The Onyx Syndicate

"Welcome, friend. Your talents have been noted, and appreciated by the Onyx Syndicate. So much so that we offer you membership, for a small sum. We have no doubt that one with your particular set of skills will be able to obtain the necessary amount, and we offer much in return. Accept the challenge, and you will find your life in Belyos immeasurably altered for the better. Refuse and.. well. Your life will be short enough that its quality will not matter."

Amongst the numerous Clava that infest the district of Belyos known as Downside, one stands above the others in both terms of absolute power, and the respect it garners from other clava and legitimate authorities. The Onyx Syndicate controls a territory where over ten thousand people live, and holds the main gate into Temple Hill, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the entire city.

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Structure

The exact nature of the organisational structure of the Onyx Syndicate is unknown to all outsiders, and its actual leader is never publicly stated, being kept a mystery from all but the most senior ranking of Syndicate members. Representation to outsiders is always in the form of a hooded figure in dark red leathers with no indication of rank, and always carrying the name 'Sardonyx'. From details such as posture, voice and mannerisms, it is clear that 'Sardonyx' is not a specific individual.

The elusive 'Sardonyx'

To join the Onyx Syndicate is much like other clava; one must be approached by an existing member and invited in, but as the membership of the Syndicate is secret, one might not even know one is being vetted for membership until the day of contact. Membership is gained by way of a 'buy-in', when the prospect must contribute something of a specific value; the manner of acquisition is not relevant, so long as the appropriate worth is obtained. The exact value seems to vary between individuals, with those who possess useful or unusual skills being expected to contribute more.
Upon entry, one is termed an Initiate, and is expected to follow the orders of any other Onyx member with more seniority, although appeals to unfair or impractical orders can be made to other Syndicate members. Initiates tend to act as lookouts and informants, provide background 'muscle' to enforcement actions, and undertake petty acts such as pickpocketing, snatch thefts, and vandalism of rival properties. Initiates with skillsets noticed prior to recruitment are often given more complex tasks, but not always.
After an undefined period of time, once the member has proven their worth, they are promoted to Acolyte, and as well as undertaking the work assigned to them, are now responsible for seeking out potential new recruits. Throughout the process, identities are still secret; one might deduce the identity of another member, or might even be told in confidence, but formal introductions are not required, and members are referred to each other through codenames only. Acolytes perform the majority of Syndicate work; collecting dues, patrolling borders, enforcing penalties, and engaging in conflict with rival clavas. Acolytes are the most numerous; exact numbers are unknown, but number in the hundreds easily. Sub-ranking within acolytes is done via experience and seniority and is subtle to outsiders.
Above Acolytes are Disciples, who are involved in the strategic level decision making for the Syndicate. By this point, they do not often undertake field operations, and are expected to reveal their true identity to other Disciples as a form of insurance. The exact number of disciples is not fixed, but is typically around twenty to thirty, most of whom will own businesses and be deemed 'respectable' in their public life.
Trusted and long-time Disciples may eventually gain membership of The Circle, the six-member ruling body of the Syndicate, who dictate the overall position of the clava, and don the persona of the Sardonyx when such a thing is required. Decisions are made collectively and democratically at this level, with every member of The Circle holding no more or less authority than any of the others, although experience and seniority tend to carry some influence. Appointment to the circle is for life, but most retire beforehand to a less involved life, often outside the city.
The seventh member of the circle, who does not participate in donning the mask of the Sardonyx, and is unknown to non-Circle member disciples, is the High Priest of Yaltur. The Temple of Yaltur has long held significant influence in Downside through its outreach programs, and uses the Syndicate to keep an eye on the criminal underworld aspect as well. Whilst the Circle is not required to follow Temple orders, 'suggestions' by the High Priest are almost always agreed upon.

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Culture

The most important aspect of Onyx Syndicate culture is that of secrecy, with the Clava functioning more like a secret society than an organised gang. Members can be from all parts of life in Downside, from disenfranchised youths, to respectable shop keepers, to old grandmothers who look after the neighbourhood's children, and until one reaches the rank of Disciple, the identity of other members is unknown. This lends a certain amount of wariness in areas that the Syndicate controls, as one cannot be sure if the person being talked to is a member or not. As a result, crime not sanctioned by the Syndicate is relatively low, and those who offend Syndicate members find their lives short and eventful.
Deference to Yaltur, and by extension the Empire, is also an important aspect in the clava. Members are expected to show respect for Imperial institutions, and avoid overt actions that might negatively effect Imperial functions (covert actions are sometimes acceptable). Yaltur is acknowledged prior to any official meeting of Syndicate members, and a small portion of all the clava's income is used in assisting Yaltur priests operating in Syndicate territory.

