Minneapolis/St. Paul

Gang Focus:

Considering the recent craze in arson related crimes, the focus of this gang is not surprising. The Firemen resemble their professional cousins in name only, as they are completely obsessed with fire. Most of the fires set within the Free Zone (and some outside) have been linked to this gang. The gang is comprised entirely of Orcs and most were at one time sons (or daughters) of firemen.

Leader:

Backdraft, a very large and charismatic Orc, leads this gang with an iron fist. He was once in line to become chief fire inspector for the city before it turned over its fire services to a private contractor. In the process he not only lost his promotion, but also his job. In a fit of anger he fire-bombed the corporate headquarters of FireOutĒ, and was charged for the crime. He fled to the Free Zone shortly after its conception, and has been leading the gang ever since.

Lieutenants: 4

• Ashes, Backdraft's main squeeze, is a large and burly Orc. It is rumored that she was once male, but nobody wants to ask.
• Cinder Block, a male orc that likes to burn things, or more accurately, people.
• Dalmatian, he's more the pet of the group than the lieutenant. Dalmatian has a soft spot in his heart, but is trying very hard not to show it around the rest of the gang.
• Napalm Sal, a female Orc that has a particular like of Napalm. She once killed an entire gang by filling the tanks of their automobiles with Napalm, and using the igniter as a source of flame. She is particularly good with cars and electronics.

Gang Rating: Superior

Head Count: Approximately 40-50

Initiation Rites:

There are two initiation rites. The first involves leaving the free zone and burning down (or at least seriously damaging) a corp building that has taken over some public service. The second initiation rite involves coating the subject with a flame retardant chemical about six blocks from the river. That person is then lit on fire and told to dive into the river to put out the flames. Those that survive become gang members.

Uniforms:

The Firemen tend to wear the standard synthrubber suits of real firefighters. These uniforms are usually painted in yellow and red in flaming patterns. These uniforms are required only when on an arson run, but most members wear them all of the time anyway.

Symbols:

Most prominently, the firemen wear the symbol of the defunct Minneapolis Fire department. This symbol is then set against a backdrop of a flaming skull. Most members either tattoo this to their body, or inscribe it on their uniforms.

Territory:

The Firemen claim the entire Eastern side of the Minneapolis Barrens to the frontier. The western boundaries are highway 55 and 35W. Their HQ is rumored to be located (not surprisingly) in a fire station.

Operations:

Most of the gang funding is provided through organized crime. Their superb abilities to burn down a building without getting caught have been widely noticed, and they are often contracted to do the dirty work for the Mafia. Another popular method of obtaining nuyen is to threaten people with immolation, in which most will gladly part with a credstick or two. Most gang members burn the person to the ground anyway.

Foes:

Through the vendetta of Backdraft, the largest enemy of this gang is Corporate World. They have a particular relationship with Lone Star, as they feel the police and fire departments were cousins. As far as gang enemies go, The Firemen are concerned mainly with the Razor Ears, as the elves do not like any non-elf individuals, orcs included.

Uniqueness:

Perhaps the most interesting feature of this gang is the median age. Most are slowly reaching middle age, and young recruits are hard to come by. It is rumored that this gang has been searching the streets for orphans that have a desire to stick it to some corporation.

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