The Syndicate
The Syndicate: Shadows of the Third Horizon
A Dark Underworld
Organized crime casts its shadow over the Third Horizon, and at its heart lies the Syndicate—an illicit conglomerate with roots in the very foundation of Coriolis itself. Founded in tandem with the construction of the space station, the Syndicate is often seen as the criminal underbelly of The Consortium. This faction comprises wealthy families hailing from the Zenith, who forged alliances with Firstcome criminal groups on Algol, Sadaal, and Zalos. Together, they seized control over the burgeoning street gangs on Coriolis.
Balancing Act
The Syndicate thrives on maintaining a veneer of order within their operations, recognizing that their illicit enterprises, such as protection rackets, gambling, pimping, drug trafficking, and smuggling, depend on a degree of law and order. To this end, they cooperate with the Guard to combat petty crimes that might disrupt their more lucrative ventures. In the initial decades of their existence, the Syndicate extended its influence to encompass a significant portion of the Guard through threats and bribery.
The Judicators: Shifting Focus
As crime flourished, the courts and the governor recognized the urgent need for change, appealing to the Zenithian Hegemony for assistance. The Hegemony responded by creating the Judicators, a formidable law enforcement entity. In their early years, the Judicators dismantled the Syndicate's lower echelons, particularly the street gangs. However, the criminal families adapted and regained their equilibrium. Today, the Judicators have shifted their focus away from the Syndicate, redirecting their resources toward combating other forms of crime.
Plazas and Charpurs
The Syndicate's foundation rests upon the street gangs that control various plazas on Coriolis. Occasional violence flares up as territorial disputes and vendettas are inherent to the gangs' modus operandi. Beyond the station's borders, the middle strata of the Syndicate, known as the "charpurs," oversee the organization's operations. They operate above the street gangs, coordinating activities such as smuggling and drug production. Notably, the Syndicate avoids involvement in slave trading and the smuggling of faction technology, though other unsavory entities are less discerning.
Behind the Veil
The Syndicate maintains connections with the legitimate economy through intermediaries embedded within Consortium companies, bureaucrats on Sadaal, drug cartels on Algol, and even rumored ties to rebels on Zalos-B. These contacts facilitate smuggling, drug production, proxy trips, and illicit research—sometimes involving human subjects. While the Syndicate is not known to possess faction technology of its own, rumors persist of enigmatic "black ships."
Facing New Threats
Today, the Syndicate faces mounting concerns due to rumors linking them to Algolan slavers, prompting renewed interest from the Judicators. The Church of the Icons and Ahlam's Temple have both unsuccessfully attempted to challenge the Syndicate's grip on power.
Emerging Challengers
While the Syndicate remains the largest criminal organization in the Horizon, it is not the sole player in the underworld. Three ascending threats loom over their dominion: The Serpent, the Slavers, and Ferekam—criminal groups involved in the nefarious trades of slavery and arms trafficking.
