:29:43
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Okay, here's the notes I took for you today while I was reading, less the ones you already have. I think we've about hit all the named thieves guilds, bandit gangs and so on, so the last two I've got for you are pirate brotherhoods.
The ruins of Zhentil Keep: "the corsairs known as the Black Moon Brotherhood often descend on this wretched place, selling their captives into slavery and taking on new crew members desperate or wicked enough to sign on." –FRCG, p. 151
At Illipur, a ruined seaport on the Dragon Coast, the dried up harbor is full of landlocked wrecks. The city "is known to be under the control of a band of pirates called the Blue Dawn. Many speculate that the pirates can operate out of a landbound port because the group controls one of the few remaining skyships in Faerűn." –FRPG, p. 92 |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2008 : 21:16:45
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| Looks good, Fillow, except that the Blue Dawn is detailed in the Player's Guide, not the Campaign Guide. Thanks for all your work! |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2008 : 18:44:37
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I can't believe this. I left out a whole continent! From the Returned Abeir section:
"[T]he Shadowkiss" is "a drug- and poison vending gang active all around the Dragon Sea" led by "the fabulously rich Nandrel Gostur" and by Zasheena Drethyl, who "schemes to use her drugs to one day control Orlarrakh," the Green Duchess, the elder green dragon who rules all the Dusk Ports. –FRCG, pp. 203-03
The Storm Rune, in Eskorn, is a secret cabal of merchants who secretly work to advance mercantile interests, and reputations, at the explicit expense of the interests and reputation of the king and his knights. They use theft, vandalism and arson against merchants who aren't members of their organization. –FRCG, P. 204
As an aside, going over the Returned Abeir stuff with a fine toothed comb was quite the treat. Ed Greenwood's style is among the most distinctive in game design, that's for sure!
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My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2008 : 23:16:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Christopher_Rowe
As an aside, going over the Returned Abeir stuff with a fine toothed comb was quite the treat. Ed Greenwood's style is among the most distinctive in game design, that's for sure!
Agreed, Ed is the reason I like Returned Abeir. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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criminal organizations in the Realms
