The Black Network is a secretive and ruthless organization that operates within the shadows, controlling vast amounts of criminal activity, espionage, and trade. Its members, often individuals who have nothing left to lose or those seeking power outside the boundaries of the law, serve the Network with loyalty and ambition. Those who join the Black Network are adept at manipulation, deception, and survival—skills that keep them alive and in the good graces of the guild. From its base in the underbelly of cities to the highborn mansions where secrets are bought and sold, the Black Network operates where no one else dares to tread.

Whether you joined the Network to escape a past life, to climb the social ladder, or simply to thrive where others would fall, you are now a part of something bigger. With each favor granted and each secret learned, you climb higher into the organization, where the only thing more valuable than loyalty is power. In exchange for your services, the Network offers you unparalleled access to its web of contacts and resources, but also demands your unwavering commitment to its cause.

Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Stealth and Deception. These skills represent your ability to hide in plain sight, move unnoticed in the shadows, and manipulate others into believing falsehoods, making you a natural at navigating the underworld.

• Stealth: You’ve learned how to blend into your surroundings, whether by hiding in alleys, slipping into crowds, or vanishing into the shadows. Your ability to remain unnoticed is vital in the world of secret dealings and hidden agendas.
• Deception: You can spin lies with ease, crafting false stories or identities when necessary. The ability to deceive others allows you to operate in a world where the truth is often less important than what is believed.

Tool Proficiencies: You gain proficiency with Thieves' Tools and one gaming set of your choice.

• Thieves' Tools: These tools are essential for bypassing locks, disarming traps, and gaining access to places others cannot. Your expertise with these tools allows you to break into secure locations or escape tight situations quickly and efficiently.
• Gaming Set: Whether it’s cards, dice, or a board game, a gaming set represents the underworld’s method of passing the time and gaining favor through informal competition. You can use this skill to win favor, secure bets, or gather information from rivals or allies.

Languages: You gain the ability to speak one additional language of your choice, typically one that allows you to communicate covertly or gain an advantage in your dealings. Languages often chosen include Thieves' Cant (a secret language used among thieves and criminals), or a foreign language that provides access to other criminal organizations or markets.

Equipment: You begin with the following equipment:

• A set of common clothes with a symbol of The Black Network sewn into them, signaling your affiliation with the guild.
• A gaming set of your choice, a favorite past-time or tool used in the underworld for competition, information-gathering, or social manipulation.
• A pouch containing 15 gp, representing your stake in the underworld economy.

These items are not just practical, but carry significance in your life as a member of the Black Network. Your clothes show your status, and your gaming set serves as both a personal reminder and a tool for interaction. The money is a sign that you have the Network’s favor, but it also symbolizes the transactional nature of your connection to them.

Suggested Characteristics

Those who join The Black Network are often opportunists, seeking power, wealth, or influence in ways not readily accepted by society at large. Members tend to be pragmatic, self-serving, and skilled in the art of deception. They thrive in the shadows, using the Network’s resources to survive and thrive where others would fall.

d6	Personality Trait
1	I trust no one fully—everyone has an angle.
2	I'm always looking for ways to get ahead, whether through information or alliances.
3	I enjoy the thrill of being in the shadows, manipulating events unseen.
4	My word is my bond—if I say I'll do something, I will. It’s the Network's way.
5	I hate to see the weak left behind, especially when I can do something about it.
6	I find comfort in knowing the right people—no matter how dubious their morals.

d6	Ideal
1	Power - The Black Network offers unparalleled control and leverage. I will do what it takes to rise.
2	Ambition - I am determined to succeed, no matter the cost, using whatever means I can.
3	Loyalty - Once I pledge my allegiance to the Black Network, nothing will break my bond to it.
4	Independence - The Black Network provides tools and allies, but I carve my own path.
5	Justice - Some of the Network's methods may be harsh, but they get the job done when the law fails.
6	Freedom - The Network lets me operate outside the traditional bounds of society, and I will protect that freedom at all costs.

d6	Bond
1	I owe my position in the Network to a single contact who helped me when I was at my lowest.
2	There’s a person I’ve sworn to protect—someone who can’t know about the Network.
3	A high-ranking member of the Black Network saved my life. I will do anything to repay that debt.
4	The Black Network has promised me something very important, and I will not stop until I get it.
5	A former member of the Network betrayed me, and I’ll see that they pay the price.
6	The Black Network saved my family. My loyalty to them is unwavering.

d6	Flaw
1	I’m willing to betray others if it helps me gain the advantage.
2	I don’t trust anyone outside the Network and am always suspicious of their motives.
3	I can’t stand anyone questioning my loyalty to the Network.
4	I’m prone to overstepping my bounds and trying to take on missions that are above my pay grade.
5	I sometimes get too caught up in schemes and forget the real consequences of my actions.
6	I have a weakness for luxury and will often go into debt to maintain a lavish lifestyle.