Kangpae
The Kangpae developed among the people of the Seojeung Empire. The Seojeung have very strict codes of societal conduct and honor, most notably as rulers, leaders, and generals, certain activity simply was not acceptable for members of their station. Often times however these dark deeds needed to be done, and so with the need the Kangpae were born. Individuals cast out by society or trodden down by it were willing to or already outside their cultures codes of honor and were able to profit in these grey or shadowy pursuits. Among their own the Kangpae developed their own strict codes of conduct as well, and are often thought to be the symbiotic other half of Seojeung society, they are the shadow cast upon the wall. In the beginning the Kangpae focused on blackmail, bribery, political espionage, and assassination. As their influence grew they began to trade in illicit goods, prostitution, and slaving. While most cities have thieves guilds and other such underground organizations, none are as inter connected and global as the Kangpae.
Structure
Yong Meoli: The Dragons Head is the supreme leader of the Kangpae, they are rarely seen outside of Sujeong-Gung and are said to reside deep beneath the Imperial Ice Palace. They are rumored to be among the very few who may have direct contact with the Imperial Majesty of the Seojeung but are never acknowledged as such or as part of the Imperial Council. The Dragons Head in many circles is said to command more power then the Imperial Majesty. Among the Kangpae their word is absolute and followed without question. Their primary duties revolve around serving the Imperial Seat and ensuring the Kangpae continues to grow wealthy and powerful. The Dragons Head is selected by Vote of all the regional officers of the Kangpae, and it must be a unanimous decision. Often times if consensus can not be found, contenders may fight one an other to the death until consensus is unavoidable. Most Dragon Heads will retire when they grow old and unable to project strength, however some find themselves poisoned by subordinates who have grown too powerful, however such assassination of rivals during the ascension is deemed most dishonorable.
Regional Commanders
San-Ui Daega: Master of the Mountain, these are the commanders of specific regions of the Kangpae's operations, often times other nations, but sometimes smaller regions depending on the vastness of territory or size of the Kangpaes influence in that region. Masters of the Mountain are responsible for the Kangpae's influence, growth, and profits within this particular region. While not generally handling day to day business they set the tone and overall direction of the organization for that region. The most common contenders to replace the Dragons Head, they are also elected into their seat by their regional leadership structure.
Yong-Ui Blatob: The Dragons Claw are appointed by the Master of the Mountain but must be sustained and confirmed by the Dragons Head. The Claws are responsible for direct action and operations within the region. These individuals will travel to various syndicate houses of operation and ensure the Masters will is being carried out within his region. They are also the enforcers of the regional commander.
Yong-Ui Simjan: The Dragons Breath are appointed by the Dragons Head. They are the spiritual will of the Dragons Head in this region, responsible for all ceremony and ritual of the organization. They liaison with the highest levels of government in the region on behalf of the Kangpae and will work with actual Seojeung ambassadors if one is present in the region. They are also generally viewed as the eyes of the dragon, meant to keep watch upon the Master of the Mountain, to ensure they are fulfilling the will of the Kangpae.
City Commanders
Ledeu Sodeu: Red Swords are the leader of a cities Kangpae Syndicate. These individuals are responsible for all criminal activity within the city and the operations of the Kangpae. They are usually ruthless, shrewd, and cunning. They are chosen by the Dragons Breath and sustained by the Master of the Mountain, tho, the Dragons Head may also sustain them. This ensures San-Ui Daega do not simply fill their organizations with yes men, but potential rivals may grow beneath them.
Hayan Paen: White Fans are the administrators of local Kangpae enterprises. There may be many White Fans as there are specific happenings within the syndicate in this city. This may be divided into districts or more often, specific jobs. For example a white fan may over sea all prostitution in the city, or be responsible for the wharfs in town. White Fans are chosen by the Red Sword and sustained by the Blue Lantern.
