The Gloaming Guild's Shadow Network
Description
DescriptionVixia's tenuous connection to the revolutionary Gloaming Guild deepens through necessity and calculation. At the Night Dancer, Jackal reveals that the Inquisition came asking questions but her network of discretion held—she warned Harpy before capture, allowing the revolutionary to sacrifice some members while escaping. Jackal agrees to arrange one final meeting between Vixia and Harpy, but makes clear this is the end of the brothel's involvement. The conversation turns philosophical: revolution is bad for business, but sometimes being the downtrodden underdog is exactly what sells. Vixia expresses concern that the Gloaming Guild's chaotic, unordered approach will burn them all, but also recognizes she may need their help with the corrupted tree. The web of connections tightens even as it frays, each side using the other while wondering when betrayal will come. Session 8 update: Vixia's involvement with the Gloaming Guild evolves from tenuous contact into active collaboration as their revolutionary goals align with immediate needs. At the Red Harbor, she trades intelligence about the power vacuum left by Ruben's removal to Jackal, securing help relocating her dangerous contraband. Harpy Puddle Wrench herself emerges from hiding to make a more significant bargain: the Guild will handle Vixia's problems in exchange for planting damning evidence on Prince Vis's desk. Harpy's reaction to news of Vis taking the Inquisition position—'that is fortuitous'—reveals the Guild has been waiting for exactly this opportunity. Their purpose crystallizes: they're not random revolutionaries but a coordinated effort to restore the Prince's stolen divine heritage by forcing him to discover the truth about his birth, his father's death, and the systematic elimination of those who knew. Vixia becomes the instrument of this revelation, knowingly advancing the Guild's agenda while securing her own survival. Session 9 update: Vixia's involvement with the revolutionary Gloaming Guild evolves from tenuous contact into active leadership of a major operation. Harpy Puddle Wrench trusts her to orchestrate the prison break, recognizing the kobold's talent for turning chaos into profit. Vixia expands the scope beyond simple rescue into a sophisticated scheme that will embarrass the Crown, profit multiple criminal organizations, and advance the Guild's revolutionary agenda. She coordinates with Echoe to spread strategic rumors about pardons, recruits Daria through appeals to compassion, and brings Caelum into the conspiracy by offering him opportunities for heroic reputation-building. The operation demonstrates Vixia's evolution from cautious operative into strategic planner capable of managing multiple agendas simultaneously. Her suggestion to release multiple prisoners rather than just Elowen shows she's thinking like a revolutionary leader, not just a hired hand.
Timeline
Whispers at the Night Dancer
Vixia meets with Jackal, learning Harpy survived and can be contacted one final time before the Night Dancer cuts ties
The Pyre Growing Within
The corrupted tree's growth forces Vixia to consider reaching out to the Gloaming Guild as the only group desperate enough to help
Whispers at the Red Harbor
Vixia trades valuable intelligence about Lady Ruben's removal to Jackal in exchange for help finding an abandoned farmstead and transporting contraband. Jackal agrees to contact their mutual acquaintance and forgives Vixia's previous transgression.
The Guild's Agent
Harpy Puddle Wrench reveals herself to Vixia and explains the Guild's true purpose: the removal of Ruben and Prince Vis's new position is 'fortuitous' for their plans. She arranges transport for Vixia's contraband in exchange for planting documents on Vis's desk and keeping nobles distracted with false leads.
Convergence of Conspiracies
Vixia explains the Guild's ultimate goal to Kalem and Thalara: restoring Prince Vis's stolen divine birthright by forcing him to confront the truth. The letters she must plant will prove his celestial heritage and reveal who was eliminated to hide it.
The Gloaming Guild's Gambit
Harpy proposes the prison break and Vixia immediately expands the operation's scope, demonstrating strategic thinking that impresses the Guild representative. She takes initiative in spreading rumors through Echoe's network.
The Reluctant Conspirator
Vixia successfully recruits Daria by framing the criminal operation as rescuing an innocent, showing her ability to appeal to different motivations. She offers lessons in deception, acting as mentor.
The Mercenary's Mask
Vixia brings Caelum into the conspiracy and finds a way to make the operation benefit him politically, managing multiple agendas simultaneously. She positions herself to introduce him to the Guild as Mesmer.
Hearts Unguarded
Overhearing strangers discuss the pardon rumors confirms Vixia's strategic rumor-spreading is working. References to 'the Dragon' suggest deeper Guild operations Vixia may be connected to.
The Serpent's Bargain
Echoe agrees to arrange introduction to the Gloaming Guild and gather intelligence on Lady Ruben in exchange for Castle access.
Plotting the Impossible
Harpy leads the planning session for the prison break, coordinating three teams and demonstrating the Guild's sophisticated operational capabilities.
Sanctuary Among Thieves
The Guild's new hideout pulses with victory's chaotic energy—purple tapestries of Faustus, freed prisoners celebrating, tankards raised in triumph. The operation succeeded beyond intended scope, though Harpy seems uncertain what to do with all the extra prisoners they accidentally freed. The network provides sanctuary and celebration, though questions about their true goals remain unanswered.
Alliances Forged in Darkness
Harpy's drunken confession reveals the revolutionary truth beneath the criminal facade. The Guild worships Faustus, one of the old entities the Church claims Villier destroyed. Their purpose: prevent the Church from stopping these entities' cyclical return, thereby creating a 'new order' to replace current power structures. Harpy stumbles over something she's leaving out about who would replace the Queen—possibly someone with celestial blood like Thalara. The Guild isn't random chaos but coordinated effort to restore old gods and overthrow the crown.