Crime in the Empire of Man

Despite being a symbol of civilisation in the world, the Empire of Man is far from free from the corrupting influence of criminality. Indeed, crime is quite rampant here - as it is in many parts of the world. This crime ranges from the slums of the Empire's biggest cities to the dark forests of the frontier. It also represents a complicated relationship between Imperial citizens and criminal elements. Though nobody wants to admit it, crime has in many ways infiltrated practically all facets of Imperial life. The wealthy mingle with organised crime bosses. Merchants bribe guards and officials for better business. And the poor hire thugs for protection and turn to gangs when no other option is available.

In the Empire, crime comes in many forms. This could be person-centred crimes (theft, extortion, etc.) - which are easily the most common. Illegal trades that deal in things like narcotics and illicit goods are also a huge criminal market. Smaller but nevertheless still notable forms include environmental crime (such as poaching) and financial crime (such as fraud).

## **Person-Centred Crime**

Person-centred crime overs a majority of criminal activity, from theft to human trafficking to extortion. Essentially, person-centred crime involves crime that centres itself around a particular person or persons as the victim (which unsurprisingly is most crime). To list all crimes of this type and how they exist in the Empire would be too herculean a task to do properly, but we can list some notable examples. Human trafficking, a grim trade conducted in the shadows of the sprawling cities, ensnares the destitute and disenfranchised, forcibly relocating them into lives of bondage and exploitation. Extortion, a malevolent force, extends its tendrils across all strata of society, as those in positions of power manipulate fear to extract protection money from struggling merchants and desperate families, ensuring compliance through brutality.

Theft is an unrelenting plague, perpetrated not just by romanticised rogues but by desperate individuals pushed to the brink by societal inequities. Corruption, a corrosive force, seeps into the highest echelons of power, where officials and aristocrats alike succumb to the allure of bribes and moral decay. Forced labour chains countless souls to lives of unending toil, their freedoms ruthlessly stripped away by callous overlords.

## **Illegal Trades**

Illegal trade flourishes in the Empire of Man. The black market, a clandestine realm thriving in the shadowy corners of bustling cities, serves as the nexus for a myriad of forbidden transactions. Exotic and banned goods, ranging from illicit magical artefacts to rare and endangered creatures, exchange hands with whispered secrecy, their trade fuelled by the insatiable appetites of the affluent elite.

Worse still, narco-alchemists and dealers concoct and distribute forbidden substances, elixirs, and potions. These elicit substances, often potent and unpredictable, find their way into the hands of thrill-seekers and desperate souls alike, further blurring the lines between hedonism and self-destruction. The contraband trade extends beyond mere goods, encompassing forbidden knowledge and occult tomes, peddled by enigmatic figures and deceitful tricksters - often influenced by a powerful outside force. As the Empire's authorities grapple with the daunting task of curbing these illicit activities, the black market persists.

## **Criminal Actors**

A range of individuals engage in illicit activities, each playing a specific role in the underworld. Influential crime bosses lead organised crime networks, overseeing the operations of contraband, extortion, and corruption with a firm grip on power. These figures often operate discreetly, pulling strings from the shadows to shape the criminal landscape. The few that don't are typically the most powerful in their trade and act as public figures to spread respect and fear amongst the populace.

As well as this, skilled operatives and desperate individuals form the backbone of criminal enterprises. Assassins, working quietly, eliminate threats on behalf of their secretive employers. Spies and blackmailers, adept at gathering information discreetly, infiltrate high society. Street-level enforcers impose the will of criminal leaders using force and intimidation. Even adventurers, typically heroes of the people, can be swayed by the benefits of crime. Anyone and everyone can contribute to the plague of criminality, just as easily as they can fall victim to it.