Page 73 - Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

activities has made it vulnerable to Azorius enforce- ularly specialists in the School of Abjuration) also deal
ment. So far, the Azorius have demonstrated more inter- in encrypting texts, warding vaults and secret meeting
est in cracking down on the chaotic activity of the Gruul rooms, fortifying structures, and cloaking important
and the Rakdos, but Azorius arresters also routinely personages in magical protections.
shut down Orzhov protection rackets and take enforc-
ers into custody. To make matters worse, the Azorius ENFORCER
Senate's increasing use of precognitive magic is proving Enforcers guard Orzhov property and protect the guild's
difficult for the Orzhov to work around. bureaucrats, administrators, and aristocrats. You might
So far, the syndicate's most effective tactic has been be the muscle who collects protection money and debt
to increase the layers of separation between the day-to- payments from the syndicate's clients, or an assassin
day criminal operations of the guild and the leadership, (euphemistically called a euthanist) who brings speedy
ensuring that no matter how many street-level thugs and ends to lives deemed to have gone on too long. Most
syndics are apprehended to fill the Azorius prisons, the Orzhov enforcers are fighters. Rogue enforcers typically
guild's leadership remains intact. Contact between the emulate the Thief or Assassin archetype.
oligarchs and lower-ranking members of the guild is
PRIEST
increasingly rare in this situation, and even the pontiffs
ff you are cleric (most likely of the Order Domain), you
find it ever more difficult to arrange a hearing with their
can aspire to serve an important function in the Orzhov
superiors.
Syndicate, which continues to maintain the outward
ORZHOV CHARACT ERS appearance of a religious institution. Once you earn a
position of respect in the syndicate, you will hear confes-
Alignment: Usually lawful, often evil sions and dole out penance (which is always of a finan-
Suggested Races: Human cial nature). Your "calling" centers on collecting mone-
Suggested Classes: Cleric, fighter, rogue, wizard tary tithes and offerings in a wide range of forms. Your
You might enjoy playing a character who belongs spellcasting ability comes from the collective power of
to the Orzhov Syndicate if any of the following sen- the spirits that rule the guild, not from a god.
You might even be a most unusual priest for the syndi-
tences are true:
cate-one who thinks the guild's wealth should be used
• You want to move through the corrupt underbelly
to ease the suffering of the downtrodden. You might
of society and make respectable people squirm in
also believe in the inspiration and delight that beautiful
your presence.
pageantry can offer to the world. If you seek to distribute
You enjoy playing fearsome or decadent characters. wealth and share beauty, rather than hoard them, you
• You want to strive for wealth, lavish beauty, or both.
must do so discreetly to avoid the ire of the Obzedat.
j OINING THE 0 RZHOV SYNDICATE
BACKGROUND: 0 RZHOV
At the beginning of your association with the Orzhov, REPRESENTATIVE
you are regarded as a borrower. Whether you are the
The prospect of immense wealth is the promise of
wealthy scion of an oligarch family or a penniless citi-
zen deep in debt to the guild, your status is functionally membership in the Orzhov Syndicate. All of the guild's
equivalent: you owe everything you have, even your life, endeavors channel wealth from Ravoican society into
to the Orzhov. Your only hope of improving your status the ranks of the Orzhov- and concentrates the spoils
is through your service to the guild. As you acquire re- at the top of the hierarchy. As a functionary in that sys-
nown, you can rise above this debased position in the tem, your best hope is to claim as much as possible of
guild hierarchy. Choose one of three parallel tracks of the money that passes through your hands on its way
advancement, depending on your capabilities: advokist, up, so that you can work your way into a more promi-
enforcer, or priest. nent position.
Regardless of your past and the wealth of your family.
ADVOKIST your initial status with the guild is near the bottom, until
If you are a spellcaster (perhaps a wizard specialized in you have proven your value.
the School of Abjuration, Divination, or Enchantment), Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Religion
you can aspire to be an advokist- one of the syndicate's Languages: Two of your choice
lawyers, with duties that include overseeing contracts, Equipment: An Orzhov insignia, a foot-long chain made
representing clients in Azorius courts, and prosecuting of ten gold coins, vestments, a set of fine clothes,
those who fail to pay their debts. Some clerics of the Or- and a belt pouch containing 1 pp (an Orzhov-minted
der Domain also choose to pursue this path. 10-zino coin)
Many advokists draw on the power of law magic to en-
force regulations and contracts to the advantage of the FEATURE: LEVERAGE
guild. They use their magic to draw out the truth from You can exert leverage over one or more individuals
debtors and those who dare to break their contracts below you in the guild's hierarchy and demand their
with the guild, to ensure that petitioners approach with help as needs warrant. For example, you can have a
the proper humility, and to punish those who offend message carried across a neighborhood, procure a short
them or violate their contracts. Some advokists (partic- carriage ride without paying, or have others clean up a

72 CHAPTER 2 GUlLDS OF R \\ N!CA