Welcome to the Syndicate, where the pursuit of knowledge meets the shadowy corridors of the underground. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by leveraging information as a transformative tool for betterment.We operate discreetly, navigating the complexities of the criminal underworld to ensure that vital tomes, documents, and secrets remain safeguarded from those who would misuse them. With every piece of knowledge we broker, we strive to elevate the underserved, fostering a world where the right information sparks change and ignites hope. In this delicate balance of power and ethics, we are committed to creating a brighter future, one clandestine operation at a time

There is an expectation of professionalism that should be upheld while representing the Syndicate in a public setting. While, we understand that we are a criminal organization, there is a standard we uphold outside of our own walls. We are to be seen as a natural group, working in favor for ourselves and the protection of other members within at all times. This does not mean we will not aid and support other organizations at times.New individuals that wish to join will be given a grace period where they will not be placed in a sector. This time period is meant to make sure that both you and the other members of the syndicate feel that you are a good fit for the environment. Once that period is over, that is when you will be given the choices of what sector we feel like you would thrive in and bring you in as a full member. At that time, more information and next steps will be given about the innerworkings of the Syndicate.We, as the Inkborne Syndicate, run a Hotel called 'Floor 13'. While it is not mandatory that you work at the hotel and be apart of the organization, it is highly encouraged. It is a great bonding experience with your piers and will foster a better working environment overall.

  ENDSWORN   —  Endsworn are our front line and the perfect sector for those with skills of a warrior. They are protectors of the Syndicate, strong armed and ready. A unnerving, fearless stature falls on the shoulders of those wishing to take up a position within this branch.
 
   —  OOC this is the sector for more tank types of characters. Loud and proud.

  SPEAKERS   —  Speakers are a select few who wish to devote their time to helping and healing others. Graced with the blessings of healing magics, those who wish to align with this path are the backbone of the Syndicate, keeping everyone on their feet at all costs.   —  OOC this is the sector for healers that still like the trill of battle.

  SCHOLARS   —  Scholars know the ins and outs of the system. Their eyes are set to progress, pushing limits to their breaking points and using it for the Syndicate's benefit. Their dedication to knowledge weaves new paths forward while documenting the ties of fate around them.   —  OOC this is the sect for less combatants, though it is not exclusive.

Backstory

What began as a solitary thought blossomed into a fervent dream—the notion that one could transform themselves to heal others, paving a brighter future for the generations yet to come. This idea danced enticingly through the fingertips of Istanya, a dedicated scholar whose life had been forged in the crucible of war.Years of hard work followed her time serving in the ranks of the Maelstrom as a frontline field medic. Istanya was no stranger to death; she had cradled dying men in her arms, listened to their whispered farewells, and watched them bleed out, life slipping away like grains of sand through her fingers. Each loss etched itself into her soul, an indelible reminder of the price of conflict.Haunted by the faces of those she could not save, Istanya sought solace in the stories of those left behind—families grieving husbands, wives, fathers, and children consumed by the relentless war machine. She visited these bereaved souls, encouraging them to share their memories, documenting their narratives with painstaking care. It ignited a flicker of hope within her—the desire to preserve the past from the unforgiving hands of time. Ink became more reliable than memory, she believed, and so she endeavored to gather knowledge, offering a sanctuary where history was told from all angles, unburdened by notions of right or wrong.

research

While the dream of a library was fulfilling, Istanya found herself drawn into the intricate dance of brokering information among the elite. Highborn families entrusted her with their autobiographies, seeking to immortalize their legacies. Yet, in the heart of this endeavor, she encountered secrets that should have never crossed her path, her naïveté catching the unsuspecting off-guard.This mutual exchange of information became her enterprise—a cycle of trading knowledge—yet beneath it all, a haunting promise lingered. A pledge made to someone dear, a reminder that even as a Viera, her time on this shard was limited. Thus began her obsessive journey into the manipulation of aether.For thirty long years, her home transformed into a sanctuary of research and solitude, each wall a cell designed by her own hands. Friends faded into distant memories as she immersed herself in the arcane arts. Her fascination with black magic grew, but societal condemnation shackled her for years. Then came the breakthrough—an epiphany that aetherical manipulation could be harnessed on a physiological level without stealing souls or corrupting minds.Her days and nights blurred as the power of runes guided her pen. The prospect of genuinely saving lives—giving individuals the futures they deserved—propelled her through sleepless vigils. With her brother's unwavering support, she pressed on, yet the specter of darker magics loomed ever closer, forcing her to confront the moral complexities of her ambitions.

