Interest Check: Philanthropy

[Cisco]

Bad men Doing Bad things,
For the Cause of good?
Preposterous.​

- Overview​ Philanthropy is first and foremost a criminal organization. Made by criminals, for criminals, in the name of money and freedom. Effectively a gang the overall structure is populated by thugs, dealers, con artists, forgers, gun runners, drug smugglers, chemists, hitmen, and anarchists. You know the kind, the scum of the earth. the people who exist only to cause upon others undue pain, suffering, and guilt. It's no surprise many would see such a name as Philanthropy as being a bit of a misnomer given the people it brings in and the things it does. But of course, the distinction between 'Hero' or 'Terrorist' is one so often tossed around. One mans Hero can be yet another's nightmare. So, What is Philanthropy? Well, for just a few, they are Heroes. - History​ The history of Philanthropy is one mired in a bit of fog. primarily the fog of drunken nights, recreational drugs, and plenty of morning after hangovers. For many the fall of the alliance and rise of the sith ridden Imperium was a meaning of light and dark, for the seedier members of society it meant that one corrupt government left and now an even worse one had its hands in your pocket, taxing, taking money it didn't earn, and meddling in affairs worse than before. Compared to the Imperium and its Sith, the alliance and its Jedi were just a bunch of saints. With something so simple as an inherent dislike for the Imperium and its politics, Philanthropy was conceptualised through a small group of friends, criminals, and other malcontents. The Rebellion was there as well, but few wanted to get themselves involved with those old hardass remnants of the Alliance, not without something monetary. Thus, the setup was simple. How does one do good while remaining a greedy asshole? By focusing themselves against those who were worse. Theft, drugs, heists, grand theft, arson, terrorism, battery, counterfeiting, book keeping. Whatever could rile people up and make them a bit of cash at the same time. Most of their ill gotten cash thus far has either went in their own pockets or back into philanthropy in their acquiral of legitimate businesses to launder money through while also providing a public face through the group. Though by night they were gangsters plotting their next moves. By day they were legitimate businessmen. Philanthropy though, is not a large or even powerful group. Though moderately successful they are still just a gang like any other with much room to grow. - Internal Culture​ Diverse in their nature, the Members of Philanthropy come from all walks of life. The young, the old, the new, and experienced. The overall culture inside is relatively relaxed, about as far as a criminal organization can go. Because of their particular nature some things are fairly evident. A majority of members have a distaste of the Rebels, Alliance, Jedi, Imperium, and sith. In other words they have some degree of dislike for about everybody in the entire galaxy, though their distate is primarily focused on the latter most two groups of people. Of course, Philanthropy does seem to hold and promote some moralistic values of its own. Honour and Integrity are perhaps the foremost stressed, without either of those business is quite likely to go to hell, and with an entire working force made of low lives it's a bit hard to keep things civil if peopole are stabbing one another in the back on a constant basis. Further, members of Philanthropy are encouraged to keep the damage they cause as restricted as possible. Though small businesses, imperial assets, authority figures, and their own enemies are fair game a minimum of damage is expected to be caused to the civilian populations. Stealing a speeder or five is fine as their insurance should cover it, but causing undue harm onto civilians such as butchering their families or burning down their houses is frowned upon. On the flip side, Philanthropy's members are generally also fairly chilled out and relaxed when its individuals are not trying wreck someone's afternoon. Partying is not uncommon either, with Hookers, Blow, blackjack, and spontaneous gunfire being common components to the parties they have be known to hold within their clubs. On the flip side some members have also taken a more teacherly attitude, passing on their knowledge of specialites to those around them. Despite the criminal nature. The overall attitude within is very much like that of a family. - Roster​ Leader None Lieutenants None Members None - Assets​ The active force of Philanthropy measures a total thirty men and women strong who are far from trained soldiers and primarily armed with small calibre weaponry such as handguns or machine pistols for the most part. Some are known to on occasion make use of light body armour, stimulants, and occasionally steroids. Most of their weaponry and firearms in use as those owned by the fighters themselves. Other than its men, Philanthropy current owns two small businesses which contribute to its front as well as pull in money for the group. The Purgatory night club as well as Sierra Security, both based out of Taris. Purgatory primarily operates as Philanthropy's main headquarters center of governance, it is also known to house a horde of weaponry for use during emergencies, primarily basic firearms, handguns, sub machineguns, light body armour, and grenades. It is also turns the largest profit out of the properties. Sierra security on the otherhand is a mostly legal security racket which employs a fair number of the gangs members as well as actual civilians in need of work. The company functionally operates by providing security for other small businesses. Primary services are simply upgrading, setting up, and maintaining security all the while acting as a broken to secure the