Syndicates
Syndicates (신디케이트, Sindikeiteu) are a type of organization in the City, and can be seen as the unregulated counterpart to Fixer Offices. They are most commonly found in the Backstreets, but larger, more powerful Syndicates can rarely be found in Nests as well.
Overview
"Syndicate" is a purposefully vague and broad term that can be used to describe essentially any group of people who work together in an organized, but unregulated, group.[1] Syndicates can do all sorts of activities, and be involved in various types of business, leading to groups with very little in common both being able to be referred to as a Syndicate.[2] Some Syndicates focus on extorting money from people for protection, while others abduct people, kill for fun and pleasure, or do anything in between. They can be small groups that only exist in one corner of the Backstreets or large enough to exist in every District in the City. As many Syndicates operate as a business, they have the same rights and obligations as the other businesses of the City such as being able to hold patents on technology and needing to pay taxes.[3][4]
Many Syndicates have a culture focused around replicating family dynamics, and consider each other family, with some even referring to each other with familial terms.[5] This can result in Syndicates with a strict focus on respect for those who are higher ranked or in Syndicates who care deeply for each other and protect one another at any cost.
The Five Fingers
The Five Fingers of the Backstreets are a band of Star of the City-level Syndicates that rival the Wings in power and influence.[6] Together, the Five Fingers control the Backstreets and prevent the Wings and Associations from interfering with those parts of the Districts, and even the Head cannot easily oppose their control over the Backstreets.[7] In order to keep this level of control, the Fingers will meet together in a conference known as the “Finger Bow-Bell” to discuss how best to maintain their hold over the Backstreets.[7]
Most often, however, the Five Fingers are rivals to each other, and fight over territory and other disputes. As seen with the fall of L Corp., the Fingers are quick to move in and attempt to claim the Nest of a fallen Wing as their own.
Each Finger has a distinct culture, with a harsh set of rules they expect to be followed by any who work with them. Like smaller Syndicates, the Fingers offer protection to residents of the Backstreets at a cost, with the tasks expected of the person seeking protection varying from Finger to Finger. Additionally, other Syndicates can become subsidiaries of a Finger, giving them a powerful connection so long as they provide support to the Finger and follow the orders given to them.
Rats
There are some groups that do not have enough power and influence to be considered as a proper Syndicate, but are made up out of gangsters and thugs who perform similar activities to legitimate Syndicates.[8] Members of these groups are called Rats, and they exist in high numbers in the Backstreets. Many Rats dream of one day joining a proper Syndicate, but Syndicate members and outsiders look down on them as too incompetent to accomplish anything worthy of recognition.[9][10] That said, some Rats who do find membership in a real Syndicate sometimes miss the simpler life of a Rat. When compared to a true Syndicate, the Rats are typically much closer to each other due to the lack a hierarchy.[11]
Relationship with Fixers
Syndicates are typically an enemy of Fixers, but they are, on a broader scale, complimentary parts of the City that couldn't exist without each other. Syndicates and their violent activities are the cause of many of the problems Fixer Offices accept contracts to handle, meaning that while their job is to kill Syndicate members, many Fixers would be out of work if they were to completely go away.[12] While some Offices look down on the idea of having to associate with Syndicates, others gladly accept contracts from them.[13] Beyond working together when deemed necessary or for the sake of profit, there are even a number of Offices that have direct ties with Syndicates.[14]
One way for a Syndicate to gain notoriety and become well known is to do an 'Office raid', and attack a Fixer Office with the goal to kill as many members as they can.[15] This gets the Syndicate fame and attention from other Syndicates as well as Offices, and establishes their strength relative to the Office they attacked. Although, not all Syndicates have such complex motivations for attacking Offices, and instead do it out of mere boredom.[16]
At times, Syndicates and Fixer Offices are more similar than they are different. Some Syndicates operate more like Offices, and take on more noble jobs such as attacking other Syndicates rather than civilians or extorting others for money.[17] The only true difference between some Syndicates and an actual Office is if the members have Fixer licenses.[18] In fact, Syndicate members can do Fixer work as long as they have a license, and some Fixers engage in Syndicate business as well.[19]
Known Syndicates
The Five Fingers
| Finger | Description | Known Members |
|---|---|---|
 The Thumb |
The Thumb is a Finger that imposes a strict, absolute hierarchy over its territories. Thumb members expect anybody they encounter to follow their hierarchy, whether they are associated or not, and impose a varying level of violent punishment on those who defy it. Punishments for infractions differ depending on the rule broken: acts like talking to somebody above your rank can result in body parts being removed;[20] continual infractions result in entire groups being purged, leaving no members alive.[21] Purges can occur for members of the Syndicate and its subsidiaries, but can also be brought onto any group who frequently disrespects the Thumbs's pecking order.[22] The Thumb’s absolute hierarchical worldview is not reserved for members of the Syndicate and its subsidiaries.[22] All people who interact with the Thumb are expected to follow their rules. This imposing of hierarchy is why the Thumb is ranked as the most intimidating Finger to encounter by Fixers, as any Fixer who accidentally engages with a rank they should not be talking to will be purged.[23] |
