DATE: 11/01/12

PROPOSAL BY: Inara Indigo

GROUP NAME: The Black Sand

FORUM ID:InaraLi

MEMBERS: Inara Indigo, Yasu Xaris, train tedeschi, Katiroth Paravane

BACKSTORY: Backstory: The Black Sand (formerly The Black Sand, Inc. or the Ling Chi) has been through a lot over the last year, but a few unifying elements have continued on. The 'take two' of the Black Sand Inc (formerly Ling-Chi, continues on with a semi 'take three' of Black Sand (formerly Black Sand, Inc.) due to the departure of the former leader, Takahiro Ugimachi. RL interfered with his ability to lead the group, and so I would like to propose to take the reins. The group will remain much the same with some minor shuffling of more active members for less active ones. Trade/Funding: Original start-up money came from Callista Reyes, who is quite wealthy and talented in investments and able to assist in overseas shipping under the cover of her personal corporations. This time around Callista will be more of an associate, as her player is considering phasing out Callista from CD RP altogether. The new Black Sand's initial funding will mostly come from the insurance fraud Inara is doing, compliments of the Gallery robbery. (Inara reported more missing paintings than were actually taken. Since Takahiro Ugimachi and Inara Indigo were both icy injured during the heist, and a police officer witnessed it all (Ryoutaro Resident), there wasn't much chance their claim would be turned down. The group's recent business ventures have included importing some stolen and knock off goods from China into Hathian to sell for cheap, distilling booze, and growing and dealing magic mushrooms. These elements will remain the same, though there will also be more focus on profit than on the spiritual togetherness that it formerly had. Initiations and internal ceremonies will still include vows based on common Asian ancestry and the like, though the current makeup of the group precludes such heavy Shinto/Buddhist/Ancestor Worship elements as before. I intend to ease these in, as RP permits, but it needs to be done gradually. Previously, the group planned to offer assassination services and some more violent things like this. As Inara is a pacifist, these will be ditched. Protection to businesses run by Asians, or to Asian citizens in general will be continued. Brute force to assist in these matters may be hired from outside sources (As in, not Asian members). The group will still maintain enough internal muscle to tend to these matters personally, but may outsource. I intend to encourage socializing with the general populace and sharing information gathered so that the members of the Black Sand are in the know. In lieu of assassination services, I prefer more of being hired to be eyes and ears by the highest bidder. This could of course entangle the group in much intrigue and double-crossing, so 'jobs' will be carefully selected to try and avoid getting us all killed. Street names: The group's members will not currently go by nicknames. Perhaps in later phases when more obvious criminal activity is going on, but for now, we're keeping it simple. Member Ranks: 'Khan' as was used for the head of the group under Takahiro's direction. However, Takahiro's plans were also to have 1st lieutenant, 2nd lieutenant, soldiers, etc. positions, all referred to by the Japanese words for body parts of a dragon. As Inara isn't Japanese, she won't continue this plan. There will simply be 'the Khan' and 'the council'. The Khan (Inara) will be the head of the council. She will have two members under her. This trio will have an unwritten first and second in command, but we won't have official ranks or titles yet. Anyone not in the council will simply be a member at this point. Faction tags/colors and whatnot are simply: Asian ancestry, and eventually, when RP progresses to this point, a branding somewhere on the back or torso. (A larger circle with three smaller ones inside it.) I have already created this brand. Rags and colors are disposable. Once you've been in the Sand, you will always be known to others who know the brand.

UNIQUE: A race-based group based not on street-thuggery but on profits from selling goods and making deals makes the group unique. They will also make an effort to befriend as many cops as possible, cooperating when caught. The policy of dealing with cops is different, as far as I know, from other groups. If members of the HPD commit crimes against members, justice will be sought not by violence, but by legal, social, or financial means. Members of the Black Sand will vow not to rape others. Ever. In extreme cases, kidnapping and torture might occur against other gang members if circumstances are deemed to require it, but no rape will be involved.

EXP:I've been RPing for 20 years. Can you believe it? That makes me feel old. But when I was 17, I started RPing on MUDs and MUXes and the like. When Second Life came along, I added that to my playground. I've got experience in dealing with whiny players, metagamers, ooc conflicts of all sort, both first and second hand. I don't have any doubt that I'll be able to manage my group effectively.

FLAWS:One flaw is that members are likely to be recognized, or non members mistakenly recognized as members of the Sand simply by their race. Requiring members to have either Asian ancestry or work extra hard to be accepted will limit rapid growth of the group. The leader's often non-violent stance may also be seen as a weakness. However enemies may soon learn that the group does not turn the other cheek, but removes the cheek by stepping behind the slapper and stabs them in the back - figuratively. Their justice may be slow in coming compared to groups that kidnap and rape and torture, but it does come, even if it requires breaking down an enemy's social circle of friends, turning people against him so random non-Sand members feel compelled to hassle them and so on.

WORK WITH OTHERS:The Sands already have an established relationship with Chopsticks, and their HQ is based out of the Shen Gallery of Fine Arts. So those are two businesses that will be entwined with the faction's storyline. Other factions that the group has heavy interaction with presently includes the Reapers, and the HPD. There are several storylines going on with and against HPD members, and they have a couple cops on their sides. In addition, one of the members is a lawyer, so any social services, probation or legal RPers may be involved through him. As for enemies - it's possible the Zeros will take issue with the whole group after their experiences with Takahiro's kidnapping and rescue. Joshika Jansen has thus far been an enemy to several of the Sand members, but I'm not sure if this will continue now that Takahiro is no longer involved.

IDEAS:With my idea to encourage the Black Sand members to just get out there and RP - to meet and observe new people and old players alike, we might end up being like the welcoming committee to new players. Granted, I can't force them to play with noobs who one-line and post jump and don't know what they're doing, but even for those sorts of newcomers, they will be able to learn by example how things are done in CD, hopefully. In addition, the Gallery's Asian Events, charities and other social functions will help people to gather in an environment that is different from the usual pace of bars and streets.

OTHER DETAILS:I think I got everything covered in the answers above. Feel free to contact me if I missed anything or if you have questions. Thanks so much.