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Public Agenda

Openly, the Syndicate states it is there to ensure that the territory it controls is free from corruption and unsanctioned crime, and to protect the interests of its members. It maintains cordial relations with neighbouring clava, but is quick to deal with any transgressions, real or perceived, that might occur. Disgruntled residents of Onyz territory may complain about the protection money they are required to pay to the Syndicate, but never openly and certainly not loudly, lest the one to whom they complain is a member.

The organisation professes respect for the city's authorities, and City Guard units are almost never harassed in Syndicate territory, and losses to taxes from theft and embezzlement are kept acceptably low. Smuggling does occur, without a doubt, but is openly denounced when found as being done via 'rogue operatives'. The Syndicate is very clear in its desire to be perceived as a 'respectable' authority within Downside, complementary to the official rulers, not a rival.

The distinctive marking on the corner of this building identifies it as being under Onyx Syndicate protection

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History

The reforms of Til-Taranor changed the face of Downside completely and not only enabled the safer accommodation of the hundreds of thousands of Downsiders, but gave enterprising organisations the chance to embed themselves into the very infrastructure of the new construction work. One of these organisations was a clava known at the time as The Gathering, and had used an assortment of tactics, including bribery and outright threats, to ensure that some of the new apartment blocks backing up against the wall to Temple Hill had hidden but easily accessible entrances to the sewer network below. These enabled The Gathering to smuggle people and goods under the wall, and made the organisation very wealthy and influential. As to be expected, some of the people using the services provided by The Gathering were of dubious character and motivation, and when a high ranking priest of Yaltur was killed in what was seen at the time as a random event, by an individual who appeared to have no permit to be in Temple Hill, measures were taken to find and close the smuggling routes.
Typically, tasks like this are the remit of the City Guard, a well motivated but chronically underfunded organisation, but because of the nature of the crime that triggered the search, the Temple Guard were involved and before long, the sewer passages were discovered. No mercy was shown to members of The Gathering and most of its members were rooted out and executed, along with a fair number of innocents who just happened to be in the vicinity. The sewer tunnels were blocked off with grating, and it was made very clear that overt involvement in crimes against the Temples would not be tolerated.
A new clava known as the Onyx Syndicate stepped into the vacuum left behind by the loss of The Gathering, fending off several neighbouring clava who attempted to take over the territory. The Onyx Syndicate appeared to be well funded, motivated and its policy of secrecy meant its members could be not targeted easily. It soon established itself in the area, and quickly rose to become one of, if not the, most influential of clavas in Downside.

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Territories

The Syndicate has absolute control over almost fifty apartment blocks around the gate to Temple Hill in Downside, and is in contention with a dozen more on the edges of its territory. In total, close to ten thousand citizens live under the watchful eye of the Onyx Syndicate, whether they desire it or not, and all but a small minority pay some form of 'protection' to the clava, or else lose said protection and inevitably suffer some form of mishap or damage to their property.
The clava is also known (although it denies it openly) for being able to smuggle people and goods between Downside and Temple Hill, avoiding the requirement to show a permit to the guards on the gate. The exact nature of the smuggling is not shared, but rumours persist of secret sewage tunnels and hidden doors in the wall that separates the two districts. Whatever the nature of the crossing, even those who use it are reluctant to share, lest the clava seek to punish those who share its secrets.
In addition to smuggling and collecting protection money, the clava operates a number of businesses, both legitimate and of dubious legal standing. The route that runs through its territory is one of Belyos' busiest, and sales of food and other consumables is good business, as is the purchase of goods that some might not wish to found when passing through the Gate.

Onyx Syndicate Territory

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Black in name. Black in action.

Typical outfit worn by a member of the Syndicate

Founding Date

~1874 IY

Type

Illicit, Gang

Alternative Names

The Syndicate, The OS, Onyx

Location

Downside

Related Ethnicities

• Imperial