The Syndicate

Born of the ashes of the Fèng Huáng Yǐng syndicate, Hagane-kai is the result of but a handful who simply refused to die and be forgotten. When Ujitoshi Hagane took the syndicate by force at merely 24 years old by killing Kono Himura, the former kumicho, it ended the story of three generations of the Fèng Huáng Yǐng. It was a welcomed opportunity for most, as the previous leadership was stirring farther and farther away from the precepts that the family had been proud of for generations. Thus Hagane purged the syndicate of it’s ‘rotten elements’ and looked at the future with optimism.However, the internal war and shifting of power left the syndicate weak and jeopardized its position and territory within Kugane. When a big family, coming straight from the capital of Bukyo, decided to ‘acquire’ the territory under Hagane-kai’s dominion, nothing could be done but fight tooth and nail until no one was left standing. Defeated and literally hunted down, befitting a witch hunt, the few remaining members of Hagane-kai went underground or scattered upon the wind to disappear from history.It’ll take ten years for Hagane to resurface - in Ul’dah of all places - with a new plan already in motion as he’ll try to find any surviving members of his family in the year following the Calamity. For a blessing, his senior adviser and good friend Dr. Caius would be the first to resume his duties by Hagane’s side, soon followed by the family’s best shinobis. It will take another four years for Hagane to be reunited with Wakahisa, and subsequently promote him to be his 2nd-in-command. As the syndicate regained its strength and filled its coffers, Hagane struck deals and alliances - some of which would endure while others crumbled - yet none ever for naught. And soon Hagane-kai was ready to move back to Hingashi.Having learned from his past mistakes, Hagane will keep his syndicate underground, specializing in the gathering and selling of information, as well as ‘nudging’ events and people into favorable outcomes or meetings - some may call it the Chaos Theory or the Butterfly Effect. In essence, it became a strange union of the yakuza and secret society. With no known headquarters and no clear answers on how many members form this family, they might as well be as tangible as that feeling of having a pair of eyes watching you in a dark alley, or that cold breath at the back of your neck.

Katsuro Wakahisa

Aliases: Kuro, Kuro Hebi, The Black Snake
Age: 45 | Race: Hyur | Ethnicity: Far-Eastern
Alignment: Lawful Neutral | Occupation: Shinobi
Orientation: Demi-Bisexual | Marital status: WidowedYakuza rank Wakagashira [2nd-in-command]COMBAT ABILITIES
Trained from a young age to follow in his father's footsteps as a samurai, he’ll eventually turn his back on him to train under Lord Hagane as a shinobi. Now of jonin rank, Katsuro act as his master's personal 'koroshiya' or professional killer / hitman. He also teach the younger generation of kobun within the Hagane-kai syndicate. Furthermore, he received training in hand to hand combat by his adoptive father, a retired Doman monk.While his training and current work focus on his skills as a shinobi, he very recently found interest in his mother's legacy - Onmyōdō - and sought a master to train him in this art.RP HOOKS
Between shadow and light | If you’re part of the criminal underworld, the possibilities for meeting are numerous. You could have heard of him, or know of the Yakuza syndicate he is part of [Hagane-Kai, previously the Feng Huang Ying)] Ever required his services? [Poison making, assassinations, intelligence] A business partner of the Yakuza maybe? [Smuggling, a provider of drugs or other illicit goods, etc] On the other hand, maybe you walk more into the light. A part of the law enforcement? If you’re Sekiseigumi, chances are you heard of the mysterious serial killer who’s been ridding Kugane of the scum of society. You’re more Eorzea focused? You’re in luck, the man lived in Ul’dah for nearly 15 years. He even has a [minor] criminal record. He learned to be more discreet and out of the Brass Blades radar fairly quickly though, so the file is old, but maybe still be of use to you.Those souls we meet | Are you a Doman refugee, having braved the sea to seek a better tomorrow? Only to be refused entry and pitch your makeshift tent by the walls of Ul’dah. But maybe you were a local and you sought to help those in need. Hired some lucky ones for a few gils, or distribute food and medicine. You could even hail from the past, a forgotten acquaintance, maybe even a friend. There’s so many people we forget along the way… You could also be a client from the days of the Black Pearl spa [Onsen & Sento in the Goblet], or the Camellia [Somnus lounge & bar in Shirogane]. OOC NOTES
Katsuro seems like a scary guy – and he probably is – but your character doesn’t have to be a criminal to roleplay with mine. His past and his current occupation is not something he flaunt in anyone’s face. If you don’t know what he does for a living, he comes off as a very honorable and respectable man. He’s trustworthy and loyal to those close to him and he does live by a strict code of honor [albeit a morally gray one]. However, though he doesn’t lack manners nor respect towards others, he can be painfully direct [paired with a lack of empathy and you get a winning combo xD ]All this to say, all types of characters are welcomed to interact with him. No worries, he doesn’t bite. He prefers to stab you in the back :pContrary to my other characters who have simple sheets, Katsuro has a whole whooping website for himself, thus why the info on this page is limited. To access it, just hit the big " i " button at the top.

