House Kage gang “The Quiet Account.” It’s intentionally cold and administrative‑sounding, fitting their role as observers, auditors, and quiet correctors rather than overt killers. The name also ties neatly into: Rumor control and information debt The idea of people being “accounted for” rather than killed Their indirect role in events around Jocko’s Bar and Sector 25‑06 Key associations: Operates as a cell, not a bannered street gang Known about, rarely known Seen in Long Fall just often enough to remind people they exist

Primary Street Name (Most Common) “The Chalkmen” Why it sticks: In Long Fall, chalk marks are used to: mark condemned habs, track debts, note “cleared” zones after Guild action. When House Kage becomes involved, names quietly disappear from ledgers, pits, or rosters—as if wiped away. How it’s said: “Don’t push it. Chalkmen were askin’ after that crew.” “You want to know why his name’s gone? Chalk.” It’s never said loudly. People glance at walls when they say it. Secondary / Situational Names These appear depending on who’s talking and why. “The Erasers” Used by: Ferros Möbius anyone who’s lost a contact Implies social or economic removal rather than death. “The Ledgerless” Used by: Guild clerks Mid‑hive fixers House Phebis adjutants (derisively) Acknowledges their function while pretending it’s mundane. “The Linesmen” Used by: Pit crews Salvagers Old underhivers Refers to lines being “drawn”, crossed, or erased—territorial and social. “The Ones Who Don’t Ask” Spoken by: Jocko (once, maybe) anyone warning someone else Always framed as advice, never accusation. Forbidden Name (Never Spoken Twice) “The Count” Singular, not plural. Anyone who calls them this: either knows too much or learned the word from someone who didn’t survive keeping it If this name appears in‑game, it should raise fear immediately. How This Works at the Table NPCs never say “House Kage” They argue over which street name is safer to use Using the “wrong” name may: end conversations, cause NPCs to leave, trigger later repercussions Example exchange: “Think Chalk’s involved.” “Idiot—don’t call it that.” “Then what do you call it?” “…Someone else’s problem.” Canon Lock‑In Recommendation Official gang name: The Quiet Account Underhive street name: The Chalkmen That duality reinforces everything you’ve built: bureaucratic on paper superstitious in practice feared because no one fully understands how they operate

Formerly attached to Guild adjudication teams, Sorn now “audits” social disruptions. He is the one Jocko hears after something has already gone wrong. Speaks softly Keeps written records no one else sees Never threatens — just clarifies outcomes

Used when someone refuses the first offer. Known among gangs as “the mistake you make after surviving once.”

A silent extractor used in vertical environments: lift shafts, collapsed habs, sump towers. Urban legend says he once pulled a man down a wall.

Hears spaces differently: distance, angles, unseen passages. Suffers migraines near chained Astartes, though she doesn’t know why. -- Shot with a plasma gun and took 4 damage from Tesla Leader. Had to see Doctor Vire. Survived with no lasting effects. --

Specializes in taking people alive. Many never reappear. A regular at Jocko’s, always leaves before closing. -- Was shot by one of the Rust Runners. Rolled a Critical Injury. Was taken to the Doc, and rolled a 6! Full Recovery. He's on the mend and will be ready to fight again soon. -- Recovered --

Holds position longer than necessary; does not reposition until others have already adjusted. Recently transferred, he's now the newest of the Chalkmen. He's learning how they operate and trying to fit in.

Newer blood. Still believes House Kage is preventing chaos rather than managing it.

No longer the 'new guy' since Voss arrived.

Assigned observation duty. Rarely fires unless ordered. Known for filing disturbingly detailed after‑action reports.

Left-Handed Lasgunner.

Bar runner, messenger, occasional bouncer at Jocko’s. Passes messages he never reads.

Collects debts and gossip. Knows which rumors to repeat and which to forget.

Position Junior Medicae and Assistant to Doctor Selen Age Mid twenties Appearance Toma is lean and slightly underweight, a consequence of long shifts and forgotten meals rather than poverty. His dark hair is usually unkempt. His sleeves are almost always rolled up. Bandages, dataslates, injection packs and surgical tools seem to emerge from every pocket of his coat. His hands bear numerous small scars from years of medical work. He looks tired more often than not. Personality Kind. Patient. Practical. Observant. Toma lacks the brilliance of Vire. He lacks the technical genius of Lyra. He lacks the surgical mastery of Selen. What he possesses instead is empathy. He remembers names. He remembers fears. He remembers who likes company and who prefers to be left alone. When patients arrive terrified, they usually speak to Toma first. When they awaken after treatment, Toma is often the first face they see. Background Toma was originally trained as a community medicae operating in the lower hive. Not a surgeon. Not a physician. A practical healer. The sort of person who kept workers alive long enough to reach somebody more qualified. Years ago he suffered a severe industrial injury. For months he believed he would never walk properly again. That experience pushed him deeper into medicine. Not because he wanted knowledge. Because he understood fear. Eventually Doctor Selen noticed him. Recognized both competence and potential. And took him on as an assistant. Relationship with Doctor Selen Selen is mentor, teacher and constant critic. Relationship with Doctor Vire Respect mixed with mild intimidation. Toma has never entirely figured out Doctor Vire. Few people have. The augmetic eye doesn't help. Vire is polite. Professional. Reasonable. And somehow that remains more unsettling than outright hostility. Relationship with Lyra Toma finds Lyra fascinating. Lyra finds Toma inefficient. She periodically treats him like a particularly useful piece of equipment. He periodically tries to remind her that he is a person. Results are mixed. Relationship with House Kage Initially wary. Quickly impressed. Increasingly concerned. Every time the Chalkmen arrive, somebody is bleeding. This becomes a pattern.

Saved Kaeth Mur after getting put down hard by the Mobius crew.

Not a fighter. A collector of stories, debts, and favors. Drinks at Jocko’s almost every night, never drunk.

Useful Lies: Uses: (4/6)