The Black Betties
Who are we? So glad you asked! Let me tell you a story...
The Black Betty
The Black Betty is a weapon that has gained many abilities since it was first created and has done so due to its legendary status. The stories told about it and the woman who wields it forces both to live up to the expectation. The bat is lighter, and hits harder when she uses it. The leader of The Betties also finds that her wounds are always less several than they should be and heal quicker as well. She can take far more punishment than the average person could.
The idea of the weapon's tall tale came from the first wielder, Betsy, who began to notice these changes. When the next wielder broke the weapon and attempted to reforge it, she failed. It didn't work and would take her three more tries to make it close to the original. The weapon had to be intentionally sanded to give it the look of age, the weapon has to have the teeth attached at the end, and it had to be a black, wooden, Louisville Slugger.
The current wielder discovered that the legend of the wielder could be enhanced as well, giving different stories about how she came to join the Betties, even changing her name in each one.
The idea of the weapon's tall tale came from the first wielder, Betsy, who began to notice these changes. When the next wielder broke the weapon and attempted to reforge it, she failed. It didn't work and would take her three more tries to make it close to the original. The weapon had to be intentionally sanded to give it the look of age, the weapon has to have the teeth attached at the end, and it had to be a black, wooden, Louisville Slugger.
The current wielder discovered that the legend of the wielder could be enhanced as well, giving different stories about how she came to join the Betties, even changing her name in each one.
Rock And Roll
The Betties trace their roots to the 50s, without the classic concept of the nuclear family, and the idea of a woman's place being at home, the founders would never have been able to take advantage of the narrow-minded view and escape the scrutiny of their husbands, who were either at work or sleeping during their hunts. Both Betsy and Elizabeth were fond of music, and that love carried on as well. The Black Betties have picked up many styles and added it to their own, but none shine through as much as the modern rockabilly style.
The group dress in all colors, though black is prominent in all of their outfits. Plaid is a common pattern as well as floral. Members can often be seen in attire not fitting their profession, such as swing dresses and pencil dresses. The nature of their legends dictate that these dresses never interfere with their hunts, however.
Other styles are also common like roll up, high waist, denim pants, cardigans, rip tops, tank tops (A more modern addition) and fitted button down shirts. Jewelry, bandannas, high heels, are common accessories. This list of course is not exhaustive and it's fairly common to see things out of the norm from time to time as the style of the Betties is so critical to their legends.
The group dress in all colors, though black is prominent in all of their outfits. Plaid is a common pattern as well as floral. Members can often be seen in attire not fitting their profession, such as swing dresses and pencil dresses. The nature of their legends dictate that these dresses never interfere with their hunts, however.
Other styles are also common like roll up, high waist, denim pants, cardigans, rip tops, tank tops (A more modern addition) and fitted button down shirts. Jewelry, bandannas, high heels, are common accessories. This list of course is not exhaustive and it's fairly common to see things out of the norm from time to time as the style of the Betties is so critical to their legends.
The Family Tradition
The leader is not the only member who cultivates a legend. Each member has her own legend that they spread actively. They are renowned story tellers, never giving the same origin story twice and even refusing to give their real names. Once the organization began a second chapter in California, the leader decreed that any chapter house of The Black Betties shall have no more than 24 members. This number by active members in the Shreveport Chapter house at the time.
When a new member is accepted, she sheds her old name in a sense, refusing to reveal it to anyone involved in the web. They adopt one of 24 names that have stayed true to this day, called personas.
Exceptions have been made, of course, especially in recent years. Examples include revealing names to other members, adding male names for female to male trans members like Cash, Dean, or Elvis, and starting families.
Members throughout most of the 60s and 70s could not have living family who would recognize them. If they did, it would disrupt their legend. Since then however their legend has attached itself to their names and style rather than the face who wears them.
Initially, rumors began to spread that The Betties never age. The first members of The Betties were in their thirties when they started, and since their names were still in rotation after they retired many began to wonder.
In the 90s, people realized these women were not immortal. As new members flowed in and older operatives in The Web began to notice the same names with different faces, hence the change in how the legend is applied. A member with your name in another chapter is referred to as a sister or twin.
When a new member is accepted, she sheds her old name in a sense, refusing to reveal it to anyone involved in the web. They adopt one of 24 names that have stayed true to this day, called personas.
Exceptions have been made, of course, especially in recent years. Examples include revealing names to other members, adding male names for female to male trans members like Cash, Dean, or Elvis, and starting families.
Members throughout most of the 60s and 70s could not have living family who would recognize them. If they did, it would disrupt their legend. Since then however their legend has attached itself to their names and style rather than the face who wears them.
