Factions and NPCs
A breakdown of some of the people and groups active in Requiem. These NPCs and factions will be mentioned in ongoing plots.
Some factions are available for characters to join. Members of mod/NPC factions will be privy to special participation and information regarding that faction. Joinable factions pay their members and can be a character's full-time or part-time job.
Saying your character is a member is all you need to do to represent them as part of that faction. There are no barriers to joining a faction beyond your character’s prior actions/reputation in game. (For instance, a character known to be a cop won’t get far with any of the criminal factions, and a notorious criminal will be shunned from lawful factions.)
Entries marked as “Player Factions” are created and run by our players. Has your character started an organization or group that’s open for other characters to join? Leave a comment here with a description of your faction, which characters run it, and your contact information, and we’ll add it to the list!
Atropos University/AURT | Styx, Inc. | BEASTFORCE | The Carnal D'Elites
Kayfabe Syndicate | The Symphony | The Pinheads | The Hepcats
Other/Unaffiliated NPCs
Player Factions/NPCs
Interactions
Requiem City Hall
Type: Deity/City Government
HQ: City Hall
Hiring: No one. Wraiths staff all positions at city hall. If you are extremely, extremely determined to work here, plot with the mods.
Mayor-Queen Niesha, Lady of the Dead
(she/her) The Goddess of Death responsible for this portion of Limbo. Since time immemorial, Niesha has performed the sacred duty of weighing all souls who pass through, assessing their lives and deeds. Those found worthy in her eyes will be rewarded, while those who fail are doomed to wander Limbo forever as restless ghosts.
Or that’s the PR spin, anyway. All-powerful as she is capricious, Niesha seems to embrace the evolving culture of her city. She’s even begun styling herself as the “Mayor” in order to seem more hip. A go-getting career woman with tall heels, hair, and shoulderpads, she’s constantly surrounded by an entourage of wraith assistants, employees, and sycophants. Niesha spends most of her time taking up office in City Hall, but with increasing frequency can be found enjoying the celebrity lifestyle in the city. Don’t expect to get an autograph; her public appearances are notoriously obnoxious, as she demands special treatment and refuses to be bothered by her subjects.
Though the backup of souls in Limbo is entirely within her ability to resolve, Niesha doesn’t seem particularly motivated to do so. As she lives it up in grand fashion, the dead who depend on her face an increasingly hopeless wait in an increasingly dangerous city. Some old Souls claim that this is a recent change in her behavior. But what could make the Lady of the Dead suddenly lose interest in caring for them?
Raymond
(he/they) A wraith, the fastidious personal assistant to Niesha. While the goddess herself is out partying, Raymond single-handedly keeps the city running. Business permits, complaints, zoning requests, census reports, budget allocation, lunch deliveries… if it comes from the mayor’s office, it’s in Raymond’s handwriting. In fact, it’s natural to suspect that Raymond’s making unilateral decisions on his own. Is he simply that trusted by his flighty boss? Or is the mayor’s assistant enjoying a little more influence than he ought to? Then again, given how harried and frantic he looks at all times, maybe “enjoying” isn’t the right word…
Requiem Police Department
Type: Law Enforcement
HQ: RPD Precincts (one in each district)
Hiring: Police officers, detectives, investigators, forensics, and anyone willing to become one
We know ACAB, but somebody’s got to provide the illusion of law and order around here, right? Under the direction of Chief Gnutz, the city-sanctioned police department intends to do just that. There are well-intentioned people working for the RPD, who truly do want to keep the Souls in the city safe from criminals and monsters alike. There are also a lot of power-mad jerks taking bribes, overlooking petty crime, and living out their cop procedural fantasies in a department that seems to proverbially live for drama. But maybe your plucky police-inclined characters can make things better. Right??
Police Chief Jimmy Gnutz
(he/him) Chief of the Requiem Police Department. Chief Gnutz denies reports that the police are struggling under the volume of calls or that his department favors certain districts of the city over others. He also denies reports that he receives bribes from certain criminal factions, or that there’s underhanded dealings going on with City Hall. He also denies reports that his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor is an attempt to mimic characters from cop procedurals, or that his attitude changes whenever he becomes interested in a new one.