outcome

Despite the roadblocks, her determination blazed bright until it became painfully evident: to cheat death, she would first need to stare it in the eyes. This realization pierced her heart like a cold dagger, a constant reminder that her quest for knowledge could lead toward her own demise.When the moment arrived to put her theories to the ultimate test, it was a mental disconnection—a caged spirit willing to risk everything for liberation. In the solitude of her office, she took the final step, red blood spilling across the floor, her body lifeless and still. But as darkness enveloped her, something extraordinary happened. That crimson essence transformed into an ink-like fluid, coursing through her being, infusing her corpse with a new vitality.In those fleeting moments, Istanya embraced her rebirth. Years of tireless study culminated in a single breath, and she emerged—transformed and resolute. No longer merely a scholar, she had become a conduit for change, ready to weave her story into the fabric of history once again, no longer just a healer of bodies, but a mender of souls.And thus, the ink of her past became the lifeblood of her new existence, a testament to hope and resilience for all those who walked alongside her on this perilous journey.

Istanya Runtela

ROLE:AGE: 128GENDER: Female (She/Her)ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil

About

With fifty years under her belt pertaining to the study of aether alone, this Viera has learned the ins and outs of how to properly manipulate and control it, bending it to her whims.The time devoted to this took a toll on her social interaction, though, in the past few turns, she has gained a rather high notoriety among individuals she has met. Her work with aether expands far beyond the normal art of casting and being able to use it for combat or even healing. She has taken the time to strip the force down to its most natural state, using it a way that perhaps has caused irreversible effects. However, if she is not properly asked about such, it would all just be speculation, wouldn't it?Some say she is an ink mage, the black veins that trail just under her skin giving her away with just one look. Though some claim she is of the void, she will correct them in almost an instant. Though, while she has taken the time to try and suppress her aether signature to others, it is still wildly present to most, something she has had to worry about up till recently. Confidence blooming as moos past, working on herself to actually step into a potential she was hindering herself from for years with the help of her partner, Nikklaus.Her intentions are good, at least to her. The mindset of helping people in any way she can plays a bit part in how she carries herself while also thriving in the roots she planted deep within the underground through information. Every good has a bad, but she tried her best to void them out any way she can if she has to. She is not one to judge someone on their past, viewing it as to what makes a person themselves and will turn a blind eye to anything most would find troubling. Always a welcome hand to help someone who is in need of it, giving that trust until it is broken.The Viera has dedicated her life to her work and would be glad to talk to someone about it if they are interested, but it might just be more then someone can chew...

• Carrd

time together

In a season marked by turmoil and uncertainty, the Seeker and the Viera crossed paths, both yearning for something beyond the mundane as they watched the same tired tropes repeat themselves. Everyone wants to rule the world, but no one was going to get there doing it alone, and they certainly weren't going to get there by creating carbon copies of every lounge, speakeasy, and whore-house that already existed. They both craved to disrupt the status quo, and the source was not ready for the polarizing duo that these two would become.Initially, they united as business partners, embarking on a journey that would intertwine their destinies.As the unlikely pair found themselves with similar aspirations, they discovered a remarkable synergy, their separate approaches in diplomacy and politics effortlessly complementing one another. They sought to nurture the Undercity by building connections, manipulating the conversation until those kingpins swayed in their favor. This created an unbreakable bond between business partners, and in a time of uncertainty for Nikklaus as envy lead others to take from him, Istanya would offer a gift to the Seeker that he couldn't refuse. A gift of life in the face of death.This metamorphosis promised to enhance the Seeker's burgeoning abilities while simultaneously aiding the Viera in her personal pursuits. Yet as their partnership flourished, an insatiable hunger stirred within the Seeker—a desire for power that could only be attained through full transformation. And so, he made a fateful choice. Entering into a pact and undergoing a ritual, he emerged sharing the same lifesblood to the Viera herself, no longer a man that could be bled dry so easily. Some would call it a gift, and others, an abomination.Such an evolution placed them in a precarious situation, forcing the Seeker to confront a pivotal decision to leave behind his former life and all it encompassed. With resolve, Nikklaus ventured forth, relinquishing family ties and business endeavors to seek solace in Istanya’s embrace. In her sanctuary, he found a home— another reason to breathe, a woman to stand both behind him and beside him when no one else could. From business partners to lovers, that bond would only grow along with aspirations far too grandiose for the average couple to see through.Now, nestled within the Lavender Beds, the pair have began building their life together, utilizing each other's greatest assets to disrupt the mundane existence their peers have succumbed to. These aspirations couldn't be achieved alone, and amongst the family they found in each other, they would open their doors to like-minds seeking solidarity. Such a thing did not come without sacrifice.Heavy is the head, and Nikklaus knew it was time to rebuild an empire alongside his endeavors to change the Undercity as he knew it. Istanya Runtela saved the Seeker's life when everyone else sought to take it from him, the only person who was capable of breathing life back into the lost man he'd become. Istanya had given him yet another gift, a newfound purpose, something that would leave an even greater impression even long after he was buried six feet under, a reason to surpass his own success and notoriety. Together, they find themselves as partners in life, business, and death as they began their journey to build an empire in their pursuit of power.

