The Dragon Head
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
SOCIAL INFORMATION
[*]Climate: On the surface, the Society talks about brotherhood and honour. Such values are still regarded as important, but the modern society's temptations of wealth and fortune are usually swaying factors. Simply put, each local gang affiliated with the Society is independent and Red Poles may pick a fight among each other because of territorial gains and expansion. When disputes get too heated, Elders will attempt to meditate. The Dragon Head has the final say in all matters. The unique culture of wearing the mask of honour while fighting in the dark encourages the strongest and the most cunning to lead the Society.
[*]Reputation: Most people are wary of the Society. Normal citizens have no interest in the Triad's activities and fear their ruthless methods. Storekeepers and business owners are sometimes extorted for protection fees, especially in areas where law enforcement is weak. Politicians distrust the Society but allow the Society to continue, simply because of the large sums of donations used for their own political agendas. Law enforcement has a love and hate relationship with the Society, knowing that they do not have enough cells to keep all members and are outnumbered. They generally turn a blind eye as long as the Society does not create too much bloodshed or chaos in society.
[*]Curios: The position of the Chairman is represented by a small Phrik rod crafted by an unknown craftsman. The rod is nearly indestructible and is smithed in the shape of the mythological sun-dragon. Rumours are abound that the Dragon Rod is a Force artifact or a Force imbued object. The Chairman is given the Dragon Rod upon winning the election, thus inheriting the legitimate claim of Dragon Head.
[*]Rules: There are a series of oaths which each member recited during the initiation ceremony. The main rules include maintaining honour, integrity and the brother and sisterhood. These oaths are sometimes ignored by tasking non affiliated members or hired help to do the dirty work while maintaining the masquerade of friendship.
[*]Goals: The Society is a criminal organisation owned by its members to create wealth and power. The Society never seeks to replace the government or become a major political power, preferring to survive through the ages in the shadows. As long as there are living people in the galaxy, the Society will always exist in one form or another.
MEMBERS
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Tian Di Hui, or Heaven and Earth Society was created by common Atrisians during the ailing days of the ancient Kitel Phard Dynasty. When the Artisian Dynasty fell to unknown invaders, a band of patriotic friends formed the Society with the aim to restore the Dynasty back to its glory. Over the years, uprisings were performed but none succeeded. Since then, the Society had transformed over the ages to become a criminal organisation that is no longer based in Atrisia, but in Coruscant and the Core Worlds. The huge populations in these planets fueled the organisation, allowing them to recruit members, provide illegal services and vices to the general population.
- Intent: To explain the workings of the crime organisation led by Erden Tarkhan
- Image Credit: movie poster Triad Election, dragon icon designed by Freepik, organisation chart drawn by me, Scene taken from the movie Election
- Canon: N/A
- Links: N/A
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Organization Name: Tian Di Hui, translated to Heaven and Earth Society in Galactic Basic. Also commonly referred as the Society by people or the Triad by law enforcement
- Classification: Crime Organisation
- Affiliation: Erden Tarkhan
- Organization Symbol: Shape of a mythological sun-dragon
- Description: The Tian Di Hui is a modern criminal organisation with heavy influence from its Atrisian founders. The Society claimed that it was founded during the last years of Kitel Phard Dynasty to protect the citizens of Atrisia against invaders and enemies. The Society has since evolved into a large criminal organisation that accepts all races and genders across the galaxy, while maintaining its superstitious beliefs influenced by Atrisian culture.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
- Headquarters: Coruscant
- Domain: The Society is most active in the Core Worlds, where some of the wealthiest and busiest planets are located in the galaxy. There are also branches in other major planets, all developed as a means to tap on the large populations. The organisation's health is dependent on the high number of illegal activities that it can run for the masses. The most common activities are illegal gambling, spice smuggling, extortion, money lending, bars and red light districts. Shell companies are set up for money laundering. The Triad also prides itself to take care of its community, a concept of honour and brotherhood that is inherited from the past. For example, the Triad has helped the local populace when natural disasters occurred, offering emergency supplies and access to facilities. The Triad is tolerated by local law enforcement due to such "patriotic" activities and large number of donations to politicians.
- Notable Assets: None for now, more to be developed in the future
SOCIAL INFORMATION
- Hierarchy: The Society is led by the Chairman via an election process. Every three years, the group of elders vote among a selected group of nominees to become the new head. The Chairman can continue with his or her role as long as the election is won. A fair process on paper, but backstabbing and vote buying are common behind the scenes. Erden has managed to pull enough strings to change the rules to permanently take over the role of the Chairman, much to the displeasure of some Elders.