business itself proper insurance for its assets. It is also known to provide physical security as well when needed, body guards for people, clubs, and even transports. The Racket? It uses Philanthropy's own criminal activities as a sort of coercive measure to attain contracts, not that their connection is known. Transport wise, Philanthropy owns little. Most movement between places and even planets relies primarily on the possessed assets of its members. Spoiler: Traditions and Events - Canonization​ Canonization is the tradition by which new recruits are initiated into the gang and is a simple if occasionally brutal show of trust and test of character within the gang. Typically a prospective member is someone who typically is introduced to the gang through a fully fledged member and brought to small jobs, parties, fights, simple things to cut their teeth. That though is not always the case. In its base form a person who is not a member will have impressed a ranking lieutenant within the organization, or perhaps even the leader themselves and be given the opportunity for Canonization. This offering lieutenant is their hitch in. For the sake of preventing Bias, the actua Lieutenant who oversees the event is typically different than the one who gave them the opportunity. After this point, all bets are off. The most popular form of Canonization ritual is often a fight of some kind between the overseer and the recruit, however the actual ritual itself is left up to the overseer so that the actual thing someone has to do is completely up to the overseer. It can be so much as a simple talk with questions, a fight, a job, or even riddles if they are so inclined. Whether the recruit fails or succeeds in their trial is up to the overseeing agent who tested them Once completed the final decision is up to Philanthropy's leader. Should a recruit be accepted as a full member, this success is often met with hookers, blow, alcohol, blackjack, and a hard night of partying. - Promotion​ One step above the regular Members of Philanthropy sit its limited number of Lieutenants which usually number two to three at the most. The process for becoming a lieutenant is much like Canonization itself but instead overseen by the Leader himself. As the Lieutenants have a high degree of authority within the faction, often managing a number of businesses, assets, as well as often having a fair say in the goings on as for what next moves the gang is likely to make, they are intensely tested in what is effectively a secondary canonization ritual. For the duration of the ritual, the Member is given authority similar to that of a fully fledged lieutenant and made to take up potentially harrowing tasks of extreme danger. The reasoning for such tasking is often not to prove themselves to the leader, but rather to prove themselves to the members of the gang itself as a competent leader to prevent infighting. Should a candidate hold sufficient standing with both the Leader and the Members around them, the Canonization is generally unnecessary. - Betrayal​ Much like any organization, Betrayal is a huge thing and most often bad for ones health. Depending on the degree of betrayal the gang will either kick your ass out, or outright execute you should they get the chance. With the family like atmosphere and the amount of trust the group is required to place in one another, even fairly minor betrayals can lead to an ass kicking. What constitutes betrayal is fairly simple, simply failing in whatever you were trying to do isn't necesarily bad. Willfully screwing someone out of money or throwing others under the bus is liable to get you kicked out. Ratting members out or otherwise gross betrayals are asking for a murdering. Certain crimes such as rape, dealing to kids, or senseless murder is enough to get someone both beaten the shit out of and kicked out permanently. - Separation​ Though Betrayal is punished, Leaving Philanthropy is considered to be perfectly fine whether the intent is to simply lie low or even if other obligations require you to leave. For those who are to leave on good terms, a final party is often thrown in their honour, much like when a members joins. Once gone, the group will still consider you as being a member so that someone can simply stroll right back in should they please, but otherwise someone who has left is generally out of the life and what they do is up to themselves from that point onward. Spoiler: Activities - Assisting Known Terrorists​ Philanthropy, due to its nature running directly counter to the Imperium is in the business of aiding terrorist elements whose own ideals are known to run counter to the Imperials. Whether it's loans, crappily made anaesthetics, stolen merchandise in need of reselling, or even direct support, Philanthropy is willing to assist other groups should they approach with plans, ideas, or business proposals. Though they don't exactly work for free, usually requiring some form of compensation such as favours, salvage, or other equipment in trade for what they can offer. - Burglary​ A fair part of Philanthropy's expansion is based on burglary based operations. The exact nature of the operation varies with what the group is trying to get out of the deal. Not all robberies for them are strictly financial either. Common targets for theft include, small businesses, Banks, and commercial transports though anything goes. The real bonus that Philanthropy gets from burglary is in the form fo merchandise that though they are for the most part unable to sell due to rarity, is extremely expensive to otherwise acquire such as industrial equipment, printing presses, ammo presses, large 3D Printer arrays, and often questionable purchases that would set off flags in Law enforcement databases. - Counterfeiting​ Another market Philanthropy operates in is the counterfeit market. When