Nikklaus Shadecross

ROLE:AGE: 29GENDER: Male (He/Him)ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral

About

Sleazy, degenerate, and more than a little narcissistic, the mans reputation often precedes him. You may know him from a lifetime ago, when he slept in Pearl Lane with naught more than the clothes on his back and the flask in his pocket.A couple turns ago, the Seeker began to build his own empire of likeminded rejects, lost souls that didn't have a place they called 'home', outcasts that never quite belonged anywhere, or fit in. As a man who had been kicked out of nearly any business he ever stepped foot inside of, Nikklaus had a soft spot for those lost souls that just needed to be given purpose and direction. To cater to these degenerates, he opened a lawless bar that was home to a renowned fight-pit that had only one rule to prevent bodies from piling up on his floor. This place was famously coined "Shady's".Shady's was not the average venue, nor was The Undercity the average network. The Seeker found a way to attract people from all walks of life, the criminals in the underground, the nobles from Ishgard, the adventurers, the drifters, they all found themselves sharing the same love for a place that made them feel alive, a place that often gave purpose beyond drugs, sex, and blood. A cultural shift had begun and for better or worse, Shady's left its mark on the source. Despite of that impression, or perhaps in spite of that impression, Nikklaus and his empire had reached a notoriety that he could no longer surpass. It was a restless endeavor, futile attempts to continuously outdo himself would lead the man back to his roots that started this whole journey - he was lost.So he left. Signed his empire away to his family and friends as he sought another purpose. Something that could not only change the culture of The Undercity, but to inspire other kingpins like him to follow suit. The empire was abandoned, but the network that catered to the underground would remain, no longer inclusive to those wayward souls that sought to leach from it. The Undercity was exclusive to those who fed it, nurtured it, gave back what they would take from it.Tales of Nikklaus' aspirations spread across the continents, no longer desiring to fight for the little guys, but instead demanding a seat at the high table of some of the most deadly, successful, diabolical kingpins the source had to offer. A council of criminal kingpins was created, a means of restoring order and culture back into the heart of the Undercity. And the Seeker would be one of the original four to sit at this table.Heavy is the head, and he knew it was time to rebuild an empire alongside his endeavors to change the Undercity as he knew it. Istanya Runtela saved the Seeker's life when everyone else sought to take it from him, the only person who was capable of breathing life back into the lost man he'd become. This time, it was his turn to be gifted a purpose from someone else, a reason to draw breath, a reason to surpass his own success and notoriety. Together, they find themselves as partners in life, business, and death as they began their journey to build an empire in their pursuit of power.

joining expectations

Much like we stated within the ooc rules, we expect you to act like an adult. We want you to have fun and enjoy your time writing most of all. Please be respectful to others. Though, please do note that IC conflicts will happen, and that's okay as long as it is not taken outside of the game, bleeding into OOC. We are all here trying to play barbie in this fantasy world. We all are here because we want to write and have a good time creating plots and forgetting the outside world for a bit. Don't make this harder then it needs to be.When it comes to OOC looking in on the function of the FC, we expect there to be OOC communication if you are wanting plot progression. We do not limit members on creating internal plot lines and hosting events, but note that both of the leaders are most active Sunday through Tuesday. We encourage others to plan events how they see fit following the guidelines in the discord for such.This FC and its house is also home to a venue serving as a natural ground among criminal kingpins and their factions and is not fully just dedicated to the FC alone. This does not mean if you choose to create an FC room it needs to cater to the venue, we have alts for that reason. We want you to have your own space!We have no issue if you are from another server but wish to join. With that, you are welcome to make an alt to make a room within the house, though to have said alt be a playable member within the ranks of the FC, they would have to go though the same IC onboarding just like the rest.

