The Thorn Syndicate
The Thorn Syndicate is one of the most powerful and pervasive criminal organisations in Porto Radica, blending organized crime, political manipulation, and cultural influence into a city-wide briar patch. Known equally for its code of honor and capacity for ruthless enforcement, the Syndicate has evolved beyond back-alley dealings into a shadow power with deep roots in the city’s infrastructure.
Whether it's laundering coin through their opulent casino, brokering deals in the Mercato Umbra, or pushing back against rival gangs and factions, the Thorns operate with precision and style.
Structure
- The Boss/Parriarch- Leader of the whole force, to whom all others defer to.
- Underboss/Bastone - Those directly under the Boss, each will have an area they are responsible for, and be in charge of their own Capos.
- Caporegime/Capo - Serving an Underboss, they are in charge of the main body of troops, each having a small group they lead.
- Luogotenente/Tenente - Proven members of the family, trusted to carry out their superiors orders and represent the family well.
- Soldato- A recognised member of the family, working the streets and able to speak and act on the family's behalf, within reason.
- Runner/Corrido- Someone looking to join the family. They have to assist in four jobs before being welcomed into the family as an enforcer.
Firm Branches - Each branch takes a unique identifying name, after a type of thorned plant or tree. Parts of such plants are used as identifiers or in secret messages. They are led by Underbosses or Capos.
The Council of Thorns
While all Bastone serve directly under the Parriarch, there are those elevated to another level, to join the inner circle of the Parriarch, the Council of Thorns. Each has their own area where their jurisdiction supersedes all others save the Parriarch.
- Left Hand - Commands the heavy units and healers.
- Right Hand - Commands the skirmishers and archers.
- Quartermaster - In charge of the equipment and attire of the house.
- Overseer- In charge of activities and events for the house, and tying up loose ends. Liaisons with the Quartermaster for construction of new kit.
Culture
There are three main elements that can be said to have stuck with the Syndicate since their arrival in these lands:
- The sacredness of the contract –Contracts, be they written or spoken, are an oath woven into the very fabric of being. When all else is stripped away you will always have your Word, and that Word is your value to your community.
- The Red Sister – Though little is remembered clearly, echoes of the Red Sister linger in gesture and instinct. No longer recalling her rites in full, but something in their blood still bends toward reverence.
- Community above all – The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. The House remembers that survival comes from our networks in all places, not from the power or riches of nobility.
Values and Ethos
- Loyalty is life. Betrayal is the worst sin.
- Every debt must be honored – no exceptions.
- Protect the lives of our own. Take the enemy for all they're worth.
- Deals are divine. Breaking them is a defilement.
- Family is chosen. Blood is optional.
- The mask is freedom. All are equal behind it.
The Syndicate values cunning over cruelty, wisdom over pride, and influence over dominance. We often act as mediators, brokers, and fixers, the sort who know which wheels to grease and which strings to pull. They do not seek domination, but entwinement; a web of deals so strong no blade can sever it.
Relationship with the Tapestry and Weaves
The Thorns revere the Tapestry as law made manifest. The Weaves powers to be respected, invoked, and honored, especially in the act of making oaths or bargains. Knowledge that the reality of the Weave bends and yields to a common belief has led them to try and improve that unity to in turn empower themselves further.
They neither seek to destroy nor abuse the Threads. Instead, they seek harmony with them, binding them into contracts, prayers, and structures.
Like most Radicans, the Syndicate believe that the Tapestry is shaped by memory as much as magic. Threads respond to belief, and in their case, they remembered Alsaria, The Red Sister, which through focus and dedication has given rise to a Weave that responds to her name. To them, this proves that a single will or belief, held by many, can bend the Weave.
Religion
Alsaria, The Red Sister
Weave of Unity and Community, Deals and Contracts, for The Red Sister one's word is an oath. She can be seen as benevolent and caring, but equally shrewd and cunning. Those in her service know the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, but also a structure and hierarchy is needed to keep a community together. Dark deeds in the night help the daylight shine bright. Many followers seek to make deals with powerful people and entities, and completing these is seen to grant The Red Sister's favour. The clergy are referred to as Figli Rossa (Red Child, or Son or Daughter). Followers call themselves Fedele Rossa, or Alsarians.
Laws
As branches of the Thorn Syndicate operate individually and within the confines of different nations with different local laws, things may vary form place to place depending on how illegal their main activities are. Beyond that, there are some core rules the Thorn Syndicate run by to make sure that there is a sense of honour and trust.
- A person's word is their worth; if they go against it their only value is the meat on their bones.
- Do not harm the innocent, even if they are the family of an enemy; if you cause unjust suffering you open the doors to the suffering of those you hold dearest.
- If you have an ally that has been marked as an enemy by one of equal rank, you may come to their defence, but must seek a superior to mediate any fallout thereafter.
- If you have an ally that has been marked as an enemy by one of higher rank you may step aside from fighting them without repercussion, but you may not aid them.
- If you have an enemy that becomes an ally of one of higher rank you may call on them to mediate a payment contract as ceasefire.
- Never take another's hospitality for granted, even an enemy.
- Never attack someone you invited into your own home under good faith.
Inner Conflicts
Sometimes branches of the Syndicate come into direct conflict with one another. When this occurs, the following rules apply:
- Do not involve the authorities of a location; if they do get involved, deal with them first.
- Do not cause damage that is unsalvagable to the business after the conflict is over.
- If someone of higher rank both branches serve under steps in, a ceasefire is in place until mediation occurs. This also applies if two of higher rank in each branch step in together.
Blood for the Thorn
House Colours
Red and Black, Gold for leadership
House Sigil
Black thorn angled on a red background, with a drop of gold coming from the point
Theme
Crime family, European Renaissance 14th-16th century style, cursed
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