someone says counterfeiting someone usually thinks of credits, cheques, and other forgeries. Philanthropy instead mostly works itself on selling counterfeit commercial merchandise. Things such as clothes are most often acquired from other seedier parts of the galaxy and sold off in flea markets for a portion of the price they would otherwise cost, notably though a good portion of their counterfeit merchandise is of fair quality. Easier things to counterfeit, such as movies, games, software, are created, cracked, and sold all by Philanthropy itself. Everything from commercial operating systems to expensive industrial software and all in between. They are also known to sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals. - Drug Trade​ The group is also heavily invested into the drug trade. Few drugs are actually made by themselves though except for those that can easily be made with limited. Primarily they stay away from the hard drugs and rather deal with the recreational party variety. Hallucinogens, Ecstasy, smoked varieties, primarily the sort of drugs that are not hugely life ruining to the people who use them. Many of these drugs are sold in deals or distributed quietly in their own Clubs under the guise of not knowing it is happening. They also produce their own alcohol on tap. On the side they also deal in some more functional drugs. Anaesthetics, medications, antibiotics, the stuff your average back alley horse doctor needs access to in order to treat people while avoiding the watchful eye of corporate busy bodies who would charge thousand percent mark ups for the same chemicals. Most of these are either stolen or counterfeits made across the galaxy in genericised form. - Espionage​ Furthermore the group delves in Espionage. Though not the sharpest tools in the shed they have enough experience in disruptive actvities to know full well how to impede corporate interests who are often their direct competitors. Once again they are not the most refined, their espionage is mostly limited to more simple forms of sabotage rather than out right infiltration. Bashing Camera's in, cutting power lines, overloading fuse boxes, breaking internal network security, disabling vehicles, creating commotions. Generally things that will hurt a businesses reputation, make their employees fear coming to work, destroy their ability to make profit, and cause undue expenses to them. The ultimate result? Either selling to Philanthropy, using their Security company, or outright closure of business. - Illegal Gambling​ Another profit seeking activity for the gang is the realm of Illegal Gambling. Though members of the group itself will make bets, it makes a majority of its money from simply managing the gambling itself, creating odds, and organizing the events themselves. This ranges from simple gambling over a game of cards to illegal fights held beneath Purgatory to races and dog fights. - Humanitarian Efforts​ Surprisingly Enough, Philanthropy is known to Engage in Philanthropy once in a while, Yay! On a more serious Note, the group has been known to mobilise in times of disaster to assist those in need. More locally they are regularly known to run peace keeping operations in territory near their safe houses, businesses, clubs, and families. Those who cause trouble on or even near their territory are known to be swiftly dealt with, dealers and other malcontent are quickly forced off either through police tip off or open confrontation. Addicts are regularly dragged off to rehab clinics and their security company is paid to regularly pass through their areas to ward off potential problems. - Gang Warfare​ Not everything is so simple in love, drugs, and Gang life. And not everyone has taken so kindly to Philanthropy's presence or their aggressive moves into territory. As such the group is known to infrequently engage in gang warfare, something that is likely to increase dramatically in the coming months. Opponents include at the moment primarily minor gangs though larger organizations local to them are beginning to take some notice though staying back for the time being. - Grand Theft​ Owing to a need for unmarked and untraceable vehicles Philanthropy has decided on using instances of Grand Theft to procure transport and vehicles for future use, stripping them down and wiping out the identifying marks, paint, colourations, and modifications for rebuild for their own use. Rebuilt vehicles are repainted, upholstered, and stored beneath Purgatory in its underground garage for safe keeping. Currently no vehicles are stored there though. - Laundering​ A man can steal all the money he wants, rob the banks, rob the casino's, but there's not much you go do with a whole lot of dirty money. Thus Philanthropy has a laundering operation in place that primarily makes use of their legitimate businesses to cycle in and out money in small amounts that can easily be laundered and paid out to Philanthropy's members as useable cash. However they can only launder so much. The rest of the dirty cash is either used to make illicit purchases from people such as gun runners and suppliers for their drug and counterfeit markets or simply laundered through groups who have the capability of replacing a large amount of cash, such as Rebel Groups or other Criminal organizations. - Legitimate Business​ Many of Philanthropy's members organize themselves through the various legitimate businesses that the group owns. Their clubs, Corporations, and small businesses draw in approximately thirty to fourty percent of the cash that comes into the group through legitimate means such as drinks and door fees at the club, security contracts through sierra, and whatever other businesses the group will find itself owning in the near future. - Racketeering​ No small criminal organization would be complete without some form of racketeering. The