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* ''Literature/ConstanceVeritySavesTheWorld'':
** Siege Perilous is a SinisterSpyAgency that's rated [[TakeOverTheWorld eight]] on the [[SlidingScaleOfVillainThreat Global Peril Index]], founded to accumulate wealth and power upon the whims of their Mastermind Interim Lady Peril. Or at least it was until Lady Peril's timely death ([[JokerImmunity again]]) and left to her less-than villainous son Larry.
** The Scorpion Society is an evil organization ran by a BrainInAJar and had attempted to launch Chicago into the sun. Oddly enough, that was a conspiracy that ''wasn't'' thwarted by Connie, but instead the US government.
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* ''Literature/HelenAndTroysEpicRoadQuest'': The Black Knights are a recurring topic of {{Conspiracy Theori|st}}es that claim them as responsible for all the problems of the world, from supposedly being responsible for various high-profile deaths, to ensuring that flying carpets won't replace cars as an eco-friendly alternative to keep smog levels high.

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The Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy is when a number of criminals and criminal organizations -- which when properly defined includes terrorists, illegal militias, revolutionaries and other politically-minded groups as well as your mafias and drug cartels -- make common cause with each other despite rival or even diametrically opposed goals. It may or may not include -- or is headed by -- at least one NebulousEvilOrganisation that feels the need to hire out from time to time. It is often run behind the scenes by a group of [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bastards]] and [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] who are trying to achieve a single grand objective, but want or need to use other criminals to achieve these ends. As the underworld is a community, expect them to know who all the hitmen are and to use many frequently.

to:

The Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy is when a number of criminals and criminal organizations -- which when properly defined includes terrorists, illegal militias, revolutionaries and other politically-minded politically minded groups as well as your mafias and drug cartels -- make common cause with each other despite rival or even diametrically opposed goals. It may or may not include -- or is headed by -- at least one NebulousEvilOrganisation that feels the need to hire out from time to time. It is often run behind the scenes by a group of [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bastards]] and [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] who are trying to achieve a single grand objective, but want or need to use other criminals to achieve these ends. As the underworld is a community, expect them to know who all the hitmen are and to use many frequently.



* The Black Organization in ''Manga/DetectiveConan'' are a mysterious syndicate that funds themselves by doing assassinations, but are alluded to have their fingers in many other pies.

to:

* The Black Organization in ''Manga/DetectiveConan'' ''Manga/CaseClosed'' are a mysterious syndicate that funds themselves by doing assassinations, but are alluded to have their fingers in many other pies.



* Creator/MarvelComics:
** It was established that ComicBook/NormanOsborn used to work for various shady industrialists, who used him and others to fund and create low and mid-level supervillains for the heroes to fight so that they won't have time to turn on them for all their misdeeds. They seemingly did not plan for Osborn to become an insane superpowered supervillain in his own right. It is strongly implied that he was not the only such businessman they hired and they have apparently been up to this since at least the days of ComicBook/CaptainAmerica.
** Another ComicBook/SpiderMan villain, The Tinkerer, operates on a much smaller scale. Amongst other things, he is responsible for helping deck out Mysterio with his toys, and in the ''ComicBook/{{Secret War|2004}}'' storyline it was revealed he is one of a number of arms dealers and rogues who are supplied by Latveria (though Doom wasn't actually in charge of the country during that particular story; it is still the kind of thing Doom probably does).
** [[ComicBook/{{Hydra}} HYDRA]] began as a ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werwolf Werwolf]]''-esque backup plan for the Nazis in the closing days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and evolved into a major international terrorist organization who have crossed paths with nearly every hero and villain in the Marvel Universe. They were infrequently allies with ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'s evil {{ninja}} enemies The Hand (in some tellings, HYDRA began as an offshoot, a faction subverted by Nazis), and used to team up with the Maggia, who were Marvel's politically correct {{exp|y}}ies of TheMafia (though The Mafia have also started popping up in stories as well). Their science division AIM also went their own way, but they still team up from time to time. AIM both creates the Cosmic Cube and the freakish [[AIIsACrapshoot MODOK]]. HYDRA is responsible for bringing back the ComicBook/RedSkull (who quickly betrayed them). One of HYDRA's leaders and main assassins is Viper/Madame Hydra, who once dated the Red Skull (he left her- ''she was too evil'') as well as [[ComicBook/XMen The Silver Samurai]], and usually leads the snake-themed mercenaries the Serpent Squad, who consequently are often in HYDRA's employ. The Squad's current leader is Sin, the Red Skull's daughter. WordOfGod even modeled them after SPECTRE, the NebulousEvilOrganisation that Film/JamesBond frequently fights in the books and movies.
** The Hand (or a group of them) are presently run by ComicBook/TheKingpin (who took over from ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} himself). They are responsible for training Daredevil's girlfriend ComicBook/{{Elektra}} and his newer enemy Lady Bullseye up as assassins, and are a magical cult led by demons who worship another demonic creature called [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Beast]], who recruit members by killing them and resurrecting them as either undead ninja or, if they are named superheroes/villains, brainwashed killing machines. The Hand started off as politically motivated rebels before being taken over by a more even cult called the Snakeroot, who generally form the Hand's elite. In the one-shot ''Wolverine: Enemy of the State'' they allied with HYDRA and also took over a mutant terrorist group Dawn of the White Light, and "recruited" dozens of lesser D-list characters into their ranks (and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}). That same story introduced an old hag called Elsbeth, a psycho devil worshipper and one of the richest people on the planet who spent her fortune on funding HYDRA and other evil conspiracies.
** Maggia bosses include minor ComicBook/SpiderMan foes Silvermane and Hamerhead and old Avengers baddie Count Nefaria (who is the dad of ''ComicBook/IronMan'' baddie Madame Masque, another Maggia member). They are rivals of the Kingpin and other small-time crime lords but have a lot of connections.
* And in Creator/DCComics, Intergang receives weapons from ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} himself, seemingly just to annoy Franchise/{{Superman}}. Later, feeling that Intergang was small potatoes, Darkseid brought about the formation of the [[LegionOfDoom Secret Society of Super-Villains]], which in various incarnations ended up including just about every villain on Earth.
* ''ComicBook/SinCity'' has shown that the cops and the mob are both pretty evil and at each others' throats but they do business with each other in ''Hell And Back''.

