While Olvany is known for the wealth and luxury afforded to it by Sothaal, for the majority of the population, this is far from the case.Outside the sanctuary of the great towers sprawl cities, filled only with those not wealthy or beautiful enough to be granted access inside on anything but the greatest of holy days.
 

Most in the cities live as their means allow. While not as prosperous or decedent as their tower-dwelling countrymen, the centres of the cities are rival to the capitals of the other nations and a hard-working trader can rise above his means and never fear for going hungry. But not all are so lucky – especially as you move away from the centres and into the outskirts where the houses are replaced with shanties and just keeping your family’s bellies  full and mouths wet becomes a full time occupation.
 

Outside the tower, the phrase “you cannot live on honey alone” is common – in the centres it is a suggestion that sometimes one must put aside luxury for hard work, on the outskirts, however, it is often tinged with ridicule for the denizens of the tower whom, rumor has it, are so coddled they’d believe otherwise. For them honey is something they only get if they manage to cram themselves into the paupers seats of the tower’s temples, on the few days the doors are open to them and even then, it is a passing taste.
 

Out among the sprawling shanties, the heavily armed  trade caravans pass, not slowing until they reach the relative safety of the centre. Their coffers are laden with treasures, sweets and gold. With such a display so boldly out in the open,  resentment can grow: What makes those in the tower more deserving of Sothaal’s affections? If Sothaal rewards sacrifice with wealth with which to buy better sacrifice how can they ever hope to compare?
 

Because of this, Coor Samaaj (pronounced Chore-sam-aj) has flourished.
 

Coor Samaaj worship Wyk over Sothaal, although the worship of Sothaal tends to be directly proportional to the wealth of the Olvian involved. Most outside the towers would like to prioritize Sothaal, but have higher priorities than luxury such as merely staying alive.

The guilds consist primarily of children – those small enough to hide in cracks adults cannot reach and fast enough to take what they want before anyone notices. Many are orphans or runaways – from families too poor to feed them, many lose their family to ‘false’ congregations of Sothaal, who prey on the desperate and sell “pleasure and luxury” to those who can afford it with little regard to the well being of their flock.
 

The guild becomes a family to these children, some enforce retirement at 18, but these are rare. Membership of the guild often promises a life more comfortable than running rogue on the streets. In some areas, it is said a child is more likely to be a member than not - the truth of this statement can be contended.
 

It is said you cannot find Coor Samaaj: if you wish their notice, you must go out and get yourself lost; for all lost things are under Wyk’s purview. Once sufficiently lost, Wyk will guide you to the right place. Critics suggest this is simply because someone wandering aimlessly in the shanties is a prime target for the guild but few adults are welcome.
 

The Guilds discourage petty theft, especially from locals. Instead, the thieves target caravans heading further into the city, the coffers of the black-markets or brothel-temples or passing travelers.
 

A tenth of every guild’s haul is given as tribute to Wyk. Generally, it is dropped or discarded through the city for Wyk, or whomever Wyk chooses, to find In areas where the Guild is strong enough that it does not fear the law, they may publicly throw it from rooftops or into crowds: which both means it’s considered lost, and that the general population look on the guild as robin-hood style heroes.

The rest is taken by the guild and a share returned to those who took it. Much goes into bribes and security for shared homes and safe houses, altruistic guilds may spend some of this on feeding the population and trying to improve the area in which they live where as unscrupulous ones look to fill the pockets of the Guild-master.
 

Many guilds view Wyk as far more dangerous that he is – painting him as a vengeful god of thieves, who protects children and those who have nothing. They’re very picky over which bit’s they demonstrate, a practice many would consider disrespectful.
 

Feuds between guilds are not unusual as many encourage stealing from neighbors to help locals. It is also not unusual for these to escalate to violence. Most culminate in a single, deciding brawl, but some develop into feuds that last for generations. In all cases however, both will strive to avoid official attention, or draw the eye of the police.