Dhemlan Wanteds

[kayndred]

The Power Vacuum Beckons

CIVIL UNREST AND GUERRILLA POLITICS GROW IN DHEMLAN

The Seat Remains Empty

The state of the State:
Dhemlan stands in political and psychic upheaval. The Territory Seat remains vacated, the last Queen to hold the title dead, murdered perhaps, in the middle of peace talks with Dhemlan's historic adversary Askavi. Leaderless and floundering, the breaking of the Winds and the following backlash of power has left the land ravaged by sinkholes and earthquakes, while ground travel through the mountains is reduced to nothing by rock slides. Against this battered horizon the home of the Territory Court lays in ruin at Chusati's peak, reconstruction slow going after the attack brought on by the figure that appeared in Dhemlan's sky all those weeks ago. Amplified by the rolling wave that broke the winds, the city aches in psychic sympathy to the stranger's pain, and civil unrest is climbing the longer the citizenry remain unmoored. Only a handful know that their people cry out in unity with an Eyrien male, imprisoned now beneath the court Seat.

Factions and Free Agents:
Now is the the perfect time for an entrepreneuring individual or individuals to take Dhemlan by the reins. The history of generational dissonance in Dhemlan as a whole makes now an ideal time for any aspiring revolutionary to take up the mantle and steal command of the Territory, either through martial strength, guerrilla warfare, heavy handed political grandstanding or tactful assassinations. Whether or not the best interests of Dhemlan, a group, an individual, or if a foreign influence masquerading as a friend is behind the scenes, the driving factor is up to you, but anyone who can take a stab at the seat is within their power to do so.

What Are We Looking For: Contenders for the Territory Ruler, people looking to gain political clout, people looking to stir the pot, people looking to build their own little slice of the world out of the chaos. Anyone who wants to start something, to seize something out of the mayhem, their time is now. Yakuza or Jo-Pok organizations, advancement of the Shikao sect or Witch sympathizers. Dhemlan's turmoil is shaking loose shadows and lifting stones that might have otherwise remained hidden.

[kayndred]

The Politics of People

Borders within borders: The presence of organized crime in Dhemlan

Civil unrest in Dhemlan has been growing for decades, a divide getting steadily wider the more the territory as a whole clings to tradition and spurns the advancements that linger just beyond its borders. Within these cracks seeds of dissent have grown, and now, with the seat empty and the land in disarray, the garden reveals its infestation.

Predominant in Isha and made up majoritively of the dissenting youth, slighted trades people, and jaded military, the gangs represent the rebellion against the restriction of tradition as much as the frustration of a people watching the world pass them by. Most have begun as small groups of street thugs, and many still retain those ranks while expanding out. They are now often beholden to one of the crime families, or jopok, of the city, who are all jockeying for control of different districts and traders, with some consideration for inserting their own plants into the political sphere. They go through phases of toying with seats and circles, but the future is vast and changing, and who knows where they will reach.

There are two primary incomes for the gangs of Dhemlan, and they participate in each to varying degrees. The first is to market in trafficking, from illegal substances to stolen goods and services. The second is through the use of force: either as hired muscle for traders or protection for businesses 'against' other gangs by staking out territories. Many of them grew into their roles by force, picking at niches until they wedged themselves into the order of the world, making themselves a necessity to those they've impacted.

They are also used by the courts of Dhemlan in their power plays, as assassinations, harassment, and targeted thievery come at a hefty price. Any business can be a front for jopok activity, and many of them run legitimate enterprises staffed by their criminal members.

What Can You Do?
The current official 'player' jopok are the Gentle Hands, lead by Jia Choi, and one of the dominating forces in Isha. Isha is the heart of our criminal underbelly for its exposure to trade and fluctuating population, but that doesn't mean that similar illegal activities can't spring up in other districts, provinces, or cities. How its run is up to you: you can fashion it after any similar criminal organization, and determine how malignant it is in the territory.

Disclaimer:
This is not license to enact domestic terrorism on or in the territories we role play in. Consequences for in character action still exist, so please be mindful of the base rules of the site. 

