Thorne Blackwyd: Prince of Thieves

In days of yore, there lived a thief of unparalleled skill. His name, whispered with both awe and trepidation, had become the stuff of legend, for Thorne Blackwyd had accomplished the three most audacious heists known to the annals of history—the theft of the jewels of the dragon empresses.

These treasures, so priceless they could purchase a kingdom, were guarded by the most formidable warriors and the most intricate defenses the world had ever seen. Yet, Thorne, the greatest thief of all, was undaunted by these obstacles. His heart burned with the desire to claim these jewels, no matter the cost.

The first empress was renowned for her cunning. She housed her jewels within the impenetrable walls of a fortress, guarded day and night by vigilant sentinels. But Thorne was not deterred. Disguised as a humble servant, he infiltrated the fortress. With unparalleled dexterity and stealth, he spirited away the jewels from under the very noses of the guards, leaving no trace of his passage.

The second empress, a paragon of vanity, adorned herself with her precious jewels in public, basking in the admiration of the masses. Thorne, however, saw an opportunity. In the bustling heart of a parade, he approached the empress. With sleight of hand so deft it defied comprehension, he relieved her of her jewels as she wore them, replacing them with imitations only later discovered.

The third empress was the most cautious of all. She concealed her jewels in a secret location, known only to herself. But even her meticulous care could not thwart the greatest thief. Through cunning and perseverance, Thorne uncovered the secret hiding place. In the dead of night, cloaked in darkness, he stole the jewels, vanishing into the dark with his prize.

Thus, the legend of Thorne Blackwyd was etched into the annals of time. With the jewels of the three empresses in his possession, he vanished from the world, never to be seen again. Yet, the tales of his incredible feats were passed down through the generations, a testament to his unmatched prowess.

In time, Thorne's legend grew to mythical proportions. He was venerated as an ascended hero, and in certain corners of the world, some even worshipped him as a god. His story, a tapestry of daring and brilliance, continued to inspire awe and wonder, ensuring that the name Thorne Blackwyd would forever be remembered as the greatest thief of all time

The Afterlife: Whiskerhaven

Whiskerhaven is the mythical afterlife according to those who play the Long Game -- the so-called religion of thieves. It is a shimmering, half-real city of twilight streets and endless markets, where no one wants for food or coin, and no one chases what they’ve already lost.

In Whiskerhaven, the rules are inverted: the clever are honored, the watchmen are all blind, the audacious are protected, and every door swings open for those who know the right knock. In Whiskerhaven, there are no lords or masters. Thieves govern themselves in loose circles of trust, gamble with fate itself, and live without debt, punishment, or poverty. Jailors are beggars. Barons sweep streets. Every tavern is open and every coin flips heads. 

• The Twilight Streets: Lanterns flicker in endless dusk; shadows hide more doorways than walls should allow. A thief never runs out of alleyways.
• The Grand Bazaar: Every stolen thing finds its way here, often in stranger forms—coins melt into dice, gems turn into bottles of wine, and locks hang open waiting for anyone to “steal” their contents.
• The Gambler’s Bridge: A bridge with no bottom beneath it. To cross, one must roll dice against Fate. Some thieves never leave the bridge, playing eternally but never falling.

The door to Whiskerhaven is said to be guarded by none other than the uncontested Prince of Thieves. That position is believed by many to be Thorne Blackwyd, but it is well known that if another thief should take that honor, he will replace Thorne at the door.

It is said that every thief gets at least one shot at the perfect job—the final job, the one that brings them to the attention of the Candlejack. If the Candlejack notices their attempt, their souls will be stolen from the Ferryman upon their death and taken to Whiskerhaven.

Failing that, the Candlejack can sometimes be bribed to take an unknown thief, if a blackened gold piece is placed on the deceased's tongue as a bribe. 

If the departed thief cannot win the attention of the Candlejack by his deeds, or have his bribe accepted, there remains one final option to gain Whiskerhaven -- that via the Red-Fingered Woman. The Red-Fingered Woman is a fat and dour wench who serves drinks to those about to board the Ferry. Despite her perpetual grimace, she is said to have a secret weakness for a good story or a well-told joke. Thieves believe that if they can make her laugh, she will keep hide them beneath her robes and while they will not enter Whiskerhaven, they will at least avoid the great judgement that awaits them. With the Red-Fingered Woman they will be able to drink forever and find themselves slumbering at each day's end in her ample bosom.

Not all thieves believe in Whiskerhaven, but all have heard its stories. To believe in it is to believe that death is not a punishment, but the greatest con of all. It is not solely the abode of Thieves, either, as they believe that Rangers and Bards may find themselves there, as well. Though those who do will have to buy the drinks of any real thief they meet.