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.: Organisation History
Mid 20th century, when the communists took over Chinese mainland, and most of the Triads moved their base of operations to Hong Kong, the British moved quick to proclaimed membership to any Triad synonymous to membership to an organised crime syndicate. Anyone initiated and a member of a Triad was breaking the law by mere virtue of membership. In order to keep insight into the society and it's members relatively obscure, the traditional, intense initiation became even more important than before. Then, at the beginning of the 21st century, right before the Awakening, the Triads came under heavy fire from the Chinese authorities, and the many different Triads had to become more resourceful and show more adaptability in order not to be disbanded. They began shedding their traditional ways in order to stay one step ahead of the authorities; tradition breeded predictability. The leaders of the Triads demanded a more resourceful attitude from their members, who were initiated in droves, often to serve as cannon fodder.
While the Triads were never like the Mafia, known for strong familial ties, and a rigid pyramidal hierarchy, the new, more adaptable outlook on Triad business allowed for those lower on the hierarchical ladder to have have much more freedom of lateral movement. Rarely were the movements and activities of smaller gangs directed by the leaders of a Triad. Triad members did not typically have to secure permission from the head of a Triad in order to engage in a criminal activity, even if the activity involves partnering with people who were not members of the Triad or were even members of a different Triad. The Triads lost a lot of their secrecy, mysticism and traditions in favour of survival.
Then the world Awakened and the Triad leaders, those who still remembered the mysticism and traditions of almost two decades past, were quick to embrace this new and powerful force. Old traditions were quickly reinstated, and magic fueled, hours-long initiation ceremonies became the rule over the fifteen minute initiation ceremonies the Triads had to resort to in their time of trouble. Being the first syndicate to incorporate magic into the heart and soul of their operations so fully, they quickly expanded their operations back into Mainland China, aiding in claiming independence of Hong Kong in 2015, and overthrowing the communist government and sending China into a collection of warring provinces in 2019. They also closed their fist over the Golden Triangle in South-East Asia, and began to expand their operations in North America.
And so the Awakened, new world Triads were born. A syndicate held together by a hierarchy which offered a relatively high level of independence and autonomy to it's members, while securing absolute loyalty through powerful magical initiation rites.
Ranks
In 2060 there are only four levels of hierarchy that separates the lowest ranking Triad member from the highest ranking one. The authority of the Triads are incredibly decentralised, with a "boss of all bosses" or a central authority like the Mafia's "Commissione." The Triad leaders are there to set out general guidelines, conduct rituals and intiation, to maintain contacts with other organisations, and to give the Triad presence, but most of the day to day decisions are left up to the local bosses themselves. So even though every Triad has their headquatres somewhere in Kowloon or Hong Kong, their members are allowed a lot of autonomy over the day to day handling of business and strategy.
Within each of the four layers of hierarchy, which will be explained below, there is a simply hierarchy; the heirarchy of Triad members matters little except in each individual relationship between two members, each based on ties between the "Tai Lo," or big brother, and "Sai Lo", or little brother. The big brothers give work, protection, and advice to the younger brothers, who give loyalty, support, and money in exchange.
Along with the names of each rank, Triad ranks also have numbers, whose mystical significance is derived from Chinese numerology of the Buddhist and Toaist traditions. All rank numbers begin with the number 4, which represents the four oceans which were said to surround China in ancient times, and so signifies the universe as a whole.
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Shan Chu
Lodgemaster
489 |
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Fu Shan Chu
Assistant Lodgemaster
438 |
Tai Lo
Eldest Brother
438 |
I Lo
Second Eldest Brother
438 |
Heung Chu
Incense Master
438 |
Sing Fung
Vanguard
438 |
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Hung Kwan
Red Pole
426 |
Pak Tsz Sin
White Paper Fan
415 |
Cho Hai
Straw Sandal
432 |
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Sze Kau
Member
49 |
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.: The Lodgemaster - 489:
At the top of the Triad hierarchy is the man known as Lodgemaster, Mountain Lord, First Route Marshal or Dragon Head. The Dragon Head is an elected position, and the person in this position has final responsibility for the Triad organisation as a whole, including arbitrating conflict within various branches, and guiding the general direction the organisation should be taking. His word is law. The Lodgemaster tends to be isolated from day-to-day operations of the Triad and his existence is shrouded in a veil of mysticism, and his person is wrapped in a mystical aura, forcing most people to assume he has great magical power. He is sometimes referred to as a 21 (4+8+9), the character for which reflects the symbol for Hung, as used to represent the Hung Society as a whole.
Below the Dragon Head are a number of positions of equal rank, the number 438 becomes 15 (4+3+8), which further breaks down into 3 X 5: 3 symbolizing creation, and 5 symbolizing longevity. Of course, all this numerological massaging is suspect at best. Although these are common explanations for the rank numbers, it is more likely that the numbers had some significance as part of the ancient mystery rites from which Triads developed, long ago, significance which has long been forgotten and supplanted by explanations based on more recent Triad history and numerology.
.: Assistant Lodgemaster - 438:
The Assistant Mountain Lord or Assistant Lodgemaster acts as the Dragon Head's proxy in his absence, and is often conferred with by the Dragon Head for important decisions.
.: Elder Brothers - 438:
The two highest ranking members, which often are the two longest ranking members, serve as councelors to the Lodgemaster and his assistant. Usually these are people with enormous experience and wisdom.
.: Incense Master - 438:
The Incense Master officiates over Triad rituals, in this respect he is extremely important in preserving the rituals and ensuring that they remain potent symbols of the Triads history and power. These days the Incense Master is usually a mage that follows the unique Triad magical path, the power of which he uses to fuel the bonds created by oaths and initiations of new members.
.: Vanguard - 438:
The Vanguard is the Triad champion soldier, who often serves as protection for special people, or as assassin and agent of punishment. The Vanguard moves and fights outside of the established armies and gangs and commands a lot of fear and respect from the rest of the Triad members.
.: Red Pole - 426:
Red Poles were originally military unit leaders, they are now gang leaders. A Red Pole may have around fifty men under his command. He is the one who takes care of the messy aspects of Triad life, if pressure needs to be put on, if someone needs to be rubbed out, the Red Pole is called and he carries out the assignment with his men. Usually the Red Pole is a strong physical adept or simply a tactical genius.
.: White Paper Fan - 415:
At the same level as the Red Pole is the White Paper Fan, or administrativie officer. The White Paper Fan is responsible for keeping the books, investing the money, determining legal strategy, and so on. Typically highly educated and not a fighter, but may consult with a Red Pole on strategy. In recent years the White Paper Fan has also taken control of the Triad's Matrix operations.
.: Straw Sandal - 432:
The Straw Sandal, also at the same rank in a Triad organisation as Red Poles and White Paper Fans, is the Triad messenger. Someone need a ransom notice? The Straw Sandal delivers. He also organises branch meetings, gang fights, and often acts as an intermediary between Triads and other syndicates.
.: Triad Member - 49:
At the bottom of the Triad hierarchy are the 49s. Almost all Triad members belong to this category. They are the footsoldiers of organized crime. 49 becomes 36 (4 X 9), the number of oaths a new recruit must swear before joining the Triad.
Each Triad branch is a largely autonomous organisation within a larger organisation, with their own responsibilities like accounting, finance, money laundering, recruiting, social events, profitable activities (like, drug sales, extortion, gambling, prostitution, smuggling of illegal goods and people), punishment and revenge, communications, liaisons between other branches of the Triad or other syndicates, envoys to Hong Kong lodges, martial arts and weapons training, benefits to wives and children of dead or jailed members, and even medical coverage for members of the Triad.
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