to:

* Creator/MarvelComics:
** It was established that ComicBook/NormanOsborn used to work for various shady industrialists, who used him and others to fund and create low and mid-level supervillains for the heroes to fight so that they won't have time to turn on them for all their misdeeds. They seemingly did not plan for Osborn to become an insane superpowered supervillain in his own right. It is strongly implied that he was not the only such businessman they hired and they have apparently been up to this since at least the days of ComicBook/CaptainAmerica.
** Another ComicBook/SpiderMan villain, The Tinkerer, operates on a much smaller scale. Amongst other things, he is responsible for helping deck out Mysterio with his toys, and in the ''ComicBook/{{Secret War|2004}}'' storyline it was revealed he is one of a number of arms dealers and rogues who are supplied by Latveria (though Doom wasn't actually in charge of the country during that particular story; it is still the kind of thing Doom probably does).
** [[ComicBook/{{Hydra}} HYDRA]] began as a ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werwolf Werwolf]]''-esque backup plan for the Nazis in the closing days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and evolved into a major international terrorist organization who have crossed paths with nearly every hero and villain in the Marvel Universe. They were infrequently allies with ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'s evil {{ninja}} enemies The Hand (in some tellings, HYDRA began as an offshoot, a faction subverted by Nazis), and used to team up with the Maggia, who were Marvel's politically correct {{exp|y}}ies of TheMafia (though The Mafia have also started popping up in stories as well). Their science division AIM also went their own way, but they still team up from time to time. AIM both creates the Cosmic Cube and the freakish [[AIIsACrapshoot MODOK]]. HYDRA is responsible for bringing back the ComicBook/RedSkull (who quickly betrayed them). One of HYDRA's leaders and main assassins is Viper/Madame Hydra, who once dated the Red Skull (he left her- ''she was too evil'') as well as [[ComicBook/XMen The Silver Samurai]], and usually leads the snake-themed mercenaries the Serpent Squad, who consequently are often in HYDRA's employ. The Squad's current leader is Sin, the Red Skull's daughter. WordOfGod even modeled them after SPECTRE, the NebulousEvilOrganisation that Film/JamesBond frequently fights in the books and movies.
** The Hand (or a group of them) are presently run by ComicBook/TheKingpin (who took over from ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} himself). They are responsible for training Daredevil's girlfriend ComicBook/{{Elektra}} and his newer enemy Lady Bullseye up as assassins, and are a magical cult led by demons who worship another demonic creature called [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Beast]], who recruit members by killing them and resurrecting them as either undead ninja or, if they are named superheroes/villains, brainwashed killing machines. The Hand started off as politically motivated rebels before being taken over by a more even cult called the Snakeroot, who generally form the Hand's elite. In the one-shot ''Wolverine: Enemy of the State'' they allied with HYDRA and also took over a mutant terrorist group Dawn of the White Light, and "recruited" dozens of lesser D-list characters into their ranks (and ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}). That same story introduced an old hag called Elsbeth, a psycho devil worshipper and one of the richest people on the planet who spent her fortune on funding HYDRA and other evil conspiracies.
** Maggia bosses include minor ComicBook/SpiderMan foes Silvermane and Hamerhead and old Avengers baddie Count Nefaria (who is the dad of ''ComicBook/IronMan'' baddie Madame Masque, another Maggia member). They are rivals of the Kingpin and other small-time crime lords but have a lot of connections.
* And in Creator/DCComics,
''Franchise/TheDCU'': Intergang receives weapons from ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} [[ComicBook/NewGods Darkseid]] himself, seemingly just to annoy Franchise/{{Superman}}. ComicBook/{{Superman}}. Later, feeling that Intergang was is small potatoes, Darkseid brought brings about the formation of the [[LegionOfDoom the Secret Society of Super-Villains]], which in various incarnations ended ends up including just about every villain on Earth.
* ''ComicBook/SinCity'' has shown that the cops and the mob are both pretty evil and at each others' throats but they do business with each other in ''Hell And Back''.
Earth.



** MARS Industries is an arms manufacturing enterprise, which sometimes supplies Cobra's enemies as well as Cobra itself, as well as a family business controlled by [[TheClan Clan MacCullen's]] current patriarch, Destro.

to:

** MARS Industries is an arms manufacturing enterprise, which sometimes supplies Cobra's enemies as well as Cobra itself, as well as a family business controlled by [[TheClan Clan MacCullen's]] MacCullen]]'s current patriarch, Destro.



* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
** It was established that the ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' villain Norman Osborn/the Green Goblin used to work for various shady industrialists, who used him and others to fund and create low and mid-level supervillains for the heroes to fight so that they won't have time to turn on them for all their misdeeds. They seemingly did not plan for Osborn to become an insane superpowered supervillain in his own right. It is strongly implied that he was not the only such businessman they hired, and they have apparently been up to this since at least the days of ComicBook/CaptainAmerica.
** Another ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' villain, the Tinkerer, operates on a much smaller scale. Amongst other things, he is responsible for helping deck out Mysterio with his toys, and in the ''ComicBook/SecretWar2004'' storyline, it's revealed that he is one of a number of arms dealers and rogues who are supplied by Latveria (though Doctor Doom wasn't actually in charge of the country during that particular story; it is still the kind of thing Doom probably does).
** Hydra began as a ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werwolf Werwolf]]''-esque backup plan for the Nazis in the closing days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and evolved into a major international terrorist organization who have crossed paths with nearly every hero and villain in the Marvel Universe. They were infrequently allies with ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'s evil {{ninja}} enemies the Hand (in some tellings, HYDRA began as an offshoot, a faction subverted by Nazis), and used to team up with the Maggia, who were Marvel's politically correct {{exp|y}}ies of TheMafia (though the Mafia have also started popping up in stories as well). Their science division AIM also went their own way, but they still team up from time to time. AIM both creates the Cosmic Cube and the freakish MODOK. HYDRA is responsible for bringing back [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica the Red Skull]] (who quickly betrayed them). One of HYDRA's leaders and main assassins is Viper/Madame Hydra, who once dated the Red Skull (he left her -- ''she was too evil'') as well as [[ComicBook/XMen the Silver Samurai]], and usually leads the snake-themed mercenaries the Serpent Squad, who consequently are often in HYDRA's employ. The Squad's current leader is Sin, the Red Skull's daughter. WordOfGod even modeled them after SPECTRE, the NebulousEvilOrganisation that Film/JamesBond frequently fights in the books and movies.
** The Hand (or a group of them) are presently run by the Kingpin (who took over from ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} himself). They are responsible for training Daredevil's girlfriend ComicBook/{{Elektra}} and his newer enemy Lady Bullseye up as assassins, and are a magical cult led by demons who worship another demonic creature called [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast the Beast]], who recruit members by killing them and resurrecting them as either undead ninja or, if they are named superheroes/villains, brainwashed killing machines. The Hand started off as politically motivated rebels before being taken over by a more even cult called the Snakeroot, who generally form the Hand's elite. In the one-shot ''ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}: Enemy of the State'', they ally with HYDRA and also take over the mutant terrorist group Dawn of the White Light, and "recruit" dozens of lesser D-list characters into their ranks (and Wolverine). That same story introduces an old hag called Elsbeth, a psycho devil worshipper and one of the richest people on the planet who spends her fortune on funding HYDRA and other evil conspiracies.
** Maggia bosses include minor ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' villains Silvermane and Hamerhead and old ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'' baddie Count Nefaria (who is the dad of ''ComicBook/IronMan'' baddie Madame Masque, another Maggia member). They are rivals of the Kingpin and other small-time crime lords but have a lot of connections.
* ''ComicBook/SinCity'' has shown that the cops and the mob are both pretty evil and at each others' throats, but they do business with each other in ''Hell and Back''.



* ''Film/TheFirm'' has its protagonist uncover that [[spoiler:the seemingly amazing law firm he works for is actually a front for [[TheMafia the mob]], and that they kill anyone who either gets too close to the truth, or who learns it and doesn't want to become a partner, and therefore be in on TheConspiracy. The Firm conducts SinisterSurveillance on its employees, wiring their cars, homes, and telephones and monitoring their lives closely. When they do kill people, they tend to MakeItLookLikeAnAccident]].
* ''Film/TheInternational'' is about a [[MorallyBankruptBanker crooked bank]] that sits at the centre of one of these. The protagonists are informed that too many powerful people find it useful to allow it to fail, and that if it did, another one would likely take its place. Sadly, this was based on a real institution, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. When it was taken down in reality, other banks began to become involved in that as well, most notably HSBC which was "Too Big to Prosecute".



** The trope was less overt in earlier films, but SPECTRE is involved in drug running, the Great Train Robbery, nuclear terrorism, and has members that include a world chess champion, the former head of SMERSH, a mad scientist, a playboy, a Japanese chemical company, and is recognisable to the public as the International Brotherhood for the Assistance of Stateless Persons. Though they also do mercenary work for an unidentified country in ''Film/DrNo'' and ''Film/YouOnlyLiveTwice'', the SPECTRE board meeting in ''Film/{{Thunderball}}'' shows that both sides of the Cold War are paying them to weaken the other side, such as the French Foreign Ministry paying them to kill a defector to the Soviet Union while smuggling Red Chinese narcotics in the United States. What both sides don't know actually, [[DivideAndConquer is that this is what]] SPECTRE precisely wants to do with both sides of the Cold War, and then strike gold when one side defeats the other.
** The most recent films providing good examples as Le Chiffre from ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' is bankrolling African terrorists as an employee of NebulousEvilOrganisation Quantum, who in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' are trying to set up a Bolivian general as a dictator to seize control of Bolivia's water, and whose members include evil phony philanthropist Dominic Greene, a former KGB agent turned businessman, a Mossad agent and an advisor to the British Prime Minister. They also convince the CIA and, later, [=MI6=] to go along with their schemes under false pretenses. They seem to be motivated by power more than by cash, and probably have some kind of ideology.
*** As an underworld banker for not only Quantum but many other clients, Le Chiffre is basically a one-man show, but constitutes the link between a huge and diverse number of illegal organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Lord's Resistance Army, whose money he secures and launders. This largely explains why [=MI6=] is so interested in capturing him.
** ''Film/{{Spectre}}'': It's actually revealed that Quantum and Le Chiffre were [[spoiler:fronts for SPECTRE]], and that they bankrolled RogueAgent turned cyber-criminal Raoul Silva in ''Film/{{Skyfall}}''. Their EvilPlan in ''Spectre'' is to [[spoiler:[[FalseFlagOperation stage several terrorist attacks]] so that a joint intelligence- and surveillance-sharing network could be established — which SPECTRE will have total access to thanks to their [[TheMole moles]] within the various governments and allow them to stay permanently one step ahead of their enemies. Unlike in the classic continuity, SPECTRE has morphed into a massive, [[TheIlluminati Illuminati-esque]] cabal working behind the scenes to manipulate events from {{Black Site}}s to their side while secretly meeting to discuss their global criminal ops and killing those who get in their way.]]

to:

