From well-dressed dandies to undercity scum you never know who covets your wealth from the shadows. Whether it’s through violence, trickery, misdirection or subterfuge they know a hundred ways to liberate gold from their victim’s pockets.

Use these four lists, to add depth and flavour to a thieves’ hideout:

What’s Going On?

The thief…

1. Sits idly on a nearby rooftop watching the streets below, his bow ready to attack.

2. Waits outside a plain wooden door sharpening a hook-bladed knife.

3. Lies asleep across a table, unfinished food in front of him. He is exhausted from night-time adventures.

4. Looks over a roughly drawn map depicting the location of her next heist.

Notable Lair Features

1. Mannequins in fine clothes are lined up against the walls. Their pockets are lined with razor sharp blades to catch the fingers of practicing rogues

2. Several practise locks are embedded in this door, ready for apprentice thieves to pick. 

3. Corridors of polished stone echo the footsteps of people moving through here.

4. Wooden floorboards creak ominously, perhaps deliberately, in this otherwise well decorated room.

Thief’s Appearance

The thief…

1. Wears a thick hood of a long cloak to hide her features.

2. Wears imitation fine clothing and jewellery.

3. Is festooned with knives, daggers and other blades.

4. Has a wide brimmed hat and long moustache that is finely waxed to make him look nobler.

Treasure

1. A finely balanced dagger with a hooked blade for cutting purses. A clever attachment on its sheath enables it to be mounted on a belt or armour.

2. A coiled spider-silk rope with a strong grapple hook of light metal attached.

3. Several stacks of gold coins wrapped in paper to stop them clinking together.

4. A suit of finely crafted leather armour which seems to absorb the light.

Want More?

This article is an extract from the Complete Monstrous Lair Collection which is available here for immediate download. Alternatively, check out the 4d4 Archive for more handy, flavoursome and time-saving 4d4 articles ready for immediate use in your campaign.