Black Tiger Gang
The Black Tiger Gang is the largest yakuza organization in Ryūshima, wielding immense power and influence across the Hanzō Domain and the southern coast. This shadowy syndicate has cemented its position as a cornerstone of Yoikō’s underworld by dominating the city’s pleasure district of Shinmachi, orchestrating protection rackets, and running lucrative smuggling operations. While their monopoly over sageleaf, a smoked herb renowned for its calming effects, forms a key part of their wealth, the gang’s influence extends far beyond this trade, touching nearly every facet of life in Yoikō. Known for their calculated ruthlessness and shrewd diplomacy, the Black Tiger Gang has positioned itself as both a feared criminal empire and an unspoken stabilizing force.
The Black Tiger Gang emerged as victor from a tumultuous period of gang violence in the years following the Age of Strife. Yori Takagi, the gang’s founder, leveraged his strategic brilliance and an unwavering code of discipline to unite and legitimize the warring yakuza and street gangs of Yoikō, forming a power that could withstand the rule of the new Ishimatsu Shōgunate and the pressures of the growing Shōnin-Ikki. By cornering and expanding key illicit markets thriving in Yoikō, Mr. Takagi has been able to keep the city's yakuza tradition alive and well.
The Black Tiger Gang reigns supreme from its compound of Yanagi Hall, a giant brothel at the center of Shinmachi. Its reach not only extends across the city but also into neighboring domains, with sageleaf flowing through seedier ports in cities such as Daruma and Shikashi. However, as the organization enjoys its pinnacle of power, whispers of new-era gangs seeking to disrupt the established order, growing government interventions, and mounting opposition to the vices they profit from loom over their dominance and could shape a turbulent future for the gang.
Goals
The Black Tiger Gang seeks to maximize profit and maintain its dominance over Yoikō’s economy. Central to this ambition is their control of the city’s vibrant pleasure district, Shinmachi, and their orchestration of widespread protection rackets that ensure no corner of commerce escapes their reach. Sageleaf, harvested from the swamps northwest of the city, forms a critical component of their financial empire, with the gang maintaining monopoly over its distribution across Ryūshima. Their strict adherence to trading only sageleaf and avoiding more dangerous substances has earned them a grudging tolerance from other factions that could pose a risk, particularly the Shōnin-Ikki. The gang also seeks to unify the once fragmented underworld of southern Ryūshima. Through a combination of coercion and diplomacy, they absorb smaller street gangs and strong-arm yakuza families into swearing loyalty, bringing perceived order to Yoikō. This consolidation not only strengthens their grip on the region and eliminates rivals, but garners them a reputation in their home city as peacemakers and protectors. The gang’s overarching goal is simple yet relentless: ensure their dominance remains unchallenged while reaping the rewards of their calculated enterprise.Relationships
The Black Tiger Gang is considered exceptional at consolidating smaller gangs under their banner, allowing them to bridge gaps between rivals and turn potential adversaries into allies. Chikage Otomo and Roku, former street thugs turned lieutenants, are prime examples of how the gang has cracked down on local punks and elevated them to more legitimate positions of power. These relationships not only strengthen the gang but also provide them with an unparalleled understanding of the streets and a strong network of loyal enforcers. In the same vein, gangs in neighboring domains, such as Daruma's Matsuno Gang, although not officially part of the Black Tiger Gang, remain close allies and key local distributors of sageleaf. The city of Yoikō is deeply divided in its perception of the Black Tiger Gang. To some, they are protectors, bringing stability and peace to the streets by curbing rampant gang wars and maintaining order in chaotic underworld. To others, they are oppressors, profiting off the city's vices through racketeering, smuggling, and the pleasure district. The Silver Wing Sanctuary, Yoikō's temple of Bahamut, has long played the role of mediator between the city’s yakuza factions. However, dissent is growing among the clergy, with zealous members openly condemning the gang’s morally questionable enterprises. Outside of Yoikō, the Black Tiger Gang maintains a relationship of mutual pragmatism with the Shōnin-Ikki. While the merchant's alliance is cautious about aligning too closely with a criminal organization, the gang’s adherence to the Shōnin-Ikki’s moral boundaries regarding harder substances have fostered a tenuous cooperation. This careful balancing act keeps the gang’s operations profitable while avoiding the ire of merchants who might otherwise cripple their trade. On the other hand, the Ishimatsu Shōgunate has taken a more covert interest in the Black Tiger Gang’s activities, introducing new policies aimed at weakening their influence while secretly meddling in their affairs with spies.Figures of Interest
Yori Takagi
Male, human Yori Takagi is the patriarch of the Takagi Family and the undisputed leader of the Black Tiger Gang. Rising from the chaotic aftermath of the Age of Strife, he gained renown as a negotiator and strategist by uniting Yoikō’s feuding yakuza families into a singular, powerful syndicate. From his office in Yanagi Hall, Takagi oversees his empire with ruthless precision, often accompanied by his imported pet tiger, Byakko. A master of psychological warfare, he dismantles threats with a mix of cunning and force, preempting betrayals before they arise. Though his leadership has brought stability to the underworld, many view him as a profiteer who thrives on vice, and his legacy remains at risk as he faces government interference, rival gangs, and growing moral opposition.Roku
Male, human Roku, the fiercely ambitious right-hand man of Mr. Takagi, rose from a reckless street gangster to a key enforcer of the Black Tiger Gang. Handpicked by Mr. Takagi for his raw potential and brutal efficiency, Roku quickly proved himself by quelling disputes and eliminating rivals with sharp instincts and street smarts. Armed with his signature pepperbox pistol and wearing an eyepatch from a violent skirmish, his presence commands fear among those in Yoikō who dare double-cross the gang. Though fiercely loyal, his boldness and greed can test Takagi’s patience at times.Chikage Otomo
Male, human Chikage Otomo leads the Otomo Family, a group of former street thugs that the Black Tiger Gang cracked down on and made swear loyalty. Now an underboss, Otomo is regarded as the King of Warehouse Row, overseeing the gang's vital smuggling hub. Considered to be the toughest fighter in Yoikō, his unmatched combat skills are rivaled only by his sharp street smarts and charismatic persona. Often seen in Shinmachi surrounded by girlfriends, Otomo has garnered a reputation as a ladies’ man, though his easygoing demeanor masks a strict adherence to yakuza code. Fiercely loyal to Mr. Takagi, he refuses to fight on uneven terms and upholds an honor that sets him apart from many in Yoikō’s underworld.Takumi Fujimoto
Male, human Takumi Fujimoto is a cunning and resourceful merchant who oversees the Black Tiger Gang’s smuggling operations out of Shikashi’s Kingfisher Bay, the gang's secluded trade hub at the center of the Jukai Rainforest. Known for his charm and generosity, Fujimoto cultivates a spotless public image by funding festivals and feasts for the locals, who see him as a pillar of their community. Behind this polished image lies a calculating mind; Fujimoto carefully balances his reputation with the gang’s illicit activities, walking a razor-thin line between community benefactor and criminal kingpin.Shin
Male, half-elf Shin is the Black Tiger Gang’s suave negotiator and mediator based out of Higashiyama, responsible for maintaining smuggling routes and fostering alliances with other gangs along the Gilded Way. Always dressed in the latest trends, Shin's reputation as a laid-back stoner belies his knack for turning tense negotiations to his advantage. He excels at dealing with minor gangs and smoothing over disputes, ensuring the gang’s logistics run seamlessly.
Founding Date
1088 PD
Type
Illicit, Gang
Alternative Names
Takagi Family
Leader
Founders
Location
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