Atropos University & Atropos University Research Team
Type: Academic
HQ: Atropos University, amazingly
Hiring: Scholars, researchers, scientists, professors, and other academics
Are you a huge nerd? Does the thought of test tubes make you shiver with delight? Do you want to know how the hell all this crazy ghost and soul business works? You’ll be right at home on the Atropos University Research Team. This team of scholars, investigators, and other professionals is sent out to research various aspects of Limbo, including Souls, ghosts, monsters, phenomena, and the “nature” of reality in the great beyond. The AURT are a trusted source of information and are often the first to be consulted about the city’s strange occurrences and happenings du jour. Their headquarters is in one of the large buildings on the university campus, and it includes a research laboratory and easy access to the library.
Chancellor Safiyah Howe
(she/they) Chancellor Howe is the head of Atropos University. A scholar of some repute in life, she oversees research and operations at Requiem’s number one and only educational institution. Under her orders, the Atropos University Research Team embarks on expeditions throughout the city and its outskirts. She also oversees university staff and is responsible for arranging classes and hiring new faculty. She has no explanation why all the buildings around the university are so creepy.
Styx, Inc.
Type: Corporation
HQ: Styx, Inc HQ in the Central district
Hiring: Office workers, employees for retail stores and factories, other corporate jobs,
The largest corporation and number one brand in Requiem, Styx products are found all over the city: vehicles, household goods, food and beverage products, pharmaceuticals, and more. It’s not quite accurate to say Styx manufactures all of these things, but they do own the facilities in which they “show up.” The company employs thousands of Souls in their factories, corporate offices, and Styxmart supermarkets. With Styx products, you can rest in peace, assured that you’re receiving top of the line quality and getting more for your dosh.
Styx, Inc. came under fire after being caught performing highly illegal experiments with untested chemicals on unwilling victims. They were also found at fault for a chemical spill which had, er... monstrous results on the city populace. The entire board of directors was ousted and arrested, and the company is currently in the hands of City Hall until new, less evil leadership is appointed.
They are DEFINITELY no longer up to anything sinister in that big, foreboding skyscraper, or in the smaller high security facilities throughout the city. Probably.
Hugo Landry
(he/him) FORMER President and CEO of Styx Inc. Mr. Landry was found guilty of a huge list of crimes including conspiracy, kidnapping, pollution, and general corporate nastiness. Ousted from his position and under arrest, Mr. Landry escaped police custody and was last seen running into the Underground screaming something about paradigm shifts. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and Mr. Landry's current whereabouts are unknown. The disgraced executive is considered unarmed and probably not all that dangerous, but who knows what state he'll be in if and when he turns up...
BEASTFORCE
Type: Private Security
HQ: BEASTLAIR! in the North district
Hiring: Security guards, mercenaries, field combat and support specialists. Monster-hunting experience is a plus.
A private security team. Though they style themselves as security guards, BEASTFORCE (please note capitalization) is closer to a mercenary outfit that specializes in monster control. BEASTFORCE sentries get hired to protect large events or escort VIPs, and teams patrol dangerous parts of the city to proactively deal with things that go "rar" in the night. Their relationship with the police is frosty at best, as the scrappy little security firm has a much better reputation when it comes to monsters. The acronym changes at the Commander’s whims, but it currently stands for Battle/Enforcement Afterlife Security Team… Force.
If you like fighting monsters, love leather jackets, and can merely tolerate an aggressive power metal workplace culture, you’ll fit right in.
Commander Platinum Wolf
(he/him) Leader of BEASTFORCE. A big, boisterous man of mysterious origins, though it’s rumored he’s the Soul of an ancient warrior who's been trapped in Limbo for centuries. The only thing he loves more than the thrill of battle is the hardcore heavy metal aesthetic around which he founded his company. He takes his codename system and uniform policy extremely seriously, and will not be convinced that they’re anything but badass and radical. Now if only he could decide what BEASTFORCE actually stands for.
The Carnal D'Elites
Type: Social
HQ: Unknown
Hiring: Not so much hiring as "recruiting" guests for their parties, particularly those with an interest in philosophy, anima theory, and physical pleasure
The Carnal D'Elites are a secret society interested in anima, the life force that keeps Limbo running, and in how it can be used to benefit and influence the city of Requiem and its residents. This means they encourage members to generate a lot of it. If you know what we mean.
Known for their extravagant parties, the Carnal D'Elites hand out secret invitations at bars, nightclubs, and other social locations, particularly to individuals who seem... outgoing. The parties themselves are generally classy affairs, with ritzy catering, philosophical discussions, and... stimulating discourse. Often, they encourage guests to wear masks or otherwise keep themselves anonymous, but the atmosphere is generally more intellectual and playful than creepy-Kubrickian.
Leadership of the CDs is largely secretive, at the moment.
