Clawfoot Syndicate

A large, somewhat morally ambiguous outfit, sailing out of Bayport mainly for the southern ocean. In Bayport they have a reasonable reputation, but in the south, they are likely to participate in evil - slaving, etc. They may have existed before the boom, though they are mainly a recent phenomenon - possibly forming a syndicate from several ships/trading posts in the late 90s. They have been very aggressive since, both in expanding their own activities and in bringing existing activities into their fold: they have acquired many plantations, trading posts, and so on.

Structure

A syndicate.

Public Agenda

Trading syndicate, operating numerous ships and warehouses throughout the world. Based in Bayport, but strong in the Southern Ocean, and elsewhere.

Assets

Warehouses, docks, boats and so on in Bayport. Large foreign posts in San Marcos and throughout the southern ocean. Many ships - Black Parrot, the Govina, and others. They own plantations, factories, shops, throughout the world. Extremely wealthy, with resources of all kinds. 
The core of their business is trade, shipping from the Southern Ocean and the Kingdom to Bayport, where they sell on to the overland trade to Waynesburg, as well as the growing markets around the Viking Sea. They have, however, expanded from trade and shipping to production, acquiring a number of plantations and processing facilities in the south, for sugar, tobacco, coffee, rubber and so on. They are rumored to be in the slave trade, though that is illegal in Bayport, so if true, they keep it a secret. They are similarly rumored to engage in privateering (which they dop, openly, when they can pass it off as being in the interests of Bayport), and piracy.

History

Formed in the 1590s from other groups, they have risen to become one of the largest and most ruthless trade syndicates in the world. They have expanded from the shipping trade to production, acquiring plantations, mines and os on, and this has involved them increasingly in political affairs int he Southern Ocean and its islands. It also tends to increase the conflicts with other companies, either out of Bayport or other cities.

Territories

They own a number of plantations, mines and so on in the Southern Ocean and its isles. They maintain a paramilitary force to protect these - and some fo them claim near independence under Clawfoot jurisdiction. The lines between companies and governments blur.

Type

Corporation, Commerce

Demonym

Clawfeet, Clawfoots, Claws

Leader

Lewis Duquesne

Location

Bayport

Notable Members

• Lewis Duquesne