Laésa

10 Gangs, p.10–11, Posted by: Frosty (4th Ed. c. 2070)

Territory

Pacific Northwest (Tír Tairngire, Salish-Sidhe, Seattle)

Colors/Symbol

None

Resources

(Firepower) 3; (Magic) 4; (Personnel) 1

Threat Rating

2

Numbers

> 500

Professionalism

5

Training

2+

The Laésa were born from the remnants of the Rinelle ke’Tesrae, political revolutionaries who were instrumental in toppling the Tír regime. A portion of the Rinelle ke’Tesrae, extremists who found no place in the new Tír government, fled the country, blending in with the Tír refugees who flooded Tarislar and found places among the Sinsearach tribe in the Salish-Shide. These revolutionaries already had a strong relationship with Sinsearach smugglers, who had supported and supplied their revolution. Removed from their original cause, but still criminally inclined, the original members slowly abandoned their political leanings. The core group renamed themselves the Laésa, “The Forgotten” in Sperethiel

Based in Tarislar, the insular elven community in Puyallup, Laésa have an ideal power base that the government of Seattle had abandoned. The people of Tarislar saw the Laésa as a blessing—many of the refugees, and their families, were political exiles. The group merged with a number of Sinsearach smugglers and talisleggers. In the last few years, younger members of the Ancients and a few smaller elven gangs have joined the new organization, the promise of advancement opportunities a tempting lure. With the influx of new members, the political purpose has faded, and the gang has become more profit-oriented, elevating them from a small criminal operation to a second-tier gang.

⧁ The Organized Crime Division at Lone Star classifies these guys as a “secondtier political/ethnic gang,” because they wanted to differentiate them from the “terrorist” Rinelle ke’Tesrae. I’d call them a minor ethnic syndicate—except members have no common cultural ties. They’re a new breed of organization, and law enforcement has had zero luck in figuring out how they tick.
―Riser

⧁ One group has figured them out. Supposedly, a Dawkin’s Group adept infiltrated them. Since they’re still up and running, and profiting more than ever, I guess that whatever the adept found, he or she liked—not a lot of groups survive Dawkin’s scrutiny.
―Dr. Spin

Laésa are all elven. They don’t have any colors or symbols, but they all speak Sperethiel and train in the martial arts of carromeleg. They don’t have an initiation rite, either, or at least not like any other gang. Potential members must agree to meet with the leaders of the Laésa and take a dose of laés after the meeting, regardless of the outcome. If they’re not accepted, they never hear back—and don’t remember anything that might incriminate the group or leaders. If they are accepted, they’re contacted later by the organization. Either way, whatever happens at that meeting remains a mystery.

The group doesn’t have titles among their members, but they are highly aware of social status—both inside the organization and in their greater community—and expect the type of respect that status would normally demand. This is likely a leftover from the Tír political scene, blended with the Sinsearach’s rigid tribal class system.

Known Members

The leadership of the Laésa remains unknown, although the rumors suggest someone with legitimate businesses and local influence. Membership includes people from all walks of life—ex-Tír military, Sinsearach shamans, Tír government clerks, accountants, doctors, even police officers. There aren’t a lot of members, but they’re spread across the Pacific Northwest. There’s no concentration anywhere outside of Tarislar, but there are members everywhere. A large part of their success in smuggling and in obtaining their goods—like the Tír-government-controlled drug, laés—comes from their extensive network of members and contacts.

Laésa’s leaders aren’t known, but a few of the more active members are:

Driscoll

Driscoll is an ex-Tír military officer, who lost his post for supporting the wrong person at the wrong time. He’s a taciturn, surly, and grouchy SOB, with a short fuse and a nasty temper. He’s also an enforcer for the Laésa, the guy they call if a “problem” needs to be removed. The younger ex-Ancients members of the Laésa look up to Driscoll—I assume because he’s a master of carromeleg, not because of his charm.

Amanda Brooks

Amanda Brooks (née Telestrian) is the widow of Richard Brooks, executive VP of Telestrian’s Willamette Orchards conglomerate. She lives outside of Portland and remains closer to her large, extended family. Willamette Orchards has the lucrative government contract for processing and refining laés—and although Brooks is no longer with the company, her contacts likely provide Laésa with their trademark drug.

⧁ Brooks’s known involvement with Laésa also fuels rumors that Telestrian covertly supports them.
―Kay St. Irregular

Star Crow

Star Crow is a Salish shaman who follows Crow. He’s the Salish elf with half his face covered in a tribal crow tattoo. Star Crow is a public contact, of sorts, for the Laésa in Tarislar—he’s easy to find and most people in the elven community know he’s involved in the group. If you’re trying to track them down, look for him at any of the small bars or nightclubs in the area. He can also be found at Underworld 93. Just be aware that he’s not above using his talents to judge you …

Friendly Relations

The Laésa are known in the Seattle area for relying on negotiation more than most gangs. The truth is, they don’t have the resources to go toe-to-toe with any sizable street-gangs, and certainly can’t challenge any of the syndicates. To compensate, they’ve made alliances with groups interested in the products the Laésa move. They have a good working relationship with the Kumon’go, using their shared Salish connections. Based out of Tarislar, they’ve been forced into working with the Ancients—although the antagonism between the two groups is rumored to have evolved into a much more positive relationship since Green Lucifer’s recent promotion took him out of Tarislar. In addition, the Laésa have members—and contacts—in a variety of strategic positions, from inside the new Tír government, to inside the Salish-Sidhe council.

