| From: | Mark <Mark@******.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: [Organizatons] Organised Crime |
| Date: | Tue, 24 Nov 1998 22:11:24 +0000 |
Triad : Black Lotus Clan
The Black Lotus Clan are based in Seattle. They are a relatively small
operation as organised crime gangs go but then most Triads are. They
more than make up for their lack of overall numbers through a
particularly aggressive approach of open arms to the sixth world. The
Triads generally are notable for being far more open to magic than the
other major syndicates given the fact that cybernetically enhanced
people are typically barred from the higher levels of the organisation
but even for the average Triad these folks are prepared to judge
people far more by their abilities and loyalty than external factors
that bar so many potentially useful people from other syndicates. The
core group of the Triad or, Tin Tei Wui (Heaven and Earth
Association), as they prefer to be called are notably difficult to
track down unless they want to be found. Some of them are better noted
than others and it is a notable fact that very little is known about
some members of the group that appear to be key to the central group
but play a more supporting role in the activities seen. The Triad
appears to operate mostly in illegal drugs particularly the less
lethal but more addictive forms (presumably for the benefit of the
ability of customers to survive long enough to come back for more) and
extortion. They are all wanted quite seriously by competing
organisations and have managed to get mixed up with a number of shadow
runners as well. Given this age of chips rather than drugs at first
sight this would seem rather odd until you note that like most Triads
the Black Lotus Clans standard method of dealing with potential
competition, and they consider other forms of product for their
marketplace fair competition, is pretty unpleasant even by the
standards of the shadows. The groups principal means of street
distribution and enforcement is through a series of gangs which seem
to be more or less closely connected with the Triad itself. Typically
the gangs will deal with lowly members of the Triad but some of the
more senior members have been seen involved in more important
discussions and woe betide those that don't listen then or interfere.
A review of the principal personalities and what we know about them is
much in order. A word of warning to those thinking of using this
information against them though, as will be noted those that have
crossed them or challenged them before have generally had unpleasant
accidents. Reference to the organised crime download on Shadowland is
advised for further explanation of some of the terms used, I'm not
going to repeat stuff here you may find there.
The leader of the Triad or, Shan Chu (lodgemaster) or 489 if Fui Chi
San or Black Blade as he is usually called. Black Blade is a human of
Chinese descent, measuring some 1.9m tall and well built with it. He
has long flowing black hair and grey eyes which look about ready to
kill you on contact. He wears a silver trimmed black robe over black
leathers all of it cut from the finest materials. Obviously he intends
to impress and the effect coupled with his clear assurance in his
abilities to deal with any problem that comes his way generally has
the desired affect, if not his usual solution is to make an example of
the offender with his long sword which writhes with magical flames
when in use. He is believed to be a very capable physical magician
given his awesome melee skills and rarely noted spellcasting
abilities. A few folks have annoyed him but the trail of mutilated
bodies tends to discourage further examples. For those of you with
ideas of solving that problem there are a couple of things to bear in
mind, one he has backup keeping an eye out for and eliminating
snipers, drones, etc. and secondly challenging has been tried. The
event that most comes to mind was the case of a guy called Shive that
took a very reasonable dislike to him and having rather more morals
than interest in self preservation despite being one of the best guys
about with a sword challenged him straight up to melee combat. Black
Blade didn't even think about that and turned a threat into an
example, it lasted all of about a second and enough folks were there
to watch. I think here it's sufficient to say it was brutal and
despite only a few sword strokes the decapitated corpse was anything
but complete when Black Blade decided poor Shive would make a nice
trophy.
The Fu Shan Chu (Deputy Lodgemaster) is a Korean Elf called Silver
Blade. This graceful if more than a little cold hearted lady has long
silver hair, blue yes and wears a long dark green leather coat. She is
fairly attractive and turns more than a few heads but is noted as
being married to her pair of swords and adept enhanced martial arts
skills as more than a few would be suitors have found out to their
cost. She leaves less bodies lying about than her boss but where he
makes an example of folks in a professional if rather messy manner to
discourage others she seems to take pleasure in putting folks off in a
manner they will remember (corpses don't tend to remember much) and
that gets the message across. At least one shadow runner that decided
he liked her looks has is still around and if reports are true has
been instructed that if he takes advantage of Docwagons clonal
replacements again he will regret it, exactly what she did to him
isn't known but the rumour mill has plenty of (one track) ideas.
