Ivory Chalice

The Thieves guild has only come to be known as such within the last century, based on fables of **The Ivory Chalice**, an old human faction that dealt in information as power. Once simply known as **The Thieves Guild**, Today's Chalice operates as both a Thieves Guild and Assassins for hire, though it's said those within its closest circles know a great secret that could unmake kingdoms. Much of their assassination revolves around high priority, political or business targets, even the smallest kill has a rippling effect that can change the political landscape significantly. Although they are incredible at what they do, they are renowned striking at their targets within the walls of the nine cities of Vari and rarely outside of these urban settings.

### Activity

Very little is known about **The Ivory Chalice** as it operates in secret. However, the most prominent species amongst the **Ivory Chalice** is the Tabaxi, due to their natural speed, agility and affinity for stealth. Members of the ivory chalice higher than the Footpad rank wield a deadly **Ivory Dagger**, with a hilt of Ivory and a blade of Adamantine, this magically infused dagger is designed to kill contracted assassination targets. As the member rises through the rank, their bond with their dagger grows and it gains new properties, causing them to become incredible thieves and assassins.

### Joining Prerequisites

It is said that to join **The Ivory Chalice**, one must visit the trade city of Yoln and locate the hidden **Nine Holes Tavern**.

### Accord

As bound by the Faction's Accord, **The Ivory Chalice** are responsible for the following remits:

* The Protection of the Homeless and Street Urchins
* The Proper Regulation of Assassination Contracts
* Re-Acquiring Stolen and Lost Property
* Promoting Equality for the Poor

### Faction Hooks

* The Empress Must Die - Empress **Helena Veragost** wrong you, your family or friends somehow in the past with her horrible policies. She has lived far too long and has a significant target on her back. One day you hope to be the one to sink a knife into it.
* **Is The Ivory Chalice Real? -** The Ivory Chalice is a holy relic from The Forgotten Age. If it is real, it is thought to grant wishes. You want to seek it out.

### Rank

Each rank of the Chalice is given more autonomy and responsibility. To achieve the next rank, a series of contracts must be completed first, before a challenge is set by someone a rank or two above the member. A particularly difficult assassination contract, or "valuables" recovery is often used to test the members skills. Promotions can be granted by a minister in exceptional circumstances without the need for this challenge.

* **Footpad**- There are many Footpads within the chalice and few ever move beyond this rank. A footpad could simply be a part time informant, or a fence, such as a merchant whose primary job is tending their stall. A footpad that wishes to move up the ladder is expected to prove themselves by performing contracts assigned to them by an operative. After they have successfully completed at least three contracts (theft or assassination) they are able to request the 'Dacoit test'.
* **Dacoit** - A dacoit is given a choice from a range of contracts by their assigned operative, but they are encouraged to begin trying to improve the world in their own way also. If they able to prove this to the Chalice, they can be considered for promotion.
* **Operative** - Responsible for at least one Dacoit and several Footpads, an operative will have to report to the local Tribune at least once every 3 months to be given a series of contracts. They must then determine which contracts are suitable for which members they are responsible for and assign them accordingly. Completing the most difficult on their own. Additionally, an operative will personally take on contracts more suitable to veteran members.
* **Tribune**- A tribune is a public representative of the chalice who does not often complete contracts unless they require a very specific level of skill. Instead they divide the contracts amongst local operatives and manage their activity. A tribune usually has an office from which they work, where contracts are often sent by the public, although some tribunes meet with the local populace, councils and government to try and help improve the situation for the citizens of a city. Particularly the poor. As the only public representatives of the faction they employ various, highly effective yet unknown tactics to prevent being targeted by unsanctioned assassins or other nefarious individuals, one thing that is certain is that they use methods to create a false appearance and use a pseudonym. Once a Tribune leaves his or her post, they simply disappear from the public eye never to be seen again, with no announcement or warning. Some believe these Tribunes are promoted to ministers, others believe they are killed, and the more likely reason is that they retire after amassing enough wealth to provide for themselves and their family, and to pay for the anonymity required.
* **Minister:** A minister is the head of a particular wing of the chalice. Although it is not public knowledge how many ministers, or wings there are, there are thought to be at least two, the minister of the Assassinorum wing, and the minister for the Reclamation wing. A minister is the only member of the order with the authority to contact the Reliquary Master and as such the orders that come from the faction leader come via a minister. A ministers identity is a top secret, although many assume a Tribune that is no longer publicly serving must have been promoted to ministerial status, there is never any evidence of this.
* **Reliquary Master:** Nothing is known about the reliquary master of the Ivory Chalice.

### Faction Benefits:

Your chosen faction provides you will a set of additional starting equipment, in addition to that which is granted by your class. Including gold.

