Tidewater Brewers

## Lore Overview

The **Tidewater Brewers** are a criminal organization from the People's Republic of Tidewater (PRT). Like their name suggests, they are a group of moonshiners who produce Dew within North America, stretching from New Atlanta, Georgia to as far as Pearl City, Hawaii. Due to the nature of manufacturing Dew, law enforcement and military of the People's Republic of Tidewater, the United States of America, and other participating parties of the Second American Civil War conduct efforts to crack down on their activities within their borders and prevent the creation and sale of Dew.

## History

Prior to the Atlanta Crisis, the Civilian Defense Front (CDF) and the United States Civilization Preservation Force (USCPF) cracked down on organized crime within their respective regions extensively. This created a hardship for larger organizations to operate. However, when the Atlanta Crisis occurred and the CDF turned on the USCPF, this began to change drastically. During the war, both the CDF and USCPF focused all their resources in combating one another, allowing organized crime to return to prominence, many of which in war torn areas.

Prior to its formation, brewing activities before officially being founded are estimated to have started as early as 2099. In 2104, like-minded criminals would band together to form the group we now know as the Tidewater Brewers, often referred to as just the "Brewers". With their aggressive attitude and cartel behavior, the Brewers were able to expand far beyond the reaches of the PRT itself, going on to establish cells as far as Pearl City in Hawaii. To aid in expansion, the Brewers would ally themselves with other prominent Dew smugglers from all over. However, individual cells would begin to decentralize and work independently from one another, focusing on their respective regions and not meddle in affairs of those outside.

The Brewers are commonly painted as dangerous individuals, the likes of which in the same light as the Reds. In turn, both the People's Republic of Tidewater: Military (PRTM) and the Maior Exército Brasileiro (MEB) hunt them down alike. In the US, police and federal agencies investigate their activities often. However, the Brewers can get around this by bribing officials, much of which in poorer areas. With decentralized operations, however, their Dew trade routes across the continent are hampered severely by rivaling criminal organizations.

## Operations

The Tidewater Brewers are a powerful position in the Dew trade, with cells all across the continent and further. They operate independent cells in both the US and PRT to manufacture Dew to provide to consumers. The position is a loose one, however, as working independently and staying in their own affairs rather than involving themselves in other cells' activities means trouble for overall business, including those with rival syndicates. Due to this present factor, many cells tend to remain in a defensive posture to avoid arousing suspicion by local authorities. Outside of Dew, the Brewers are also involved in the smuggling of narcotics and firearms.

In the Halfmoon region, the Brewers, unbeknownst to the most, maintain a steady presence on both sides of the Halfmoon River. In Southside, the Brewers operate a front company called the Southside Brewing Co. at the Southside Bar, which they use for money laundering and selling Dew disguised as regular alcohol. They also occasionally conduct operations at the Southwest Farm, which is used by the Reds. Across the river in the US lies a house known as the "Dew House", which the Brewers use for their activities.

## Relations

#### United States of America

The Brewers are recognized as a criminal enterprise within the United States due to their activities in manufacturing Dew, which is illegal in the US. US law enforcement agencies play a key role in cracking down on their efforts.

#### People's Republic of Tidewater

Like the US, Dew is illegal inside the PRT; rumor has it being caught in possession of it can warrant a death sentence. As a result, the military and the Tidewater Federal Police work extensively to bring them down.

#### Maior Exército Brasileiro

As per the PRT's standing on the Brewers, the MEB assists them in operations against them.

#### Reds

Both the Tidewater Brewers and the Reds maintain a steady relationship with one another. The Reds manufacture and sell Dew in order to provide funds for its insurgency against the PRT and MEB.