MEMBERSHIP: Phoenix Fist, Dongji Bing (Winter Ice), Ghengis, Kuai (Fast), Qiang (Wall)

ORIGIN: For many years, the Chinese Triads had relied upon street gangs underneath their individual control to enforce Triad rules. The gangs, however, were very unreliable in this fashion. To kill one person, for example, a gang would kill every person within a restaurant. Then, there existed the problem of trying to enforce Triad dictates upon the gang itself, all of which were very inefficient.

The Triads began to look at their rivals in the criminal underworld, the La Costa Nostra and the Yakuza. In both cases, both organizations would use outsiders to kill internal opposition. The Mafia would contact another operation in another city, even in some cases another family altogether. The other operation would send in an enforcer. The enforcer would only be told enough information to allow him or her to track down the target and kill him. Then, the enforcer would be shipped back, while the police would be baffled by the killing.

The Yakuza used a similar method. Instead of an outsider, however, the Yakuza used the mysterious ninja. Ninja clans, contrary to many popular beliefs, are separate entities from the Yakuza. Yet, most Ninja clans only accept jobs from one or two Yakuza clans. The ninjas, as with the Mafia enforcers, would be told how to find the target. With legendary stealth and precision, the ninja assigned to the assassination would kill his or her target and disappear.

Triad leaders weren't sure of this system, but decided to try an experiment with it. The Triads of Asia met, and selected the woman known as Phoenix Fist to lead the small group. Phoenix Fist selected others among different Triad groups to round out her organization. She decided to name her group Ying, Mandarin for 'Shadows', because it was the territory which the group would operate the most often.

Phoenix Fist and Ying traveled to Hong Kong, to be given final instructions before being sent out. In Hong Kong, the group met up with the woman now known as 'Winter Ice'. The Triads gave Ying their first assignment, destroy the English youths who raped 'Winter Ice'. When things were all said and done, the six youths lay in the street, brutally murdered as examples to the power of the Triads and to the power of Ying.

The Triads were pleased with the exhibition. As the group gained their Boxer agents, Winter Ice acquired her gold generating suit and joined the team permanently. Phoenix Fist set up the organization to work in a similar fashion to both the Mafia and Yakuza.

Ying acts as an outside agency for the Triads. Any Triad can contact Ying for a job, as long as they pay the high price for Ying's services. Unlike the other two syndicate's enforcers, Ying will also take jobs external to the Triad paying them. This makes Ying not only a group of enforcers, but also a group of assassins. Ying will take any Triad job, as long as their fee is paid. Phoenix Fist assigns agents and members on a case by case basis. The fee does not increase if more agents are used on a mission. This has created a very efficient group, one the Triads are considering duplicating many times over, with the Triads international expansion.

GOALS: Ying has been created as the ultimate enforcers for the Triads. As such, their primary duty is to make sure renegade elements of the Triads are eliminated. These elements take a number of forms, from street gangs to informants. A Triad approaches Phoenix Fist for the elimination of one of these elements. She assigns the best person or persons to the situation as she sees fit. The money received from the hiring Triad is funnelled back into coverage of training costs and payments to the members of Ying who performed the job.

TACTICS: Phoenix Fist knows what the best strategy is for a group like her own. That strategy is based upon surprise and swiftness. To achieve this objective, Phoenix fist has trained both the agents and the main members of Ying in speed and coordination.

When the entire Ying membership is involved, a set battle plan for an ambush exists. The members conceal themselves in a narrow alleyway. 'Fast' becomes the bait, leading the target into the alley. This is accomplished in any number of ways, depending on the target. As the victim enters the alley, 'Wall' drops down to cut off escape from one end, while Ghengis performs the same action on the other end of the alley. As they slowly advance on the trapped victim, the other members of the team either attack from range from above, or jump down next to the target and attack, depending on who the target is. Phoenix Fist only acts in a last resort, using her power to help the main members of the team escape.

Things change slightly if only one main member is involved, and supplies with agents. In this case, the same basic strategy as above is used. However, it is an agent who blocks the alley instead of either of the two large members of the main team. The main team member's involvement varies on who is in charge. 'Fast' will be zipping in and out of the combat, raking the target with his tiger claws. Ghengis will drop down next to the target and attack with his weapons. 'Winter Ice' moves down, and will torture the victim before providing the fatal blow herself. Phoenix Fist, Golden Tiger, and 'Wall' both just sit back and watch, Phoenix Fist because of her businesslike manner, Golden Tiger to observe his 'students', and 'Wall' because of his aversion to killing.

GROUP RELATIONS: The members of Ying do not get along as well as Phoenix Fist would like. Phoenix Fist, however, is able to meld them into a fairly workable team. 'Wall' does not seem to fit well with the rest of the team, being he does not like to resort to combat. Ghengis and 'Wall' do get along rather well, being they are the two strongest members of the team. 'Winter Ice' is the most sadistic of the team, which causes friction between her and 'Wall'. 'Fast', true to his nature, is impetuous and always nervous. His rushing attitude of life has caused some conflicts with the slower and more sedate Ghengis. Phoenix Fist has smoothed over many of the problems, so the group acts efficiently.

REPUTATION: Ying has garnered a reputation for being a brutal and sadistic enforcer group for the Triads. The reputation is well deserved. Every known target of Ying has been found dead, mutilated almost beyond recognition. As such, Ying is wanted by a number of Asian police forces, including the Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and Singapore police forces. The Chinese government wants Ying the most, however, proclaiming death sentences for each member of the group in absentia. Already, it was a sentence of death in China to be associated with the Triads, but never has an entire group been tried in absentia. This should show the fear and loathing for this group that exists in Asia.

Among the Triads, this group garners more fear and respect, rather than loathing. The leaders of each of the individual Triads enjoy having a group to do their dirty work for them. Their efficient in their work adds even more to their reputation.

MASTER OF CRIME'S NOTES: A very deadly addition to the Triads. Ying's diversity, however, could be its downfall if a number of their members decide for a power grab. The Triad's internal operations are served well by such a group. I wonder if I should create a similar group in the near future. I suggest, no matter my decision, to keep an eye out for this group and rumors of its activities.

It is quite possible, under the group's current mandate, Ying will come in conflict with a number of my ongoing operations. If so, I will want to know who hired them to attack me. Once discovered, I want them eliminated. For behind every operation partaken by Ying, a Triad leader is behind it. Such attacks prove down the road the Triad in question will not join my organization, and as such will have to be eliminated. Maybe, at that time, I will be able to hire Ying to do my dirty work. The possibilities are endless.

CAMPAIGN FUNCTIONS: Ying is a group to use if the characters are targeting the Triads in the campaign city. First, hints to Ying's possible presence should be given to the characters. An example would be having a former Triad member turned informant found mutilated in a dark alleyway far from Chinatown. After police or character investigation, it would be discovered the victim was subjected to both heat and cold before being killed by claws and blade.

After more investigation, it is quite possible for the characters to get into conflict with Ying. This becomes especially true if a Triad hires Ying to eliminate the players. In such a conflict, Ying will invariably attack from ambush, trying to gang up on more solitary heroes. Phoenix Fist is no idiot, however, and will retreat with her main cadre while the Boxers fight a delaying action if things go bad. Play the group intelligently, they don't go toe to toe with a group of heroes, nor will they stick around long enough to lose a member. The group will not bother the characters afterward, if Ying's assassination attempt fails, until another contract is made against the characters.