The Jane Mendoza Gang’s ceremonies are organized into categories that reflect the stages of a gang member's journey, from recruitment to initiation, promotions and special occasions. The Gang Organization Department.
Vow Ceremony
Purpose: This ceremony solidifies a Prospect’s allegiance to the gang. It is held in the main hall, with the Top 45 in attendance, and the 30 Hands singing the
Song of Fate.
The Prospect, accompanied by their mentor, kneels before Jane Mendoza, who declares their new life as property of the gang.
Symbolic Act: The Prospect hands over their Allotment Card, a symbol of their former identity, which Jane burns in a copper fire bucket, severing their ties to the outside world.
The Vow: The Prospect repeats the oath:
“I am nothing without the gang.
* The gang is my life.
* Outside the gang, there is only death for me.”
This marks the Prospect's irrevocable commitment to the gang.
Elevation from Prospect to Hand
Description: Upon successfully completing their probationary period as Prospects, gang members are elevated to the rank of Hand. This transition is marked by the receiving of an infrared tattoo on their right forearm. The tattoo, invisible in normal light and only visible through infrared night vision, displays the gang member’s initials and the date they joined the gang. Written in the rune-like script of the
Zark Tribe (allied with the gang), this tattoo serves as both a mark of loyalty and a practical identifier, especially on the
Dark Side where night vision devices are worn regularly.
Elevation from Hand to Top 10
Description: The promotion from Hand to Top 10 is an honor given to those who have demonstrated exceptional loyalty, skill, and dedication to their department’s goals. The ceremony for this elevation is held in the main chamber, with the Top 45 gathered to witness the new Top 10 member’s induction.
Ceremony Details: The Associate of the department presents the new Top 10 member with a Zapor feather, symbolizing their new status and responsibilities. This feather holds special significance, as it is the same feather the member handed over to their recruiter during the recruiting process, marking the completion of their journey from Pre-Prospect to a leader within the gang. The inductee must then take an oath to uphold the values of their department and guide their fellow gang members. The feather, often worn visibly, serves as a mark of authority within the gang.
Elevation from Top 10 to Associate
Description:Being promoted to Associate is a rare and prestigious honor within the Jane Mendoza Gang, usually granted only when a current Associate retires, is incapacitated, or killed. As one of Jane Mendoza’s closest advisors and department leaders, the new Associate gains significant responsibilities and authority over the gang’s operations.
Ceremony Details: The elevation ceremony takes place in the main chamber, with the entire gang present to witness this momentous event. The new Associate is led to kneel before Jane Mendoza, who bestows upon them two symbolic items:
-
A Ring Made of Kourou Coins: This ring, forged from the former currency of the
Humans within the
Beta Age, represents the new Associate’s role in increasing the gang’s wealth and prosperity. By wearing this ring, the Associate accepts their duty to safeguard and grow the gang’s resources and influence.
- A Whip: The whip symbolizes their authority and responsibility to lead their department with discipline. It is a reminder that, as an Associate, they must ensure that their team follows orders, adheres to the gang’s principles, and upholds the gang’s reputation. The whip embodies both the power and the weight of leadership within the gang.
New Privileges: Following the ceremony, the new Associate is granted their own private quarters alongside the other Associates and Jane Mendoza. This move from the communal Hands’ quarters of their department to a private space signifies their elevated status and provides a place for planning and reflection.
Oath: The new Associate swears to protect the gang's interests, guide their department, and uphold the gang’s honor and survival at any cost. This oath solidifies their loyalty and dedication to Jane Mendoza and the gang.
Gang Anniversary
Celebration: Once a year, each department within the Jane Mendoza Gang celebrates the anniversary of one of its own members, marking the founding of the gang as a shared event within each department. This intimate celebration includes a feast and storytelling, where members recount past adventures and pay homage to the gang’s legacy.
Ceremony: During the gathering, each member of the department presents the celebrant with a gift from their own treasure box. This exchange symbolizes honor, camaraderie, and shared loyalty within the department. The gifts serve as tokens of respect and partnership, reinforcing the bonds among department members. The celebrant is recognized not only for their contributions to the gang but also for their role as a trusted partner within their department.
Death and Succession Rites
The Jane Mendoza Gang recognizes two categories of death: Death of Honor and Death of Disgrace.
Death of Honor: Reserved for members who die naturally or in service to the gang. This form of death is treated with respect and ceremonial rites.
Death of Disgrace: Applies to members executed by the gang, either for failing to qualify as a Hand or as punishment for severe rule violations. Deaths of Disgrace are neither honored nor memorialized.
Honorable Farewell Ceremonies
Each rank within the gang has its own farewell rites to honor those who die with honor. These ceremonies take place at the volcanic site of Ralar, a significant location symbolizing the gang’s enduring spirit and power.
Top 10 Members
Memorial: The fallen Top 10 member’s name is also inscribed on the memorial stones in the main hall, marking their higher-level service within the gang.
Ceremony: The Top 45, alongside the deceased’s department, participate in the funeral rites. The Top 10 member is laid to rest in the lava of Ralar while the gang sings the Song of Gratefulness. Their treasure box is then shared within their department, as a token of their ongoing impact and bond with their comrades.
Associates
Memorial: An honorary portrait of the deceased Associate is added to the main hall’s stone wall, immortalizing them within the gang’s legacy.
Ceremony: All gang members gather to honor the fallen Associate. Accompanied by the gang’s full force, the body is committed to the lava of Ralar, with the Song of Gratefulness sung by all. Afterward, the Associate’s treasure box is distributed within their department, symbolizing both respect and the passing on of their legacy.
Succession
Succession within the gang is a structured process that ensures continuity and stability:
For Associates: If an Associate dies, a new one is chosen based on demonstrated loyalty and skill. This selection is approved by Jane Mendoza, ensuring the new leader aligns with the gang’s values.
For Top 10 Members: If a Top 10 member passes, Hands within the department may apply to fill the role. The Associate oversees the selection process, often testing candidates with a challenging mission to determine the best fit for leadership.
This structured approach to death and succession emphasizes the gang’s commitment to honoring loyal service while maintaining a disciplined hierarchy.
Death of Disgrace (Public Execution)
When a gang member is sentenced to Death of Disgrace for failing to uphold the gang’s standards or for serious violations of rules, the execution is held as a public event in the main hall. This ceremony serves as a powerful reminder to all members of the consequences of disloyalty and failure.
Setting: The condemned member is brought before the entire gang, bound with handcuffs and shackles, and positioned in a designated area within the main hall. This place of execution is clearly marked, symbolizing the gravity of betrayal and failure in the gang’s ranks.
Accusation and Announcement by Jane Mendoza: Jane Mendoza stands before the assembled gang and formally reads out the charges against the condemned, detailing their offenses and explaining why they have been deemed unworthy of remaining part of the gang. Her words reinforce the values of loyalty, commitment, and accountability, reminding everyone of the gang's strict code of conduct.
Expression of Disappointment by the former Mentor: The condemned member’s mentor, typically a Top 10 member, steps forward to carry out the execution. Before doing so, the mentor expresses their disappointment and regret, acknowledging the lost potential and the betrayal of trust.
Death: The mentor then administers the fatal blow, usually by stabbing, ending the condemned member’s life swiftly yet ceremonially. This act serves as both punishment and closure, emphasizing the consequences of dishonor within the gang.