The Kayfabe Syndicate
Type: Criminal
HQ: Kayfabe Arena Grounds
Hiring: Runners, enforcers, drivers, bodyguards, other gang roles, and professional wrestlers
Your classic yakuza/mafioso; suits and ties, money laundering and drug dealing, racketeering and offers they can’t refuse. The twist is that the Syndicate owns AWE (Afterlife Wrestling Entertainment,) and nobody’s sure which came first at this point. The Syndicate loves bombast, style, and drama; they’re loud and proud and eager to get attention for their deeds. Members with gimmicks, costumes, alter-egos, physical prowess, or the ability to put on a good show will find it easy to climb the ranks. Even low-ranked runners and enforcers are encouraged to play things up a bit, or at least work some spandex or sequins into their outfits.
The Syndicate is headed up by 14-time Afterlife Heavyweight Champion “Ruthless” Ruthie Braun and her twin brother Ricky “Rest in Pieces” Braun. They control about a third of Requiem’s criminal underworld, and are bitter, vicious rivals with the Symphony.
Though they’re closely intertwined, AWE and the Kayfabe Syndicate are, on paper, separate operations. Syndicate members are not required to perform, and Souls seeking a wrestling career are not required to work for the Syndicate. But the temptation will always be there, and the Syndicate promises to sweeten the deal for any performers who decide to really join the business.
"Ruthless" Ruthie Braun
(she/her) Head of the Kayfabe Syndicate. This absolute truck of a woman is larger than life in every sense of the phrase. Aggressive and ostentatious, she rode a professional wrestling career to the top of the pile(driver) and commands the Syndicate with the assistance of her twin brother/tag team partner, Ricky. Ruthie is more ferocious and domineering than her brother and indisputably in charge. When not at the gym, she can be found practicing or watching the events at Kayfabe Arena. Occasionally she bothers to make an appearance at Syndicate HQ.
Ricky "Rest in Pieces" Braun
(he/him) Twin brother/tag team partner of Ruthie, he’s her right-hand man in the Syndicate. He’s also huge, loud, and aggressive, but obviously cowed to his sister’s will and does whatever she says. He is rarely seen away from Ruthie’s side, but can sometimes be found at Syndicate HQ taking care of things Ruthie can’t be bothered to-- including most of the busywork of running a criminal empire. If serving as an eternal jobber to his sister bothers him, he’s certainly never let on.
The Symphony
Type: Criminal
HQ: Unknown; members are itinerant
Hiring: Spies, burglars, infiltrators, hackers, stealth specialists, and other gang roles
A network of spies, cat burglars, infiltrators, and other specialists, known as “Virtuosos.” Their heists are organized by the mysterious Maestro. Communicating via codenames, encrypted messages, dead drops, secret rendezvous and other espionage tactics, the Maestro directs Virtuosos from behind the scenes, stealing from groups and individuals around the city. Those who perform well receive a hefty cut of the loot. Though far more discreet than their rivals in the Kayfabe Syndicate, the Symphony controls about a third of the city’s criminal underworld and stands toe-to-toe with them in terms of power and influence.
The Maestro’s identity is unknown, and they operate the Symphony in a manner designed to keep it that way. They are known to organize grand parties at which members of the Symphony can meet and mingle over fine food, champagne, and music. These parties are so secret that the attendees sometimes have no idea that they’ve attended one at all.
Secrecy is the name of the game in this faction, and interested applicants should be very careful to respect that. This network of “professionals” has never admitted to including assassins, but let’s just say we wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
The Maestro
(they/them) The mysterious head of the Symphony. No one has ever seen their true face, and they use assorted technology to disguise their voice and handwriting. They orchestrate the Symphony behind the scenes, passing down orders via letters, dead drops, and coded messages. Little is known about the Maestro personally, but they do throw some bangin’ parties.
The Pinheads
Type: Criminal
HQ: The Medium Gazette
Hiring: Petty criminals, pickpockets, enforcers, other gang roles- they tend to recruit more “casual” criminals that can't hack it in other gangs
What are you lookin’ at, punk? …Wait, that is actually a punk and they’re looking at you funny. You’ve just crossed paths with one of the Pinheads, a punk aesthetic band of would-be anarchists who haven’t quite figured out which machine they’re raging against. Recognisable for their trademark habit of using safety pins as piercings, the Pinheads like to think they’re the next big thing, but they’re more like a bunch of wannabes trying to dip their toes in the big kids’ pool without making any ripples.