Chairman "Dragon Head": Head of the Society, thus called the Dragon Head. Voted by Elders in a election that is held once every three years until Erden changed the rules - Vanguard "Dragon Tail": Second in command, the "tail of the dragon". Helps the Chairman in running the organisation
- Elders "Dragon Scales": Senior veterans of the Society who are usually older. Each elder oversees a local gang that is affiliated with the Society
- Master of Ceremonies "Incense Master": Oversees the joining of new members and promotion of ranks. Conducts ceremonies and rituals for such events which requires incense
- Administrators "Paper Fans": Advice on legal matters and information gathering. Fans were commonly carried by Artisian scholars in ancient times
- Enforcers "Red Poles": The muscles and best fighters in the Society. Polearms are traditional Artisian weapons
- Laision Officers "Straw Sandals": Manage the logistics and equipment. Straw sandals are footwear worn by ancient Artisians, representing their roles to always move around
- Members: Official members of the Society. Only selected personnel from local gangs are chosen
- Uninitiated "Blue Lanterns": Hired helpers who may be part of the local gangs but do not belong to the Society
- Membership: The number of members in the organisation are similar scale to a big sized Hutt Cartel, approximately in the hundreds of thousands, There are countless others who are uninitiated and wish to join the organisation. The uninitiated are usually part of a local gang that is affiliated with the Society and tag along to participate in their activities. The local gang is usually led by a Red Pole within the Society, though a Paper Fan or Straw Sandal can also be capable of leading a gang. Most other gang members remain uninitiated and are known as "Blue Lanterns". The Lanterns are commonly tasked with menial work and need to prove their worth. Once a Blue Lantern is chosen to become part of the Society, he or she will undergo a ceremony that is heavy with Atrisian influence. All races and genders are able to join the Society, as long as they prove themselves to be loyal and capable. Most of the Elders are generally Atrisians due to its Atrisian culture but there have been cases of some Elders or past Chairmen coming from other races.
Initiation Ceremony: Each new joiner will be dressed in a simple Atrisian style robe. He will walk under an archway of samurai blades formed by six men. The master of ceremonies (incense master) will ask for the new newcomer to announce his name and let him know that he is entering the realm of the Society's stronghold, a figurative speech. The new comer will say the following phrase "My name is ____ and I am from ____ (gang name). I have built roads and bridges, crossed mountains and ramparts to arrive here. Who wouldn't recognise such a brother / sister?" The incense master will ask for his purpose. The new comer will say "I have come to join the Brotherhood. Enemies are around us and the hour of need and loyalty is at hand." After that, he will knee down in front of a statue depicting the Atrisian Spirit of war and honour. The incense master will strike his back with the blunt edge of his sword and ask him "Do you choose your brethren or fortune?" The new joiner must reply, "My brethren." The new comer will then repeat oaths to swear that he will treat other members in the Society like family members, including their parents and loved ones. Finally, he will prick his finger and drip his blood into a bowl of water. A chicken will be killed and its blood will be mixed into the bowl. All new initiates will drink from the same bowl of blood to show that they are finally part of the brother and sisterhood. Finally, all initiates will say "Under the watchful eyes of Heaven and Earth, I solemnly swear that even though we are not born on the same day, we will share the same death anniversary."
[*]Climate: On the surface, the Society talks about brotherhood and honour. Such values are still regarded as important, but the modern society's temptations of wealth and fortune are usually swaying factors. Simply put, each local gang affiliated with the Society is independent and Red Poles may pick a fight among each other because of territorial gains and expansion. When disputes get too heated, Elders will attempt to meditate. The Dragon Head has the final say in all matters. The unique culture of wearing the mask of honour while fighting in the dark encourages the strongest and the most cunning to lead the Society.
[*]Reputation: Most people are wary of the Society. Normal citizens have no interest in the Triad's activities and fear their ruthless methods. Storekeepers and business owners are sometimes extorted for protection fees, especially in areas where law enforcement is weak. Politicians distrust the Society but allow the Society to continue, simply because of the large sums of donations used for their own political agendas. Law enforcement has a love and hate relationship with the Society, knowing that they do not have enough cells to keep all members and are outnumbered. They generally turn a blind eye as long as the Society does not create too much bloodshed or chaos in society.
[*]Curios: The position of the Chairman is represented by a small Phrik rod crafted by an unknown craftsman. The rod is nearly indestructible and is smithed in the shape of the mythological sun-dragon. Rumours are abound that the Dragon Rod is a Force artifact or a Force imbued object. The Chairman is given the Dragon Rod upon winning the election, thus inheriting the legitimate claim of Dragon Head.
[*]Rules: There are a series of oaths which each member recited during the initiation ceremony. The main rules include maintaining honour, integrity and the brother and sisterhood. These oaths are sometimes ignored by tasking non affiliated members or hired help to do the dirty work while maintaining the masquerade of friendship.
[*]Goals: The Society is a criminal organisation owned by its members to create wealth and power. The Society never seeks to replace the government or become a major political power, preferring to survive through the ages in the shadows. As long as there are living people in the galaxy, the Society will always exist in one form or another.
MEMBERS
- Refer to Erden Tarkhan's biography page for the list of members in the Society
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The Tian Di Hui, or Heaven and Earth Society was created by common Atrisians during the ailing days of the ancient Kitel Phard Dynasty. When the Artisian Dynasty fell to unknown invaders, a band of patriotic friends formed the Society with the aim to restore the Dynasty back to its glory. Over the years, uprisings were performed but none succeeded. Since then, the Society had transformed over the ages to become a criminal organisation that is no longer based in Atrisia, but in Coruscant and the Core Worlds. The huge populations in these planets fueled the organisation, allowing them to recruit members, provide illegal services and vices to the general population.