** The trope was is less overt in earlier films, but SPECTRE is involved in drug running, the Great Train Robbery, nuclear terrorism, and has members that include a world chess champion, the former head of SMERSH, a mad scientist, a playboy, a Japanese chemical company, and is recognisable to the public as the International Brotherhood for the Assistance of Stateless Persons. Though they also do mercenary work for an unidentified country in ''Film/DrNo'' and ''Film/YouOnlyLiveTwice'', the SPECTRE board meeting in ''Film/{{Thunderball}}'' shows that both sides of the Cold War are paying them to weaken the other side, such as the French Foreign Ministry paying them to kill a defector to the Soviet Union while smuggling Red Chinese narcotics in the United States. What both sides don't know actually, [[DivideAndConquer is that this is what]] SPECTRE precisely what SPECTRE wants to do with both sides of the Cold War, and then [[DivideAndConquer strike gold when one side defeats the other.
other]].
** The most recent films providing good examples as Le Chiffre from ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' is bankrolling African terrorists basically a one-man show. He's an underworld banker who constitutes the link between a huge and diverse number of illegal organizations such as an employee Al-Qaeda and the Lord's Resistance Army, whose money he secures and launders. This largely explains why [=MI6=] is so interested in capturing him.
** One
of Le Chiffre's clients is the NebulousEvilOrganisation Quantum, who in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' are trying try to set up a Bolivian general as a dictator to seize control of Bolivia's water, and whose members include evil phony philanthropist Dominic Greene, a former KGB agent turned businessman, a Mossad agent and an advisor to the British Prime Minister. They also convince the CIA and, later, [=MI6=] to go along with their schemes under false pretenses. They seem to be motivated by power more than by cash, and probably have some kind of ideology.
*** As an underworld banker for not only Quantum but many other clients, Le Chiffre is basically a one-man show, but constitutes the link between a huge and diverse number of illegal organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Lord's Resistance Army, whose money he secures and launders. This largely explains why [=MI6=] is so interested in capturing him.
** ''Film/{{Spectre}}'': It's actually revealed that Quantum and Le Chiffre were [[spoiler:fronts for SPECTRE]], and that they bankrolled RogueAgent turned cyber-criminal Raoul Silva in ''Film/{{Skyfall}}''. Their EvilPlan in ''Spectre'' is to [[spoiler:[[FalseFlagOperation stage several terrorist attacks]] so that a joint intelligence- and surveillance-sharing network could be established — established, which SPECTRE will have total access to thanks to their [[TheMole moles]] within the various governments and allow them to stay permanently one step ahead of their enemies. Unlike in the classic continuity, SPECTRE has morphed into a massive, [[TheIlluminati Illuminati-esque]] Illuminati]]-esque cabal working behind the scenes to manipulate events from {{Black Site}}s to their side while secretly meeting to discuss their global criminal ops and killing those who get in their way.]]way]].



* In ''Film/TheUsualSuspects'', Keyser Soze is the DiabolicalMastermind who has Turkish drug dealers, professional American crooks, and apparently every criminal everywhere dancing to his tune. [[UnreliableNarrator Or so he claims]].
* ''Film/{{Taken}}''. A tour of the Parisian underground, from lowly Albanian thugs to crooked intelligence officers, to the wealthy Saudi Sheikh who is the client for all those pretty sex slaves.
* ''Film/LayerCake'', the title being a reference to the various "layers" of the London criminal underworld, encompassing petty drug dealers, to thieves, up to Serbian War Criminals turned drug barons and powerful British crime lords. Reference is made to an attempt to "buy a country" via two of the bigger fish bankrolling an (ultimately botched) ''coup d'etat'' in an African nation, a detail that drives the story.
* ''Film/TheInternational'' is about a crooked bank that sits at the centre of one of these. The protagonists are informed that too many powerful people find it useful to allow it to fail and that if it did another one would likely take its place.
** Sadly this was based on a real institution, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. When it was taken down in reality, other banks began to become involved in that as well, most notably HSBC which was "Too Big to Prosecute."

to:

* In ''Film/TheUsualSuspects'', Keyser Soze is the DiabolicalMastermind who has Turkish drug dealers, professional American crooks, and apparently every criminal everywhere dancing to his tune. [[UnreliableNarrator Or so he claims]].
* ''Film/{{Taken}}''. A tour of the Parisian underground, from lowly Albanian thugs to crooked intelligence officers, to the wealthy Saudi Sheikh who is the client for all those pretty sex slaves.
* ''Film/LayerCake'', the
The title being of ''Film/LayerCake'' is a reference to the various "layers" of the [[LondonGangster London criminal underworld, underworld]], encompassing petty drug dealers, to thieves, up to Serbian War Criminals war criminals turned drug barons and powerful British crime lords. Reference is made to an attempt to "buy a country" via two of the bigger fish bankrolling an (ultimately botched) ''coup d'etat'' in an African nation, a detail that drives the story.
* ''Film/TheInternational'' is about ''Film/{{Taken}}'' offers a tour of the Parisian underground, from lowly Albanian thugs to crooked bank that sits at intelligence officers, to the centre of one of these. The protagonists are informed that too many powerful people find it useful to allow it to fail wealthy Saudi Sheikh who is the client for all those pretty sex slaves.
* In ''Film/TheUsualSuspects'', Keyser Soze is the DiabolicalMastermind who has Turkish drug dealers, professional American crooks,
and that if it did another one would likely take its place.
** Sadly this was based on a real institution, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. When it was taken down in reality, other banks began
apparently every criminal everywhere dancing to become involved in that as well, most notably HSBC which was "Too Big to Prosecute."his tune -- [[UnreliableNarrator or so he claims]].