⧁ It’s said that Knight Errant patrols Tarislar through a contract negotiated by the Laésa, and Laésa works with them in the elven community to keep the peace. They’re also rumored to be connected to Horizon, Charisma Associates, and Telestrian.
―Cosmo

Business Interests

The Laésa are smugglers, transporting people, drugs, and telesma throughout the Pacific Northwest. They provide a major pipeline for goods of all sorts into Tarislar, one that keeps the people of Tarislar loyal to the group. They bring a variety of Sinsearach-gathered telesma, as well as Sinsearach-produced foci, fetishes, and other magical goods, into Seattle. They’re best known for their monopoly on the underground market for laés, as well as their home-brewed leäl, although they prefer to sell their product to others for the actual dealing.

⧁ The Laésa developed a laés brothel; a place where patrons could spend an evening with an elven beauty in guaranteed privacy and anonymity—because after their session, their host or hostess would be dosed with laés. The brothel flopped, but the idea turned out to be immensely profitable. They’ve shifted to providing high-priced call girls and boys for businessmen who want to take their “companions” to evening business dinners, and after-hours activities, and know that at the end of the night, their date will be dosed with laés. Service starts at 5k an hour. Perfect discretion comes with a high price tag.
―Kat O’Nine Tales

Plot Hooks

A Laésa courier was the victim of a recent Spikes assault. The body was found, but her package wasn’t. Laésa agents are looking for someone to recover the package and garner a little vengeance. The runners get to play middlemen between a gang of orks and trolls with a passion for killing elves and a syndicate of elves with no qualms about extreme action.

Sample NPCs

Laésa Courier

These messengers know are focused on safely delivering their package of the moment. They’ll go to great lengths to make certain that it reaches its destination, and won’t hesitate to call in support. Upon delivery, they’ll immediately find a safe place and dose themselves with laés so that they have no memory of the assignment.

Metatype: Elf

B	A	R	S	W	L	I	C	Ess	Edg	M
3	4	4	3	4	2	4	5	6		8

Initiative

Physical: 8 + 1d6

Limits

Physical: 5, Mental: 4, Social: 7

Movement

Walk: 2; Run: 4; Sprint: +2m/hit

Armor

6/6

Condition Monitor

10

Active Skills

Dodge 2, Etiquette 3 (Underworld), Perception 3, Palming 3, Pilot Ground Craft 3 (Bike), Pistols 3, Negotiation 3, Running 3 (Urban), Shadowing 3 (Tail Evasion), Survival 2 (Urban), Unarmed Combat 2 (Caromeleg)

Languages

English, Sperethiel

Qualities

Common Sense, School of Hard Knocks, Sense of Direction

Initiate Grade

2 ?

Vehicles

Suzuki Mirage [Bike, Handling +2, Accel 20

Gear

Urban Explorer Jumpsuit, Urban Survival Kit, Commlink (Device Rating 5, running Analyze 5 and Fetch Module), AR Glasses (Rating 3 with Smartlink, Image Link, and Vision Magnification), 2 Fake IDs (Rating 5, Salish citizen, UCAS citizen), 1 pack laés cigarettes

Weapons

Survival Knife [DV 3P, AP −1, Reach 0], Ares Predator IV [Heavy Pistol, DV 5P, AP −1, SA, RC 0, 15 (c), regular ammunition and laés-filled capsule rounds]

Laésa Senior Member

Senior members of the organization have the authority to negotiate necessary deals with outsiders. They’re reliable sources for drug smuggling and can offer an array of elves who can be made to forget their actions on an assignment.

Metatype: Elf

B	A	R	S	W	L	I	C	Ess	Edg	—
3	4	7	3	4	4	4	5	6

Initiative

Physical: 11 + 1d6

Limits

Physical: 6, Mental: 6, Social: 7

Movement

Walk: 2; Run: 4; Sprint: +2m/hit

Armor

8/6

Condition Monitor

10

Active Skills

Athletics Group 3, Electronics Group 2, Firearms Group 3, Influence Group 4, Mechanic Group 3, Outdoors Group 4, Infiltration 4, Perception 5, Pilot Aircraft 3, Pilot Ground Craft 4, Pilot Watercraft 3, Unarmed Combat 4 (Caromeleg)

Languages

English, Sperethiel

Qualities

Lightning Reflexes

Gear

Armor Jacket, Commlink (Device Rating 5, running Analyze 5 and Fetch Module), AR Goggles (Rating 3 with Smartlink, Image Link, and Vision Magnification, 2 Fake IDs (Rating 5, Tír Citizen, UCAS Citizen), 1 pack laés cigarettes

Weapons

Survival Knife [DV 3P, AP −1, Reach 0], Ares Predator IV [Heavy Pistol, DV 5P, AP −1, SA, RC 0, 15 (c), regular ammunition and laés-filled capsule rounds]