[kayndred]

The Gentle Hands

General Information:
Lead by Jia Choi, daughter of merchants, unseated Queen, the Gentle Hands represent one of three dominant gangs originating in Isha. A mix of rebelling youth, opportunistic traders, and soldiers adrift after the war, the Gentle Hands cater to all types. Their staple incomes are trade ship and courier defense, street food vendors, and import stores. There are two restaurants that fall under their control as well, at opposite ends of their territory, between which are several streets worth of residences interspersed with her people. Easily over a hundred strong, most of Jia's jopok live with their immediate units in groups numbering from four to six, depending on the housing location.

Recognizable by pins on their lapels, shoulders, or collars, a minimalist image of two hands palms in entreaty. Those committed to their built family have a tattoo as well, simpler, often placed inconspicuously or hidden: a circle, unfilled, bisected by a line twice its diameter. They have no set uniform, considering they often fill multiple positions in the group, but when Gentle Hands make a show of force or want to make an impression they are always impeccably dressed, typically in whatever dominant color Jia chooses for that occasion. Otherwise the only requirement for active members is the visible placement of their pins.

Miscellaneous:
All of the following descriptions are just baseline info! They aren't hard and fast rules, and I'm more than happy to help plot out stories or troubleshoot ideas if you want something but aren't sure how to get it to fit! All of these are non-caste/jewel/age/gender/background specific for a reason, and many of them are plenty malleable. Do you want to play a traitor? Someone who wants to strike out on their own? A spy for another organization? A romance? A rivalry? Plotting is super open!

Positions in the Organtization

Lieutenants:
Jia's most trusted advisors, consultants, direct hands, and the oldest members of the jopok besides Jia herself. Can be childhood friends, former schoolmates, trade connections taken from her parents, or someone she aligned with early from the streets. Can be older or younger, with varying degrees of friendship or physical involvement. Is almost certainly blood bound to Jia. Up to three positions available.

Requested Caste: Any
Preferred Jewels: Any


Accountants:
The Bookies of Jia's organization, and one of the most important roles. Also can be from any part of her network, and also almost certainly blood bound to her. Accountants are those frequently in contact with her trade affiliates, and are responsible for making sure the organization isn't getting swindled. They're also typically accompanied by either an experienced 'sibling', a group of 'cousins', or a Lieutenant depending on the situation.

Requested Caste: Any
Preferred Jewels: Any


Enforcers:
The Gentle Hand's internal policing group. Lieutenants often double as this role, although there are several more enforcers, and one position does not guarantee the other. Enforcers may act also as spies both within and without, and are trusted with maintaining order in the organization. They do not need direct orders from Jia to act if they deem their intervention necessary. No specific background required, although most likely former military or illicit trade. Not necessarily blood bound unless they also serve as a lieutenant, although a trusted enforcer may be brought into that fold without assuming the lieutenant position.

Requested Caste: Any
Preferred Jewels: Any



Siblings:
'Brothers' and 'sisters' within the organization who have been tattooed and made official members. 'Sibling' status is achieved after an unspecified time frame, during which new recruit is gradually given more and more important tasks and responsibilities to prove their worth and trustworthiness.

Brothers and sisters are the largest group in the Gentle Hands, and 'Elder Brothers' and 'Elder Sisters' are those who report directly to the lieutenants, and are the leaders of their respective squads. Siblings often live together in units in the residential buildings belonging to or dominated by the Gentle Hands, and typically work at the same location or on the same jobs: in the restaurants and trade depots, as couriers, or as hired muscle. The groups are not constantly in motion, but individuals are sent out to other locations or on other jobs, allowing for their spots to be filled by other initiated members or new recruits.

Sibling groups may be shuffled or broken apart due to conflicts within the group that can't otherwise be resolved, or if an individuals particular skill-set is needed to balance out a different group's characteristics. Petitions to move may also be granted if an individual deems it necessary. Often these units are one of several within a building or floor, and it is not uncommon for a unit of four to be a well integrated part of a squad of sixteen.

Requested Caste: Any
Preferred Jewels: Any


Cousins:
The newest members of the gang, untattooed initiates. While in the beginning the vetting process was executed entirely by Jia, now Lieutenants and Enforcers are equally as capable and as likely to select and approve someone's entry into the rank. Jia ultimately decides on whether or not they stay as part of the Hands, and an individual may linger as a Cousin for months depending on the jobs they take. Cousins are always integrated into a unit with at least one other new initiate, so that they can have someone to discuss their new experiences with and grow alongside. Elder Siblings often see Cousins through their first few months, and will be the ones who accompany any of them on larger assignments.

Requested Caste: Any
Preferred Jewels: Any