OOc Info and rules

As an FC, our main goal is to facilitate and create an RP setting. With a core plot, and characters spanning over six years of development, we hope that for those looking for this kind of vibe find a home within our community.We expect everyone who joins the FC to be 21+. There is no exceptions to that rule given the fact we expect you to act like adults and handle darker themes like adults writing in a fantasy world. While if there are bigger issues, the officer team can lend a hand into conflict resolve, we expect members to be able to problem solve and speak to others to fix most issues that might happen.Consent is key. There is no exceptions to this. We allow all types of RP to happen, we do not control your character and how you write them, but please note that if you push someone into a corner and try to do something to their character without a prior consent, that is terms for getting kicked out. And on the other hand of that, if you find yourself being the one in that corner, just walk away and message an officer. You're an adult. You can just log off if someone is making you uncomfortable. This is a criminal centered FC, so with that knowledge, please know that IC actions have IC consequences. If you get mad at someone, yell in their face, someone might punch your character. We do not see an issue with a retaliation like that without prior consent.There is an expectation to follow the IC rules listed on this carrd. They are there for a reason and by joining the FC as an RP character, it is assumed they have plans to at least adhere to said rules to some degree. Given that it would be IC, it will be handled IC as well. That doesn't mean you as a person would get kicked, but the character might depending.Do not take OOC conversations and make them issues IC and vice versa. That is never fun and I think we all have been there. If you don't like someone, just avoid them and limit interactions. We, as an FC, have other FC's we are close with, that also applies there as well. We will not force you to interact with people you do not want, but know that sometimes, that might come up.

contact & Misc Info

Istanya's contact information:Istanya Runtela | Zalera - In game nameGrumpyguppy - Discord@notyourcohealer - Twitter@notyourcohealer.bsky.social -Bluesky

Nikklaus' contact information:N'ikklaus Shadecross | Zalera - In game nameNikklaus - Discord

TIMEZONE: Mostly EST. Most active days are Sunday though Tuesday, but the Leaders around around during the week depending.HOMEWORLD: Zalera | Crystal Data Center
You do not have to be from Zalera to be apart of the FC and community.BASE THEMES: Dark, Criminal, Occult, Mature, Combat, Espionage, Death

Here is the link to the Google form if you wish to join

• Click me

For a general guide while reading through the given information, ink, aether, and blood will be used interchangeably unless specifically stated otherwise. Most sections will be broken down into two groups. One will be for individuals that are fully blooded, the other for those that are half.
-Do not metagame the information below. If there is suspicion of such, I will call it out on the spot-

The ink is something of a sentient being.
 
The ink is knowing of its host. Both fully blooded and half, it conforms to whoever it is within. Its intent is to help and aid however the user wishes in any situation. The sections below will go into details and hit on major points of usage within ones body. There is a lot of creativity that goes into it while following a framework where the host ooc can create something they want without heavy restrictions on the character themselves.

Istanya created a branch of necromancy that is not just focused on death, rather, praising the choice of life. She does not view what she does at necromancy because of her morals and intent with giving the gift of Ink to others. She views it as giving the choice to others when their choice was taken from them. This is the byproduct of thirty years of work and self sacrifice and trial and errors on her part that has shaped her as a character.

Each inked character despite what level will have to pick a major flaw that comes with it. Examples are losing one of the five senses while using the ink, constant nose bleeds, color blindness, a crippling fear, and so on. This will be catered toward the character chosen by the player to make sure everyone is in agreement moving forward. I do not gatekeep what that flaw is. I would rather it be something that creates good story at the end of the day.
 
It is up to the player on what else they wish to come from it. Again, the only requirement is one major flaw, the rest is creative freedom.
 
OOC conversations will happen to fully flesh out details of transition and creation

Please note that not all of the information about the ink is listed above. Some is left out for general RP reason and to give the player something to talk and ask about when and if that time comes. A player can join the Syndicate without the intent of wanting to be half or full blooded, is it not a requirement.On the other hand, there is no guarantee those wish to be blooded will become such. There are a set of trials and expectation that have to be obtained before the rebirth would be considered.Once on an OOC level it has been established that your character would be able to undergo either one of the rituals, it is up to the player to determine how they would like it to go. Istanya is the only person who can preform such, so correspondence with her will have to take place for a scene.For ones becoming full blooded, once talked about ooc, the death can either be planned, as in a controlled setting, or not, as in a big fight scene and leaving it up to rolls. It is up to the player on how they wish to play that out in their story line