The Updates

The Cartel

For many centuries now the drugs market has been primarily fuelled by imports - mainly from Jurica, since its climate lends itself well to their cultivation, although there are a number of delicacies that come from elsewhere. Imports generally come in from over land, so delivery can usually be taken direct to the cartel rather than requiring the "aid" so to speak of any other mob. Occasionally deliveries come in along the river - a sure sign that a temporary agreement with the Dockyard Rats has been brokered, however this is often a cause for some tension and "misunderstandings" are not uncommon.

Although the use of most drugs is, technically, illegal in Horizon, this doesn't stop anyone using them if they really want to. It is rumoured that several hundred years ago a powerful Jurican man gave the Emperor an extract of great worth and power that calmed the troubled mind of the ruler. This man provided the Emperor with this extract for the remainder of his life; however, when he died (of an unfortunate accident it is told – possibly down to the arrangements of one of the Emperor's advisers who saw his ruler becoming lax in his control) the source of the extract disappeared, as no one knew where the man had originally found it or what it was made of. The Emperor was distraught, and for several decades after that sought desperately for one who could provide another source of it. No-one ever could, although many tried (either to aid the emperor or to try and kill him, which proved impossible). All those who failed fell foul of the Emperor's temper, and were never seen again - although it is whispered that their bodies still lie in the depths of the dungeons – faces frozen in agonising pain.

After this the Emperor introduced strict rules on the distribution and use of such extracts, either recognising their danger or through spite that he had lost his release. It is believed that the Cartel is allowed to exist in the hope that the lost extract might one day be uncovered again, although the likelihood is very small indeed.

Haytham Marid coordinates the influx and distribution of these exotic spices from within the Trading District. He rose to this exalted position through a process of backstabbing, betrayal, violence, bribery, blackmail and extortion to name but a few. He has held this position for the past 7 years, and will continue to hold it until he dies – which is unlikely to be of old age, peacefully in his own bed, but equally isn't going to be too soon.

The Cartel is organised in a factional fashion, with each faction taking delivery of the drugs needed to supply the section of the city that they are in charge of (north, south, east and west). This is all run from within the Trading District and this is where deals are usually done; however, the demand for drugs extends throughout the city so orders must be taken from across Horizon. Each faction is lead by one or two big personalities, with a number of trusted associates beneath them. Then, of course, there are those who do the dirty work of handing over the goods, transportation and such.

Rank

1: You're a lackey. You work the streets in one of the four factions. You take orders and deliver the goods and are the one taking the risk of getting caught offering drugs. No protection money required, but you will follow your orders if you know what's good for you.

2: You are in charge of physically taking and organising delivery of an order and making sure your lackeys deliver it. Either that or you are one of those providing security – the type of security you don't want to fall foul of.

3: You are an associate of a faction leader. You make sure everything runs smoothly and that those beneath you know what they are doing and danm well do it. You may also be involved in cough quality control. Security is a major concern of yours, especially making sure the handovers go without a problem.

4: You are one of the faction leaders and are effectively in control of the overall distribution of drugs into one quarter of the city. It's your job to make sure that delivery is possible by keeping things sweet with the other gangs in your area. You also have to make sure that you are getting enough of the total incoming produce to provide for your section. You may also have contact with the suppliers themselves, although the main deals are done by Haytham.

Income

Poor: You're a runner. You maybe deliver actual goods but never anything too important. You may be trusted to take in orders from the lower classes.

Moderate: You perhaps deal to the middle classes or have a number of runners at your beck and call. Perhaps you run a small business where people can arrange deals quietly without any questions asked and you provide your own security for it.

Comfortable: You run a supply line to the upper/middle classes. You can be trusted to provide good quality goods and rarely cut them with anything too dangerious. Perhaps you run a small security sevice that will ensure privacy at meetings and keep prying eyes at bay.

Classy: You provide drugs to the upper classes. You can walk openly around as you do your deals with your best customers - however, the language used is always disguised of course. You probably have minions to make the more basic deals on your behalf. You run a small number of cafés, perhaps, that the rich frequent with suitably provided backrooms if clients want stronger stimulation than coffee.

Magnificent: You control the drugs trade from one supplier from one of the Four Nations. You sell direct to Haytham Marid.