What about us criminals?

[Borgan]

I am a complete newcomer, and it is possible that this has already been addressed and settled. If so, please point me to the thread and I will shut up. But the one overwhelming thing that was most noticeable to me, someone who loves to play rogues, is that your PW is squeaky clean.

Check  me on this, willya? You have people, semi-people from everywhere on Toril being dumped without warning on this dinky little island out of the blue. The place, an old Netherese ruin, is crawling with undead, orcs, wild predators, and somewhat/sorta/civilized goblins. Meanwhile, the various factions are duking it out behind the scenes, and sometimes in front of the scenes, for dominance.

Yet, in all this, I have yet to find a single solid fence to unload my swag? C'mon people. There are places to pick up rogue gear, I have dug up a couple already. But where are the dirty little out-of-the-way places, dimly lit, where you can buy anyone or anything for the right price? You can't convince me that in a situation such as you have modeled, that island isn't crawlins with professional thieves and assassins, dope peddlers, bootleggers, slaver pimps, and every other type of evil known to man. I am not advocating making it into somethign that dark, but really... at least make it a little bit risky to walk the streets at night for some reason besides undead and rats, willya?

If no one else does it, I may be sorely tempted to start advertising my services as a professional hit man. Just to add a bit of authenticity to the place.

[Egon the Monkey]

They exist and are recruiting, very blatantly. See here:
http://www.escapefromunderdark.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29603

[Talir]

Most of the seedy, criminal elements have been purely player driven. One of the most reputable is found within the prominent figures thread, more specifically the first here. As well, both the Gobsquat and the Docks carry traces of what you are looking for, each in their own way.

Oh, and welcome to Escape from the Underdark:Archipelago, Borgan.

[Howlando]

Just as a point of possible clarification, items that are marked stolen are done so in order to keep in check gold inflation and has nothing to do with whether it is stolen or not (our PW is a bit different in that you can't just sell everything you find to a NPC, but rather most stuff is only as valuable as what other players will pay for it).

As for your general comment, I'd say that in general the atmosphere is extremely responsive to the criminal element.

[Borgan]

Gobsquat and the Docks have traces, yes. But only faint traces. You realize that this kind of setup cries out for a criminal mastermind to set up shop, don't you?

[VanillaPudding]

So, become a criminal mastermind and setup shop.

[Caddies]

I played a criminal for awhile, and there are definitely a few server-side opportunities for criminal elements to get into contact with and thrive, provided you play it smooth. There is admittedly little to no room for the CE thug/brawler sort of concept though, with the dominance of the lawful factions.

On the whole though I have to sort of agree, it felt a bit claustrophobic playing a criminal. Maybe its just because I remember the gritty bliss of Lower Sanctuary. :(

[Jayde Moon]

The thing about any good criminal organization is that it's not going to be as simple as 'that' to find.

Once you figure out how to marry IC Forums with IG activity, you will find that some doors can open pretty quickly.

Just give it a shot and see how others are doing it.