Xanathar's Thieves' Guild, or simply Xanathar Guild was run by a paranoid elder beholder.
Geography
This criminal/slaver network was one of the most powerful on the Sword Coast and often acted as a buffer against other evil organisations unintentionally. They had a massive stronghold on Skullport Island, but were otherwise largely active in Waterdeep.
Members
Members of the guild are often identified by tattoos of eyes covering their bodies. They were trained in stealth, discretion, and tactics with fighters, rogues, sorcerers, wizards, and experts which comprised most of its numbers. An ever-growing organization, it utilized multiple mouthpieces to protect and conceal the identity of the Xanathar. To join, a member had to prove their ruthlessness, obedience, and loyalty by committing a serious crime - killing or selling a friend or family member into slavery, as well as paying 300 gp. The typical agent earned dues of 60 gp a month. Support generally came in these ways:
- Any member given an assignment would receive a bodyguard or assistant - such as a Bugbear, Wererat, Kenku, or Gazer - with secret instructions to spy on and assassinate the agent in case of failure.
- The guild provided safe refuges - cellars in the sewers.
Among the low-ranking guild members, no-one really knew who Xanathar was. Few had an inkling he was a beholder, and fewer still had spoken to him.
Given that the faction was evil at the core, advancement through assassination was a popular "shortcut".
Story
The Xanathar's Guild has recently been at open war with the Black Network supposedly over some hidden treasure left behind in the city of Waterdeep.
The party has had a run in with the guild while trying to find Floon.