Night Shroud is the third very notable member of the group. As Heung
Chu (Incense master) one would not expect to see all that much of him
except for when serious magical backup is required. He is a Korean Elf
with blue eyes and long black hair and a member of the black
trenchcoats solution to survival in the shadows of Seattle. He is seen
about fairly often but often fleetingly or amongst the shadows. He is
very definitely the opposite of Silver Blade being a very dignified
gentleman and polite graceful negotiator. He is most often seen in the
role of negotiator, presumably because apart from Black Blade he is
the only 'level headed' magician of the group and is discrete and very
capable of looking after himself and conveniently vanishing if someone
decides to gate crash. Night Shroud is a very capable mage by all
accounts though he seems to prefer stealth and negotiation rather than
brutal displays of power though in some ways his quite competence is
far more dangerous especially when if he doesn't intend you to see him
it seems you don't till its far too late. Certainly he manages to get
some very good deals out of various gangs he deals with for the group,
probably because they are scared to death of him, though they do have
good cause.
The remaining five members of the core group of the Triad are.
Yan-thi:
Chinese, male human who is easily summed up as a competent street
samurai. He fulfils the role of Tai-Lo (Elder Brother) admirably
though.
Su Lung is the second samurai of the group and Hung Kwan (Red Pole or
military commander). A male elf of Korean descent he is noted for
being very fast, and absolutely lethal with a pair of knives as far
too many who think samurai means guns or maybe a Japanese sword have
found out to their cost.
Where the big bangs magic isn't found in Night Shroud its all too
evident in his Shamanic opposite Hung Lau Chan. Although only rated as
Sing Fung (deputy) this Chinese madman is a human wolf shaman with a
decided liking for big nasty combat spells and by big I really mean
big, sure you may see him coming which is a decided advantage but if
you don't leave rather sharply goodbye.
Chi Som or Steel Wirlwind is another Chinese male and provides the
groups principal link with the realities of the modern world. A very
competent rigger he is L-Lo (second elder brother), and the reason why
those who try and use remote snipers and drones to fix meets tend to
find that technological solutions to a group of nasty magic wielding
madmen and women is just a good way to watch new-yen explode. Oh and
for those thinking they can find the group in transit and solve all
their problems he has one of those absolutely wonderful Jensen V12
interceptors and a big ordinance budget.
Finally there is Wui Ses San the Pak Tsz Sin (accounts and matrix
organiser).415. Well we know she is a Chinese dawarf and that she is
good but that's about it. About all that anyone can be certain of is
she is very capable and probably cybered heavily, some even
contemplate the idea that she is the hidden tactical co-ordinator that
seems to make the group as a whole such a lethal team. Certainly
observation suggests that unless some seriously interesting magic is
involved someone is helping Black Blade co-ordinate things when folks
really do attack the group and some rumours have gone so far as to
suggest it is this lady and her tactical computer though all anyone
has for sure is guesswork.
Yeah, not a nice collection at all but forwarned you may have the
sense not to cross them like the last, oh the list is simply too long.
Yes the Mafia have an outstanding seven figure bounty on some of their
heads, I think the simple fact of that matter is they are fed up of
getting their own hitmen shipped back in smaller and smaller pieces
and would prefer to farm out competition distraction services to
another graveyard.
Finally no I'm not mad enough to add my name to this, I like my head
where it is thanks, but rumour has it there is someone out there that
may be prepared to comment with a name, well I can but hope. >
anonymous
NERPS : notes
I have some more information on the individuals, more complete
descriptions of some for GM purposes but this article is all in
character above so I think its better to leave GM's open to interpret.
The remaining data and full character sheets for the eight described
here are available for download from my web site,
http://www.mist77.demon.co.uk/Shadowrun/
but this overview isn't there.
Comments more than welcome, do folks want more data in NERPS, for
example the character sheets or is this in game form more useful.
Mark
