The Shadow Quarter
Every city has a dark underbelly, and Rharne is no different...
The Shadow Quarter is not a physical space. It is the name given to an underground group that specializes in illegal goods and illicit dealings. Some call it the black market and others call it a network. Regardless of what one chooses to call it, one thing is for certain: it is a place where darkness exists, hidden from the city's light but thriving nonetheless.
Some aspect of the Shadow Quarter exists in every Quarter of Rharne. While most citizens know of the Shadow Quarter through whispered rumours and gossip, very few know exactly how to find it let alone reach those part of it.
The Shadow Network
The Shadow Quarter is not a physical area of Rharne that one can wander through. It is a section created by whispers and rumours inspired off the networking and multiple coverups that Kingpins of Rharne use to stay wealthy and out of prison. It is comprised of criminals and cultists who slither within the shadows using blackmail, bribery, and/or underhanded tactics to retain what they desire. Those that try to involve themselves in the Shadow Quarter usually wind up clueless or missing.
It’s not recommended for anyone to waltz around Rharne asking where to find the closest dirty money maker. The ‘Shadow Network’ is a secret among trade as even the Merchants Guild will not share the names nor whereabouts of these people and associated parties. Repercussions are interlocked with the opportunity of knowing such information and oftentimes involves a few bodies popping up here and there. However, if one is smart about who they associate with, they may find themselves in front of a Kingpin striking up a deal. It’s all in who you know and how you play the game that will give you access to the Shadow Network.
Which is why it is highly important to decide which Kingpin one might seek to bargain with, as each and every individual Kingpin moderates a certain aspect of Rharne's black market. Some would consider these aspects their territories, boundaries that the others should respectfully avoid at any cost; as the mutually beneficial relationships are key for each Kingpin to prosper in their governed territory. However this isn't always the case for those who work near the bottom of the ladder, and thus the disputes that might occur within are swiftly put to rest through a fair means of compromise. It's when an asset continues to cross the boundaries however, that the Kingpin in question will make sure they're a loose end swiftly tied; to keep their part of the balance maintained without any question.
Delana Gems
OOC Note: All Kingpins and even some high ranking goons wear Delana Gems. All Kingpins must be given Moderator approval to use in RP.
The Kingpins of Rharne
Those With Power
Known as the “Cheshire” throughout the network, Magnic is one of the Kingpins of Rharne and has been residing in the city for arcs now. Due to government investigations, he is about to move operations once more. Cheshire carries with him a special amulet that somehow repels Immortals, hiding him and his illicit activities from the reigning ruler of Rharne.
Cheshire is involved with trafficking drugs, slaves, and alcohol to and from the city. He has a number of affiliates both in the government and beyond that help cover up any mistakes his employees may cause. He keeps all of his connections close, both by blackmail and dirty money. If he was to go down, a number of other people would follow.
Those that are employed under his operation a paid handsomely, not only to keep their mouth shut but to ensure the success of whatever tasks he places them on. Should his employees fail, he is known to dish out cruel torture before ending their lives.
Yoora “Witch Doctor” of the Veil
Yoora is known for her impeccable beauty and enchanting, mesmerizing demeanor. Some wonder is she is a lost heir to some noble family of Rynmere as she carries herself with such grace and fluidity of which might take someone a lifetime to master. She is the Witch Doctor of Rharne, specializing in a variety of powerful magics and enchanted items to keep her both anonymous and protected. The Witch Doctor specializes in drug and poison craft, often manufacturing new, enticing drugs that as tested on unsuspecting people— mainly the Cheshire's goons. She makes her profit off of commissions from the other Kingpins, often charging an arm and a leg for the items she makes, however, she never fails to craft something both beautiful and powerful.
She is a deadly woman who hires only those who’ve proven their worth to her. The Witch Doctor trafficks poisons, deadly addictive drugs, and enchanted items that could cause massive damage.
The Practitioner meddles in the darkest forms of worship and is said to have achieved blessings from those Immortals who seek to rid the world of humans. He is a spoken mirror to those Immortals, pressing faith and worship where there should be known in the darkest corners of the city.
He has use kidnapped victims as sacrifices during his occult rituals, sacred animals, and torture to show favor and devotion for those that deem him worth. Psychotic and verging on madman, the Practitioner sweeps those who wish to be faithful to his Immortals under his wings, showing them how to commit to the faith with mind, body, and soul. It is said he’s used his own, fellow worshipers as blood sacrifices or has commanded the flaying of few for his devoted cause.
The Practitioner is devoted to Faldrun, Sintra, Kata, Aelig, and Mastes. He buys slaves and drugs to use for sacrifices if he cannot manipulate others into it.
Randelle "Private-Eye" Nuccio
Private-Eye is one of the Kingpins who isn't afraid to branch out, let alone get his hands dirty, when it comes to taking on the darker and tougher jobs within the Network. This has led him to be quite the resourceful and tactful purveyor of numerous goods, as he focuses mostly on the smuggling of rare and exotic materials above all else. He is a shrewd and cold man that isn't afraid to punish his own personal contacts, and those who might cross him are certainly better off wishing for death otherwise.Randelle is no stranger to the aspect of dirty work as it had been one of the things he'd grown up doing, taking on whatever difficult jobs he could as a regular mercenary for arcs; that is until a meeting with Cheshire roped him into the bigger game eventually. While Private-Eye holds no particular interest in the political aspects, much less the relationships of the Shadow Quarter, his investment into the organization clearly demonstrates a strong sense of business nonetheless. Those considerably his underlings have quickly developed a shared sense of fear and respect, as the work he introduces is always rife with dangers and risks along the way; however the rewards he offers in return are also what makes working for him worth it.
