The Syndicate

## Overview

The collaboration of various crime overlords caused the formation of the organization. Although it began with no official name, eventually it became known as the Syndicate. The various guilds, or factions as they've also been called, have individually existed for centuries, and the lack of opening positions forms competition for new groups to overthrow the old in order to take their place. In order to avoid a clash in business, each faction usually takes an overarching category of crime as their specialty, which promotes collaboration of the groups so that they may all attain the services or goods they need from the others.

### Policies and Practices

Below are a couple of the general policies and practices that most faction members abide to. While some of the practices only apply to certain factions, most overarching policies shared by multiple factions are listed below. Keep in mind exceptions to the policies and practices are possible, but extremely unlikely.

* Conflicts between factions are avoided and the initiation of unreasonable conflict is almost always dealt with harshly
* Higher ups are expected to complete the tasks assigned to them while underlings and grunts are afforded the chance to deny them
* Canceling an assignment after accepting one will at best result in a pay deduction, at worst death
* There shouldn't be any exchange in information with other factions other than strictly business related issues
* Lower level members are expected to only seek contact with higher ups in person if they are bringing forth a serious accusation or if they were personally requested by the higher up
* Contacts should be used to handle price negotiations as direct communication between different ranks is uncommon
* Façades are commonly given to the high ranking positions in the Assassins or Trafficking factions but commonly only last for a maximum of two hours
* Respect the decisions of neutral allies

## Storylines

### The Syndicate Civil War (SCW)

Currently the balance in the factions is becoming unstable as one of the seven leaders, **the Lady**, has been accused of overstepping her boundaries in terms of power, prompting two of the other factions to take charge in attempting a coup against her in order to restore balance. Most of the higher ups in the factions appear to be aware of the issue although some factions seem more hesitant to take a clear stance on what could very well be an imminent civil war.

## Factions

### Klinike

Weapons and drugs development along with other illegal/unethical experiments.

### Mercenary

Mercenary work and sometimes provides bodyguards.

## Neutral Allies

### General information

The neutrals are usually those who choose to cooperate with the Syndicate, but are in no obligation to do so. The role is either offered to the individual/group, or in a recent addition to the policies, it may also be requested. Mutual respect allows them to have enough status to essentially be at a rank somewhere between a leader and a second in command, as they provide services to the Syndicate as a whole.

### Khromat

#### Information

He runs the Forgotten Hemisphere after retiring from the Assassins guild as the former second in command. The reasons for his resignation are unknown to most of the guild, although some of the higher ups in the Assassins guild and the leader may know why. Nowadays, Khromat is requested for the rare task, but is no longer obligated to accept. For now, he simply enjoys his more or less domestic life, but still holds a bit of power in his old guild, especially given that he owns and reinforces one of the neutral meeting grounds.

#### Service

One of the common areas for various Syndicate members to meet up and discuss issues in complete confidentiality is at the Forgotten Hemisphere. While it is located in Roarhaven, making it potentially easier to be caught, both the security and simplicity of the bar make it surprisingly safe for conversations. The basement has the appearance of a storage area for spare furniture, but it suits its needs as the chatter and casual atmosphere of the bar above it cover any sounds from downstairs.

#### Contact

Khromat is usually contacted by either sending a runner with a message to the bar, or in extremely rare occasions, he can be dialed in through a phone.

### Naomi (NPC)

#### Information

It’s not quite clear how she ended up working for the Syndicate but now she does and is quite loyal to them. Thanks to the Syndicate she can follow her passion of dissolving humans without drawing attention to herself and the payment doesn’t hurt either. Naomi owns a small undertaker business in Roarhaven that she uses as a front for her less legal job.

#### Service

Disposal of bodies. The more information she has the easier it is for her to completely dissolve everything. Most of the time it will look like someone spilled water after she dissolves a corpse and if tested it would be clear that there are traces of a human body. However if she has enough time she can make the bodies disappear without a trace. Normally that takes so long that she only does it when the body is brought to her.

#### Contact

Usually by phone, most higher ups have her number in case they need a quick cleanup. Khromat, and a few of the Teleporters who know where her shop is.