Yakuza
Major crime syndicate, based in Eblan. The leaders of a yakuza 'family' are known as the Oyabun ('foster parent'), and beneath him are several 'kobun' ('foster child'), who serve as street-level bosses. Beneath the kobun are the petty criminals, gangs, and other foot soldiers of a vast criminal empire.
Irezumi, or tattoos, are an important part of yakuza culture. It is rumored that some tatoos are enchanted, allowing certain yakuza to perform extraordinary abilities. Tattooing's affilition with the criminal organization is one of several reasons why tattoos are banned in Eblan.
Yakuza operate with a sense of honor and loyalty that they believe set them apart from the common criminal. It is their version of the samurai's bushido, or way of the warrior. Those who break the code, or otherwise fail, cut off their finger as a way of penance or apology.
Interests and Operations
The Yakuza dominate organized crime in Eblan. Their activities range from racketeering to illicit gambling and prostitution to the arms and pyra trade. They have been known to supply weapons to communists and other dissident movements in Eblan, for the right price. They are highly active across the Crystal Dimension. Some ambitious yakuza have tried to expand outside of Crystal, but this often brings them into conflict with other crime syndicates.
The Eblanese government's attempts to combat the Yakuza have been ineffectual.
Notable Yakuza
- Ming Tsang, known as "Ming the Merciless", is one of several Oyabun competing for the city of Hope in Eblan
- Yue Okusan, powerful Oyabun based in Kosaka; maintains a cadre of enforcers known as the 893 Oni
- Shin Kojo, oyabun in industrial town of Mikage who made quite a splash on the scene by selling large quantities of Scandian produced weapponry
- Gendo Chosomazu, ruthless oyabun waging a battle with other syndicates for control of Tasnicaport's Old Docktown, a very lucrative territory
