22nd Valkyrie

## Overview

The 22nd Valkyrie (also known as V22) , is a criminal gang that originated in the lower slums of Lexington during the early Y4010's. Originally, the gang was set up to protect Pax-Viribus Theocracy members from harassment by Iron Coalition nationalists. Over time however, and after the massacre of Allimana's Tears, the gang grew into a more traditional criminal organization. Many captured gang members find themselves placed in B43-12, Stalwart Penitentiary Of His Excellency. The gang has a significant presence on the inside of the prison. Many V22 members were exiled into the Synovian Desert after the end of the great purge, or upon being arrested, executed after a quick trial. The gang is currently active in many parts of the Iron Coalition, the Theocracy, and even in the Kingdom of Velocitus. Most members are Pythian in descent.

### Etymology

There is some dispute about the etymology of the name. Some sources state the gang is named after a group of female PVT worshippers that were beaten and imprisoned by the IC. This group of women called themselves Channa's Valkyries. One day while making prayer in public they were accosted and beaten by a group of IC guards patrolling the streets. All of the women chose to turn the other cheek, except of one- the 22nd Valkyrie. She attacked one of the guards, slicing his eye from its socket. While she was killed instantly, the incident sparked a massive civil uproar that further embroiled relations between the PVT and IC.

### Characteristics

While most V22 members prefer to keep a low profile, there are certain characteristics one can find upon close examination. Members are usually of Pythian descent: peoples with an olive skin, a thinner tall build, and a flat face. This is not to say that they do not recruit from whatever stock they can find, as peoples of all stocks have been found amongst their ranks.

Another defining feature is their tattoos and symbolism. Grounded in their origin story, all members will have a tattoo of an eye flanked by sharp wings somewhere on their body. It is commonly found either on the right side of the chest or upper left arm, as those are the places where the 22nd Valkyrie had been shot. Other tattoos may include "V22" or a Pythian Dagger, amongst others.

### History

In the very beginning, V22 was a group of young, delinquents who lived in the slums of Lexington. However, the undocumented PVT worshipping community was subject to severe religious prejudices and persecution. Under these conditions, V22 began to mutate into a gang. Originally, the gang's main purpose was to protect protect Pax-Viribus Theocracy members from harassment by Iron Coalition nationalists. Some of the original members of the V22 adhered to Prodigalianism, and while the majority of contemporary V22 members do not identify as Prodigalians, the Prodigalian influence is still seen in some of their symbolism. The gang became a more traditional criminal organization under the auspices of Cyprus Gnosus. Gnosus was a former member of Collingian Special Forces, trained in Messiah by Collingian Blue Sallets. On gaining leadership of a V22 clique in Y3587, he used his military training to discipline the gang and improve its logistical operations. It was after this point that the gang began to grow in power. V22's rivalry with the IC's civil authority also began in this period. V22 and the ICCA were initially friendly, since at the time the ICCA still allowed PVT worshippers to join their ranks. What exactly caused their disposition to fall apart is uncertain. Most versions point to a fight over an illegal trespassing. In the incident, a V22 gangster was killed, which led to a cycle of vengeance that has escalated into an intense and generalized animosity between the two groups.