Hogosha Syndicates Our goal is to make sure that Kusari becomes the true tiger of Sirius Sector.
Background
Individual opinions may vary, but most police consider the Hogosha a necessary evil required for the smooth functioning of Kusari society. The government simply treats the Hogosha like any other large keiretsu. The Kusari population as a whole has a similar attitude: It is pointless to like or dislike the Hogosha; they are simply a fact of life.
The Hogosha existed from the very beginning of the First Kusari Empire, like the old white collar crime organizations back in Sol ever since any idea of government appeared. For citizens of Kusari, they are a taboo subject even though they are present in their daily life. It is hard to contain what exactly Hogosha happens to be - save for the pretty oversimplified and somewhat naive label of a crime syndicate. Members of Hogosha fulfill a lot of roles, from the local-range politicians, through skilled merchants, to the lowly thugs.
In the wake of Kusari Civil War and coup within the Empire, Hogosha became a target number one in search for possible traitors and counter-revolutionaries that were threat to the newly-founded Kusari Republic. As a result, the Hogosha almost faced the extinction as a symbiotic shadow of the entire House. Thanks to the actions of most prominent figures that struck several deals however, it survived through the hardships, covert assassinations and massive arrests maintained by the police of Kusari Republic. With Hogosha being officially cleansed out of the vile (mostly Pro-Imperial) element, itself it became quite divided, as part of the syndicate simply adjusted itself to the new order yet several leaders covertly nursed the Imperial nostalgia.
The new chance for Hogosha had been given with suprising return of IKN Nagasaki - and rest of remaining Imperial Navy - to New Tokyo, what eventually ended the prolonging - and stagnated - war between the kin and gave a way to open negotiations between the Imperial and Republican sides of the conflict. As the new chapter for the nation had opened, Hogosha could shyly come out from hiding their own intentions and begin to regain their place within hearts of the Kusari society - be it either love or hatred.
Hogosha is a quite interesting faction in terms of roleplay possibilities and status. No other faction has such an unique mixture of both lawful and unlawful lines, being what the background of the original faction outright suggest: being the shady guardians of Kusari and its values. To put it bluntly, you are an unofficial sort of a "good" cop and protector, while nothing stops you to bite off some corporate money and cargo outside Kusari - except for Samura and their allies.
The common rule is that you don't bother these guys: Samura and Corsairs. There are also Gaians, who operate mostly in Bretonia yet you may welcome them as long as Kusari lawfuls don't see that. Same applies to Corsairs, if you approach them in Kusari. They are your friends due to the Artifact flow into Kusari (that is, Kabukicho, you faction's headquarters) and through Kusari alike.
Oh, and remember: Artifacts are legal within Kusari and are not the illicit good.
Be careful however, as you need to worry about one guy who does not like you. Or the Artifacts. Or both. These guys are Gas Miners Guild. Hogosha and GMG have a troubled history, as they used to be buddies as long as GMG had hand into the Artifact market. Yet something went wrong - before events of original Freelancer - and now these two hate each other. Though it should be pointed out that GMG cannot really attack you in Kusari, so just throw an insult or two to spice up roleplay.
Activities of your interest as Hogosha are:
- Artifact trade from Planet Crete (Omicron Gamma) to Kabukicho (New Tokyo).
- Patroling around Kusari and defending it from all sorts of unlawfuls and law breakers.
- Any form of legal trading in Kusari, Liberty, Rheinland and Gallia.
- Snooping around Tau and Sigmas and extorting the unlucky traders and smugglers.
Once again, you cannot extort Samura (and their allies), Corsairs (obviously). You shouldn'textort traders flying around with Artifacts as well - unless they are Junkers. This also concerns Kepler/Galileo piracy onto Liberty corporations and you should keep it to minimum, if you really consider it as a form of your roleplay and monetary income, as you shouldn't really give Liberty any reason to extend the Bretonian dislike towards your kind. You also should be the last one to break law within Rheinland and Gallia through smuggling - or at least try not to be caught.
You may try to smuggle Artifacts into Planet Manhattan, however it is not recommended unless you REALLY know what you are doing. Keep in mind that Hogosha try to keep appearances of a legal organization.
Truth said, the Hogosha ZOI isn't really impressive. Kusari, Sigmas, Taus and Lyonnais (likely Lorraine, since that system these two were fused up). But for a lot of activites that's more than enough, as you can also trade everywhere you want You should keep in mind that Bretonia recognizes Hogosha as unfriendly, with hostile rephacks present.