Sun Hyeon

Age: 72 | Race: Hyur | Ethnicity: Far-Eastern
Alignment: Neutral Good | Occupation: Massage therapist
Orientation: Heterosexual | Marital status: WidowedYakuza rank: So-honbucho [Headquarters chief]APPEARANCE
Though the deep lines on his face and the graying hair at his temples betray his age, the old man still carries himself with vitality and strength. His dark brown eyes are a deep pool of wisdom and his lips often curved into a gentle and warm smile. He keeps his black hair tied, as otherwise they’d fall nearly to his shoulders, and his small beard and mustache always well-trimmed. Even after living in the streets of Ul’dah for over a decade, it was never a reason to let his appearance suffer. There’s also a very thin and faded scar running down his right cheek.As for his build, he’s 5.8 tall, slim and lithe and, though he has lost in muscles over the years, he’s still very much in shape. However, his stamina is not what it used to be.His attires are modest and simple but in good shape and he seems to favor browns and olive green. At his left hand, he wears on his ring finger a simple band of gold that he never removes.COMBAT ABILITIES
Though labeled a monk, he's of the Doman kind and not quite like their Ala Mhigan counterparts. However, they do share some fundamental techniques, like the use of chakra and ki (aether) energy.BACKSTORY
A man of letters from Doma, happily married and hoping to start a family. Yet fate had other plans as his beloved was never able to conceive. Already of frail constitution, she fell ill and didn’t live pass her 30’s. Sun Hyeon would never remarry and instead turned toward martial arts as a way to find peace and a new sense to his life. He’ll travel a bit and eventually settle in Kugane after years of wandering Othard. He’ll devote his time to his training along with ink painting and writing, taking students to teach them to read and write. He’ll later on start helping at the local hospital, from changing bandages to stitching wounds. He'll willingly travel to Ul’dah with those seeking to flee the Imperial occupation in Doma, using his skills in medicine and finding new ways to use is Ki to heal the body and soothe the spirit.RP HOOKS
**Refugees from Doma || ** Who ended up in the streets of Ul’dah**Massage therapy || ** Old or new clients. he worked at the Black Pearl Spa before it closed but he kept most of his clientele**Private Teacher || ** Writing, reading, speaking in both Common and Hingan/Doman**Doman monk || ** Even if technically 'retired'. He is still fit to teach**Pre-established relationships || ** A neighbor, an acquaintance, a friend.OOC NOTES
Sun Hyeon has a very strong sense of observation and intuition, with a memory that hasn't faltered despite the passing years. This combination gives him something akin to a 6th sense and thus he can ‘read’ people fairly easily.I will never allow this to be an open door into metagaming! So no worries. What it result in actual RP is that, unlike my other characters who might not notice some of the things being emoted, Sun Hyeon will (think of it as 90% win on his perception rolls xD). It's thus an opportunity for you if you actually want him to discern something from your character. Furthermore, though he is a monk ICly, he's more akin to the Shaolin monk and not the Ala Mhigan sort, thus why I label him a Doman monk in game.Take note Sun Hyeon's name is Chinese in origin so his surname is actually Sun and Hyeon his first name.

