Leech Syndicate

> **"Our blood is the same. We just use it differently." -Patrick deWitt**
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The Leech Syndicate is a criminal organization that primarily focuses on assisting those with curse amps. Their secondary goal, occasionally usurping the first, is to maintain themselves. Members are notorious for their black-suited aesthetic, and their overall combat prowess is something to be feared by those who dare tread in their domain. Forseti authorities and Soterians have pursued them for years with minimal information, as kidnapping victims, suspected to be taken by the Syndicate, are often never heard from again. In addition, any captured members are promptly assassinated, no matter the security. As a result, any and all information regarding this dangerous Syndicate is highly sought after.

## History

The Syndicate began sometime in the 2040's, as but a small, home-run operation and gang called the "Vampires". They would jump people on the streets and beat them into unconsciousness before taking their blood, and then sell it to the highest bidder. As time went on, however, the leaders wanted a better reputation. They did not want to be seen as petty blood-thieves or hooligans, but as an organization with prowess and code. Something to be proud of. Through diligent black market investments and operations, they were able to begin building up the aesthetic that they are known for now. Sometime in the 2060's, they went entirely dark. Their operations became incredibly secretive, and only certain individuals were allowed to even contact them. This ended up being a positive exchange. Though it made things difficult when it came to recruiting people, it caused the Syndicate to become safer and more connected. In addition, those who *have* heard of them may want to seek them out for recruitment, which is a Herculean task without proper guidance. In present times, they have avoided being in the public's eye, and while many individuals in the underground know their name, precious few actually know about them without having joined themselves. Yet, like many other organizations in Forseti, they are a looming threat. A sleeping giant that may wake up and take someone in the night, should it grow hungry.

## Creed

The personal creed of the Leech Syndicate is that nobody should go hungry, even those who must consume the flesh and blood of others. To fulfill this, they often kidnap people, using them like lambs to the slaughter. Afterwards, they sell the assets to black market buyers. For members, however, they are given their necessities for free, somewhat as payment for being in the Syndicate.

Philosophy-wise, they *try* to be morally right. While some may see this as a crude attempt at justifying their morbid actions, their leaders see it as a means of balancing the bad with the good. In order to accomplish this karmic pursuit, Syndicate members are told to never harm or kill unless absolutely necessary. In addition, benefits are provided for all members, new and old, such as bedrooms, food, and of course, any human-source necessity they may find themselves in need of.

## Rankings

Standing as an example of the Syndicate's view on order, they have a series of ranks for their members. Rankings are based on things such as the amount of time spent in the Syndicate, the skills of the individual in question, and their association to preexisting members of the Syndicate.

### Newcomer

This ranking is, of course, for those fairly recent to joining the Syndicate. As a newcomer, members are given their suits, and basic assignments to complete in order to move on to the next ranking. For security reasons, they aren't allowed inside many places within the Syndicate complex, as it would be too much of a risk. As for weapons and skills, newcomers are given no training and no weaponry, but they may acquire a pistol as per request.

### Fledgling

Fledglings are just above newcomer rank, and it is at this point where members are considered active and working. They are given a pistol which is mandatory for them to have on their person during operations. General combat lessons are offered.

### Blooded

The blooded are the primary members of the group, having been trained and experienced enough to undergo basic operations, and later on, specializations. They have added access to the facility, being able to enter the armory and, on rare occasions, the **throne room**.

The specializations they are allowed to pursue are as follows:

* Unit Handler - Someone who prepares "units", or captured people, for their intended purpose. This can include being drained of their blood (all of it, or just a few pints), being taken to a kitchen to be prepared for any cannibals, or to be sold to a bidder.
* Assassin - As one might think from the name alone, Leech Syndicate assassins are some of the deadliest hitmen around, sometimes matching the elites in potential fatality. They are given *full* access to the Armory, and thus, are allowed to bring along normally forbidden weapons such as high-caliber rifles or assault weaponry, silenced or unsilenced.
* Shark - Almost never used, save for special occasions, the sharks are a violent but non-lethal class of Blooded. They are the ones sent out to quiet any witnesses down with the threat of torture or capture, often showing the victim some crude examples right in the comfort of their own home. Sharks are more acquainted with barbaric weapons, such as knifes, baseball bats, and hammers.
	+ Barracuda - A sub-class of sharks, barracudas often work alone rather than in small squads. In addition, their goal is to slaughter a target anywhere and leave the premises before they can be apprehended. Nobody is safe, as they are unafraid to kill in public places, and without silencers. Due to the danger of their missions, barracudas often have amps that allow them to slip away unseen or very quickly, and in the event that they fail, they have a backup plan: They have a tooth replaced with a removable cap that contains a cyanide pill.
* Custodial Worker - A person who cleans up the occasional spills and messes around headquarters.
* Janitor - These men and women are tasked with making murders and kidnappings look like accidents, coincidences, or, at the least, have no correlation with the Syndicate.
	+ A good example that comes to mind when thinking of janitors is the kidnapping of Julia Odwin. At the time, she was separated from her son due to her own mental issues. To cleanly get away, the Blooded drugged and kidnapped her, and left the house to the janitors. They cleaned out clothes, stole the car, and left a note, in Julia's handwriting, stating that she was going to "get back her boy". It was a success, as the authorities wrongfully believed Julia was out to take her child back by force.

### Security

Security have the special task of protecting Leech Syndicate property. They often stand in the corners or near the entrances of rooms, waiting for any potential danger to stir up. Once it does, they are well equipped with black, silenced pistols, and bulletproof vests. In the event something goes awry and they are unable to use their handguns, they are trained in mixed martial arts, to combat enemies hand-to-hand. In addition to standing post, they also do escort missions, and are often the first to check out Syndicate property that is intruded upon.

### Elite

The Elitists of the Syndicate are some of the strongest, most capable men and women in Forseti, having pursued perfection in physical fitness and amp usage to the point of being nearly unstoppable. Yet, they aren't often sent out on missions unless there is some dire need to. Sub-classifications are as follows:

* Hunter ( Elite Assassin )
* Praetorian Guard ( Elite Security )
* Illusionist ( Elite Janitor )
* Mutilator ( Elite Shark )
* Snatcher ( Elite Kidnapper )

The sub-classifications are mostly elite variations of Blooded classes.