As I mentioned earlier, the vote resulted in the mafia-like organization winning the vote to be the new criminal faction. Some parts of this post has been resisting moving from brain to page, so I am going to break it in two. This first part is going to focus on the origins of the group as well as the beginnings of a vignette that will be finished in part #2. Please enjoy!
| Crime in Early Cradle's Rest |
|---|
Like all societies, Cradle's Rest was not immune to criminal activity. Normally, the fragmented nature of its leadership would have encouraged such behaviors to grow, but each of the three main factions kept tight control over their respective communities. As a result, criminal activities within the city limits were quite small and unsophisticated in comparison to modern crime. However, the expansion of the city's population combined with the social reforms made it easier for organized criminal activity to develop in the gaps between the Etchers and the Convocation of Union.
The South Point Clique was such an organization. Started in the relatively new South Point neighborhood, they started by binding together the disaffected in the chaos of the early Convocation. A small number of business families working together began hiring a group of youth to help protect their business interests from fraud and crime. Early on, several prominent Etcher guild masters were among their clients. While many of these initial clients left the organization as the Etchers stabilized, but their wealth and influence was important for solidifying the leadership of the Clique.
One thing that protected the Clique from official retribution was support they received the people of South Point. The Clique invested in their businesses, set up insurance schemes to help protect them, and connected local producers with major merchants and consumers. Many of these moves were done by the South Point Clique to improve their own wealth opportunities or shield their criminal activities. However, there is no denying that these efforts did speed up the development their communities and have many of clique leaders upstanding reputations. The Cult of Olpan began receiving significant funding from prominent members of the Clique, which improved the reach of this unofficial propaganda network. |
Lethorak looked out the window at the sundial in the courtyard before pacing back to the other side of the tea house lobby. "How much longer, Bolra?" they whinged to the man behind the counter, "I have to go talk to the Nermer family about their house after my meeting."
Bolra's eyes followed Lethorak as they passed though the room but did not quite focus on them. The poor man had been working with stardust for so long, the stars had gotten into his eyes and new he was almost blind. Still, Bolra's reign as master of dust production was undisputed.
It also helped that he brewed amazing tea. The old man slid Lethorak a tray containing a freshly poured cup. "How are the Nermery doing?"
Lethorak let the silence linger as he enjoyed the warmth of the green crystal cup between their fingers and the light earthy smell of the tea within. "Everyone is alive, but the fire destroyed their bakery." They took a sip. "The boss decided to honor their claim for compensation. They were up to date with their due and their girl Poro has been with us for half a year now."
"Blessings for them. Will need to find a new place for lunch."
It went without saying that the ones responsible for the fire in the first place were going to be severely punished, assuming they still had all of their fingers. What started out as a little revenge arson had destroyed half a block and the Nermery weren't the only family who had lost an insured home or business.
After a minute of companionable silence, a scrawny young worker came out from the back with a sealed case. It was designed to look like a tea case, but the thump it made on the counter showed it was too heavy to be tea.
"Finally!" Lethorak muttered. They drained their cup and placed it back on the counter. In a louder voice, they added, "I should go alone, Hakket. I will take it from here."
The worker mumbled some thanks and returned into the back room. Lethorak gave a deferential Ra'a-el whistle of farewell as they took the case, but the Bolra just grunted and waved them off as Lethorak exited to the courtyard and street beyond. The old man was likely grouching about young folks and their obsessions with whistling instead of using good, honest words.
