The House Underneath

"Go to sleep my sweet and close your eyes/ Stay in bed and turn out your lights/ I'll tuck you in and shut those slats/ If only to keep you away from the rats"

-- a lullaby sung to children to put them to sleep.

The House Underneath isn't a House held in high regard. Many believe them to be nothing but street-sweepers and muckrakers, but many know better. The House Underneath opens its arms to those of lower moral stature and monstrous nature. The House Underneath picks its members from thieves, killers, smugglers, bandits, and anyone with an ability to subvert the other Houses. The House Underneath is said to be controlled by a circle of leaders known as "The Rat Kings'', but there are also rumors that it's just one entity. Those who join the ranks of this House find themselves calling the whole of Sanctus and everything they touch a home. As the shadows creep and the roaches skitter; they bring with them the calls and whispers of The House Underneath.

The House Underneath understands that in this place of hopeless abandon and political intrigue is that those under the feet of the "Great Houses" must band together for survival, but remain unseen behind the shadows in which they operate. Whether it be the bartender at a noble's estate or the streetsweeper by the docks, you can find friends in any hole if you look hard enough.

**Members**: 500 members

**Alignment:** LE

**House Structure:**

Loathe are those organizations with hierarchies, but loathe be those organizations that lack shape or form.

The Rat King- a mysterious entity, but one that brings order to the skittering mass of the vermin. They dictate what rules will come to pass and how to pass by those that "rule". None know the identity or identities of these members.

Vulture- those that carry the title of vulture are given a certain amount of oversight over different parts of a city, keeping the other members in those districts in check. They are typically not personally doing jobs but instead issuing these orders out to other members, and spreading the word of the Rat King.

Toad- these members are typically known as smugglers and fences. They are most closely involved with the "adventurous". Known to slyly give out contracts and jobs in return for whatever they deem worthy.

Rat- the most common members, Rats can find themselves put into typically any position that a Toad or Vulture needs them to be in. Whether it be a merchant guard or assassin or rat catcher. Heh heh.

Roach- these members are barely members at all, but ones that hope not to get crushed by society's boots. These are usually people that join for the "security" it gives them.

Maggot- the lowest lifeform, and then lowest rank of Vermin. A Maggot does whatever they are told and at first are rarely contracted by the House unless as backup or extra help for a Rat or Roach.

## Season of Strife

Whispers of strife make their way below, into the depths of the Labyrinth. Those denizens like what they hear. Perhaps they can assist, in whatever way they can. Disposal of bodies, evidence, anything really. Just come below, and we’ll help you out.

*“Above they toil against one another, keh heh heh. We’ll feast well down here, we will. War makes for riches, for those who know how to collect”*

*- Labyrinth Dweller*