|
 The Index |
The Index is a Finger that follows seemingly-random orders called Prescripts. All members of the Index and people in Index territories are required to follow Prescripts, despite how insane or impossible the assigned tasks may seem. The completion of all Prescripts somehow benefit the Index, and Prescripts seemingly have the power to predict fate.[24] Any who question the intentions and methods of the Prescripts are swiftly silenced.[25] Failure to complete a Prescript will result in execution by the Syndicate. Prescripts are created by giant underground machines, powered and controlled by the vibrations of the City.[26] The machine transcribes gibberish messages into thread based on the vibrations, which are then translated into proper words by the machine, and woven into proper Prescripts by a Weaver.[26] Completed Prescripts are sent out to Messengers, and delivered to Index members in various ways.[27] |
|
 The Middle |
The Middle is a Finger that follows a close familial structure. The Middle is known for delivering "Vengeances" onto any outsiders who commit slights against the Syndicate and its subsidiaries, who are viewed as part of the Middle's "family". Punishments are conducted in accordance to the Book of Vengeance, a multi-title tome that all Middle members carry with them, providing specific instructions on how to commit Vengeances for every possible infraction, no matter how esoteric the sin may seem.[28] The Middle never forgets, and escaping them is only temporary. Whether it's a minor infraction, or running away from the organization,[29] the Middle will chase down anybody who commits a slight against them until the proper punishment is delivered. The southern branch of the Middle is currently recovering from a brutal attack, which all branches of the Middle remember and mourn.[30] |
|
 The Ring |
The Ring is a Finger focused on self-expression and the creation of artwork. The Ring focuses on visual mediums, namely paintings and sculptures. Ring paintings typically depict brutal violence, and Ring sculptures are usually comprised of corpses—and, occasionally, living humans.[31] The Ring manages art galleries across the Backstreets of the City. These galleries occasionally hold art auctions, hosted for high-ranking people, including Wing executives.[32] The Ring is split into various schools of art, based on a real-life artistic style or movement. The schools of art are competitive, each viewing their own style as the correct method for creating art.[33] However, Ring members from different schools sometimes have to collaborate on assignments from superiors.[34] Civilians under Ring protection are also expected to complete assignments and show proper artistic aptitude, or risk removal of the Ring's protection, and execution if they repeatedly fail. Recently, an unknown amount of the Pointillist faction of the Ring have split off, and created their own group. |
|
| The Pinky is a Finger shrouded in mystery, and many elements of how the Finger operates are still unknown. Members of the Pinky hide amongst the rest of society, infiltrating other organizations, including even the other Fingers. Their status as a member of the Pinky is kept secret, even to other members of the Pinky unless they have been ordered to gather.[35][36] The Pinky has a set number of seats, each with their own associated title named after a star, that are filled by its members. When a seat becomes vacant, a new seat holder will take their name and title.[37] The Pinky and the Ring were engaged in a war against each other in the Outskirts during the events of Library of Ruina.[38] |
Syndicates
| Syndicate | Description | Known Members |
|---|---|---|
 Yurodiviye |
The Yurodiviye is a Syndicate that formed in the District 25 Backstreets that now has a presence in every Nest in the City. They have the grand ambition to one day change the City by creating policies that will redistribute the wealth to the Backstreets. In order to achieve such a goal, they have been biding their time and holding off on helping those in mean in the meantime. Sonya, the charismatic founder of the Yurodivye, has been has been working together with Hermann's Group of N Corp. and is seemingly an associate of Demian's Group as well. Rodion was a founding member of the Syndicate who eventually parted ways after coming to terms with the fact that the Yurodivye was not what she had hoped it would be, having witnessed firsthand what tragedies their inaction caused. |
|
 Tingtang Gang |
The Tingtang Gang is a Syndicate based in the District 10 Backstreets that extorts money from local businesses and sells cars left behind by gamblers who never leave the nearby casino. | |
 Tieqiu Crew |
The Tieqiu Crew is a Syndicate based in the District 10 Backstreets that is known for the foul language of its members. | |
 Los Mariachis |
Los Mariachis is a Syndicate based in the District 10 Backstreets that values festivities and sincere expressions of the self shown through music and dance. | |
 Twinhook Pirates |
The Twinhook Pirates is a Syndicate based in the District 21 Backstreets that is a subsidiary of the Middle. They operate both on land and sea, and are involved in the creation and sale of numerous products, such as Mermaid perfume, ice cream, and whale oil. In addition to their various businesses dealings, they also abduct people such as tourists, then extort money from the persons family or associates under the false promise of returning the hostage alive. |