* In ''Literature/{{Otherland}}'', the Grail Brotherhood is an international conspiracy of {{Corrupt Corporate Executive}}s, financiers, drug lords, military leaders, and heads of state that collectively control a massive amount of money and power. They have discovered, however, that the one thing they can't buy is what no human can -- freedom from death. Thus, all their energy becomes devoted to finding a solution to this problem, at any cost.
* Creator/JohnGrisham's ''Literature/TheFirm'' has its protagonist uncover that [[spoiler:the seemingly amazing law firm he works for is actually a front for [[TheMafia the mob]], and that they kill anyone who either gets to close to the truth, or who learns it and doesn't want to become a partner, and therefore be in on TheConspiracy. The Firm conducts SinisterSurveillance on its employees, wiring their cars, homes, and telephones and monitoring their lives closely. When they do kill people, they tend to MakeItLookLikeAnAccident.]]



* In ''Literature/{{Otherland}}'', the Grail Brotherhood is an international conspiracy of {{Corrupt Corporate Executive}}s, financiers, drug lords, military leaders, and heads of state that collectively control a massive amount of money and power. They have discovered, however, that the one thing they can't buy is what no human can: freedom from death. Thus, all their energy becomes devoted to finding a solution to this problem, at any cost.



* Raymond Reddington runs one of these in ''Series/TheBlacklist'', employing counterfeiters, mercenaries, hackers, arms dealers, and other criminal professionals.



* ''Series/Daredevil2015'': Wilson Fisk's criminal syndicate within season 1 is comprised of Fisk himself and his organization, plus a branch of the Russian mafia run by the Ranskahov brothers, and factions of the triads and yakuza (both fronts for the Hand). When he's rebuilding his criminal empire in season 3 after being locked up, he's making himself a one-stop shop for protection from federal prosecution for other gangs, who are to pay him a 20-25% cut of their profits as tax.



* From the Franchise/StargateVerse:
** The Lucian Alliance are an example of sorts- a collection of criminals and criminal organizations who existed (presumably) prior to the dissolution of the Goa'uld Empire's hold on the galaxy who banded together to take advantage of the power vacuum left behind. Initially, they seemed content to deal in addictive space corn and just do regular criminal stuff, but by the time of [[Series/StargateUniverse SGU]] they clearly had some sort of plan to take over the [[CoolShip Destiny]]. Since the series was [[ScrewedByTheNetwork canceled]], [[WhatCouldHaveBeen we'll never know]] what they wanted it for.
** The conspiracy that comes to be known as the Trust is another example. It brings together hard-line nationalists and human supremacists from the American national security establishment (the rogue NID agents), international businessmen who want to profit from patenting and selling alien technology (the Committee), and at least one American politician who enables them in exchange for their supporting his political career (Senator Kinsey). [[spoiler:And then the Goa'uld infiltrate and take over the entire organization, using it first to try and destroy the Earth, then to turn it into a refuge for them after the collapse of their interstellar empires.]]
* In ''Series/SonsOfAnarchy'' the eponymous biker gang ends up in the center of one of these. They initially bought smuggled guns from a splinter group of the IRA and sold them to black gangs in Los Angeles. Their EqualOpportunityEvil nature makes them the ideal middleman between criminal organizations who do not trust each other but need what the other group sells. In the course of the series, they make deals with the Russian [[TheMafiya Mafiya]], Latino biker gangs and a Mexican drug cartel. When a Justice Department task force is building a racketeering case against these groups, the Sons are a central element in proving a massive criminal conspiracy. By the end of season 4, things get even more complicated as the Sons are now [[spoiler: an unwilling partner in a CIA plan to take control of a Mexican drug cartel]] which takes the conspiracy to a new level.



* Raymond Reddington runs one of these in ''Series/TheBlacklist'', employing counterfeiters, mercenaries, hackers, arms dealers, and other criminal professionals.
* ''Series/Daredevil2015'': Wilson Fisk's criminal syndicate within season 1 is comprised of Fisk himself and his organization, plus a branch of the Russian mafia run by the Ranskahov brothers, and factions of the triads and yakuza (both fronts for the Hand). When he's rebuilding his criminal empire in season 3 after being locked up, he's making himself a one-stop shop for protection from federal prosecution for other gangs, who are to pay him a 20-25% cut of their profits as tax.

to:

* Raymond Reddington runs In ''Series/SonsOfAnarchy'' the eponymous biker gang ends up in the center of one of these in ''Series/TheBlacklist'', employing counterfeiters, mercenaries, hackers, arms dealers, these. They initially bought smuggled guns from a splinter group of the IRA and other sold them to black gangs in Los Angeles. Their EqualOpportunityEvil nature makes them the ideal middleman between criminal professionals.
* ''Series/Daredevil2015'': Wilson Fisk's
organizations who do not trust each other but need what the other group sells. In the course of the series, they make deals with the Russian [[TheMafiya Mafiya]], Latino biker gangs and a Mexican drug cartel. When a Justice Department task force is building a racketeering case against these groups, the Sons are a central element in proving a massive criminal syndicate within conspiracy. By the end of season 1 is comprised 4, things get even more complicated as the Sons are now [[spoiler:an unwilling partner in a CIA plan to take control of Fisk himself a Mexican drug cartel]], which takes the conspiracy to a new level.
* From the ''Franchise/StargateVerse'':
** The Lucian Alliance are an example of sorts -- a collection of criminals
and criminal organizations who existed (presumably) prior to the dissolution of the Goa'uld Empire's hold on the galaxy and who banded together to take advantage of the [[EvilPowerVacuum power vacuum]] left behind. Initially, they seem content to deal in addictive space corn and just do regular criminal stuff, but by the time of ''Series/StargateUniverse'', they clearly have some sort of plan to take over the ''[[CoolStarship Destiny]]''. Since the series was [[ScrewedByTheNetwork canceled]], [[WhatCouldHaveBeen we'll never know]] what they wanted it for.
** The conspiracy that comes to be known as the Trust is another example. It brings together hardline nationalists and human supremacists from the American national security establishment (the rogue NID agents), international businessmen who want to profit from patenting and selling alien technology (the Committee), and at least one American politician who enables them in exchange for their supporting
his political career (Senator Kinsey). [[spoiler:Then the Goa'uld infiltrate and take over the entire organization, plus a branch of using it first to try and destroy the Russian mafia run by the Ranskahov brothers, and factions of the triads and yakuza (both fronts Earth, then to turn it into a refuge for the Hand). When he's rebuilding his criminal empire in season 3 them after being locked up, he's making himself a one-stop shop for protection from federal prosecution for other gangs, who are to pay him a 20-25% cut the collapse of their profits as tax.interstellar empires.]]



