The Criminal Syndicates are a powerful shadowy force within Stellar Tower, whose influence weaves through all levels of city life, especially in the Market district. The Syndicates skillfully manipulate capital flows, engaging in moneylending and controlling the circulation of counterfeit mysteries.
Their headquarters are presumably hidden within one of the many unremarkable buildings in the Market, concealing not only offices and warehouses but also secret rooms for meetings and storage of stolen goods. From here, tunnels and hidden passages branch out, allowing quick movement between districts or covert distribution of contraband.
The Criminal Syndicates attract desperate residents of the Slums, promising easy money and protection from authorities, but the cost of such “protection” is often high—sometimes leading to a complete loss of freedom and dependence on the Syndicates’ will. Their operations occasionally intertwine with the work of legitimate merchants and artisans, who are forced into shadowy deals to keep their businesses or even their lives.
The city guard, although seemingly all-powerful on the main streets of Stellar Tower, only scratches the surface of the Syndicates’ activities, rarely daring to interfere deeply. Many in the city are aware of the existence of the Criminal Syndicates, but fear and bribes compel them to turn a blind eye to their crimes, allowing them to thrive and expand their influence. Thus, the Criminal Syndicates remain a looming shadow over Stellar Tower, a sinister reminder that this gleaming city has a dark side.