|
 Blade Lineage |
The Blade Lineage is a Syndicate that formed in District 19 and, after leaving the District due to its growing political unrest, now travel through various Backstreets looking for territory to claim as their own. The Syndicate accepts anyone who has nowhere else to go and the murderous intent necessary to survive. The Blade Lineage is known to take pride in the scars they acquire in battle. | |
 Kurokumo Clan |
The Kurokumo Clan is a Syndicate based in the eastern quarter of the City that has spread through the South as well, and is a subsidiary of the Thumb. They extort people for money by requiring tolls for passage between territories and for "protection". The Kurokumo Clan is known for their distinctive augmentation tattoos, which depict the black clouds that the Syndicate is named for. | |
 Dead Rabbits |
The Dead Rabbits were a Syndicate based in District 20 Backstreets that helped protect residents of the Backstreets from other Syndicates that were attempting to extort them. Heathcliff became a member of the Syndicate after leaving Wuthering Heights, and he stayed with them for a period of time before leaving and joining Limbus Company. |
Other Syndicates mentioned in Limbus Company
- Los Habaneros[39]
- Butchers[39]
- Pierre’s Bistro
- Nekomata Mafia[40]
- Tepuu Family[40]
- The Knots[40]
- Night Awls
- The Smiling Faces[41]
- The Corpse Corps[41]
- The Yakshas[41]
References
- ↑ Dante's Notes (Syndicates, Record #1): “The term covers such a wide range of things, you can call pretty much any group of people together under a name a Syndicate.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina The Brotherhood of Iron pre-Reception - Roland: “A number of thugs gather up and do things under a name, and you get a Syndicate. They’re involved in all sorts of different businesses, so it’s hard to give a general description beyond that.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina Eri’s Page: “Oh, of course, some technologies patented by closed groups like certain Syndicates or Wings are hard to get your hands on even if you have all the cash in the world.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina Bono’s Page: “Even Syndicates are no exception; anyone living in the City has to pay taxes.”
- ↑ Canto 2-4 - Ishmael: “What’s with brutish Syndicates and their pretend families? Is that the only thing they can think of to bond with each other?”
- ↑ Library of Ruina The Carnival pre-Reception - Roland: "Anyway, the Five Fingers have enough power and influence to rival the Wings, so nothing good will come out of opposing them."
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Library of Ruina Sayo's Page
- ↑ Library of Ruina Rats pre-Reception - Roland: “Those are probably a bunch of lowly gangsters from the Backstreets. We call them ‘Rats’. Groups of half-assed thugs that barely qualify as a Syndicate. They don’t have money or power.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina Pete’s Page: “So, you wondering if we Rats have any dreams? Hmm… I guess belonging to a proper Syndicate, if any.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina Lenny’s Page: “Others say that Rats are a pathetic bunch who were too incompetent to join even the smallest Syndicate let alone a Wing.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina A Stray Dog’s Page: “It was a damn tough climb, but now that I’m up here, I’m starting to feel like it might’ve been better off to just live as a Rat. Here, a strict barking order’s set up between members. It’s nothing like the Rats who move in close packs.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina An Axe Gang Member, Page 1: “You thought Fixers and Syndicates were enemies for life? Well… You could say it’s a longstanding love-hate relationship. Usually, a Syndicate causes a scene and Fixers come over to take care of it. But think about it for a sec. If Syndicates didn’t exist, more than half of all Offices would be out of jobs, essentially unemployed, ya get it?
- ↑ Library of Ruina Hook Office pre-Reception - Taein: “Though we’ve only been getting requests from no-name Syndicates and poor folk.”
- ↑ The Distortion Detective Chapter 16: Dou Gui Combat Office - Moses: “Normally, it’s extremely risky to use an Office with no assurance from any Association. It could be linked to dangerous Syndicates.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina A Grade 7 Fixer, Page 1: “Syndicate grunts rush into your Office all of a sudden, heads are blown off, and a gruesome fight breaks out. It’s the so-called ‘Office raid’.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina Arnold’s Page: “You know what’s a surefire way for a Syndicate to make a name for itself among all the competitors? The simplest method is Office raiding. You literally storm into an Office and wreak havoc on it. You never know who will be the winner until you fight. It could stop at a good beating and one side surrendering, but some Syndicates raid Offices out of pure boredom and kill everyone. Each Syndicate has its own way of operation. It goes without saying that the Syndicate has more fame to gain out of raiding a high-grade Office filled with seasoned Fixers.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina An Axe Gang Member, Page 2: “Some Syndicates actually do heroic stuff. Syndicates hunting Syndicates. I asked ‘em, “Hell man, why aren’t you guys just becoming Fixers instead?”, and they said… They don’t really feel like it, since they don’t really wanna get entangled in formal stuff and there’s just too much to prepare to get a license and everything.”