* ''Top Secret: SI,'' the 1987 remake of Creator/{{TSR}}'s ''Top Secret'' espionage roleplaying game, has the Web, a secretive criminal organization along the lines of SPECTRE that was created in the wake of World War I and has been working to quietly dominate the world ever since. Its principal opponents are the equally secretive [[BenevolentConspiracy Orion Foundation]], an agency founded by the survivors of the Web's early plots.
* TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds: The Chamber was a loose alliance of criminal groups that controlled the underworld of Emerald City. They worked behind the scenes to keep out metahumans that worked too openly so that the city would essentially be a place where supervillains could take a break in their secret identities and not have to worry about running into heroes. The events of the Silver Storm have shattered the alliance and now metahumans, villains and heroes, are crawling out of the woodwork.

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* ''Top Secret: SI,'' the 1987 remake of Creator/{{TSR}}'s ''Top Secret'' espionage roleplaying game, has the Web, a secretive criminal organization along the lines of SPECTRE that was created in the wake of World War I and has been working to quietly dominate the world ever since. Its principal opponents are the equally secretive [[BenevolentConspiracy Orion Foundation]], an agency founded by the survivors of the Web's early plots.
* TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds:
''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'': The Chamber was a loose alliance of criminal groups that controlled the underworld of Emerald City. They worked behind the scenes to keep out metahumans that worked too openly so that the city would essentially be a place where supervillains could take a break in their secret identities and not have to worry about running into heroes. The events of the Silver Storm have shattered the alliance and now metahumans, villains and heroes, are crawling out of the woodwork.woodwork.
* ''Top Secret: SI'', the 1987 remake of Creator/{{TSR}}'s ''Top Secret'' espionage roleplaying game, has the Web, a secretive criminal organization along the lines of SPECTRE that was created in the wake of World War I and has been working to quietly dominate the world ever since. Its principal opponents are the equally secretive [[BenevolentConspiracy Orion Foundation]], an agency founded by the survivors of the Web's early plots.



* The smuggling ring in ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigationsMilesEdgeworth'' includes [[spoiler:corrupt prosecutors to manipulate trials in their favour, detectives in Interpol to hinder and keep tabs on the investigation, Amano's conglomerate to aid in the smuggling, and the Ambassadors of two nations who produced counterfeit bills (using their authority to keep it under wraps besides the heavy security) and destroyed the economy of a foreign nation with them. Each case of this game involves the syndicate, and the head, Quercus Alba, is considered to be by many the most frustrating ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' villain yet]].



* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':
** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoOnline'' features The Professionals, an immensely powerful crime network that operates in San Andreas. They are ex-military operatives involved in the drug trade, and they are affiliated with various other gangs such as the Ballas, the Vagos, and The Lost MC. The Professionals seem to be affiliated with the FIB as well.
** Merryweather from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' as well. They are just as corrupt as the Professionals.
* The smuggling ring in ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations'' features [[spoiler: corrupt prosecutors to manipulate trials in their favour, detectives in Interpol to hinder and keep tabs on the investigation, Amano's conglomerate to aid in the smuggling, and the Ambassadors of two nations who produced counterfeit bills (using their authority to keep it under wraps besides the heavy security) and destroyed the economy of a foreign nation with them. Each case of this game involves the syndicate, and the head, Quercus Alba, is considered to be by many the most frustrating ''Ace Attorney'' villain yet.]]

to:

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':
**
''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoOnline'' features The Professionals, an immensely powerful crime network that operates in San Andreas. They are ex-military operatives involved in the drug trade, and they are affiliated with various other gangs such as the Ballas, the Vagos, and The Lost MC. The Professionals seem to be affiliated with the FIB as well.
** Merryweather from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' as well. They are just as corrupt as the Professionals.
* The smuggling ring in ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations'' features [[spoiler: corrupt prosecutors to manipulate trials in their favour, detectives in Interpol to hinder and keep tabs on the investigation, Amano's conglomerate to aid in the smuggling, and the Ambassadors of two nations who produced counterfeit bills (using their authority to keep it under wraps besides the heavy security) and destroyed the economy of a foreign nation with them. Each case of this game involves the syndicate, and the head, Quercus Alba, is considered to be by many the most frustrating ''Ace Attorney'' villain yet.]]
well.



* In ''VideoGame/WatchDogs'', [[spoiler:the Chicago South Club mob is in league with [[MegaCorp Blume Corporation]] to control the city and cover-up their illegal activities, namely the mob's human-trafficking ring. They also have blackmail on the Mayor after using the [=ctOS=] to record him killing his mistress, and Blume rigs the election to keep him in office. When the protagonists nearly stumbled on said murder video, the leader of the mob, [[BigBad Lucky Quinn]], put hits out on them. They injured Damien Brenks and failed to kill Aiden Pearce, accidentally causing the death of niece in the process, which they then covered up.]]
* ''Videogame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' deals with a drug epidemic that involves multiple criminal groups, including the Mafia, Butters and his minions, Ninja assassins, the local cops, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking even the Sixth Graders]]. The one behind it all turns out to be none other than [[spoiler:Cartman's [[BareHandedPuppetry hand puppet alter-ego]] Mitch Conner]].