Crass, chaotic, outspoken, and good at being nuisances, they are always looking for attention and alliances to help them get ahead. Their leader Meat enthusiastically recruits petty criminals to the somewhat aimless cause. The Pinheads have recently taken over the defunct Medium Gazette building, using the newspaper presses to churn out endless, poorly-spelled propaganda for the gang– and niche zines, for a small fee! Otherwise, they’re mostly causing trouble for the sake of it. If nothing else, they appear to be having a good time.
Meat
(he/him) The leader of the punk criminal Pinheads. Meat thinks he’s the big man, giving it all that and stuff. He likes to believe he’s hard as nails, yeah? Bit of a diamond geezer. He grew up on punk and anarchy - down with fascists! Power to the people! Knock some heads! He always wanted a gang and thanks to the power of charisma and looking cool, he’s now got one. What’s he going to do with it, you ask? …um… He’ll get back to you on that.
The Hepcats
Type: Criminal
HQ: Multiple
Hiring: Runners, drivers, enforcers, other gang roles- there are 3 splinter groups all racing to recruit against one another at current
The Hepcats had a good thing going. Your classic fedora-and-machine gun gangsters, the noir trappings of Requiem made a perfect backdrop for their criminal empire. Unfortunately, it turns out people love a gimmick. The Hepcats have lost their power and influence to the other gangs for purely aesthetic reasons. It’s tough to stand out against the bombastic flash of the Syndicate or the classy mystery of the Symphony, but you’d think “oh a wiseguy, see?” would be timeless. Is nothing sacred anymore?
The recent disappearance of Hepcat leader Big Sal has left a power vacuum at the top of the faction. The gang’s fragmented into three small groups, in-fighting over what’s left. This violence has been slowly escalating over the past few months, and it’s unclear which of the fractured gangs will end up victorious in this turf war… or if anything will be left when they do. Will the Hepcats finish fading into obscurity? Or will some fresh blood help turn things around?
Big Sal
(she/her) Currently missing in action, Big Sal was the leader of the Hepcats. It’s been about a month since she vanished without a trace, and in her absence the gang has splintered into multiple quarreling factions. None of the other gangs nor the police have any idea what happened to the pincurled, tough-talkin’, machine gun-toting’ gangster queen, and no leads have produced any results. Is there something more to this dame’s disappearance? Or is she simply sleeping with the fishes?
Other/Unaffiliated NPCs
Dan Husslerock
(he/him) A C-list actor/musician in life, Dan Husslerock has ascended to Limbo’s number one celebrity superstar in only a few short decades. Star of the hit TV shows “Hollowpoint P.I.” and “Seaguard,” recording artist, and overbearingly egotistical jerk of the highest order, Husslerock can often be seen around town hogging the spotlight wherever he can find it. Any resemblance to famous real-world actor/musicians of the 80s and early 90s is coincidental and not a commentary on anything, we swear.
Player Factions
The Sanguine
Leader: Mara Sov
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bomblogicOn its native world a faction that favored the convenience and indulgence of city life, the Sanguine has been reborn and given new purpose here in Requiem. Its primary interest is in keeping anima flowing while researching ways it can best serve the preservation of the realm and its people. The faction and its leader share similar interests with the Carnal D'Elites (and the leader is currently a member), though the two are not aligned and are separate organizations. The group seems to be gaining ground as an alternative/complement to the Carnal D'Elites, as there are already a few nightlife-related establishments affiliated with the Sanguine, and around a dozen members throughout the city.
Those interested in joining can reach out to Mara Sov — or she may personally reach out to you, should a little bird pass your interest along.
Interact with NPCs
Want to contact any of these NPCs? Here’s how:
Leave a comment below explaining OOCly which NPC you’re trying to work with and a summary of what interaction you’re seeking.
EX: “Jim Bob requests a meeting with Raymond to discuss a permit for his new stripclub"
"Susie Q, a member of the Syndicate, wants to ask Ruthie if she’ll make an appearance at her birthday party next weekend.”
The mods will respond with how that interaction goes and what, if anything, your character gains from the conversation.
EX: “Raymond apologizes that he’s too busy to meet, but provides Jim Bob the paperwork he needs to fill out in triplicate."
“Ruthie, wanting to reward her loyal follower, agrees to do a 10-minute promo at Susie’s party, and it goes like this:”
NPC interactions will be largely OOC/handwaved like this (the mods will not normally be threading out/playing the NPCs.) Occasionally, an NPC may post on the network or be otherwise available for IC threading.