Thanos [lux] Caius

Age: 54 | Race: Pureblood Garlean | Alignment: Neutral Good
Occupation: Doctor & Surgeon | Orientation: Sapio-bisexual
Marital status: SingleYakuza rank: Saiko-komon [Senior Advisor]APPEARANCE
Thanos is one to take great care and pride in his appearance; A healthy mind in a healthy body. As such, he rarely skip a day of his routine workout. Premature canities has given a false impression on his age for many years, turning his natural sandy blond to a silvery white before the age of twenty. He wasn’t one to complain, as it paired delightfully with his blueish-gray eyes. To compliment his appearance, Thanos takes care to always dress well, favoring decorative accents rather than jewelry (cufflinks, tie clips, lapel pins, etc).COMBAT ABILITIES
Though he'll always try to avoid confrontation, if combat is unavoidable, he'll prove to be a skilled marksman. He favors the role of a sniper, dispatching a single 'key element' rather than butchering a whole group. No puns intended but, he's one to take the more 'surgical' approach in that sense. Conditions being favorable, he can hit a target at over two thousand yalms with his magiteck rifle.BACKSTORY
A child of Garlemald, Thanos quickly climbed the academic ladder and became a respected doctor at a very young age, thus gaining the ‘lux’ title in a small team of medical researchers. Despite his cold demeanor, the man had always been focused on healing the body and magitek science was to show him the path. He would have been content with his life, but for the ongoing war the Empire was waging on other countries. Their methods of assimilating their neighbors without leaving any place for common ground began to grate on his nerves and, when the Garlean Empire seized Doma in 1552, Thanos decided he had enough.He’ll travel across the newly conquered Doma, seeing for himself the ravages of war, to finally settle in Hingashi where fate would find him crossing path with a certain Ujitoshi Hagane, who was waging a war of his own. With his Yakuza syndicate still reeling from its forceful culling and restructuring, Thanos found employment as its newly appointed doctor, and his skills would be much needed indeed.RP HOOKS
Criminal underworld || He's senior adviser (saiko-komon) for a yakuza boss, Ujitoshi Hagane**Old or current patient || ** From the underworld or not**Fellow Garlean || ** Deserter/Defector or Loyalist alike**Tech savvy individuals || ** And those frequenting the black market in any big city, or a merchant selling magitek/Garlean/Allagan partsOOC NOTES
No, I didn't take his name from the purple guy from Marvel >_> I get that a lot, it gets annoying. Thanos was made in The Secret World in 2015 before I was even aware of that 'other guy'. The name is the short form of Athanasios which means 'immortal'. That was the goal as, players are immortals in the game. He was also British in TSW and there are over one million Brits 'descended from Romans' thus why is surname is Roman in origin.Note number two, I'm not a doctor IRL xD So please, be kind lol. Thanos is, alas, far more intelligent than me. If you need someone in the medical field, especially because you're part of the underworld crime scene and need someone to help despite the fact and keep quiet, he's the man to seek out. He's Pureblood Garlean though so.. no magical healing :p He specialize in any magiteknology aimed towards medicine as well as prosthetics and implants.Also of note; I usually have him wear either a tiara or some goggles but, should he wear the 'Eye of Nezra' that's actually the Garlean Third Eye.