* a crowbar
* a dagger
* a set of dark common clothes including a hood
* a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife)
* a belt pouch containing 5 gp
* Feature: Chalice Contact

**Chalice Contact**

You have a reliable and trustworthy contact within the faction, who acts as your liaison to a network of criminals and faction members. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances, across all nine cities. Specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and travelling mercenaries who can deliver messages for you. Your contacts allow you to take up "Ivory Contracts."

As deemed in the Faction's Accord, benefits are awarded for progression through the rank system of all factions in Vari.

* **Footpad:**
	+ **[Streetwise]** You have spent some time with the chalice, moving through the underbelly of society and learning how to handle yourself in an urban setting. During your training you learned **Chalice Cant**, a Secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Through this you are able to pick up **Ivory contracts**. Only another creature that knows Chalice Cant, such as another Ivory Chalice member, or someone that knows Thieves cant, can understand such messages. This does not allow you to understand thieves cant. It takes four times longer to convey such a Message than it does to speak the same idea plainly. In addition, You gain proficiency in Deception plus your choice of one of the following: Insight, Persuasion, Stealth, or Survival. Also, while you are within an urban setting, you have **advantage** on the following:
		- Perception or Survival checks to keep track while tailing someone.
		- Survival to find the best routes through the streets, including shortcuts and alleyways.
		- Charisma checks to foster a positive relationship with a local guard, merchant or noble
		- Investigation, Perception, Persuasion or Intimidation checks made to find someone willing to fence stolen goods, sell you information on the local area or its people, or buy/sell poisons.
* **Dacoit:**
	+ **[ Ivory Dagger ]** You have been awarded your Ivory Dagger, a weapon that is symbolic your faction. It requires attunement and can only be attuned by you. This magical dagger is made from an ivory hilt, with an incredibly sharp *adamantine blade*. You gain a +1 bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls made with this Magic Weapon. While you have accepted an chalice sanctioned assassination contract, you instead gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this dagger against the contracted target. When you roll a 19 or 20 on your attack roll against the contract target, you score a critical hit.
	+ **[Streetwise]** Your training and experience has lead to advantage in more situations while within urban settings:
		- Deception or Performance checks while posing as a local, or Insight checks to determine if someone is doing the same.
		- Insight checks to see if the individual you are speaking to, or observing speaking, is a criminal or has connections to criminals.
		- Persuasion checks when dealing with known criminals.
		- Stealth checks while outdoors, within urban settings.
* **Operative:**
	+ **[ Keen Ivory Dagger ]** Your dagger has been upgraded to the Keen Ivory Dagger. It requires attunement and can only be attuned by you. This magical dagger is made from an ivory hilt, with an incredibly sharp *adamantine blade*. You gain a +2 bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls made with this Magic Weapon. When you roll a 19 or 20 on your attack roll, you score a critical hit. After this weapon is thrown, the weapon teleports back to you. While you have accepted an chalice sanctioned assassination contract, you instead gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this dagger against the contracted target. The dagger also has one *minor beneficial property*. *Consult your DM for this.*
	+ **[Streetwise]** Your training and experience has lead to advantage in more situations while within urban settings:
		- Perception or Investigation checks to locate hidden treasure, valuables or secret compartments in urban settings.
		- Perception checks to see if you are being followed.
		- Insight checks to learn of any crooked dealings taking place, including any fixed contests or competitions, or to see if you or someone else is being 'set up'.
* **Tribune:**
	+ **[ Penumbra Dagger ]** Your dagger has been upgraded to the Penumbra Dagger. It requires attunement and can only be attuned by you. This magical dagger is made from an ivory hilt with enchanted obsidian runes etched into it, and an incredibly sharp *adamantine blade.* You gain a +3 bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls made with this Magic Weapon. When you roll a 19 or 20 on your attack roll, you score a critical hit. After this weapon is thrown, the weapon teleports back t you, or you can choose to transform into shadow and merge with the blade, teleporting instantly to wherever the blade impacts. If the target is a creature, you emerge adjacent to the target in a space of your choice. If you miss with the attack, the DM determines where you teleport accordingly. While you have accepted an chalice sanctioned assassination contract, you deal an additional 2d6 necrotic damage when you hit the contracted target with this dagger. The dagger also has one *minor beneficial property* and *one major beneficial property. Consult your DM for this.*
	+ **[ Shadow Assassin ]** Whilst in darkness, in an urban setting and wielding your **Penumbra Dagger**, you can choose to turn invisible for up to one hour, or until you choose to end it as a bonus action. Anything you are wearing or carrying is Invisible as long as it is on your person. You remain invisible even if you leave the darkness, but the invisibility ends if you attack or cast a spell. Any hit you score against a surprised creature from an attack made while invisible due to your shadow assassin ability is a critical hit. You cannot use this feature again until you have taken a long rest.
* **Minister:**
	+ You can cast the disguise self spell at will, without expending a spell slot.
	+ Other unknown benefits...