Eutopian Underworld

[Deaghaidh]

No, not undead and demons. Organized crime, street gangs, militant radicals, every society has a few. The idea is to come up with a rogue's gallery of some of the most notorious ones. Of course, that doesn't mean these are all of them- after all, the most sinister ones are better at being anonymous.

Contibutions and suggestions are encouraged

 

[Deaghaidh]

(This one is based on an off-board friend of mine who managed to get himself kicked out twice in short order under three different nicks. He'd actually like to play this role if the admins are willing to allow it.)

Group: The Corporate Republicans, a.k.a Synod of Hafnia
Leadership: Headed by the bizarre Kail, a.k.a 'The Dragonlord'
A prominent Lieutenant is referred to often, Voter Colonel Breton, though this may be another alias of Kail himself

The Corporate Republicans are a bizarre group. As far as anyone has been able to glean from their rambling, chaotic manifesto, they seem to advocate a society run as one giant corporation. They espouse an end to most individual rights and a 'republic' of the shareholders. Their philosophy is heavily influenced by Nitsche.

Their first illeagal act was a case of voter fraud that resulted in Kail's gaining a seat in Parliment. Kail went underground after the ensuing investigation, and he and most of the CP's membership and assets evaded capture. They re-emerged when it was discovered that the religous organization the Synod of Hafnia was actually a part of the CP's elaborate money-laundering system. Though that system was largely shut down and millions of ducats frozen, the CP still managed to elude investigators.

Since the Hafnia bust, the Corporate Republicans have one again gone underground. They are suspected to be small in size, perhaps no more than a dozen individuals, and have never been linked directly to any violent crimes. However, they are believed to launder billions in dirty money from Eutopia and increasingly overseas. It is widely hypothesized that they are renting out their expertise to various organized crime organizations, drug syndicates, and perhaps even terrorist organizations. The leadership of the Corporate Republicans are some of the most wanted people on earth, it is theorized that their capture could break open dozens of gangs and syndicates the world over. They remain at large, and realatively little is known of its membership or organization.

 

[Deaghaidh]

The Tuatha, pt1

(No one else seems terribly interested, but I'll keep going all the same. I'm not an expert on underworld history in the US, so feel free to correct me or suggest changes. And no, the following has nothing to do with "Gangs of New York", I've not even seen that movie )

The Tuatha

The Tuatha (an Irish Gaelic word meaning roughly "clan" or "petty kingdom") first emerged as an organized crime group shortly after Irish began emigrating en masse into Eutopia. The vast influx created ideal breeding grounds for crime, as millions of Irish (predominently young and male) found themselves rather stranded in the Northeastern cities, particularly St Brendanstown and New Lancashire. When the Tuatha first emerged is unclear, but it seems to have begun life as a sort of mutual protection organization. In structure it had more in common with fraternal organizations like the Knights of Columbus than with the Italian Mafia.

The Tuatha was/is headed by a Chieftan, usually refered to simply as "the Chief". Beneath him were the heads of the smaller 'households', gangs operating in different regions. These household heads were, in theory, responsible for chosing a new Chief upon his death. No position was hereditary. While virtually all chiefs attempted to settle the succession while they still lived, no succession was really very smooth, as a household head who was strong, influential and bold could make a play for the top spot. These conflicts often resulted in deaths amoung the higher ranks but rarely spilled out into the streets.

The Tuatha first appeared as a sort of vigilante movement in the slums of St Brendanstown and New Lancashire. Anti-Irish sentiment was high in these cities, where the predominently English and protestant populace resented and feared the unemployed, often violent Irish in their 'Paddietowns'. Want ads and help wanted signs began to contain the closing phrase 'No Irish need apply'. The Tuatha emerged as a way of fighting back. Loosely organized gangs of toughs made it abundantly clear that open discrimination against Irish immigrants was not good for ones buisness or ones health.

 

[J. Passepartout]

The Mafia

You know about the Mafian organisation, don't you?

It all began in the 1800's, when there was a mass exodus from Italy. The Mafia in Eutopia then was like it was at the beginning, mainly a society for members protection. Of course, the crime came in fast.

There are rumours that prominent businessman Jean Passeportout had some connections with the Mafia in his youth, but seems to have left entirely, but for a few friends who he still meets with. Some cynics say he still deals with them in more than a social basis.

OOC: Feel free to politically slam me on this. I would do the same thing.

 

[Deaghaidh]

I was out of town for the week, but will be posting part 2 tomorrow evening, getting the Tuatha through their 'Golden Age'. I was, of course, aware of the Mafia's existence, since I am an American who watches movies and HBO I was thinking more like which 'gang' would dominate which region or illicit industry.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

I've heard rumors that the Capistrano Crows of the Eutopian Lacrosse Series may somehow be involved in some shady doings, but of course that's just hear-say.

We know that everything in professional sports is always on the up-and-up, right?

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Interestingly, the Capistrano Crows of the ELS, the former league champions who experienced no personnel changes to their winning team during the off-season, have managed to lose every game in which they have been favored to win.

Is this simply a run of bad luck?

After the odds-makers started questioning the team's talent and favoring their opponents they started winning.

In every game this season in which they were favored they have lost in somewhat suspect form. In every game in which they were expected to lose they regained their championship form.

Coincidence?

What sort of money exchanges hands gambling on Eutopia's premier sport? Are the Crows, their coach, or their ownership involved? Is this money funding other underground activities in a poorer region of the country with a turbulent history?

Hmmm.........

 

[unmerged(4271)]

A blow for law and order was struck when many of the illegal activities of the Capistrano Crows were exposed by an extensive sting-operation by the Eutopian Lacrosse Series league office and local law enforcement.

Of the charges handed down, notable ones include:

Luc St. Jean, team coach for gambling, trafficking in performance enhancing substances, and altering game outcomes for the benefit of gambling profits.

He faces a lifetime ban from the sport, in addition to criminal actions taken by the Eutopian justice department.

Other charged in throwing games and the use, if not trafficking, of illegal substances include:

Scott Doyle
Kevin O'Brien
Conor Gill

Who organized this gambling ring and where did the profits go? Who payed off St. Jean and his players? Those questions are still unanswered and so far none of those indicted are talking.

Rumors abound of Capistrano Crows connections to corporate moguls, separatist revolutionaries, organized crime syndicates, etc., but so far all of these rumors are unsubstantiated.

Whether law enforcement authorities can make any direct connection between the rule-breaking of these men and an actual criminal conspiracy remains to be seen. They could likely remain the fall-guys while a more sinister presence takes its gambling operations elsewhere.

In a related note, Jose Aguilar, lacrosse player for the Buen Puerto Apocalypse, who was seriously injured by Crows player Carlose Cortez, remains hospitalized. However, his family applauded the actions taken by the ELS and feel that, at least in part, some justice has dispensed.