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* ''VideoGame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' deals with a drug epidemic that involves multiple criminal groups, including the Mafia, Butters and his minions, Ninja assassins, the local cops, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking even the Sixth Graders]]. The one behind it all turns out to be none other than [[spoiler:Cartman's [[BareHandedPuppetry hand puppet alter-ego]] Mitch Conner]].
* In ''VideoGame/WatchDogs'', [[spoiler:the Chicago South Club mob is in league with [[MegaCorp Blume Corporation]] to control the city and cover-up their illegal activities, namely the mob's human-trafficking ring. They also have blackmail on the Mayor after using the [=ctOS=] to record him killing his mistress, and Blume rigs the election to keep him in office. When the protagonists nearly stumbled on said murder video, the leader of the mob, [[BigBad Lucky Quinn]], put hits out on them. They injured Damien Brenks and failed to kill Aiden Pearce, accidentally causing the death of niece in the process, which they then covered up.]]
* ''Videogame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' deals with a drug epidemic that involves multiple criminal groups, including the Mafia, Butters and his minions, Ninja assassins, the local cops, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking even the Sixth Graders]]. The one behind it all turns out to be none other than [[spoiler:Cartman's [[BareHandedPuppetry hand puppet alter-ego]] Mitch Conner]].
up]].



* In ''Webcomic/{{Terra}}'' the Shadow Cabal originally started as a personal army for the Asurian Sovereign Northazul Kalar. It has since expanded into a barely controllable paramilitary group with its hands in everything from slave-raiding to salvage operations.

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* In ''Webcomic/{{Terra}}'' ''Webcomic/{{Terra}}'', the Shadow Cabal originally started as a personal army for the Asurian Sovereign Northazul Kalar. It has since expanded into a barely controllable paramilitary group with its hands in everything from slave-raiding to salvage operations.



* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', a secret society known as The Light seems to have connections or acts as [[TheManBehindTheMan the mastermind]] with nearly every villain that the heroes face.


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* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'', a secret society known as the Light seems to have connections or acts as [[TheManBehindTheMan the mastermind]] with nearly every villain that the heroes face.
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** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':

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** * ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':

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An AncientConspiracy only in that crime is as old as sin, this trope brings together TheSyndicate, the CorruptCorporateExecutive, CorruptBureaucrat, TheChessmaster, MagnificentBastard, ArmsDealer, terrorists, rogue states and potentially anybody involved in organized crime of one kind or another. It won't likely be a full-fledged GovernmentConspiracy, but it will have a few politicians in its pocket. A portion of the loot for that bank job goes to the local [[TheSyndicate Syndicate]] who are dealing arms to African revolutionaries with links to Islamic terrorists, who blow up a plane with a mafia snitch on board and run by an airline that was getting in the way of a CorruptCorporateExecutive. All this was monitored and assisted by the NebulousEvilOrganization who knew all the necessary information from [[TheMole their mole]] in the FBI.

The Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy is when a number of criminals and criminal organizations -- which when properly defined includes terrorists, illegal militias, revolutionaries and other politically-minded groups as well as your mafias and drug cartels -- make common cause with each other despite rival or even diametrically opposed goals. It may or may not include -- or is headed by -- at least one NebulousEvilOrganization that feels the need to hire out from time to time. It is often run behind the scenes by a group of [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bastards]] and [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] who are trying to achieve a single grand objective, but want or need to use other criminals to achieve these ends. As the underworld is a community, expect them to know who all the hitmen are and to use many frequently.

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An AncientConspiracy only in that crime is as old as sin, this trope brings together TheSyndicate, the CorruptCorporateExecutive, CorruptBureaucrat, TheChessmaster, MagnificentBastard, ArmsDealer, terrorists, rogue states and potentially anybody involved in organized crime of one kind or another. It won't likely be a full-fledged GovernmentConspiracy, but it will have a few politicians in its pocket. A portion of the loot for that bank job goes to the local [[TheSyndicate Syndicate]] who are dealing arms to African revolutionaries with links to Islamic terrorists, who blow up a plane with a mafia snitch on board and run by an airline that was getting in the way of a CorruptCorporateExecutive. All this was monitored and assisted by the NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation who knew all the necessary information from [[TheMole their mole]] in the FBI.

The Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy is when a number of criminals and criminal organizations -- which when properly defined includes terrorists, illegal militias, revolutionaries and other politically-minded groups as well as your mafias and drug cartels -- make common cause with each other despite rival or even diametrically opposed goals. It may or may not include -- or is headed by -- at least one NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation that feels the need to hire out from time to time. It is often run behind the scenes by a group of [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bastards]] and [[TheChessmaster Chessmasters]] who are trying to achieve a single grand objective, but want or need to use other criminals to achieve these ends. As the underworld is a community, expect them to know who all the hitmen are and to use many frequently.



** [[ComicBook/{{Hydra}} HYDRA]] began as a ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werwolf Werwolf]]''-esque backup plan for the Nazis in the closing days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and evolved into a major international terrorist organization who have crossed paths with nearly every hero and villain in the Marvel Universe. They were infrequently allies with ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'s evil {{ninja}} enemies The Hand (in some tellings, HYDRA began as an offshoot, a faction subverted by Nazis), and used to team up with the Maggia, who were Marvel's politically correct {{exp|y}}ies of TheMafia (though The Mafia have also started popping up in stories as well). Their science division AIM also went their own way, but they still team up from time to time. AIM both creates the Cosmic Cube and the freakish [[AIIsACrapshoot MODOK]]. HYDRA is responsible for bringing back the ComicBook/RedSkull (who quickly betrayed them). One of HYDRA's leaders and main assassins is Viper/Madame Hydra, who once dated the Red Skull (he left her- ''she was too evil'') as well as [[ComicBook/XMen The Silver Samurai]], and usually leads the snake-themed mercenaries the Serpent Squad, who consequently are often in HYDRA's employ. The Squad's current leader is Sin, the Red Skull's daughter. WordOfGod even modeled them after SPECTRE, the NebulousEvilOrganization that Film/JamesBond frequently fights in the books and movies.

