Taxidermists' Guild

Unlike more straightforward Guilds such as the Thieves' Guild or the Mercenaries' Guild, the Taxidermists' Guild in Lankhmar blends the macabre with the artistic. Its members are skilled not only in the preservation of dead animals but also in a kind of dark artistry. They create lifelike, often eerie replicas of creatures both real and imagined. In a city where the bizarre is commonplace and the supernatural lurks around every corner, the creations of the Taxidermists' Guild add to the sense of mystery and dread that permeates Lankhmar's foggy air.   The guild's headquarters, typically depicted as a half-timbered building shrouded in shadows and cobwebs, is filled with an array of specimens. Stuffed beasts with glassy eyes stare out from shadowed corners, and fantastical creatures that might have been conjured from a wizard's nightmare perch in lifelike poses. The air is heavy with the smell of preservatives and old leather.   Members of the guild are often as peculiar as their creations. They are masters of their craft, with steady hands and unflinching stomachs, capable of turning the carcasses of animals—and sometimes more exotic specimens—into works of art. Rumors persist in the taverns and back alleys of Lankhmar about the more secretive activities of the guild. Whispers tell of dark rituals, forbidden magic, and the occasional disappearance of a street urchin or a lone wanderer after nightfall.
Type
Guild, Craftsmen


Cover image: Moon Phases by Unknown
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