01-25-2025, 10:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-26-2025, 08:09 PM by Adrian Kane.)
Im going to use this thread as a venue to summarize what is happening with the club plot that involves the Yakuza, Syndicate, Cartels, and Mafia. This has been unfolding IC for a while now (ahem-years), and can be a pain to keep up with it.
Main players
The short of it is Adrian owns various land spaces and buildings around moscow via AK Holdings. He has leased his property to the club owners on 30-year contracts.
The Yakuza group, the Edenokoji-gumi based in Moscow are building a series of 5 Japanese-style Host and Hostess clubs, which until now are completely new and novel business in Moscow as they generally only exist in Japan. This is the group that Kiyohito has now joined. His brother, Haruto, is part of the plot as well. They will operate any gambling that takes place within the clubs. The theme of each club will feature a Japanese-style wrestling circuit and entertainment.
Zixin will use the Syndicate to orchestrate human trafficking of discovered channelers (usually very weak ones) discovered in Southeast Asia to offer them "work" in the Clubs. They are coerced into going to Moscow on the promise of wealth and independence, but are indentured to remain on site. Security does not allow hosts or hostesses to leave without permission or being followed until they have "paid off their debts", which may have accumulated for any number of reasons. This is very shady stuff. Other non-channeler hosts and hostesses are also 'employed' by the clubs. The is the primary reason Zixin was sent to Moscow from Singapore.
Previously, the Amengual cartel was going to provide drugs, but now that they are defunct thanks to Jay, that job will likely transfer to the Russian mafia.
The vodka kingpin, Gregor Petrovich will supply the clubs with alcohol exclusively. However, other members of the Russian Mafia can participate in various ways. For instance, Gregor's son, Zholdin was instrumental in recruiting Alistair to be a headlining wrestler in the club circuits. Zholdin is into the theatrics and story of wrestling. Other members of the mafia may be involved in the construction process.
Clubs
There will be 5 clubs around Moscow. I'll post detailed descriptions of each in future posts.
"Hikari" - Arbat Street, Enlightenment District
"Kaizen" - Moscow City Business District, Adjacent to the Radiance Hotel
"Sakura Noir" - Patriarch Ponds, Central District
"Yūrei" - Red October Industrial River District
"Nocturne" - Red Light District
What exactly is a Host/Hostess club?
A host/hostess club is a type of nightlife establishment where customers pay to spend time in the company of professional hosts (typically men) or hostesses (typically women), who provide companionship, conversation, and entertainment. These clubs are known for their luxurious, intimate atmosphere and are a prominent part of Japan's nightlife.
Hostesses engage with men or women patrons, while hosts entertain female or male customers. The focus is on personalized service and attention, with hosts or hostesses acting as charismatic companions who create a relaxing and enjoyable experience. They pour drinks, engage in lighthearted or meaningful conversations, and may sing karaoke with patrons.
Importantly, these clubs are not usually about physical intimacy. Instead, they emphasize emotional connection, flirtation, and escapism, allowing customers to feel special and valued. Guests often become regulars, forming ongoing relationships with their favorite host or hostess like on-site girlfriends/boyfriends. The clubs can be quite expensive, with customers paying for time, drinks, and sometimes extravagant gifts for their host or hostess. Drinks, services, and gifts can run into the thousands, and guests are encouraged to spend lavishly to maintain their connection with their favorite host or hostess. Many are led to believe they’ve formed a genuine romantic bond, only to discover that their affections are part of a well-honed performance designed to secure loyalty and drive revenue. This emotional manipulation can drive customers into debt, with some even turning to loan sharks—often with ties to organized crime—to fund their habits.
Hosts and hostesses operate in a fiercely competitive environment, where their income depends on meeting sales quotas or commissions from drink sales. Those who fail to perform may face significant penalties, both financial and professional, creating a culture of relentless upselling and constant stress. Some workers are pressured into accompanying clients on paid dates outside the club, a practice that can veer into dangerous territory.
Main players
The short of it is Adrian owns various land spaces and buildings around moscow via AK Holdings. He has leased his property to the club owners on 30-year contracts.
The Yakuza group, the Edenokoji-gumi based in Moscow are building a series of 5 Japanese-style Host and Hostess clubs, which until now are completely new and novel business in Moscow as they generally only exist in Japan. This is the group that Kiyohito has now joined. His brother, Haruto, is part of the plot as well. They will operate any gambling that takes place within the clubs. The theme of each club will feature a Japanese-style wrestling circuit and entertainment.
Zixin will use the Syndicate to orchestrate human trafficking of discovered channelers (usually very weak ones) discovered in Southeast Asia to offer them "work" in the Clubs. They are coerced into going to Moscow on the promise of wealth and independence, but are indentured to remain on site. Security does not allow hosts or hostesses to leave without permission or being followed until they have "paid off their debts", which may have accumulated for any number of reasons. This is very shady stuff. Other non-channeler hosts and hostesses are also 'employed' by the clubs. The is the primary reason Zixin was sent to Moscow from Singapore.
Previously, the Amengual cartel was going to provide drugs, but now that they are defunct thanks to Jay, that job will likely transfer to the Russian mafia.
The vodka kingpin, Gregor Petrovich will supply the clubs with alcohol exclusively. However, other members of the Russian Mafia can participate in various ways. For instance, Gregor's son, Zholdin was instrumental in recruiting Alistair to be a headlining wrestler in the club circuits. Zholdin is into the theatrics and story of wrestling. Other members of the mafia may be involved in the construction process.
Clubs
There will be 5 clubs around Moscow. I'll post detailed descriptions of each in future posts.
"Hikari" - Arbat Street, Enlightenment District
"Kaizen" - Moscow City Business District, Adjacent to the Radiance Hotel
"Sakura Noir" - Patriarch Ponds, Central District
"Yūrei" - Red October Industrial River District
"Nocturne" - Red Light District
What exactly is a Host/Hostess club?
A host/hostess club is a type of nightlife establishment where customers pay to spend time in the company of professional hosts (typically men) or hostesses (typically women), who provide companionship, conversation, and entertainment. These clubs are known for their luxurious, intimate atmosphere and are a prominent part of Japan's nightlife.
Hostesses engage with men or women patrons, while hosts entertain female or male customers. The focus is on personalized service and attention, with hosts or hostesses acting as charismatic companions who create a relaxing and enjoyable experience. They pour drinks, engage in lighthearted or meaningful conversations, and may sing karaoke with patrons.
Importantly, these clubs are not usually about physical intimacy. Instead, they emphasize emotional connection, flirtation, and escapism, allowing customers to feel special and valued. Guests often become regulars, forming ongoing relationships with their favorite host or hostess like on-site girlfriends/boyfriends. The clubs can be quite expensive, with customers paying for time, drinks, and sometimes extravagant gifts for their host or hostess. Drinks, services, and gifts can run into the thousands, and guests are encouraged to spend lavishly to maintain their connection with their favorite host or hostess. Many are led to believe they’ve formed a genuine romantic bond, only to discover that their affections are part of a well-honed performance designed to secure loyalty and drive revenue. This emotional manipulation can drive customers into debt, with some even turning to loan sharks—often with ties to organized crime—to fund their habits.
Hosts and hostesses operate in a fiercely competitive environment, where their income depends on meeting sales quotas or commissions from drink sales. Those who fail to perform may face significant penalties, both financial and professional, creating a culture of relentless upselling and constant stress. Some workers are pressured into accompanying clients on paid dates outside the club, a practice that can veer into dangerous territory.