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The Syndicate

    TW - DRUGS & VIOLENCE!   

A Private Faction Carrd for The Syndicate of Shadow's Forge

The Syndicate is a far-reaching, carefully constructed criminal spiderweb of drug trade across many different parts of Pern, founded and led by the deeply mysterious and unquestionably powerful Valesco family.The Syndicate is shrouded in secrecy and delicately guarded information, functional based largely on the incredibly intentional decisions made by the current Head of The Syndicate, Felix Valesco. Though The Syndicate has existed for many generations at this point, Felix has been uniquely diligent with the care he handles his enterprise with.The Syndicate is a well-known criminal organization in the same way many parents make the boogie man a household name to teach their children a healthy level of caution, but few know it's real world influence. Many of the low-level members of The Syndicate don't even realize they're a part of it.Felix has spent his life making delicate and dedicated moves to place lower level Syndicate leadership in positions of connection between product and customer, or product and distributor, than distributor to customer, or perhaps even customer to product! It may seem like pointless distinctions to some, but for Felix, criminal connection became the lifeblood of The Syndicate.If your character might be criminally inclined in some... less than savory ways, and would have sought out a way to profit off of this, there's a decent chance they might have run into some part of The Syndicate in some Hold or Weyr of Pern, whether they knew it or not.

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Legality

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Progressive States

The more flexible legality of drug distribution and use in the south has allowed The Syndicate to thrive (in some ways) more openly in the Southern Holds and Weyrs, compared to northern ones.While The Syndicate is still an explicitly criminal organization in the south (known affiliation with them still being a criminal offense in most places), the present, more lenient drug regulation allows for 'front' businesses in the south, that act both as wide distributors of legal product, and under the table distributors of illegal product, as well as providing an additional avenue for money laundering.The lower priority of drug offenses has also allowed The Syndicate to work more expansively, since (certain) precautions may not be quite as necessary, at least not to the same extent that they are in the north.This has not stopped The Night Watch from being a concern to business though. Between their strict moral code and operations outside of the law, TNW has become one of the more limiting factors of southern production comparatively.

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Traditional States

Syndicate work in Traditional northern states is starkly varied from southern business, largely driven by the overwhelming Order presence and traditionalist control over their Holds and Weyrs.Syndicate members are heavily prosecuted in the north, either through their affiliation with criminals or their inevitable criminal actions within the organization. This is enacted by The Order largely, but is certainly perpetuated by most other organizations of 'law' as well. This has led Syndicate presence to become much thinner in the north, and much more intentional, as to mitigate the risk of larger legal action befalling the organization as a whole.This does not alleviate the threat of legal consequence for many though, and most who base their work in the north are silently aware that should push come to shove - it could be their job to take the fall for the good of The Syndicate.The Order opposes Syndicate work entirely, and actively works to prevent it. Known affiliation with The Syndicate is explicitly criminal.

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Notoriety

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Average citizen

    Northern      The average traditional Northern citizen likely doesn't have very high opinions of The Syndicate - much like the bogey man or a political straw-man though, their vocal hatred of The Syndicate becomes more of a conversation about drug policy and use. Still - your average citizen would likely be terrified or entirely enraged to be told they were speaking to a Syndicate Member, depending on their personality.    Southern      Progressive Southern citizens are less likely to have made such a character trait out of disliking The Syndicate. Known affiliation is still certainly criminal, but many grow suspicious of their introduction into conversation, all-too-familiar with traditionalist talking points. A progressive northern citizen with an overly flexible moral code or an interest in drugs might think a Syndicate member is kinda cool, in a scary way, but a morally strict citizen likely has negative opinions about their encouragement of dangerous substances and abuse of poverty for profit.

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Syndicate Member

    Dealers      Many dealers are not aware they are members of The Syndicate at all, rather, just know they have a good, well-priced, safe and potent supply. Many individuals around a dealer likely don't even realized this dealer is associated with The Syndicate for that same reason.    Heads and Sources      Heads and Sources are well-aware they are a part of The Syndicate, and have likely even met Felix himself. They are the middle-management of The Syndicate, enjoying the perks of it's success - but expected to get their hands a little more dirty because of it. These individuals would keep their Syndicate affiliation VERY secretive.    Council      Most are known members of The Syndicate, if not entirely famous criminals on their own. Only these individuals know the true scope of The Syndicate's work, and as a result very few are easy to track down. They are well-known criminal masterminds with ostentatious wealth. Known affiliation would be grounds for immediate suspicion of criminal activity.

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Faction Member

    The Order      Staunchly opposed to The Syndicate and all of it's work, due largely to a perceived moral failing surrounding drugs entirely, and the explicit illegality. Will prosecute members on affiliation alone. Would like to rid Pern of The Syndicate's influence entirely.    The Night Watch      Heavily opposed to Syndicate work, based largely on moral concerns and beliefs. Does not agree with the continued distribution of dangerous substances nor the corporate preying upon individuals affected by poverty, as is done by many large-scale drug operations. Opposes Syndicate when possible, but careful of making an enemy of their enemy.    Diphylleia Grayi      Largely opposed for the same reasons as The Night Watch, though more flexible in their interactions with The Syndicate. The two have often worked together, or sent clients between one another as to best improve business. The leaders of Diphylleia Grayi and The Syndicate have known each other, at least somewhat amicably, for many generations now.    The Rainbow Brigade      Staunchly opposed, for similar reasons to The Night Watch. Affiliation is strongly discouraged, and attention is more often focused on addiction resources, mental health treatment, and community building to prevent others from harming them.

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Influential Figures

    Law-Abiding      They often carefully downplay their personal knowledge of The Syndicate, but many are well aware of the continued, growing danger the organization poses. Organizations of law and order might even have a group or individual tasked with researching The Syndicate.    Corrupt      The Syndicate is a name traded between corrupt lips as a fantastically anonymous and wonderfully safe source for drugs and vice for the secretive elite. Even if they don't do business in your specific local, if this character knows about drug sourcing for high-powered executives and politicians, they've probably at least heard of The Syndicate.

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Reach