Private-Eye is the kind of Kingpin that holds almost no morals, so long as the rewards are worth the risk in his book; then the job is worth getting done regardless of what it entails. This leads to him being probably the second most profitable, if not just as dangerous, as the Kingpin Cheshire himself when it comes to the Network.
Bennigan has earned the Kingpin name "Honeyhand" from the fact that he, among other things, handles deals and trade with clients among the Merchant's Guild. He is above all the expert in business and money handling when it comes the black market, and thus is the go-to man of the entire Shadow Network when it comes to bartering with stolen goods. Not only is he in good with those who have high amounts of coin, but he also has enough leeway and resources to run a counterfeiting service, in which many forgeries are produced to promote the profitable gains within the black market.
Honeyhand is a greedy if not proud man who owns several businesses of his own, though they cater more to private patrons in comparison to the local ones found in Rharne. Bennigan is a businessman with wicked silvertongue and overbearing personality, nearly indomitable when it comes to making a business deal he wishes to make. Bargaining with Honeyhand is a greater risk as he knows the great game, which is why he plays it with the big spenders found within the Merchant's Guild. Some might even consider him a genius in the way of bartering and coin, others practically mad because of outrageous he can be when he does begin to barter.
One thing is for certain though; Honeyhand knows business and isn't afraid to make a gamble. However when a prospect tends to fall short of on their end of the bargain, he'll certainly go out his way to make sure that they watch as all that they cherish are slowly taken away. Bit by bit they will lose everything that they care about, until finally they are left broken with nothing before rotting in the deepest cell of Rharne's dungeons.
Grindel "Tipster" Harvordson
While he's considered the least profitable and less trustworthy among a few of the Kingpins, Tipster has proven that a substantial amount of wealth can in fact be obtained through information. As he's popularly known for the fact he spreads word, whether it's the right or wrong, throughout Rharne somehow it manages to reach every ear intended. Those in the Glass Quarter who utilize his services for information often bid against one another, earning him a fair amount of profit when it comes to selling out to the highest bidder. Tipster doesn't just utilize the rumor and squabbles of the nobles either, anybody within Rharne worth talking about is fair game to him. Plus he is also a sensible man and understands the value in protecting information also, enabling him to level the playing field for all his contenders when it comes to gathering intel. However no one in Rharne is truly safe from Grindel as he possesses a wealth of information, and the resources to ensure the continuity of that possession should anything happen to him. He is a very bold but also very calculating man, quickly making a hobby to study a new subject of interest from time to time.
Those who might dare plot against the Tipster won't get very far, as he possesses eyes and ears in just about every place in Rharne. Thus once the hint of conspiracy is traced, he is quick and relentless to damage the reputation of the individual in question. Enough to the point where either the subject in question has been driven out of Rharne, or disappeared from the face of Idalos entirely once the damage has been done. This is how the Tipster has remained a vital part of the Shadow Network, as the information he feeds them always ensures their lucrative success and keeps the authorities off their trail.
Cheshire
DoB: 78 Ashan 661
Title: Kingpin/Trafficker of Drugs, Alcohol, Slaves
Skills: Negotiation (90), Persuasion (90), Torture (80), Intimidation (80), Business Management (70), Politics (70), Deception (60), Strength (50), Unarmed Combat (50)
Witch Doctor
DoB: 23 Cylus 629
Title: Kingpin/Trafficker of Poisons, Powerful Objects, and Drugs
Skills: Ensorcellment (95), Necromancy (90), Rupturing (90), Chemistry (90), Mathematics (85), Poison (85), Intimidation (85), Etiquette (80), Negotiation (80), Blades (Dagger) (70), Torture (70), Politics (60)
Practitioner
DoB: 2 Ymiden 684
Title: Kingpin/Occultist
Skills: Torture (95), Leadership (90), Persuasion (80), Deception (80), Rhetoric (80), Politics (70), Intimidation (60)
Private-Eye
DoB: 80 Zi'da 686
Title: Kingpin of Bounties/Trafficker of Rare Exotic Goods
Skills: Negotiation (70), Persuasion (90), Torture (80), Intimidation (90), Business Management (70), Politics (40), Deception (60), Strength (60), Unarmed Combat (80), Leadership (90), Blades (Bastard) (70)
Honeyhand
DoB: 22 Saun 682
Title: Kingpin Loans, Profits, and Business Deals
Skills: Negotiation (90), Persuasion (90), Torture (60), Intimidation (70), Business Management (90), Politics (60), Deception (50), Strength (40), Unarmed Combat (50), Mathematics (80), Etiquette (50)
Tipster
DoB: 43 Vhalar 678
Title: Kingpin/Trafficker of Rumor, Information, Intelligence
Skills: Intelligence (95), Negotiation (75), Persuasion (95), Intimidation (90), Business Management (60), Politics (70), Deception (90), Strength (50), Unarmed Combat (60), Leadership (70), Blades (Dagger) (60)
Credit: Freya DuCarinos for the original concept, Patrick for the rewrite.
