Korvosa Thieves Guild questions

[LucyG92]

Edit - Forgot to mention, I'm asking as the GM

I read the guide to Korvosa and have some questions about the thieves guild. I can't seem to find much more information about them. Do they have a headquarters? Do the general population of the city know much about them, such as who their leader is, or house Arkona's involvement (I think it was house Arkona...)?

Also, this thing about the Hellknight Raids - every year house Arkona lets slip the names of businesses who pay the thieves guild, and the city guard raids them, using Hellknights. I think I understand why this happens, but why exactly are Hellknights used? Isn't that a little heavy handed? In addition - do these business owners understand what's going on? Do they know the thieves guild - or, I suppose, technically House Arkona - are to blame?

Any ideas how a party with the goal of overthrowing/damaging the Thieves guild would actually start? Is there anywhere I can find more information about it?

Thanks!

[Cesare]

Hey LucyG92, this should probably go into the Crimson Throne forum -- you are bound to get answers there. As for the specifics of your question:

Spoiler:

House Arkona runs pulls the strings of the Cerulean society from the shadows. As for their HQ, I'd imagine that it would be somewhere in Old Korvosa. In my campaign, I used the Last Laugh headquarters from the Shackled City Adventure Path to simulate the Cerulean Society's defenses, etc. Their guildmaster is Grandmaster Boule (Rogue 10) and he is just a puppet for the Arkonas.

[LucyG92]

Okay, thanks - I'll post there. My question about the guildmaster was more whether it is common knowledge who it is, in the city? I'm thinking about how much information the characters should be able to obtain through diplomacy checks.

Could you link me to the Crimson Throne forum? Can't seem to find it :/