Suggestions for someone running a thieves guild

[powerdemon]

I have a rogue NPC that will be helping a PC run a thieves guild type group. What feats/abilities should I give her?

I want her to be charismatic and intelligent.

So far I have the Brilliant Planner feat.

[VoodistMonk]

Is this NPC an UC Phantom Thief or Vigilante or combination of the two?

[powerdemon]

VoodistMonk wrote:

Is this NPC an UC Phantom Thief or Vigilante or combination of the two?

So far I have the Fence archetype. I'm open to changing or adding to that.

[powerdemon]

Does anyone else have any advice? If not, thanks anyways.

[OmegaZ]

The Blackmarket Connections rogue talent is the first thing that springs to mind. You'll also want ranks in Profession: Merchant if you'll be selling stolen goods. Ranks in Linguistics will allow you to make forgeries, which will also be invaluable for your fence (certificates of authenticity are probably your go-to). The usual social skills will also likely be maxed out (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, & Sense Motive). Craft can help change the look of certain objects or melt down precious metals. Appraise will also be good, so you know what the real value is of the objects you'll be selling.

In terms of actual things to do, I recommend making friends with someone in the city guard. Use Sense Motive to determine who among the guard would be easily corrupted but not try to take over your operation. You want someone greedy but lazy. Then talk with them after a rough day, buy them some drinks, and mention that you've got a new way to make some coin but need a partner...

If you havne't yet, I strongly recommend watching the HBO show "The Wire." Its about cops vs. drug dealers in Baltimore, but also so much more than that. They show the dealers using very clever tactics and that their world is as sophisticated and complex as anyone else's. Widely regarded as one of the best shows ever, to boot.

[Pizza Lord]

It's really hard to say since we don't know what responsibilities and such the character should have in the guild. Presumably she's their to fill in the gaps of the PC's character and cover any bases that they are weak in. Other than being charismatic and brilliant (and fencing things) there's so many things that a rogue could be or do that it's hard to pick one.

Assuming you're going to have her handling the sale and removal of stolen goods, Appraise is good to have, as is any profession or trade-related skills and feats. If the PC isn't good with disguises, she should be able to apply them to the PC for some missions if needed.

Other feat options might be Black Marketeer or Connected.
Master of the Ledger could work if you want a believable way to channel additional funds into the guild (or let the PC invest their own money and roll the percentile check themselves through the NPC).
Associate might be okay depending on how defined affiliations and groups are in your game, otherwise just have the NPC know who she knows.

[Zarius]

Leadership would be a very good idea. If they're effectively in charge of the guild while the PC is away, they're basically a clerk. The two keys they need are a) the ability to manage and b) the ability to have people obey you without too much questioning. Specifically, a BARD might be best, rather than an actual rogue. You're a thieves' guild, not necessarily a rogue's guild. Remember that ANY class can steal things, mug people, and scare people silly.

You will also want to decide whether or not you want your guild to be more of a catch-all 'we do the illegal stuff' group, like the Yakuza, or JUST a thieves' guild. Also, your best front is a gambling hall, presuming they're legal in the country. You can cook the books any number of ways to make your group's illicit income look perfectly legal.

[VoodistMonk]

I was thinking that the leader would be more Vigilante, with a couple levels of UC Rogue or Investigator, using his alternate identity to keep himself protected.

His main guy, his right hand man or whatever, would probably be an UC Phantom Thief, taking the plethora of Edge signature skills in the skills people have already mentioned.

Your underlings would be UC Rogue Fences, Brazen Deceiver Bards, maybe some specialized Infiltrator Investigators. These are people pushing street carts, selling goods, picking up deliveries from your network of pickpockets. They are out in public everyday, people running quasi-legit businesses, moving less legit merchandise on the down low.

[PhD. Okkam]

I would try the Negotiator bard. Oratory performs.