Puleun Kandella: Blue Lanterns are the Liaison to the local authorities. Usually only one per city, the Blue Lanterns are selected by the Master of the Mountain. They also work very closely in the recruiting of new members
Members
Members of the Kangpae are broken up into two basic categories Muhyai(unblooded) and Heullin(blooded). Muhyai are trusted with most simple criminal activity, low level drug pushers, simple enforcers and the like. During this time the Muhyai can prove themselves to the Red Sword and White Fans they work directly for that they are worthy of the Kangpae. When a Muhyai has proven themselves loyal and capable they will be admitted to the organization by a Dragons Breath, and undertake the blood pact. Heullin, members of the Kangpae that have undergone the Blood Pact ritual are full members of the Syndicate and considered family. Heullin if they die or are seriously injured in the service of the Kangpae will see their true family well provided for and to never want. They are also entrusted with more difficult tasks and carry the full weight of the Syndicates code of honor, which should they break, often means extreme punishment, upto death if the infraction is severe enough.
Rituals
Blooded: When the Dragons Breath visits a regions, all Muhyai that have proven themselves to their Red Sword and White Fans, may be offered a position among the Heullin. The syndicate of that city will gather, the Muhyai will be stripped down to their undergarments and blindfolded. They will walk a gauntlet of the Heullin who will strike their back and legs with sticks. If the Muhyai cry out in pain they will be disqualified, this symbolizes their commitment to keeping the Kangpae's secrets. When a Muhyai completes the gauntlet or is blooded by the strikes(whichever comes first), they will be brought to kneel before the Dragons Breath. There they will recite oaths written on strips of parchment and burn them. They will then be given secret signs to identify themselves as a Heullin of the Kangpae.
Tattoos: All Kangpae tattoos are earned and awarded in elaborate ceremonies. Some are given for fantastic deeds done in service to the Kangpae however most are awarded for wounds received. The scar is made the center focal point of the tattoo recognizing the Heullins willingness to bleed for the Kangpae. The Dragons Breath will recount their deeds in a formal ceremony after advancing the cities Muhyai, allowing the tattoo work to begin some time after.
Duels: If a matter of honor can not be settled among the Heullin, formal duel may be called as a remedy. As no discord may exist among the Heullin, if two individuals can not come to terms and restore harmony, one, the weaker, shall be removed. Duels must be sanctioned by a Red Sword(if the grievance is between Red Swords, their San-Ui Daega must sanction it, and so on). Blue Lanterns may administer this ritual of the Dragons Breath is elsewhere. The two duelists may use any agreed upon method of combat to resolve the duel and they are always to the death.
Penance: Any Heullin that has transgressed against the Kangpae must pay double their grievance in coin or suffering. The disgraced must travel to the dragons breath and deliver the written account of their misdeeds and seek forgiveness. The Dragons Breath will call them before whatever Syndicate house they are at and recount their transgressions and exact the punishment. Any who do not arrive at their Dragons Breath in a timely fashion are named Bulmyeong, and are to be hunted and brought back alive if possible for public execution.
Execution: Reserved for the most egregious of offenses, a Dragons Breath will travel to any syndicate house that holds a Bulmyeong for execution to conduct the ceremony. They will curse 7 swords, that they will bare scars upon the soul of the Bulmyeong from the wounds they inflict, that they may forever be marked in the afterlife as disgraced. 6 Huellin will wield the swords, and pierce each limb and twice thru the body avoiding the heart and other vital organs. The 7th sword, a blood red blade will be wielded by the disgraced red sword, who will then decapitate the Bulmyeong. If the disgraced is a Red Sword, their Master of the Mountain will wield the blood red blade, and so on.
"If there is no Darkness, can there be light?"
- One shall not use the advantage of the Kangpae to rob, oppress, or take unreasonable advantage of the weak and downtrodden
- One shall treat the parents and kin of a Heullin as their own kin, offering physical and financial assistance whenever able
- One shall always acknowledge, give aide, and hospitality to a Heullin which has identified themselves as such
- One shall not bring trouble or cause harm to a fellow Heullin
- One shall give up all past grudges upon becoming a Heullin of the Kangpae
- One shall not cheat, steal, or treat with advantage over his fellow Heullin
- One shall remain neutral if their Kin have despute with a fellow Heullin
- One shall not conspire with outsiders against their fellow Heullin
- One shall not speak the secrets of the Kangpae to an outsider
- One shall not cause discord or strife among the Heullin
- One shall remain loyal and faithful to the Yong Meoli
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