You are free to create NPCs to be your character’s boss/neighbor/friend/friendly local bartender/victim of crime. The mods don’t need to be involved in those interactions.
If you come up with a recurring NPC you'd like to make available for gamewide use, you know the drill: submit 'em and we'll add them to the list!
Graffiti - Sept '23 Post Mortem
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He'll send back a text:]
depends on the game we're playing
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-M
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Does that explain anything?
-M
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i have got far too much free time on my hands, suppose i could pick up an instrument or two
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[Here's a list of coordinates.]
Look for a black envelope, and plug the chip into your NeoNet. We'll speak more then.
-M
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[In the interest of not looking desperate, he won't go and collect it immediately, but he'll get there eventually and plug in the chip.
What's the worst that could happen?]
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This chip allows for messages to be send over my encrypted network, off the public one. I will never directly contact you outside of it.
I am the Maestro. I conduct the Symphony. We are an organization of those who pursue the material blessings of Limbo with a refined and subtle touch.
Those who play their parts to perfection will share in the bounty.
Those who betray our secrecy will find themselves busking on the street.
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Much to think about.]
and if someone simply gets bored of playing?
i've no interest in betraying secrets, but i've even less interest in being beholden to anyone
[He's done that enough.]
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So long as you stay respectfully silent, you can always wait in the wings.
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suppose there's nothing better to do, count me in
do i need to send over a cv?
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Keep an eye on your device. Look out for black envelopes. I may occasionally have you make deliveries for your fellow Virtuosos. You'll be paid a generous share of whatever you help me acquire.
We'll make such sweet music together.
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don't make it weird
['Sweet music'. Satan's sake.]
but sure, i'll keep an eye out
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You'll hear from me soon.
full-body slams into this
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-M
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so where do we go from here?
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One more little errand first. Look for a black envelope. Plug the chip into your NeoNet and we'll talk further.
-M
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she's careful about it, though, takes her time to see if she's being watched or followed any more suspiciously than usual, because while this doesn't smell like a trap, that could just be because everything smells like city rain.
after she deems it "safe enough" she makes her move to retrieve the envelope, but waits til she's out of the area, picking a well-lit open-patio cafe to take a seat in, before plugging in the chip to her device.
and then she waits. ]
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Well done, Ms. Wong.
This chip allows for messages to be send over my encrypted network, off the public one. I will never directly contact you outside of it.
I am the Maestro. I conduct the Symphony. We are an organization of those who pursue the material blessings of Limbo with a refined and subtle touch.
Those who play their parts to perfection will share in the bounty.
Those who betray our secrecy will find themselves busking on the street.
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she's worked for weirder. ]
a pleasure.
understood. I'm flattered to audition for a chair.
may I assume this means there will be a callback?
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We'll start with some warmups. Keep your eyes on your device. Look out for black envelopes. I may occasionally have a delivery for you to make for a fellow Virtuoso. You'll make a healthy share of that which you help me acquire, and I'm always looking for my next performance.
All I ask is that you keep quiet. Wouldn't want to ruin my music.
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I'll stick to my part and watch for the cues.
[ and she'll just have to wait and see if the discretion goes both ways. ]
Coming in real late.
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-M
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I'm afraid I don't play any instruments, though? I just enjoy solving puzzles on occasion.
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Right. While I can't say I couldn't use more money, my answer will hinge on the nature of the "puzzles" in question, I think.
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player faction!
***
The Sanguine
Once an Awoken faction that favored the convenience and indulgence of city life, in Requiem the essence of the faction has been reborn and given new purpose. Anima is the lifeblood of this realm and the Sanguine are interested in keeping it flowing, while also studying it and devising ways it can better serve the realm and its people.
That is the strong overarching theme that has motivated the faction's creation, in fact: how to better the realm for the sake of the people
unwillingly trappedliving here. Whether through anima generation, pursuing potential technological advancements, or basic safety and quality of life efforts. The faction's leader believes there is much that could be done to make Requiem a better place and safer place, where the average Soul doesn't have to worry about monster attacks or worse, possibly becoming one of those monsters while they wait to leave Limbo.Safer as far as crime too, you might ask? Let's just tackle one problem at a time, dears. While the Sanguine currently have no visible ties to any criminal activity, it remains unknown if it will stay that way. Either way, its leader isn't interested in playing Moral Police, particularly in a realm not her own, and in her home world has been known to work with both mercenaries and mild criminal elements as needed.
Leader: Mara Sov (
Contact: Inbox. (if OOC contact needed, jadednight on both Plurk and Discord.)