The Club Masters

"Leaders of the criminal underworld..."

The Club Masters are a network of intertwined criminal enterprises, situated in both Angleport and Varuumae Corona, with one branch labeled "The Club Masters of Angleport," and the other "The Club Masters of Varuum." Together, they represent the closest thing to a true mafia in the west. It's leaders are merchant princes, buccaneers who've achieved sudden affluence, and mages who are in it for the gold. They never directly deal with any unsavory matters, but rather employ the services of the Thornblack Assassins' Guild, of which they are a founding sponsor. Off the books, of course, and disclosed through side businesses. It should be noted that the Assassins' Guild is not an illegal operation. In fact, the art of assassination is considered to be a public service, for ones who can afford it. At least, this is the attitude in the south. In Hariel Majour, there is no standing guild, and the operation of one would be an illegal act. Like they say in Varuumae, "Everything is permitted." The Club Masters have their fingers in pretty much any sort of crime that can be organized, from shipping and receiving contraband items, to murder for hire rings. And almost always, these businesses are run from behind a legitimate front. In fact, the Club Masters often make more money from their successful "legit" operations as they do from their illicit ones. This dichotomy only enhances their presence within the political structure of the major cities they inhabit. The Club Masters serve ob various city boards, and some even hold official titles as well. There are other Club Masters who dwell in the dark recesses of the organization, shunning the spotlight. These range from the Velmaad Brotherhood of vampires (there are a number of vampires - a coven in fact - serving within the Club Masters as import/export traffickers), to the Hidden Eyes (a constantly bickering group of beholders who are ingrained within the petty theft rackets overseen by the Club Masters).

Structure

Each of the two major branches of the Club Masters is run by a "Head Capo" or crime boss, who in turn, has a series of lieutenants beneath him. In Angleport, the Head Capo is the human merchant prince Elias Zonorel. In Varuumae Corona, the Head Capo is the Rakshasa known as Fiersal al Bikur.

Public Agenda

The Club Masters run so many legitimate and illicit businesses, basically having a hand in nearly all activities in their respective cities, that it makes it difficult to see a consistent agenda beyond the simple making of money. And ultimately, isn't that enough.

Assets

A ship in every port. A hand in every business. A man in every government. It is also suspected that the Club Masters own a significant stake in the gambling halls of Varistane.

History

The Club Masters have been around nearly as long as Angleoprt has existed. It was originally comprised of merchant princes who banded together to deal with pirate incursions from the Inner Sea. Once the pirate menace was essentially quelled, they turned their eyes inward, to businesses where they could spread their influence. This only expanded after the founding of Varuumae Corona in the south, seeing as the shipping lanes between the two cities are some of the busiest in all the world. If one had to make a call, they would say the primary seat of power for the Club Masters is in Angleport. If only for reasons of seniority. It's not unknown for the capos of both cities to have squabbles over the years. And when crime bosses squabble, it often turns to violence. However, despite all this, they are quick to forge a unified front against any attacks on their sovereignty within the criminal underworld, making quick work of any upstart challengers to their station.