gang primarily runs a number of protection Rackets which use Sierra Security as its front. Though not necesarily illegitimate the way they go about acquiring security contracts is often somewhat coercive and shady but in exchange they offer a number of actual good services on the cheap in an often affordable manner. - Tax Evasion​ Screw the Tax man. Spoiler: Properties and Assets - Purgatory​ ​ -Overview: The Purgatory Nightclub is the current headquarters of Philanthropy and sits located deep in the lower levels of Taris(Or if Taris isn't acceptable some other planet) The large two story building is home to hard music, drugs, strippers, and a whole lot of shady behaviour. The overall atmosphere is one relative refinement and cleanliness. A well dressed staff serves patrons in a clean environment. Possibly fake pieces of art hang across all corners of the club from small statues to glorious murals along the walls. Flooring, tables, and walls are constantly being kept clean and despite the party atmosphere it is mostly popular among young adults and weary businessmen. Despite drugs and strippers being a dime a dozen, subtle class is the name of the game in this club. -Schematics: Currently Unavailable, Will be provided soon. -Square Footage: 21,000ft^2 -Employee Count: 25 -Total Assets: 150,000Cr -Weekly Revenue: 35,000Cr/w -Operating Income: 23,000Cr/w -Net Income: 18,000Cr/w -Illicit Income: 25,000Cr/w -Owner: Philanthropy's Leader -Services: Strippers. Fully equipped Bar. Fully equipped Kitchen. Rentable Private Rooms. Gift shop. -Illegal Services: Drugs and Drug Accessories. Counterfeit items of all kinds. Underground Octagonal fighting arena and betting. -Medical Services: Because of the nature of operations, Purgatory is also equipped with a small doctors office and surgeons area in moderately bad shape. Equipment is fairly out of date and lacking. And the doctor who operates it? A veterinarian who lost his licensed in a malpractise suit. Though Small patch jobs can be made and drugs given to treat patients, it does not have the facilities to properly treat grievous injuries beyond normal gunshots, cuts, and broken bones. -Defenses: Purgatory's defenses are fairly minimal. Aside from having between five to ten gang members inside it at about any time, it is primarily guarded by Civillian members of its Sierra Security business. Most are armed with light armour and small firearms such as sub machine guns and handguns. In the event of outright warfare, a good deal of Purgatory's furniture and building has been armoured and bullet proofed for the most part and the Cache of weapons in the basement can be put to use by all who wish to stand their ground. The club itself is also home to tight security, CCTV's camera's. motion sensors and lasers. The main doors are also capable of magnetically sealing in event of an emergency as well as garage doors leading into the lower levels. - Sierra Security​ -Overview: Sierra Security is Philanthropy's second business interest and forms part of their economic base alongside the Purgatory Club. Unlike the Purgatory Club, Sierra security is perfectly clean. Though it is central to the protection racket that Philanthropy runs it is effectively completely legitimate. All the services it offers are for the most part fairly priced and effective. It provides security solutions for small businesses through corporate interests and even private civilians with a need for physical security or secure transport. Its employees are primarily civilian though a number of Philanthropy members get involved on and off as needed. Employees are primarily security though there is a backbone of a few secretaries, a supervisor or two, and a couple IT guys who deal with the paperwork behind the organization. -Schematics: Currently Unavailable, Will be provided soon. -Square Footage: 6,500ft^2 -Employee Count: 35 -Total Assets: 45,000Cr -Weekly Revenue: 22,000Cr/w -Operating Income: 10,000Cr/w -Net Income: 7,000Cr/w -Illicit Income: 0Cr/w -Owner: None Yet -Services: Security Services, Installation, Physical security services. Secure transport -Illegal Services: None -Defenses:The Sierra security office is both highly secure and well defended. As it's not nearly so public as Purgatory is is generally much harder to get into and cause a ruckus. Inside can be anywhere from five to twenty security officers at any given time, toting light to medium armour and weapons ranging from small handguns to light machine guns. Spoiler: Expansion & Rewards In its lifetime, Philanthropy will continue to expand as its members embark on both missions and their own jobs should they take initiative to go do them. The rewards for these missions will typically come in a few different forms. Rewards are typically either Cold Hard Cash, objects such as technology, or actual properties within the faction as they are acquired, which in turn gives a player more credits to play around with as they please, buy fancy jewelry, and generally go up in life. As missions and jobs are completed, Philanthropy will see either expansion, upgrades, or increased capital for itself. Expansion usually means acquiring new properties and increasing the number of members philanthropy has on hand. This gives us larger income over time to acquire more resources and a larger force means the possibility for much more daring moves. Upgrades will usually affect the gang as a whole, such as Purgatory gaining better medical supplies or members getting their hands on much better weaponry and gear to make use of. Capital is simply a surging increase in the amount of money the group has to play around with and pay unto others should they need it. This is acquired primarily through deals with other factions. Currently, the Group has little.

So uh....Yeah. Just wanna see if anybody would be interested in this sort of thing.