Free Men

The Free Men are based in the industrial district of Blanchaven, and control of Blackgate Isle including having implicit control over the workings of Blackgate Prison. The Free Men were founded in the 1880's by a multi-ethnic group of criminals in direct reaction to the other gangs in town, all of which were ethnically exclusive.

The Free Man gang includes a hardened “smash and grab” robbery crew that employs military-inspired tactics known as The Squad. These tactics were taught to them in prison by their leader, Nathan Kane. Tactics includes the use of roles during the robbery: Lookout, getaway driver, lobby man and vault man. Gang members carry the most modern weapons like the Thompson submachine gun and wear bullet proof vests and masks.

Nathan Kane commissions detailed getaway maps, known as “gits”, to improve the chances for escape after the robbery. Powerful vehicles, like Ford coupes with a V8 engine, at the scene of the crime are known as “work cars” and are discarded after the crime to foil eye-witness reports given to police. The Squad uses caches of gasoline for their getaway cars as well as medical kits to treat injuries. There are a series of safe houses throughout Gotham set up just for members of The Squad as well as up and coming gang members to lay low following particularly heinous crime sprees. It should be noted that The Squad does not specialize in murder or mayhem, just robberies.

Nathan Kane, who is the President of the Free Men, himself serves a life sentence in Blackgate Prison. His nephew Judas Kane III, leader of The Cole Slaw Express crew, is attempting to be named “acting president” to little avail so far.

Another crew are the Busters, led by Cutter Lighthouse who specialize in stealthy night burglaries in camouflaged repair vans.

Another crew are the Shit-Kickers recruited from dirt farmers and moonshiners in Somerset. The Shit-Kickers act as general purpose meatheads and back-ups to the other crews in the gang. They also get a lot of work setting up diversions and distractions for more serious operations.

The crew known as The Choppers and their boss Crazy Fat Ethel terrify just about everyone, even their fellow gang members, since they specialize in gruesome murder and consists of psychopaths.

The most secretive crew among the Freemen are called by everyone else The Crazy Krauts, but don't seem to have a name they use among themselves. They are experts in demolitions and are even rumored to use a small, functional cannon in some of their jobs, which often involve stealing large pieces of industrial equipment.

One surprising connection that the Free Men have made is with Mexico. The gang ran guns to Pancho Villa 20 years ago, and have maintained their contacts with Mexico. The Free Men occasionally employ Mexican mercenaries for jobs that need no local entanglements.