Raptor Cabal
The Raptor Cabal (named after the velociraptor) is the largest and most organized criminal network on Yura. Their influence is pervasive and endemic throughout all of Yura. Their founding date is not well defined, though the Cabal claims that they were among the first to rebel, albeit covertly, against the Avaj and their empire (The Grand Empire of the Yuan-ti). Few know the full extent of the Raptor Cabal's activities, though they have their finger in most every criminal enterprise (particularly smuggling). A notable exception to this rule is murder, as the Cabal does not deal in death both for practical and historic reasons (though in rare cases they are not above setting bounties and "encouraging" others). The activities of the Cabal are something of an open secret, though the sheer extent of the group is only known to a select few, and even most of the Cabal are unaware of its true size.
Structure
The Raptor Cabal is organized in a tiered, hierarchical system. Each position within the Cabal has different roles and responsibilities. An interesting note about the structure is that members of the Cabal, with the exception of the Master Raptor and Greater Raptors, are only aware of their immediate superior and inferiors so that, in the case that one member is exposed, they cannot give up the names of more than a few other members. Some positions are named after a part of the velociraptor. (The numbers 1-6 correspond with a rank, with 1 being the highest and 6 being the lowest.)
Master Raptor (1): The Master Raptor is the head of the Cabal. They oversee the activities of the entire organization and are responsible for the well-being of the group as a whole. The Master Raptor is also responsible for nominating Greater Raptors and choosing their own personal successor. The Master Raptor also has access to the full guild treasury and has the ability to mete out punishment to any member of the guild they deem deserving.
Greater Raptor (2): The eight Greater Raptors each run the Cabal's operations in a satrapy, making sure the duties of group are made and maintained. Primarily responsible for larger level planning most of their job involves the delegation of new tasks, ensuring that the members complete their assigned responsibilities, and the enforcement of discipline among the members of the Cabal in their satrapy. One of the eight is also selected as the successor to the Master Raptor and works closely with them.
Lesser Raptor (3): Lesser Raptors are mid-level members that handle the communication between the Greater Raptors and the claws, eyes, and tails. It is their job to oversee that these other groups receive and fulfill their assignments. Lesser Raptors are also primarily responsible for dealing with any serious local problems that the Cabal encounters, usually with local law enforcement.
Claw (4): The Claws work as the military and enforcement arm of the Cabal. Claws work to protect, enforce, and monitor the groups various operations. They are usually tasked with extortion of money, guarding the groups assets, and, whenever the need arises that violence must be used to achieve an end, are sent out to deal with the situation.
Eye (4): The Eyes work as the Cabal's spies, tasked with collecting information and reporting on local events and scenarios that may affect the Cabal. The Eyes are also responsible for identifying and bribing city officials, law enforcement, and other individuals who would otherwise impede the Cabal's work. If such individuals are not receptive to a monetary bribe the Eyes are tasked with discovering appropriate blackmail or non-monetary compensation to ensure the relevant individual is no longer an issue to the Cabal.
Tail (4): The Tails run most of the day to day logistics and oversee the supply chain of the Cabal. They are responsible for the Cabal's ledgers and allocation of funds to ensure that the Cabal has access to the goods and supplies it needs. It is the main task of the Tails to ensure the business end of the Cabal and this group tends to work most closely with the Lesser Raptors.
Tooth (5): The Teeth of the Cabal are low-level members who are primarily responsible for training and leading Feathers. Often when a job has been assigned a Tooth leads the operation. Teeth are also the primary couriers of the Cabal, entrusted with the transport and delivery of sensitive information.
Feather (6): Feathers are the new or lowest-level recruits of the Cabal and constitute the majority of the Cabal's manpower. The feathers engage in all types of activity including smuggling, theft, blackmail, transport, and all other physical acts and activities assigned to them by higher members of the Cabal.
Public Agenda
The Raptor Cabal's agenda is not public. The Cabal's private agenda would primarily focus around the accumulation of more wealth and influence to further their power. The Cabal tries not to involve themselves in politics, believing that political interaction would only seek to split the Cabal into competing factions which does not benefit their organization. The Cabal only interacts in politics if a political faction or member is hindering their primary goal, that goal being the furtherance of the Cabal's wealth.
Assets
The Raptor Cabal's assets are extensive. The Cabal has a massive treasury. (Estimates vary but the most generally accepted number is a range between 7,500,000,000-10,000,000,000 gold.) Throughout Yura the Cabal also owns a large amount of property, much of it owned under false names. Much of the Cabal's activities are performed underground (literally) and the sewer systems of most major cities are "owned" by the Cabal. Besides these assets the Cabal owns a large number of ships and other transport vehicles to facilitate their smuggling empire.
History
The Raptor Cabal is rumored to have formed shortly after the establishment of The Grand Empire of the Yuan-ti. Throughout this period of Yuan-ti domination the Cabal laid the groundwork of their organization. During this period they operated overtly with rebel groups and with the eight tribes, smuggling, stealing, sabotaging, and hindering the goals of the Avaj. They were instrumental in the overthrow of the Yuan-ti, and as such their existence was tolerated by the victorious kingdoms established by the Dawn Treaty. The Cabal continued relatively unhindered until the founding of the The Empire of Yura and Ratna Angara, fearful of the Cabal's growing influence, cracked down hard. Caught off guard the Cabal nearly ceased to be, but managed to hide. The most fervent persecution came under Hecai Angara, who declared the group to be illegal and membership punishable by death, exile or enslavement. Despite these setbacks the Cabal managed to survive, and the instability caused by the Fourth White~Black Succession allowed them to again become major players in Yura. (Their smuggling became highly profitable as the Cabal engaged in a hefty amount of war-profiteering.) Since the stabilization of the continent the Cabal has continued to grow. They are certainly nowhere near their political influence before the purges initiated by Ratna and Hecai Angara, but their commercial influence is pervasive and broad.
Silver for Sin
Founding Date
Unknown (Claimed to be around the founding of the The Grand Empire of the Yuan-ti)
Type
Illicit, Gang
Demonym
Raptor's/Cabal's (i.e. Raptor's/Cabal's business),
Leader
Location
Related Ethnicities
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