Yuu Fujimoto

Age: 51 | Race: Hyur | Ethnicity: Far-Eastern
Alignment: Neutral Good | Occupation: Master horishi
Orientation: Bisexual | Marital status: DivorcedYakuza rank: Kyodai ["Big Brother"]APPEARANCE
Slim and toned, as most Far-Eastern martial artists. His black hair are just long enough to be tied back into a ponytail when he works, otherwise he keeps them untied with that rebel kind of look. He does keep the goatee neatly trimmed though. Eyes of deep aqua blue that brings to mind the sea, just like the half-sleeve tattoos on both arms, which depict waves in blue and black, though the right shoulder also features a fearsome blue Doman dragon (possibly shén long). Overall, Yuu is nice looking and amiable, though he can have a serious and focused expression when in the middle of his work or when training.COMBAT ABILITY
Being of the Mitsuhide clan, Yuu was expected to at least defend himself properly. Thus he was trained by Doman monks from a young age. He continued his training when he left for Doma at age 18, to begin his apprenticeship in the art of irezumi. He is now proficient in the Northern Dragon style, both bare hands and with a staff, and find the source of his strength in the elements of water and wind.BACKSTORY
A descendant of the Mitsuhide family’s Hingan branch, he was born in Hingashi and began his apprenticeship as an horishi – or tattoo artist- under Master Horiyoshi in Doma at age 18. He’ll have an uneventful life until he’ll finish his apprenticeship and be given his tattooist name – Yuu Horikoshi - by his master and subsequently open his own irezumi workshop, slowly making a name for himself. This will be short lived, as he’ll have to flee his homeland because of the Garlean threat.Fate would make him cross path with a young Katsuro Wakahisa, and his help will be instrumental in Yuu’s business to take root and blossom in Eorzea. The pair will have a ‘friends with benefits’ kind of relationship for a few years, until Yuu met his future wife, Etsuko, with whom he'll have a daughter named Lya. He’ll also learn the secrets of aether-imbued tattooing while living in Eorzea.He’ll move back to Hingashi along Hagane-kai’s syndicate after over a decade in Ul’dah, something that won’t sit well with his wife, who had made a name for herself and quite a big clientele in Eorzea as a skilled jeweler. With their marriage already sailing on a stormy sea, this will result in the couple to go their separate ways. Their daughter Lya, being old enough to decide, would opt to live under her father’s roof in Hingashi. Once settled back into his birth land, Yuu will reopen his tattoo studio but he’ll also be summoned, along with other distant family relatives, by the new head of the Mitsuhide family - young Akechi - for a very lucrative contract involving the renowned Mujihigi underground fighting tournament, which had once been sponsored by Hagane-kai. This won’t last long, as the fights – mostly held late in the night – will conflict with Yuu’s day job and his responsibilities as a single parent. Thus he’ll get back to his routine, yet still longing for more excitement in his life.RP HOOKS
**The Past || ** In his apprenticeship years, as a pupil of Master HoriyoshiClients || [Civilians and Yakuza alike] He has some renown in both Ul'dah and the Far-East under his artist name Horikoshi**War refugee || ** Ul'dah for a decade, before he moved back to KuganeCriminal underworld || Yuu offers his services as a tattoo master to Yakuza and other criminals alike. Furthermore, he's been associated with the Hagane-Kai syndicate for many years.OOC INFO
Though I have some knowledge of tattoos and read on the art of irezumi, please bear with me! xD I'm no tattooist myself and can only claim having being tattooed once (one day I'll have money for at least a half-sleeve (✧ᴗ✧)The same goes for martial arts, I'm not a pro! Yuu's figthing style is inspired by Wushu, mainly the Long Fist style (Chang Quan 长拳), Northern Staff (Gun Shu 棍术), Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (and the Northern Dragon style derived from it). Thus in game he is NOT a Dragoon but merely someone trained by the "Northern Doman monks" - which is totally a headcanon of mine.

