overview
The Kalon Syndicate is a massive and highly hierarchical faction belonging to the Remnant culture originating in the Kalon Zone. Officially, the faction is named the Kalon Republic, although it is almost universally referred to as the Kalon Syndicate by both its citizens and outsiders. They are based in the south of RS-1 and stand as the largest post-war faction within the region, maintaining control over approximately half of its territory and several key settlements. They are a powerful militarized faction oriented around drugs, medicine, and food exports.
government and structure
The governance of the Kalon Syndicate is defined by a dual structure: the criminal/military syndicate itself, and the civilian settlements it oversees.
the syndicate
The syndicate itself is a massive, overarching, and highly secretive union composed of the region’s major drug lords. It is a fractured, hierarchical structure divided into many different branches that sometimes openly conflict with one another. Despite this internal friction, the union holds all genuine power in the territory. The capital of the Kalon Syndicate is Affinity, the largest post-war settlement in the Blocks, where the Kalon Council holds its seat.
civilian settlements
Underneath the boot of the syndicate are multiple smaller, subjugated civilian settlements. These vassal states are protected by and pay tribute to the syndicate. They are permitted to handle their own local civilian matters and legislation, and they usually have their own democratically elected rulers (like Mayor Umberto Kulkarni of Affinity). The syndicate largely leaves these local governments alone to govern themselves, provided they consistently pay their taxes and do not interfere with the overarching drug business or military operations.
fake elections
However, despite this autonomy, they ultimately operate at the mercy of the drug empire. To maintain a facade of democracy, whenever a new syndicate lord or president is appointed, the Kalon Syndicate will not announce it directly. Instead, they run a fake public election against a hand-picked, unpopular candidate. The results are always forged, with the syndicate’s new appointee predictably receiving at least 90% of the vote. Because the syndicate is usually quite secretive, most ordinary citizens can only rely on rumors regarding internal politics and plans.
syndicate leadership and structure
the council
The syndicate is ruled by a council consisting of 7 lords and the president, Domenic Jansen. Each of the 7 lords holds exactly 1 vote in the council, while the president acts primarily as a representative and mediator between them. Some of the Kalon lords are also known to be skilled manipulants .
branches and succession
Each lord rules their own distinct syndicate branch, complete with its own territory and military forces. These branches are heavily fractured into sub-branches, which are further divided into even smaller sub-branches. It is common for these branches and sub-branches to have internal conflicts that can escalate into outright violence.
When a lord dies, their specific branch appoints a new lord to represent them on the council; the exact method of appointment varies from branch to branch. The president, however, is chosen for life. While the president usually attempts to appoint a successor, the council ultimately decides who takes the position. Historically, this transition of absolute power has resulted in fierce internal conflicts, including the devastating Kalon civil war.
bottom-up meritocracy
Despite its brutality, the syndicate is relatively meritocratic. If an individual is lucky, skilled, cunning, and hardworking, they can climb the ranks to become a boss or a baron.
Uniquely, the syndicate utilizes a bottom-up promotion system: each higher rank is chosen by the individuals directly below it, rather than appointed from above. Because of this, popularity among one’s subordinates is extremely important. Technically, each rank possesses the power to depose the rank above them, although this is rarely done in practice.
joining and military culture
Every citizen may join the syndicate ranks, but doing so is almost exclusively a one-way path. While it is technically possible to retire, it is usually only permitted with explicit permission from local bosses and barons. The syndicate does not take kindly to deserters; those who attempt to flee are hunted down and killed, or subjected to even worse fates.
The internal military culture is notoriously brutal. Rape (including homosexual rape) is highly common within the syndicate ranks and is frequently utilized as a method of punishment, domination, and hazing.
conflict with NEP
The Kalon Syndicate is locked in a constant, grinding war with their primary rival The New Euphrosyne Project (NEP) over vital trade nodes and settlements within RS-1. For details on the logistics, shifting borders, and nature of the war, see the main Kalon-NEP conflict article.