Here it is! The great experiment of the new century —
The PACIFIC FREE TRADE ZONE.
A modern marvel and a feat of human ingenuity, connecting every major port along the Western seaboard. Local and foreign investors alike flood its shores, drawn by pinky-sealed promises of free trade with minimal oversight. Half a century on, the wealth still multiplies.
And on the outskirts — far from the white-sand beaches and sparkling-glass skylines — lies the lawless zone of Cantilados. Scarce-a-city and more-a-prison, walled in on all sides with dense and creaking buildings-built-atop-buildings, with only a sliver of sea access by which desperate traders eke out a living.
Here on the margins of prosperity, the anti-corruption reforms sweeping the broader freeport have been met with abject failure. Police withdraw from the city in its first year — and in their absence springs the golden age of crime syndicates, street gangs, and triads.
the city is quick to swallow them whole.
The darling of the mayor of Cantilados, the CARTEL operates in broad daylight.
On paper, the CARTEL is crisp and corporate,
just another real estate and property development firm.
In the bleach-blonde glare of Cantilados summer, extortion passes for everyday moneylending, and territorial enforcement is just a matter of collecting the rent.
The nightlife of Cantilados is run by the TRIAD.
The glorious red-light district! Gambling dens and cabaret clubs keep the TRIAD’s coffers full to overflowing year-round.
Loyal lovers of commerce, the founding fathers of the TRIAD have built an empire around exotic imports, counterfeiting, and the quiet sale of secrets.
As of 1998, the relationship between the CARTEL & the TRIAD is best defined as an open but professional rivalry.
The two factions independently operate various front businesses across the city, each carving out their own territories and markets.
Though competition is fierce, they have occasionally cooperated on certain contracts when mutual benefit demands it.
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Interactions between leadership have been infrequent but bloodless to date.
IC / In universe, this means that:
The Cantilados underworld and grey zones are largely stable.
Low-ranking members generally understand that faction leaders have some undisclosed and ongoing agreement with the mayor, permitting them to operate and expand within city limits without police interference.
CARTEL and TRIAD officers (Lts. and above) conduct themselves professionally in public, and abstain from open acts of aggression against members of the opposing faction.
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OOC / In server, this means that:
NPC officers are integrated into established IC faction structure, and will always abide by the rules of engagement set by their respective patriarchs.
Players are free to play their PCs are they wish.
Your PC may choose to ignore the rules set by NPCs, including prohibitions on open violence against other PCs or NPCs.
Disruptive PCs will be punished in-RP according to IC faction structure and rules.