Luipaarden

The only District 5 organization that players from District 4 have also heard of. Their reputation crosses district lines because their contracts do.

The Luipaarden are mercenary enforcers. They do not smuggle, dig, or broker information. They fight, and they are very good at it. Their business model is contract enforcement: protecting shipments, securing locations, escorting principals through hostile tunnels, eliminating specific problems. A Luipaarden contract has never been breached. This is their most valuable asset.

Founded and led by Maarten, who interviews every prospective client personally and rejects roughly forty percent of contracts.

Cultural Identity

Belgian cultural influence: direct communication, dry humor, obsessive attention to food quality even in underground safehouses, and an institutional belief that professionalism is a minimum standard rather than an achievement. Fitted dark jackets, practical boots, muted scarves, leather gloves. The only identifier is a small leopard-spot pattern embossed into the leather of the right glove.

Standard engagement protocol: identify, warn, disable. Killing triggers an internal review. Violence is proportional by policy and enforced by Sofie Dries' post-action process.

The Organization

• Operators (20-25 active): Full Combat specialists deployed in two-to-four person squads. Elke Vandermeer is the most decorated.
• Sentinels (10-12 active): Static guards at controlled junctions.
• Spotters (8-10 active): Intelligence scouts tracking movement patterns throughout the Underpass.
• Quartermasters (5-8 active): Maintenance, supply, and medical support managed by Jurgen.

Known Relationships

• Saracens Imperium: The Saracens hire Luipaarden squads for high-risk shipments. Both benefit and neither discusses it publicly.
• Kroty: The Luipaarden guard approaches to spaces the Kroty build. The division of labor suits both.
• Păianjenii: Mutual professional awareness. The Spotters have noticed they are being monitored. Neither has acted on this.
• Lara Opus: Standing non-aggression at all checkpoints. Maarten concluded she could not be stopped. Sentinels have reported she looks more tired than usual on recent transits.
• The Salary Man: Blanket do-not-engage order across all Ranks. "Withdraw. Do not speak. Do not make eye contact. Report position. Resume duties after confirmed departure."