OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a sub-organization of the Black Sun and further develop Tygerii lore.
- Image Credit: Mithias (aka Malicar) made it for me
- Canon: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Organization Name: Gold Lotus
- Classification: Criminal Organization
- Affiliation: Black Sun member organization
- Organization Symbol: A Multi-Colored symbol of the Oros Lotus, a flower recognized by the Tygerii as a symbol of tradition and power, often linked to Gold Lotus.
- Description: Gold Lotus is an ancient organization tracing its origins back to Oros, the First Tyrant and uniter of Tygeria. They have clung to long forgot symbols and traditions, and have a complicated relationship with the people of Tygeria. Many see them as criminals, staying in the shadows slowly pulling strings in the Tygerii society and economy to greedily better themselves. Others view them as saviors, stealing from the rich to invest into local businesses, give disaster relief to the peasantry the nobles could care less about, and to curb smaller more violent gangs from ever gaining power.
- Headquarters: Tygeria
- Domain: The Gold Lotus Syndicate has several safe houses and small space stations spread across the galaxy which act as hubs for their agents. They mostly stick to themselves, rarely interacting with the surrounding population unless a job requires it.
- Notable Assets: N/A
- Hierarchy:
The Hierarchy of Gold Lotus has often been described as a family tree. At the top is "The Dragon", or leader of all the Gold Lotus and its many sub-branches and the only member who has sole authority over every other member. Under the dragon are his/her council, each who are in charge of different branches of the syndicate. It continues to branch downward, each member owing allegiance to those above them in their "line". These branches tend to operate independently of each other, sometimes even competing for resources and potential jobs with minor conflicts often breaking out between them. The Dragon however is able to step in at any time and demand mediation or a cease fire should they believe that the conflict has gone too far. The Dragon is also able to replace anyone within any level of any branch. To progress upwards along the line one must challenge their better. This challenge can be anything really, as long as both parties agree on rules and limitations. Whomever wins takes the position and is in charge of finding a replacement from below them to fill the void.
- Membership: Anyone is able to join the syndicate as a "Conscript", which is where most of the syndicates membership is. Conscripts are able to leave at any time without consequences, but for the most part are simply foot soldiers and grunts until they prove their worth and loyalty. Upon impressing their higher ups enough, they may partake in a traditional Tygerii Wine ceremony and swear allegiance to The Dragon, the leader of their branch, and their direct superior who initiated them into the organization. Anyone wanting to leave the organization above Conscript must undergo a complete memory wipe of the organization unless The Dragon and their higher ups can trust them to keep quiet.
- Climate: Gold Lotus is a bit of an enigma. Anyone can join, so the lower levels of the organization tend to be what you'd expect of a criminal organization, yet the higher you get the more entrenched it is in dogma, tradition, and honor.
- Reputation: The general consensus by those who have had to deal with Gold Lotus is that they are a ruthless enemy willing to go to the lowest of the lows to achieve victory, they are a kind overlord never taxing their subjects too ruthlessly and constantly contributing back to the neighborhoods, cities, and planets they have dominion over and even providing aid to planets they have no investment in, and fantastic, although secretive allies willing to sacrifice much to help those who would help them.
- Curios:
In order to progress above Conscript one must have the symbol of the Gold Lotus tattooed on their chest, with a dragon (usually with characteristics associated with the current dragon) interacting with the symbol somehow. Usually the dragon is perching on or clinging to the symbol, sometimes wrapped around it. As they progress higher up the hierarchy more tattoos are added on to show their rank, so members are often heavily tattooed.
- Rules: Gold Lotus follows 7 "Edicts" which were the founding code of the organization which aren't always specific and often up to the current Dragon for interpretation.
- Obey those above you, the chain of command is your guide.
- Operate in the shadows, publicity is good for reputation but bad for secrets, balance it.
- Your fellow man deserves your respect, harm no one without cause and be courteous to all, even those in shackles.
- Slaves are property of Gold Lotus and The Dragon, only lent to you by them.
- Addiction is not the way of the dragons or the ways of Gold Lotus, do not peddle, make, or promote such substances. There is no honor is a customer who you have enslaved.
- Gold Lotus will not accept vagabonds, you will act as a noble for we are all nobles within Gold Lotus.
- The chain of command is only as strong as its links, if the one above you is weak, break it and take its place.
- Goals: The ultimate goals of Gold Lotus are to make money, but there is a general understanding of the upper ranks that the organization must try to better the world somewhat, even if that eventually leads to the dissolving of Gold Lotus.
Myra (The Current leader "The Black Dragon"
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Gold Lotus syndicate, oddly, has a fairly well documented beginning. Upon the conquest of Tygeria by Oros, he realized that with such limited technology and the feudal society he established he may not always be able to get his way without bloodshed. He founded Gold Lotus as a league of assassins and criminals who would be somewhat exempt from the law if they followed his orders. Gold Lotus attracted many dissidents, especially those who's cultures were not as big as the three main Tygerii cultures and were already being displaced and forgotten. These outcasts would find common ground under Gold Lotus and strike out at their oppressors, even if it was their oppressor they were ultimately working for. The syndicate continued to serve Oros loyally for his entire life, and even served his successor Tureis loyally. However it was Markarys, the third tyrant of Tygeria, that would send Gold Lotus underground. Markarys the hedonist saw no need for their organization, and began to actively persecute them for their strange cultural practices of all the many minor cultures that had merged together within Gold Lotus. Yet by this time Gold Lotus had spread across the planet, and although Markarys may have been able to extinguish a few chapters, more grew up.
It was here that Gold Lotus adopted it's current hierarchical system as well as its 7 tenants as a response to having no direct leader anymore. The tradition of tattooing was a direct response to Markarys issuing that all criminals should be tattooed with their crimes, so Gold Lotus began to do it preemptively as a show of rebellion and intimidation. It was ultimately Gold Lotus that assassinated Markarys out of revenge, even if it was paid for and allowed by the noble families of Tygeria.
Gold Lotus' next big challenge was the Dragon Priests who deposed the Tyrants. These priests hunted down Gold Lotus viciously for their entire reign, almost driving the organization to extinction. Yet when Virion declared his rebellion, and Gold Lotus helped provide all the gear he could desire by stealing from the Dragon Priests or forging it themselves, Virion would allow them to rebuild after he ascended to Tyrant and shattered the Dragon Priests.
Gold Lotus would continue to be a thorn in the worlds side up until the New Hegemony. With a sudden influx of new technologies it became easier and easier for the government to suppress and kill off Gold Lotus members until Gold Lotus became nothing but an amalgamation of local disorganized gangs. That was, until Myra arrived on Tygeria. Under her careful eye and incredible amount of credits, she would build Gold Lotus back up to the planetary power it was, and even began to spread its influence into the stars. When Gold Lotus officially joined the Black Sun Cartels, she would be recognized as the Black Dragon and head of Gold Lotus, and with her ambition and Gold Lotus' resources, the universe was soon going to see a new player in the criminal underworld.
