Some discussion of Orlanthi thievery in Saird has been going on (I may have
missed some). But if one turns to the Orlanth cult, it is noticeable that O
Adventurous definitely supports thievery against other tribes/non-Orlanthi.
Thus such groups might have a religious focus, with members reenacting parts
from Orlanth's youth, i.e. Orlanth, Yinkin, young Storm Gods, Eurmal-- the
upshot is that the criminal organization, like the old Chinese Tongs, might
actually have deep religious roots. It's obvious that the Lunar authorities
would interpret it this way, which is one of the reasons Orlanth is banned.
Ironically, the old community cults might suffer a degeneration into predatory
groups, having been deprived of the 'mature' Thunderous and Rex subcults. But,
the cult remains idealistically a bandit/protection group, refraining from
violence against tribesfolk. I doubt if it would become regimented or venal
(i.e. slavers, drug-smugglers, murder for hire) without chaotic corruption.
Perhaps... the Yakuza as a model? The Yakuza after all were partly formed to
serve as guardians against the violence of Samurai for the townsfolk. In some
regions of the Empire, local officials might actually cooperate with the
Orlanth cult to keep crime low, with the understanding that pious Yelm or
Lunar lords wouldn't be allowed around certain parts of town.