The Underdog Consortium

## The Gangs

* The Bassoons - Own a monopoly on all fighting pits within the city of Acrefell - their emblem is a cuckoo
* The Ruddy Cravats - Specialising in white-collar fraud and counterfeiting within corporations/guilds
* The Dreadnoughts - Suppliers and hookup for common mercenaries (anchor and ripped ribbon)
* The Copperflies - Arms manufacture and smuggling
* The Jackdaws - Loan sharks and human trafficking
* The Goybell Yard Boys - Brewing bootleg alcohol of all kinds
* House Holl - International antiques smuggling
* The Swinging Men - Prison gang, mix of other gangs - wear ropes as colours
* Terraqueans - General smuggling and black market operators
* The Shanty Assembly - Minor street gangs
* Psychedelia - Supplier of drugs and operator of underground raves/parties
* Scarlet Guild - Prostitute's union
* Harlot Darlings - Girl's only gang, featuring women from the other gangs, as a sort of unofficial rebellious offshoot of the Gymnast's Society - fishnet blouse
* Nodepok - International assassin's union, highly specialised

## History

Prior to the Consortium, the gangs of Acrefell were territorial, barely specialised and were considered somewhat easy pickings for the authorities. Still, they were like all gangs, controlling swathes of impoverished land and generally looting/murdering/being mischievous. Francesca Maycoombe sensed an opportunity for power and took advantage of an underdeveloped drug trade in the East, setting up a monopoly in the form of Psychedelia. From its profits selling drugs to both the poor and the rich, it swiftly moved into organising unheard of raves and focussed on increasing notoriety. After gaining significant status within the underworld, Francesca pressed for a meeting of the major gangs and, with her silver tongue and careful scheming skills, created an alliance of all the gangs known as the Underdog Consortium. As well as ridding itself of infighting, it also had the added goal of converting its members into specialisms such as the above. To the rest of the gangs, Francesca's aim was to help unite against the City Watch and gain herself and others newfound power, but really it was to reduce violent crime, upend standing social conventions and order, and thrust herself into real non-petty power.

The Scarlet Guild of Acrefell is a collection of street and brothel prostitutes who, under the guiding hand of the consortium, form pretty much a hooker's guild. A prostitute's guild was not available before since technically, prostitution was banned to prevent moral degeneracy. The Bathhouse is technically a spa centre, as hinted by the name, but it slips through the loophole aided by several influential patrons in the ministry hall. Mainly just a support network for prostitutes.

Character who dresses in black lace and plays the piano - based off Kimbra from Settle Down,with all the hair and everything. From House Bastu. Jane Bastu - Harlot Darlings

Mtordi the engineer. Worked as a general store clerk whilst tinkering and waiting for his big break. One time came across a bunch of thrown out artificery and invented spring heels. Upon seeing Terley Alber and some of his unruly aristocratic chums enter his shop laden with cheap women and gin and looking for Chidley brand Cigars, he offered them the night of their lives by selling them the spring heels. The young men tested it out in the Alber Manor gardens where Molly (Alexandra Dowling) were having a late night stroll. Maybe the boys drunkenly rescue somewhere from a crime too. Who knows? Anyway Cesca sees the spring heels, traces them back and then recruits Mtordi for her gang.

The youth of Acrefell, particularly foresters and outskirters, ideally need some sort of cool nature hangout spot. And that is Nichong Crag. The cliff walls offer a breathtaking view of the plains, the city itself and the Bolscemenan mountain range. The walls are covered with ornate graffiti and names, like Black Rock. It is Psychedelia's primary outdoor rave site.

The Copperflies have a monopoly on arms smuggling and the manufacture of extralegal arms, typically using illegal methods such as electromechanic systems and prohibited substances. It is run jointly by Benjamin Copperton and Alfred Dunfly; Copperton running the smuggling and Dunfly the manufacture. Chara Varnava is a female engineer working for the Featherstone Handarms and Firearms Company, founded and owned by Lysander Featherstone of Alteross. Although she works there as a munitions engineer, she also tops it up with work at the Copperflies developing specialty munitions such as the immolation bullet and the celebratory bullet. Fellow of the Guild of Alchemy.

The Dreadnought Bar is a notorious drinking establishment near the Ragjinn Airdocks, and has grown from a meeting place for unruly sailors looking for a quick buck to a union in its own right. The owner is Baraka Seaward, ex-assassin and ex-model, famed for wearing a Rambo-style headband.

The Copperfly Wyvern Pneumatic Rifle is a low-velocity hand-arm roughly the size of a regular rifle. As the name suggests, the gun uses compressed air instead of gunpowder so can achieve non-lethal aims. As well as standard ammunition (more likely to injure than kill), it also accepts electric darts, incendiary bolts and blunt bolts (for blunt trauma). Due to the suspicious nature of the manufacturer, it is mostly used by unsavoury and criminal enterprises due to its non-lethality and versatility.