Overview
[Pronunciation: dun KAH-ren]
The Dun’cahrun is an organized crime syndicate that is based in Nyxiana but now also has a prominent presence in Antiford, namely in Argenstrath. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organisational structure and code of conduct. The basic group is known as a family or clan, each of which has claim over a territory where it operates, usually a town a neighborhood/district if in a large city.
They are distinguished from other gangs and mobs by their adherence to a central set of rules as well as their use of information and intimidation over pure brutality or violence, though they are certainly not opposed to the latter. The dun’cahrun has a formal hierarchy that allows them to efficiently run a variety of large-scale criminal activities. These include (but are not necessarily limited to):
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Extortion
- Vote rigging and political bribery
- water condensing
- counterfeiting currency and documents
- arbitrating disagreements (especially those of criminal nature
- Labor racketeering
- protection racketeering
- Smuggling (weapons and cultural wears such as art)
- loan sharking
Structure
The Boss is the head of the family, and makes all significant decisions. The boss receives a cut of every operation under within their local organization. Usually bosses are appointed by the previous boss, but there have been a few circumstances in which there the boss was determined democratically by votes from Members, however this is not normal practice.
An Adviser is often seen as the boss’s right hand. Traditionally, they will be a senior member who has worked with the family for a long time and is therefore deeply familiar with the inner workings of the organization. Advisers also serve as an impartial mediator in internal disputes and therefore must be impartial and hold no ambitions which might create a conflict of interest. They also might fulfill the roles of an Underboss.
The underboss (or bosses, it is not unheard of for there to be two or three in a family) is the second in command of the family. They run the day-to-day responsibilities of the family and are typically in charge of larger rackets. He usually gets a percentage of the family's income from the boss's cut. An underboss is usually first in line to become acting boss if the boss is imprisoned, and is also frequently seen as a logical successor.
On the same level as an underboss are Agents which work directly for the boss but instead of heading specific rackets they are usually in charge of specialized important tasks, such as: document forgery, accounting, and high-profile hits. They do not typically have others working below them.
Captains, or Streetbosses work directly for the underboss and are in charge of a group of lower-level members. They give a percentage of their (and their members’) earnings to the boss and are responsible for any task that might be assigned to them, which is typically moderate racketeering jobs and running some smuggling and condensing rings.
Initiated men and women who work under the Captains are simply referred to members of the Family. Traditionally they must be full Nyxianian background (though many in Antiford are only half- or quarter-Nyxianian). Initiated members are untouchable, meaning permission from an Underboss must be given before they are murdered. These are the main workers of the family, usually actually committing crimes like assault, extortion, and intimidation (Members who engage in the more violent criminal activities are sometimes referred to as Soldiers). This is done in exchange for the opportunity to run profitable rackets and have access to their Family's connections and power.
Associates are individuals who work for a family but are not initiated members. These could corrupt officials, prospective members, or simply those who have (limited) business dealings or provide a certain skill that does not require intimate knowledge of the workings of the organization. An associate is considered essentially a tool, to be used at the disposal of the Family. Street thugs also fall into this category.
Membership & Code of Honor
Membership is open to both men and women, particularly to those from full Nyxianian heritage.This is more strictly enforced on the island, while in Antiford this is not a defining qualification. Lifelong loyalty is expected from all initiates, even after retirement. Failure to do so usually will cost one their life.
Initiated (“made”) members of the Dun’cahrun are required to adhere to certain conduct when involved in Family affairs. This code can be summed up in six basic pillars:
Silence: never talk to the authorities. Members are not allowed to talk about family business to non-members.
Heritage: only men and women of Nyxianan descent are allowed to become full members. Associates, partners, allies etc. have no ethnic limits.
Reciprocity: "Blood for blood”’; if a family member is killed by another member, no one can commit murder in revenge unless the boss gives permission. The same goes for members killed without permission from another family or organization.
Civility: There is no fighting among members. Disputes must be settled without disrupting business.
Tithing: each month members must pay the boss and give the boss a cut on any side deals. Typically this is 10 percent unless other arrangements are made.
Loyalty: the Family comes before everything else.
Ryan Holme
Ryan Holme is the first (and currently only) boss of the Dun’cahryn in Antiford and is based in Argenstrath. He took many members of his Family to Araz with him from Nyxiana, but his criminal empire was largely built from the locals and is designed around a disposable outer ring and complex network of communication and information exchange. This scale of organized criminal activity was unheard of at the time.
Holme’s syndicate mainly deals in water condensing, counterfeit documents, as well as art forger and smuggling.
If you want to know more about the personality of Holme, please check out Arnett’s minor character sheet, which also lists stories that he is in.
Use & Scope
Holme has many ministry leaders and city officials in his pocket, but relatively little influence among the actual technocratic council. This organization cannot do anything that would directly overpower or mess up anything involving national politics or government.
The Dun’cahrun are not involved in and kind of human trafficking or forced labor.
Ryan Holme & his sons are the highest level of the Dun’cahrun in Antiford, and are the only family in Antiford prior to 1890. After this date, if you want to have very high-level members or another Family we can talk about it.
If you would like to use Ryan Holme specifically as a character in a story, please consult Kent Nicholas/ Lt. Joel Arnett