During desperate times criminal activities thrive, countless small nomadic gangs have formed, initially numbering ten to fifteen people, typically consisting of several households banding together to survive. Several of those small gangs became much larger and better organised, numbering a couple of hundred members. The larger groups began to refer to themselves Syndicates. It is assumed that the name was selected to legitimise their activities. Due to their size the organisations strength is far reaching, and some have carved large territories that they control fiercely. In the early days residents were subject to standover tactics, deadly raids, looting, assaults, theft of food, equipment and fuel sources, and from time-to-time people were killed trying to protect the small stock holdings they had built.
Groves in the outer zones had become particularly lawless and as a result Community Marshalls were instated by community groups, these areas hope to protect their dome crops and provisions. Although they are no longer nomadic, the established syndicates do occasionally meet while patrolling territory boundaries. Those who respect each other pass peacefully, while others sometimes clash in violent attacks, the winner taking the spoils, the territory and potentially recruiting new members. As a result, there are several syndicates that have become communities unto themselves. Outer zoned Syndicates run small townships where they retrofit new facilities to the existing structures. Small nomad gangs do still exist travelling across territories, creating problems for locals. The major syndicates have zero tolerance for any attacks and respond with military precision, protecting their residents and investments.
The major syndicates are:
- Kuro – (Black) – 黒
The largest syndicate their territory begins in Central City but covers Groves 0 to 30. - Ōkami – (Wolf) – 狼
Overseen by Kuro, they reside in alpine regions in the far northern ice wastelands - Guǐ – (Ghost) – 鬼
The second largest syndicate operates from Grove 31 to 45 and stretches out to the eastern ocean edge. - Shāyú – (Shark) – 鯊魚
A smaller ocean edge-based syndicate, overseen by Guǐ . The Shāyú maintain the market at grove 45 also known as The Heap. A massive, repurposed desalinization plant, and a hive of debaucherous traders who peddle wares across the new colony.
Syndicates have adopted kanji symbols as an effective way to mark products, identify members, and communicate territory ownership, if you see the symbol, you know who is in charge.
Syndicates and Communication
Communication in the current time is less of a barrier. Syndicates quickly adapted Mother technology to provide better means of communication. Although external devices are available, many prefer to have a small comms chip implant which enables survivors from all races to communicate clearly, no matter what old-world language is spoken. Many survivors either fear or cannot afford comms implants, and as a result, a new combined language has emerged known as basic. It mainly English, but combines many words and phrases adapted from Japanese, French and Mandarin.
Dan Verkys 