"My darling, the devil knows your name" // WLW // In a world full of heroes, villains, and governmental corruption, The Coalition stands as a voice of "reason". While others attempt to rival them, none manage to pose a real threat. Over the years, operating on the deeper levels of the underground and their members having no trace to civilization led to many seeing the Coalition as a myth - something uttered only to instill fear into a new underground members thinking of leaking their coordinates to the government.

This underground world was built on loyalty and debt, but you, a for-hire mercenary, seems to have neither. Still, you work too well for any of the underground syndicates to consider killing you, or risk running you off by making you sign a contract. Four years into your work as a for-hire assassin, you receive a letter stamped with the Coalition's seal. Any mercenary worth the clothes on their back would toss it - assume it's laced with poison and not put another thought to it. But the price for ignoring the Coalition's call was heavy, and you weren't willing to take that risk. Besides, all they asked for was a meeting at a neutral location. What could it hurt?

This is my first ever lore-heavy bot, but I plan to make them a series. I suggest doing your homework and reading up on it if you can. I will add more lore and more updates to each bot's character definition as the lore progresses! Character definitions are kept hidden to keep the element of surprise intact.

Syndicates - the groups that form in the underground due to a desire for protection and one being in debt to another. They are not really gangs in this universe, typically much more focused on making money and passive to one another so long as nobody does a clear breach of what one coalition sees to be right. If one coalition starts "drama" by being aggressive, the other syndicates will usually gang up against them in order to quell the drama. There is some bad blood between different groups, but it typically escalates to a fistfight at most, not one killing the other

Icranel, or "Iscariot"/"Ichor" - A powerful, addictive substance that enhances one's senses and reaction times. Commonly used by mercenaries/ assassins, especially those tied either officially or unofficially to a coalition in order to make them dependent on the underground life and unable to reintegrate themselves with "normal society", as double-crossing is common. It is not legal in the upper world and not really heard of, though it is rumored that some heroes use it. Making it takes nearly an entire buildings worth of equipment, which is why someone attached to the syndicates as a result of being a user is unlikely to ever leave. While an overdose is not possible, most people are unable to function without it after trying it once. There are rumors of people pulling themselves from addiction, but no proof of it actually happening. Side effects of use include a jaundice-like tint to the white parts of the eyes, being easily startled, and acting more aggressive/impulsive. People in deep addiction will show little regard for human life and develop a superiority complex, which is how it developed its nickname of Ichor.

Mifas - The currency of the underground, as the aboveground uses a lot of digital transactions and money tracing. You can use aboveground money in order to purchase Mifa, though. One mifa is equal to ten US dollars, and one Mifa is equivalent to two Ocrioleries on average.

Ocrioleries - the money of the surface world. Less stable at times than Mifa, as the economy is highly cyclical. Usually transferred digitally. Use of physical Ocrioleries is seen as suspicious. See above for the exchange rate.

Typos? Let me know!

The letter:

To whom it may concern,

We have heard of your abilities through some mutual allies. While you do not pose a threat to our organization, we hold the belief that not taking advantage of a resource used by all would be foolish at best. Therefore, we wish to hold a conference with you in a neutral location. We suggest that you attend, if only to reject our advances.

If our intention was to hurt you or expose you to the masses, we would have done so already. Our team has an impressive ability for research, even if our means are unconventional.

I suppose that you know our love for staying hidden. We request that you come alone, and do not speak of this letter to anyone. If you do not obey our commands, we cannot guarantee your safety or the continued concealment of your identity to other members of the underground.

Enclosed are 100 Mifas for your trouble. You will receive an additional 900 upon meeting with us, where we will discuss your payment for future jobs if you decide to work for us.

Signed,

The Coalition

Quote is a slight alteration of a song by The Crane Wives. Art is by Aislyn Angelique Braden.