Brine Rats

The Brine Rats: Background and Culture

The Brine Rats are a gang that was born out of desperation and survival.

Origins

The Brine Rats trace their roots to the days when the Old Docks were still thriving. Initially, they were dock hands and fishermen who banded together for protection against corrupt officials and predatory merchants. As the docks fell into disrepair and the economy shifted to the New Docks, these workers found themselves out of legitimate work. Survival became their priority, and the line between necessity and crime blurred.

Over time, the group evolved into a full-fledged gang, adopting the name “Brine Rats” as a badge of honor. They see themselves as the rightful heirs of the Old Docks, a place abandoned by the rest of Hellabore.

Structure

The Rat King: The leader of the gang, chosen through cunning, strength, or sheer survival instinct. Their rule is as precarious as the environment they thrive in.
The Elders: Senior members who advise the leader and enforce discipline. Many are seasoned smugglers or ex-sailors with deep knowledge of the docks.
The Rats: Rank-and-file members responsible for the gang's day-to-day operations, including smuggling, theft, and extortion.
Pups: New recruits, often desperate youths or those with nowhere else to turn. They are given the most dangerous tasks to prove their loyalty.

Operations

The Brien Rats’ primary activities include:

Smuggling: They know the Old Docks better than anyone, using hidden passages, submerged tunnels, and abandoned warehouses to move contraband undetected.
Extortion: Businesses in the Old Docks often pay them for “protection” against outside threats—or from the Rats themselves.
Theft: Skilled pickpockets and burglars, the Brien Rats target wealthy merchants in the New Docks or unsuspecting travelers passing through.
Information Trading: The Rats have ears everywhere. They sell secrets to the highest bidder, including rival gangs, guilds, or even the city’s elite.

Territory

The Old Docks are their home and hideaway.

Culture and Beliefs

Survival Above All: The Brine Rats value cunning and adaptability. They have little patience for sentimentality, but loyalty to the gang is paramount.
Symbols: A rat motif is often seen in their tattoos, graffiti, and makeshift banners. Their motto, whispered in dark corners, is “In the brine, we thrive.”
Distrust of Authority: They see Hellabore’s council and guard as enemies who abandoned the Old Docks and view outsiders with suspicion.
Rites of Passage: New recruits must undertake a dangerous task, such as smuggling goods past the city guard or retrieving an artifact from the depths of the Old Docks.

Key Figures

Rat King: A ruthless leader who understands the balance of power and fear.
Splice: A cunning smuggler known for finding hidden routes through the bay.
Patchwork: A brutish enforcer, so nicknamed for the scars crisscrossing their body.
Whisper: The gang’s spymaster, who gathers and trades secrets.