Ujitoshi Hagane

Age: 51 | Race: Au Ra | Ethnicity: Raen
Alignment: Lawful Neutral | Occupation: Kumicho
Orientation: Asexual | Marital status: SingleYakuza rank: Kumicho [Family Head]APPEARANCE
It’s nearly impossible to determine this man’s age, for his face may still look youthful but his eyes betray the shadows of one who has experienced the ugly side of life. The tall Raen towers at 6’8 and, though his physique is lithe and lean, there’s an aura of dominance and keen intellect emanating from him that will have most regard him with respect – or even fear. Paired with his fiery eyes, he may look the part of an ancient Hingan oni coming back for revenge… and he might actually have taken on that role.COMBAT ABILITY
Nothing is known of this man's past prior his taking over the syndicate and, as such, who trained him and when is pretty much speculation. It is, however, obvious he is a highly skilled shinobi, for having trained Katsuro himself.BACKSTORY
The fearsome Raen leader of the previous Fèng Huáng Yǐng syndicate, now renamed Hagane-kai. Uji took his surname as his own after many battle prowess. Nothing is known of his past and, if he ever shared that information with anyone, they are likely his trusted lieutenants who’ll carry that secret to their graves. All that is known is that he replaced the previous syndicate leader after killing him in a formal duel, when he was merely 24 years old. (The former kumicho was deemed unfit to lead by majority.) He brought a much needed change to the organization, ‘removing’ the bad elements and giving the syndicate a sense of direction.This ‘peace’ lasted but a few years, for his clan faced near extinction following a turf war against the Cursed Hand syndicate, Uji had to go into hiding and even leave Hingashi behind, alongside his few remaining members and his lieutenants. However, he vowed to come back to the battlefield far more prepared. He licked his wounds in Eorzea and, over the course of a few years, regained enough power and money to travel back to the Far-East. With the help of trusted allies, he was able to, once and for all, eliminate the torn in his side that was the Cursed Hand, sending to their graves every last one of them. Hopefully, this will mark the beginning of years of prosperity for his clan.RP HOOKS
**The Past || ** 15-20 years ago, when the clan had some influence in Kugane. Other clans or law enforcement could have heard of them.**War refugee || ** Eorzea for nearly two decades, before he moved back to Kugane. Uji moved a lot, striking deals, making business alliances.Criminal underworld || As kumicho of a yakuza syndicate, others in the same circle may know of him.OOC INFO
Uji is played as an NPC. As such, he has knowledge coming from far and wide that is brought back to him from his shinobi. I will never use this as an open door into metagaming, but it can be an opportunity for you, if you wish for Uji to know something about your character, their organization, their web of acquaintances, etc. By all mean, USE HIM as the RP tool that he was meant to be.

OOC

(Crystal - Mateus)Personal RP Limit -
I’m known to roleplay dark and mature themes (Violence, torture, crime, sexually explicit situations behind closed doors, drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling, swearing, etc). I do not, however, go into any of the above without good communication and/or without anything leading to it; aka random ERP asks will be ignored completely, and I will not maim, severely injure or have my character imprisoned for long periods without prior consent. I extend the same courtesy to those I RP with. If there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, I’ll respect those boundaries.**Lore-abiding - **
I try to stick to the lore as best I can but I'm open to head-canon and slight lore bending when the lore is lacking or it goes into gray territory. As long as characters don't become overpowered nor thread into godmodding or metagaming territory, it's fine by me.I will not RP with characters that are Ascian, from the First, Fae folks, THE WoL, etc. I have no problems with anyone who likes and want to RP any of the above, and I encourage you to with other like-minded roleplayers.Style -
One word to describe the way I RP and DM: ‘realistic’. It means, in essence, that IC actions have IC consequences, and that my characters are not on the scale of 'anime characters' when it comes to their skills/powers. 'Realistic' also extend to other things like the passage of time and the limitations of magic.I’m a para roleplayer and English is NOT my native tongue. So be ready to wait 5-7 min for a post, but it’ll be a 1 to 2 paragraphs novel xD I’ve been told that my post are worth the wait, something you’ll have to decide for yourself. And no, I do not 'purple prose' (Please be kind to me and avoid it when RPing with me as I'll understand very little of it.)Availability -
I'm EST and usually available between 5h30 pm to 10 pm approx. I rarely go past 10:30 pm. Weekends varies widely, though I can make myself available if given forward notice and if there's no other obligations keeping me busy. As a general rule, I prefer to schedule RP sessions in advance. This also means be on time when RP is scheduled. I treat RP sessions with the same importance I treat other irl appointments. Out of respect for you, I aim to be on time and available; please show me the same courtesy. As a last note, I do not Discord RP.