The Shadow Network

THE SHADOW NETWORK The largest criminal organization in Aethelgard, operating as a loose confederation of crime bosses who have agreed to divide territory and share information. OPERATIONS: • Smuggling throughout Aethoria • Illegal slave trade • Information brokering • Assassination (through Red Hand subcontractors) • Extortion and protection rackets • Illegal magical item trafficking STRUCTURE: • No single leader • Council of seven most powerful bosses meets quarterly • Territory divided by district and 'industry' • Disputes resolved through negotiation or carefully managed conflict REACH: Extends into higher rings through bribed officials and blackmailed nobles. Some Network bosses have legitimate businesses as fronts. THE SLAVE TRADE: The Network is the primary mover of illegal slaves—people stolen from their lives, children taken from families, mages captured for their potential. Slaves with magical potential fetch the highest prices. RIN'S CONNECTION: Rin's former captors were Network-affiliated. She has enemies here who would pay well for information about her whereabouts—or for the opportunity to reclaim a valuable escaped asset.