Red Blade Syndicate
The Red Blade Syndicate is Shang’s most powerful and influential triad, deeply entrenched in the empire’s underworld and its bureaucratic structures. Based in the port city of Chóngtóu, the Syndicate has grown from a local criminal organization to a sprawling organization of illicit activities that spans the entire nation. Its operations range from opium smuggling and espionage to protection rackets and assassinations. Despite its criminal nature, the Syndicate’s tendrils reach into the Li Dynasty's legitimate institutions, leading to questionable ties between arms of the nation's bureaucracy and its criminal underworld.
At the heart of the Syndicate’s power lies the Crimson Circle, a secretive council of elders who dictate its grand strategies and maintain strict control over its leadership. Though the Crimson Circle operates from the shadows, their authority permeates every level of the organization. Serving as the Syndicate’s most visible leader is Red Fang Shen, a charismatic and ruthless enforcer whose ambition and tactical genius have made him both indispensable and unpredictable. Shen’s public presence often brings him into conflict with the Circle, whose members value discretion above all else.
The Syndicate’s hierarchy reflects Shangese philosophy, with leadership divided into two distinct subsects: the Dao and the Jian. The Dao, embodying the "General of Weapons," represent the Syndicate’s pragmatic and commanding arm. These leaders oversee the Syndicate’s networks of enforcers, smugglers, and regional operations. By contrast, the Jian, or "Gentleman of Weapons," operate with precision and refinement, specializing in covert operations, assassinations, and espionage. Together, these factions balance brute force and surgical subtlety, ensuring the Syndicate’s dominance.
Chóngtóu, the Syndicate’s base of operations, serves as the capital of its empire. The city’s bustling harbors and waterways provide an ideal setting for smuggling and clandestine dealings. Through a combination of bribery, blackmail, and intimidation, the Syndicate exerts significant control over Chóngtóu’s political and economic systems. Their influence extends to Shang’s government, where corrupt officials often turn a blind eye to their operations in exchange for stability and personal gain.
Despite its criminal foundation, the Red Blade Syndicate maintains an air of tradition and ritual. Initiates undergo the "Blood Pact," a ceremonial act of loyalty performed in front of the Crimson Circle where they offer a blood tribute to the organization's elders. These practices, along with the Syndicate’s strict hierarchies and cultural alignment with Shangese values, give it a veneer of legitimacy that distinguishes it from smaller criminal organizations.
Goals
The Red Blade Syndicate’s primary goal is to consolidate its dominance over Shang’s underworld and expand its influence into every facet of the empire’s governance and economy. By maintaining control over the lucrative opium trade, the Syndicate ensures a steady flow of wealth that funds its operations and secures its power. Through strategic partnerships with foreign entities like the East Caspian Company, they aim to fortify their position in Eastern Vidrea's trade network while undermining competitors and rivals. A secondary but equally important goal is the preservation of secrecy and the mystique of the Crimson Circle. The Syndicate’s power relies heavily on the perception of its omnipotence and the fear it inspires. To this end, they employ ruthless measures to silence dissent and eliminate those who threaten their secrecy. Maintaining their shroud of mystery is essential to deterring both internal rebellion and external interference. The Syndicate also seeks to infiltrate and manipulate Shang’s bureaucracy to ensure its long-term survival. By embedding agents within the government and cultivating alliances with powerful officials, the Syndicate not only protects their operations but also positions themselves as a massively influential force in Shang’s political landscape.Relationships
The Red Blade Syndicate’s relationship with the Li Dynasty's government is one of calculated coexistence. Officially, the government condemns the Syndicate’s activities and occasionally mounts efforts to dismantle its operations when things are deemed as getting out of hand. However, in practice, many officials rely on the Syndicate to maintain order in areas where the government’s reach is limited. Bribes and favors flow freely between the two entities within Tīanjīng's Bureau of Harmony. With the East Caspian Company, the Syndicate shares a mutually beneficial but tenuous alliance. The ECC relies on the Syndicate’s infrastructure to smuggle opium and other contraband into Shang, while the Syndicate benefits from the wealth and resources provided by their foreign partners. Despite this collaboration, both parties remain wary of one another, recognizing the potential for betrayal. The Iron Lantern Clan, a traditionalist, revolutionary triad dedicated to overthrowing foreign influence, represents the Syndicate’s most significant internal threat. The Clan’s ideals directly oppose the Syndicate's current status quo, and the two factions are locked in a covert war fought through espionage, sabotage, and assassinations. The Syndicate’s superior resources give them an advantage, but the Iron Lanterns’ fervor and resilience make them a formidable adversary.Figures of Interest
Red Fang Shen
Male human As the most public figure of the Syndicate, Red Fang Shen is both its sword and its shield. A tall, lean man with an angular face and piercing almond-shaped eyes tinged faintly red, Shen is known for his predatory grace and cold intelligence. His long, black coat trimmed with red embroidery and his curved, razor-thin katana, seemingly acquired from Ryūshima, symbolize his authority and skill. Though fiercely loyal to the Crimson Circle, Shen’s ambition and confrontational nature often lead to tensions with the elders.Zan Koth
Male githyanki Zan Koth is a fearsome bounty hunter hailing from the Astral Plane, known for his exorbitant fees and unmatched lethality. While not an official agent of the Syndicate, his services are often employed given their unique position to afford him. Koth is a gunslinger of deadly renown, wielding a pair of double-barreled flintlock pistols and wearing an iconic wide-brimmed hat that casts a shadow over his gaunt, alien features. His boots of flying and astral skiff grant him unparalleled versatility and mobility, while an array of magical items are tailored to counter foes of all fighting styles. Known for single-handedly taking on multiple seasoned fighters at once, Koth’s reputation is one of unerring efficiency and cold professionalism.Hán Dúzòu
Male human Hán Dúzòu, a half-Shánrén, half-Tyrennian smuggler, is known for his charm, quick wit, and knack for navigating Shang’s labyrinthine waterways. With his worn leather jacket, trusty flintlock pistol, and resourceful improvisation, Hán is a frequent collaborator of the Syndicate despite a recent blunder that left him owing a significant debt to Red Fang Shen. Their strained relationship is marked by Hán's frequent deflections and Shen’s growing disdain, but the Syndicate values his undeniable skill and cunning too much to sever ties. Beneath his roguish exterior lies a deep loyalty to those he trusts, making him a valuable, if unpredictable, ally.
Founding Date
914 PD
Type
Illicit, Syndicate
Alternative Names
赤刃帮, Chìrèn Bāng
Leader
Location
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