Blood Letters

"I'll warn you, once you step in that ring it's over. You're hooked. You can leave at anytime, put the ring behind you anytime you want. We don't force anyone into this. But I've never met a single person who didn't come back." The Blood Letters is an underground organization of sport fighters. Based in Vale, members meet in various locations, from warehouses, to back alleys, and even basements for the single purpose of beating each other senseless... well the pockets of lien don't hurt either.

Formation and Joining
The formation of the Blood Letters is somewhat of a mystery even to those in it. Originally the group formed to give an outlet to men to settle disputes with each other. However when bystanders started placing bets and keeping track of matches it evolved into an underground sport. The Blood Letters don't have an individual leader, instead "Ring Leaders" form unofficial chapters that they keep track of. The Ring Leaders organize where fights occur and distribute Blood Marks. They're also in charge of enforcing the organizations rules and keeping an eye and ear out for law enforcement. Meeting only occasionally to stay organized they typically operate independently following the organizations rules. Though this leaves the group open for corruption, it's yet to be a problem.

Ring Leaders are elected by each chapters' members who will identify themselves as being a member of that leader's chapter. Members join by receiving their own Blood Mark, which are given to those who prove capable of fighting and that they're committed to the organization. While non-members are aloud to participate in events, only those who earned their mark get any say in operations or earn compensation. Non-members have to prove themselves in one of the following ways, winning seven matches total, winning three consecutive matches, winning a match to a champion, or winning a "Mark" fight.

Rules
The Blood Letters rules are fairly simple and enforced more by members than Ring Leaders.

1-You're not forced to be here:Anyone is free to leave a match or event whenever they want. No one will force someone to stay or join.

2-No weapons, no armor:All fighters must be unarmed and have no armor when fighting. No exceptions.

3-Keep fights in the ring: This means that no one is to fight outside the ring for any reason. If an opponent is forced out of the ring during the fight this does not disqualify them but their opponent is not permitted to continue the fight until they've returned if they choose to.

4-We are family:The Blood Letters consider all members to be a part of an extended family. Any quarrels are settled in the ring. They help each other out and keep each other motivated, though not officially enforced, bad sportsmanship is rarely tolerated among members.

5-It's over when it's over:Continued aggression when an opponent is knocked out or forfeits is not tolerated. Any disputes are to be considered settled at the conclusion of the match.

6-Earn your wages:Fighters get there money when they win. Losers get nothing.

7-Quit whining:Fighters have to deal with any injuries themselves. No medical personal are on site.

Those who break these rules usually face retribution by other members. Honor is important to most fighters and disrespecting the rules disrespects the organization.

Blood Marks
Blood Marks are really just small circular chits made of scrap metal. The chip is marked by a fighters fingerprint made in blood. This comes from tradition where fighters would invite others by giving them a piece of metal marked in blood. There is really no way of knowing if a Mark actually belongs to those who have it and no real way to tell if it's falsified or not. However anyone who is believed to be using a false mark have been punished severely. There are a few ways to earn a Blood Mark. Ring Leaders issue new ones to those who prove themselves in the ring. Alternatively a member can give a non member their Mark to allow them into private events. Some fighters are named "Champion" by lasting an entire event without a lose. A champion keeps this title until he is defeated. If a non-member defeats a champion they earn a Blood Mark. Lastly a fighter can challenge another for their mark. Losing a mark in a match is considered the ultimate insult among members and therefore challenging someone to a Mark Match is a serious business.

Blood Marks are mostly ceremonial as being a "member" is usually kept track simply by reputation. Everyone knows who's actually earned a mark and when someone loses one in a match. Nothing bars someone without a mark to participate in fights (except in a few 'Members Only' fights) however only those who have a mark to present can receive their earnings from matches.

Earnings
Fighters who have a Blood Mark earn a percentage of the bet money if they win. The actual percentage varies and is set by the Ring Leader(s) most of which adjust it based on the winners track record. Sometimes fighters are given money directly by observers to go into fights with specific opponents. This side money is their's to keep.

Members
Altan Fisher-Ring Leader of the "Fisher Chapter" In charge of events at the docks in Vale. Also believed to be the founder.

If you want your OC to be a member of the Blood Letters please add their link here. Remember members have to actually earn a Blood Mark. It'll be a good idea to include how this mark was earned. (Seven Total, Three Consecutive, Mark Match, or Champion Defeat.)

Urdin Meadows-Won three Consecutive Matches.