Much to their chagrin, the Black Snake Clan has been classified as a gang by criminal profilers from all branches of law enforcement. Perhaps their propensity to buy and sell contraband on the streets, or their direct support of illegal prostitution and gambling rings, or the reports that members extort protection money from the residents and storeowners in their turf has a lot to do with that. In some areas, they are classified as a branch of the Triads or Tong. They do have many similarities to an organized criminal ring, but the Black Snakes themselves don't see themselves in that light.

The colors of the Black Snake Clan are unmistakeable: Black suit, pants and shoes, white or black shirt, and a crimson tie. In the winter, they wear an open black trenchcoat as well. They should be proud that their reputation precedes them; legitimate corporate executives take care to avoid wearing this specific combination, even from within the safety of their corporate zones.

They have their turf as well, usually amongst cells of apartment housing communities outside the blanket of corporate zones, and often on the edge of police protection zones also. They may not be able to afford a real business, but they're no slouches when it comes to getting their hands on some hardcore hardware. They've been known to protect their areas fiercely from competing gangs, and it's their superior armaments that often sees them through.

David Liu, aka "Emperor Liu", aka "Wandering Tiger of the Nine Continents", aka "Mister Liu" is one of the more idealistic people in the Black Snake Clan. Emboldened (perhaps blinded is more like it) by lofty visions and unrealistic expectations of the clan's future status in the world, David endured the painful and humiliating rituals of the Black Snake initiation rites to become one of its members nearly ten years ago. To this day, David has remained one of the most loyal members, and has slowly climbed up the chain of command through a series of particularly notable accomplishments.

What is most unusual is that David has managed to garner a relatively substantial amount of respect from the residents in the neighborhood he claims as his own. He and his subordinates have put the protection money that he collects to good use, effectively warding off other gangs that were clearly more unscrupulous than they. He keeps good on his promises to the people under his protection, and there have been times he and his fellow gangers have served the role of lawkeepers for the residents, when uniformed police failed to appear. Though he maintains some illegal trade on the side, the residents turn a blind eye to these activities. Law enforcement and prosecutors have never been able to find any witnesses to bring a case against him, and his alibis have always been solid.

He would never hurt a person he expects to collect money from either. Preventing that person from going out and earning the money he is supposed to get would be terrible for business. He demonstrates his displeasure by reminding the offender about the things that could happen if the Black Snake Clan were not there to do something about it and leaves it at that. He simply lets those people who choose not to have their protection fend for themselves when it really matters.

David aspires to continue climbing up the chain of command for the Black Snake Clan. Though he leads his own small unit and controls a neighborhood, he holds no real power within the clan as a whole. He hopes to be recognized by the leaders one day, to be accepted into their inner circle.

--Joe Chan