- ↑ The Distortion Detective Chapter 36: The Bullet - Moses: “If someone fixes and solves problems for a price without a Fixer license, you have yourself a Syndicate.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina McCullin’s Page: “It’s not entirely impossible for a Syndicate member to engage in Fixer work or vice versa. It’s a pretty common occurrence, actually.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina The Thumb (Episode 2) pre-Reception - Katriel: “…[Speaking above my grade] was impolite of me. I’ll pay my price now. Denis, please cut off my tongue.”
- ↑ Library of Ruina The Thumb (Episode 1) pre-Reception - Kalo: “How insolent of you to question the intentions of the capo dei capi. Such impure thoughts should be uprooted. Purge every member of the Night Awls by tonight.”
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Library of Ruina Denis' Page: “If someone is trying to disrupt the hierarchy, they will be purged in a few days. It doesn’t matter if it’s a member of the Syndicate or an outsider… Every person must abide by the rules…”
- ↑ Library of Ruina A Thumb Soldato's Page: “But then, why did the Thumb top the list of Syndicates one would never want to get involved with in the survey for Fixers conducted by the Hana Association, in spite of such good manners?”
- ↑ Library of Ruina The Index, Part 2 pre-Reception - Yan: “So I began making fake Prescripts. I thought I was showing my will for the first time with that act… But then the Prescripts do this, as if they knew everything already…”
- ↑ Library of Ruina An Index Proselyte's Page: “However, if you question who delivers those Prescripts or where they come from and put your curiosity into action, the Proxies will come for you, so beware.”
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Library of Ruina 얀샋ㄷ요무 pre-Reception - Moirai: “You’re feeling the heartbeat of the City. It vibrates at random frequencies… Those vibrations move this pendulum over here… and I spin the wheels to make threads. (...) The threads spun from those wheels are then put in this loom, and I modestly weave cloth from them. (...) And there it is! Look. A Prescript has been created~!”
- ↑ Library of Ruina An Index Proselyte's Page: “you can’t expect when and where you’ll receive one. It could be placed between the patties of the hamburger you’re holding, it could be in your mailbox, it could be handed to you by a passerby. ”
- ↑ Canto 5-30 - Ricardo: “Let's see. Title 8, Section 20 says... On row A... Line 6... Hair Salon Coupons... (...) Complete and total extermination of all involved parties; execute the coupon thief and any and all of their affiliates. Effective immediately. ”
- ↑ Canto 5-10 - Smee: “And this Queequeg? The Middle put a pretty hefty bounty on her pretty head, in case you didn't know. She not only dared to quit the Middle, but also decided to fall off the face off the earth. Now that's what you call prime stupidity. Given that the Middle... never forgets.”
- ↑ Battle Announcers/Seasonal/Seasons 4 - 6#Ricardo: “Dammit… this reminds me of that bastard. Some time ago, this rabid dog of a guy burst into our southern branch outta nowhere and started butchering our seniors left and right. The Middle of all four cardinal directions still remembers that day—and we will have our vengeance… no matter what…”
- ↑ In Leviathan Book 3, The Gallery, the Ring's gallery houses numerous living human exhibits, acting as sculptures.
- ↑ In Leviathan Book 10, The Auction, Gubo of N Corp. attends one of the Ring's auctions as a buyer.
- ↑ The Ring Pointillist Student Outis/Identity Story - Narration: “The child's taunts kicked the proverbial hornet's nest; the atelier quickly turned into a chaotic mess. A chaotic mess of indignant and intense arguments about the artistic and technical superiority of each of their factions.”
- ↑ The Ring Pointillist Student Outis/Identity Story - Narration: “this was a group project. She had to work with people from other factions to complete this task.”
- ↑ Canto 8-33 - Ryōshū: "Puff… the Pinky. Omnipresent yet unknown to each other…"
- ↑ Canto 8-33 - Faust: "Members of the Pinky gather and scatter when certain conditions are met. However, when there is no call…"
Ryōshū: "… they just live their lives without knowing which is which. No call, no solidarity." - ↑ Canto 8-33 - Zilu: "We must also discuss the matter of the Tiantui Star, whose seat has just become vacant."
- ↑ Library of Ruina Liu Association Section 1 pre-Reception - Xiao: "Section 1’s next post will most likely be the Outskirts, where the strife between the Ring and the Pinky is still fierce."
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Canto 2-7 - Tingtang Boss: "Who sent ya? The way you’re dressed tells me it ain’t Los Habaneros or the Butchers…"
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Kurokumo Clan Wakashu Heathcliff/Identity Story
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 Canto 8-22
Wiki Navigation
#1 
#2 
#3 
#4 
#5 
#6 
#7 
#8 
#9 
#10 
#11 
#12 
#13