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** [[ComicBook/{{Hydra}} HYDRA]] began as a ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werwolf Werwolf]]''-esque backup plan for the Nazis in the closing days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and evolved into a major international terrorist organization who have crossed paths with nearly every hero and villain in the Marvel Universe. They were infrequently allies with ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'s evil {{ninja}} enemies The Hand (in some tellings, HYDRA began as an offshoot, a faction subverted by Nazis), and used to team up with the Maggia, who were Marvel's politically correct {{exp|y}}ies of TheMafia (though The Mafia have also started popping up in stories as well). Their science division AIM also went their own way, but they still team up from time to time. AIM both creates the Cosmic Cube and the freakish [[AIIsACrapshoot MODOK]]. HYDRA is responsible for bringing back the ComicBook/RedSkull (who quickly betrayed them). One of HYDRA's leaders and main assassins is Viper/Madame Hydra, who once dated the Red Skull (he left her- ''she was too evil'') as well as [[ComicBook/XMen The Silver Samurai]], and usually leads the snake-themed mercenaries the Serpent Squad, who consequently are often in HYDRA's employ. The Squad's current leader is Sin, the Red Skull's daughter. WordOfGod even modeled them after SPECTRE, the NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation that Film/JamesBond frequently fights in the books and movies.



* Cobra from ''Franchise/GIJoe'' is as much this as a NebulousEvilOrganization. While all of it theoretically answers to Cobra Commander (most of the time), it's made up of various constituent parts who often have their own interests and don't get along, sometimes culminating in EnemyCivilWar.

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* Cobra from ''Franchise/GIJoe'' is as much this as a NebulousEvilOrganization.NebulousEvilOrganisation. While all of it theoretically answers to Cobra Commander (most of the time), it's made up of various constituent parts who often have their own interests and don't get along, sometimes culminating in EnemyCivilWar.



** The most recent films providing good examples as Le Chiffre from ''Film/{{Casino Royale|2006}}'' is bankrolling African terrorists as an employee of NebulousEvilOrganization Quantum, who in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' are trying to set up a Bolivian general as a dictator to seize control of Bolivia's water, and whose members include evil phony philanthropist Dominic Greene, a former KGB agent turned businessman, a Mossad agent and an advisor to the British Prime Minister. They also convince the CIA and, later, [=MI6=] to go along with their schemes under false pretenses. They seem to be motivated by power more than by cash, and probably have some kind of ideology.

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** The most recent films providing good examples as Le Chiffre from ''Film/{{Casino Royale|2006}}'' ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' is bankrolling African terrorists as an employee of NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation Quantum, who in ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'' are trying to set up a Bolivian general as a dictator to seize control of Bolivia's water, and whose members include evil phony philanthropist Dominic Greene, a former KGB agent turned businessman, a Mossad agent and an advisor to the British Prime Minister. They also convince the CIA and, later, [=MI6=] to go along with their schemes under false pretenses. They seem to be motivated by power more than by cash, and probably have some kind of ideology.



* In ''Literature/AlexRider'', international assassins The Gentleman and Yassen Gregorovitch are each hired quite separately by two villains (for a total of four); the latter was trained by NebulousEvilOrganization SCORPIA who, in addition to their own evil schemes, offered support to most of the other Big Bads of the series. SCORPIA themselves are led by former assassins, spies, an infamous torturer, and the Big Bad of the 7th book who was the head of a Triad human trafficking ring, from all around the world, united by greed. They had at least one mole in the Australian Secret Service, and do work for unidentified rogue states.

to:

* In ''Literature/AlexRider'', international assassins The Gentleman and Yassen Gregorovitch are each hired quite separately by two villains (for a total of four); the latter was trained by NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation SCORPIA who, in addition to their own evil schemes, offered support to most of the other Big Bads of the series. SCORPIA themselves are led by former assassins, spies, an infamous torturer, and the Big Bad of the 7th book who was the head of a Triad human trafficking ring, from all around the world, united by greed. They had at least one mole in the Australian Secret Service, and do work for unidentified rogue states.



* ''VideoGame/CriminalCaseWorldEdition'' has a NebulousEvilOrganization called SOMBRA behind many criminal activities in the world, such an AncientConspiracy in Europe, rebels in the Sahara, [[TheMole moles]] inside of a space agency in Russia, diamond smugglers in Africa, and so on.
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' Online features The Professionals, an immensely powerful crime network that operates in San Andreas. They are ex-military operatives involved in the drug trade, and they are affiliated with various other gangs such as the Ballas, the Vagos, and The Lost MC. The Professionals seem to be affiliated with the FIB as well.
** Merryweather as well. They are just as corrupt as the Professionals.

to:

* ''VideoGame/CriminalCaseWorldEdition'' has a NebulousEvilOrganization NebulousEvilOrganisation called SOMBRA behind many criminal activities in the world, such an AncientConspiracy in Europe, rebels in the Sahara, [[TheMole moles]] inside of a space agency in Russia, diamond smugglers in Africa, and so on.
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' Online ** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':
** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoOnline''
features The Professionals, an immensely powerful crime network that operates in San Andreas. They are ex-military operatives involved in the drug trade, and they are affiliated with various other gangs such as the Ballas, the Vagos, and The Lost MC. The Professionals seem to be affiliated with the FIB as well.
** Merryweather from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' as well. They are just as corrupt as the Professionals.
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* The High Table from the ''Franchise/JohnWick'' series is a council of crime lords from every major crime organization on Earth.
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* ''Franchise/JohnWick'': The High Table is a council of twelve bosses of the biggest crime syndicates in the world and the ones who set the codes and bylaws that the rest of the assassin underworld abides by.

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