Initially, rumors began to spread that The Betties never age. The first members of The Betties were in their thirties when they started, and since their names were still in rotation after they retired many began to wonder.
In the 90s, people realized these women were not immortal. As new members flowed in and older operatives in The Web began to notice the same names with different faces, hence the change in how the legend is applied. A member with your name in another chapter is referred to as a sister or twin.
A House Divided
Beatrice is in a rather difficult position with the current roster of The Black Betties. A major theme of the group is changing times. Beatrice is 40 years old, and finds it difficult to handle some of the younger members and their broader definitions of what defines a "monster" hunter.
Numerous incidents have occurred where the group broke its own rules, tracking down completely normal human criminals. While what these men and women have done can easily be understood as monstrous, Beatrice holds firm to what the organization has always done: Leave the humans to the lesser authorities.
This ideology has put her at odds with several members of the organization. While this is a problem, it never creates so much hostility that Beatrice is actively challenged. Her word is still law...for now.
Numerous incidents have occurred where the group broke its own rules, tracking down completely normal human criminals. While what these men and women have done can easily be understood as monstrous, Beatrice holds firm to what the organization has always done: Leave the humans to the lesser authorities.
This ideology has put her at odds with several members of the organization. While this is a problem, it never creates so much hostility that Beatrice is actively challenged. Her word is still law...for now.
Baby, Let's Play House
The Betties have had many women in their ranks and most have been victims of the world in one way or another. Runaways from broken homes, former forced members of a sex trade, domestic violence victims with no where to go, and more all find a home, a bed, and a hot meal at Rosie's Garage. Membership isn't based on skill, that can be learned. It isn't based on class, or charm, that can be taught. Members have come from all walks of life, believing themselves to completely useless.
Some of these women were even right. The Betties did not care. When you join, you become so much more. The personas give you charm on command. Your sisters will teach you what the persona cannot. All they care about is the will.
A woman with the heart to leave an abusive husband, twisted father, or threatening pimp? Hell...what better demographic for a fighter than that?
Some of these women were even right. The Betties did not care. When you join, you become so much more. The personas give you charm on command. Your sisters will teach you what the persona cannot. All they care about is the will.
A woman with the heart to leave an abusive husband, twisted father, or threatening pimp? Hell...what better demographic for a fighter than that?
Rosie's Garage
Rosie's garage is a large building outside of town. The Black Betties use it as a base of operation. Every chapter has a Rosie's Garage that houses the members who don't have a home to go to, raises money for funding, and acts as a safe house for sisters from other chapters.
The garage is a three level complex. The ground floor consists of a basic common area along with garages lining the walls for customers during the day, and The Betties' vehicle storage by night. The second floor consists of living quarters. The basement level is where the armory is along with Cash's library and Della's apothecary.
The garage is a three level complex. The ground floor consists of a basic common area along with garages lining the walls for customers during the day, and The Betties' vehicle storage by night. The second floor consists of living quarters. The basement level is where the armory is along with Cash's library and Della's apothecary.
"Go for a typical feminine ‘50s look...don't hide those tattoos though. Consider some Converse All Stars, (we do running, uh...sometimes). Maybe some animal prints, bandannas, and bright red lipstick...at least that's my shade... Make the style yours though. Do what you think makes it you. It helps...trust me on that.
The Hot Rod
The Betties are known for extreme mobility. This comes from the fact that they routinely restore old cars...often with some modifications. The Betties have always been known for their love of the automobile. Elizabeth and Betsy, the first Betties, often ran down their prey in Betsy's husband's black 1950 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Since then, The Betties have incorporated motorcycles as well. Beatrice is quite fond of her custom Harley.
Extremely interesting reading! The fact that you only use text to describe an organization with sober and dark stories of family. Also, there is a mafia, dark and very mysterious aura that surrounds all this, and it makes me wonder what's behind the whole story of the Black Betties! The only major thing I may tip is to try up to make little-to-big-and-detailed articles on each Persona (or even a simple tooltip or excerpt), which would enlarge deeply all how works this system.
Expanding on each persona would force players to work with a person just because of its name. It is an rpg lol. I didn't want to give information on each individual persona for that reason I wanted players to be able to sit down and make their own additions to each Persona which would basically Define them how they wanted. As far as the hole behind the black Betty's thing that is actually listed in the history spoiler at the bottom of the article in the Footers it's optional but if you want to learn more it's there the mafia element was kind of intentional but the mafia is radically different the vet he's having much more personal connection to one another it's not so much about breaking the law or other they do end up on the wrong side of the law quite often