"It's not about the necklace, although it's very pretty. Nah -- this is an act of devotion, just like the stodgy Sigmarites and their droning hymns. This necklace is proof we humble mortals can take precious things out from under the same noses that look down on us."
A thief-priest of the Cult of Ranald[1a]
A thief-priest is a priest of the Cult of Ranald, the god of good fortune and thieves, who uses their thieving skills to both enrich themselves and as an act of worship to the god of thieves.
Thievery is a crime, but it can also be an art form. With the right combination of skill and cunning, stealing from others is an act of devotion to Ranald in his aspect as the larcenous Night Prowler. Thief-priests dedicate themselves to the fine art of appropriating others' property. They pride themselves on committing crimes with flair and panache, involving intricate planning, daring escapes, and acts of legendary bravado. The more accomplished the crime, the more they venerate their god, emulating his boldest mythic exploits and inspiring others to do the same.[1a]
Most of these roguish Ranaldians started out as regular thieves, perhaps picking pockets or lifting goods from the back of wagons when their owner wasn't looking. At some point, they felt a spiritual calling to Ranald, or an older priest found them and saw in them a promising initiate. Thief-priests always know the local gangs of young criminals and keep their eyes out for potential proteges to instruct in the ways of Ranald. It's as simple as having an initiate swear they'll follow Ranald's strictures, and then they're on the path to priesthood -- Ranaldians don't go in for complex ceremonies.[1b]
Role[]
"These people are laughing in the face of the law. They orchestrate elaborate crimes and claim such behaviour is somehow holy. If I had my way, we'd burn down the rookeries until we've torched every last one of these 'priests'."
These followers of Ranald live as the god of good fortune and thieves' aspect known as the Night Prowler would if he were in mortal guise. They practise and celebrate theft as an art form, providing blessings and guidance to criminals who use stealth, ingenuity, and guile to take things from others. They strive to curtail violence in other denizens of the underworld, reining in thuggery and showing by their actions that there are sneaky, subtle, and bloodless ways to steal for a living.[1b]
While they are criminals, thief-priests still answer to a higher purpose. They believe criminality and theft are necessary to redress the inherent unfairness of the mortal world. They tend to avoid stealing from the powerless and condemn criminal violence, especially vehemently if the targets are low-status or harmless.[1b]
Some are independent loners who eschew company and spread Ranald's teachings only to those who cross their path by chance. Others are found amongst other criminals, leading capers, granting blessings, and whispering counsel in their ears. Their "congregation" comprises cutpurses, pickpockets, burglars, smugglers, and common thieves. To these everyday criminals, thief-priests have a certain glamorous mystique, granted through their association with Ranald.[1b]
Life as a thief-priest is inherently risky. Their deeds must be public enough to inspire other followers as acts of worship whilst being careful enough to avoid capture. The Night Prowler is the most vilified of Ranald's aspects, despised by the powers-that-be.[1b]
Followers of the Night Prowler need to stay sharp to stay ahead of the law. They keep their true identity secret, as their calling is inherently criminal, and they cannot trust anyone, including their associates. While other thieves may have greater skill, the thief-priest uses blessings and miracles to augment their abilities, thereby pulling off legendary capers that bring praise in Ranald's name.[1b]
Thief-priests come from all walks of society, from the lowest rookery to the upper echelons. There are even rumours that an incognito thief-priest serves Emperor Karl Franz at the highest level in the Imperial Palace. Their secret identity depends on their station in life, as a poor priest may masquerade as a loiterer or marketplace storyteller. At the same time, one from the higher classes could pretend to be a respectable merchant or a staunch pillar of the nobility.[1b]
The Cult of Ranald is not especially popular in Middenheim, where the violent gang known as the Low Kings control crime in the city and do not appreciate priests telling them how to behave. The city authorities take a typically Ulrican approach to the cult, seeing it as cowardly and subversive. This is not helped by rumours of a priest of Ranald who stole the Drakwald Runefang from the Middenpalaz in 1550 IC and gave it to the breakaway province of Middenland.[1b]