Beggars’ Guild of Oð

Sēlem wiped the blood from his knobby hands on the man’s coat. Teeth lay among the cobblestones like bits of hail. The fallen man groaned weakly but did not move. The flutist stepped forward and recovered a small handful of coins from the man’s coat pocket. He counted them twice and then handed half to Sēlem, who was busy examining the teeth marks on his knuckles. The large man smiled, nodding appreciatively. The flutist winced, wishing that the brute could use some of the teeth he’d liberated. “Thank you. This jack-ass has been stealing my earnings for weeks.” Sēlem looked down at the crumbled man. “He missing teef,” the brute chuckled. “He look stoopid.” Sēlem kicked the man in the head with a wet crunch. The groaning stopped. “Be quiet stoopid!” The musician cringed and patted Sēlem on the shoulder. “I think he’ll be quiet now. Time to go.”

The Crossed Palms is a large decentralized group of Oðári beggars, misfits, actors, buskers, fools, and paupers. It was founded following the death of Synda the Benevolent in 103 DR as a means of giving power to the disenfranchised. The purpose of the organization has evolved since the early 2nd century DR into what is now a confederacy of the unethical underprivileged.

Members

• Tān Bìrpâd (Woodstep or Step of Wood), Guildmaster
  • Fvarbol of Lorn, Master of Beggars
  • The Great Imrys, Master of Fools
  • Salyn Mēnad, Master of Musicians
  • Dālfvyn Black Hat, Master of Urchins

Organization

Though many associate the Crossed Palms with the Derékaln, the organizations are completely separate. Large numbers of young Palms do graduate to the more-organized Derékaln, but there is no official bridging between them. Membership between the two groups is not exclusive.

There are many symbols and tattoos that identify members of the group and locations where they meet. The symbol for the group is often two open hands laid across one another, palms up (i.e., a beggar’s cup). On the doors and walls of meeting places, there is sometimes an etched circle with a 90 degree wedge marked across the upper left. This is the Sign of the Quartered Kūdom.

The Crossed Palms is not as structured as the Derékaln, or most other organizations for that matter. Neighborhood members act locally and rarely bother with the larger organization. Exceptions which call for wider involvement include training, safehouses, relocations, recruitment, rallies, and other events. Though often compared to the Derékaln, Crossed Palms operations are often more egalitarian with an emphasis on promoting and helping all members. In this sense, the Guild operates similarly to a workers’ union. Should an individual need assistance, local members often lend what help they can to support or protect their fellow Palm.

The group is also infamous for “employing” children (i.e., urchins). Some feel this is exploitative, but many families need the money, and children are often the most successful beggars. Unlike some places where children are trafficked and abused, the Crossed Palms group attempts to protect its minor members. Because all working children are at risk on the City streets, older Palms sometimes watch younger members for a cut of their take. If abuse is discovered, the Crossed Palms will make public examples of the perpetrators. Despite protections, child members are lost somewhat routinely.