The Salopri

By Kingston Varriale

TYPE:

MEMBERS: Kingston Varriale , rumorhasit24

BACKGROUND: The Salopri is a secret society that was created by the town's founding fathers. No one knows much about the criminal organization aside from those who are deemed worthy enough to be invited into its fold. The Salopri, like other secret societies, has it's own rituals and beliefs, all of which are steeped in French and Creole traditions mixed with a dash of the occult. The term Salopri means scumbag in Creole and is used by the group because the original founders of Laveau were French pirates who used the city's docks to build their illegal empires. Those titans of the town's dark underbelly made the thriving port what it is (or isn't) today. The Salopri has always been made up of the town's most influential. Think business owners, politicians, old money, church leaders; people with wealth and/or power and sway. The organization recruits by secret invitation. If the invitation is accepted there are a series of ritualistic initiations into its ranks. Masks are worn during meetings and masses for anonymity. Each member is sworn to secrecy. The Salopri work behind the scenes, in the shadows of the city, to ensure that the town's long history of importing and exporting illicit goods is upheld and in the hands of the /right/ (ie its own) people. This is not a gang. Each member ultimately serves their own interest outside of the group, though collectively they work together to make sure that the town's status quo is upheld. If they determine that any one faction is becoming too powerful they would intervene by trying to sabotage them. The Salopri keep the town's balance in check, or they at least try to. They work in opposition to the Silent Serpent cartel (Sheriff's Dept). Which allows for the two factions to always be at odds with one another. The purpose of the cartel is to keep the drugs, flesh, and other illegal imports flowing through the docks of Laveau and to keep the town's traditions in tact. The Salopri are the keepers of Laveau's history, secrets, and lore but they are also, at times, agents of chaos. Each of the Salopri take a turn heading the secret society. This changes every official meeting. During their reign they use the secret society to focus on their personal areas of interest. That could be their business or a personal vendetta; anything that can be done with at least the illusion of secrecy. Each member will be able to (secretly) invite initiates to work under them. They will be able to build their way up to full member status through various tasks and also by driving compelling rp that's BW inclusive. Whispers about the Salopri: "There is a long history in Laveau of stories about clandestine meetings in the woods when the moon is full. Masked figures have been seen around a ritual fire, chanting in tongues. Some say they are devil worshipers or witches. Other say it's best just to not talk about it. There has been talk of missing girls being sacrificed by the Salopri, and of worse horrors that go on inside the tunnels beneath the town. But it's all just rumors, right? " Masked figures staring at you through a window, silent and watchful, strange symbols scrawled in blood, and strange disappearances are all hallmarks of the Salopri.

UNIQUE: I will be running Empire Tattoo and Digger has an import business on the BW docks. We're both involved with the Lady Luck and have been using it as a cover to transport illegal goods. Each of the Salopri benefit from the lost being trafficked through the docks because it brings revenue into their own businesses. Empire Tattoo maintains a fresh flow of bodies to brand and drugs to sell, and Digger's business, Rogue Charters and Off Shore Shipping, flourishes as the Salopri continue to make lucrative deals with other individuals and businesses that make them dependent on his services. Each of the Salopri has an opportunity to benefit from the illegal flesh trade even if they are not directly involved in it because the lost who flow through the docks are processed through the businesses in Laveau before being moved on to their final fate. The more flesh, drugs, and guns that come through the port the more revenue the Salopri stands to earn.

FLAW: The most glaring flaw is that the group is trying to remain mysterious and secret in a digital age. Every time they meet they chance being found out and having their identities blown. Because everything they do needs to remain shrouded in mystery any plans they carry out are well informed, meticulously planned, and precisely executed. This isn't a brash street gang prone to random violence, The Salopri is a slow moving beast, like an ancient gator swimming just under the swamp water, out of sight but always watching. Another glaring flaw is that because they are trying to be secretive if any one of them is found out the group must decide if they will risk their own affiliation being outed to help that person. What's more important? Keeping the faction secret or protecting its members? It's a choice every Salopri will have to make after weighing the potential consequences. There is also the problem of greed. The secret society works on the presumption that power is continuously cycling and changing hands, but what happens if one individual decides not to give it up? While this is a "secret" society there are many means for outsiders to become aware of the group. This makes every member vulnerable to blackmail and extortion.

POTENTIAL ENEMY: I look forward to working with Suenos Malos. The two factions could work together against the Silent Serpents cartel, or they could work against each other to try and maintain a dominant presence on the docks. The Salopri wouldn't engage in random violence with any other faction unless prompted to but they would try to exert a shadowy influence that might spark conflict. An example of this would be trying to sabotage an import by sinking the boat it comes in on or having "pirates" steal the cargo. When the Salopri identifies a faction that they wish to instigate conflict with the faction will find a symbol drawn in blood on their turf or, if the Salopri is aware of who the faction leader is they will have the symbol hand delivered to them by a courier. As far as other businesses in BW the Salopri will extend invitations to every lead, and whether accepted or not will play out the consequences of those choices that will help to create new storylines for everyone involved.

EXPERIENCE:I hope that I've proved myself to be diplomatic and fair as a business lead. I have led other groups in sims outside of CD and I know the level of engagement it takes to keep the group active. I'm very open to collaboration and I will always listen to ideas that are brought to me. It's not easy to lead a group. It's time consuming and takes dedication, but the Salopri is something I am passionate about and I look forward to the opportunity to step up and help grow a unique faction that will add to the richness of BW's rp.

IDEAS:I do not judge players on their rp skill or style. Old or new, I'm here to engage and write compelling stories. While the Salopri is "secret" anyone could stumble on to a clue that leads to one of the members being put in a compromising situation. We will be committed to nurturing Backwaters and making sure that it grows into Nadir's vision for the sim. I know that myself, Digger, Kit, and Willow are all dedicated to the sim. We love it, we see how unique it is, and we just want to add to the overall story. Anyone not in the Salopri who rp's a member will absolutely have hints dropped on them that opens the door to them being drawn into the group. We do not judge anyone on their RP ability but rather their passion to be included in storylines. Each member knows that our first goal is to give new players an opportunity to roleplay at ay level of their experience. Whether it be mentoring or supporting players we are committed to have this be both dark and equally fun for those wo have longed to be involved in a RP like this. With no judgment or prejudice in regards to their abilities

OTHER:I look forward to working with Suenos Malos. The two factions could work together against the Silent Serpents cartel, or they could work against each other to try and maintain a dominant presence on the docks. The Salopri wouldn't engage in random violence with any other faction unless prompted to but they would try to exert a shadowy influence that might spark conflict. An example of this would be trying to sabotage an import by sinking the boat it comes in on or having "pirates" steal the cargo. When the Salopri identifies a faction that they wish to instigate conflict with the faction will find a symbol drawn in blood on their turf or, if the Salopri is aware of who the faction leader is they will have the symbol hand delivered to them by a courier. As far as other businesses in BW the Salopri will extend invitations to every lead, and whether accepted or not will play out the consequences of those choices that will help to create new storylines for everyone involved.