- This article is about the gang in Republic City run by Jargala Omo. For the crystal, see jennamite. For other gangs, see Triads in the United Republic.
| "Do you know how my Triad first got its name? From jennamite-- the creeping crystal. When it comes into contact with organic matter jennamite starts to grow and grow until there is no escape. Tokuga's about to discover why the Creeping Crystals were once the most feared Triad in Republic City." |
| ā Jargala Omo to Korra about her triad's history.[1] |
The Creeping Crystal Triad is an organized crime unit in Republic City run by Jargala Omo, centered in the Dragon Flats borough.[4] They are named after the crystal jennamite and have fierce rivalries with the Terra Triad and Triple Threat Triad.[1][3]
Originally a minor criminal outfit, the Creeping Crystals began to grow when the Terra Triad declined.[3] Following the events of the invasion of the United Republic of Nations, they initially lost a majority of their turf to the Triple Threat Triad under Tokuga but teamed up with Korra and the rest of Team Avatar to defeat Tokuga and the Triple Threats.[1] Afterward, they emerged as one of the most powerful triads in Republic City.[3]
History[]
Rise to power[]
The Creeping Crystal Triad first emerged as a minor gang in the Dragon Flats borough, at the time one of Republic City's least valuable turfs. They were insignificant and subsidiaries of the vastly more powerful Terra Triad. This changed after Jargala Omo took charge of the Creeping Crystals, conspiring against their overlords and eventually betraying the Terra Triad. In the following turf war, Jargala's forces succeeded in taking much of the Terra Triad's turf,[3] unexpectedly turning the minor gang into one of the most feared triads in Republic City.[1] The Creeping Crystal Triad subsequently invested their illegal gains into the Dragon Flats borough, lending money to locals, evicting petty criminals, and assisting in public as well as private repair work. In this way, Jargala's outfit gained considerable local support. She also diversified the triad's sources of income, extending her influence across the capital, and even tried to recruit airbenders after Harmonic Convergence in 171 AG.[3]
Conflict with Tokuga[]
The Creeping Crystals fought the Triple Threat Triad during Tokuga's attempted takeover of Republic City's underworld.
Following the Earth Empire invasion of 174 AG, they got involved in multiple clashes with Tokuga and the Triple Threat Triad. During one such clash, the triad was all but defeated by Triple Threat Triad, as multiple members had been knocked unconscious and Jargala was immobile due to her chi having been blocked by Tokuga. Tokuga said she should surrender, but Jargala told him he would have to make her. Before he could strike, however, the Republic City Police arrived to break the fight; both triads then retreated, hoping to avoid being arrested.[5]
Days later, Jargala approached Asami Sato at her mobile office. The leader of the Creeping Crystal triad told Asami Sato that she was working on a big project and that it would be a shame if she could not complete it. The mobster offered her "protection services" for a fee. Asami Sato rejected, taking Jargala's words as a threat, in turn threatening the triad leader with her electrified glove. Jargala, to the surprise of the other members of her triad, left and said the businesswoman was not thinking clearly.[6]
The following evening, the triad received a visit from Korra, Mako, and Bolin. Korra attacked multiple members and demanded Jargala reveal where she had hidden Asami Sato. Jargala told the Avatar that Asami was not at the hideout but was welcome to search the premises if she needed to. Upon their unsuccessful search, Jargala taunted the group and told them to leave.
In the coming days, the Creeping Crystals' hideout was attacked once more, this time by the Triple Threat Triad. The Creeping Crystals were easily overpowered by the Triple Threat Triad, who was now armed with stolen Earth Empire weapons. Jargala attempted to put up a fight but was forced to retreat by other members of her triad, leaving their former hideout in ruins.
Jargala displayed the properties of jennamite to Team Avatar as they asked for her help.
The triad relocated to a new hideout and began conducting business as usual. Three members of Team Avatar once again broke into the new hideout, this time with information of Tokuga's whereabouts, requesting Jargala's support in facing off against the Triple Threat Triad. The two parties struck a deal, and Jargala led Mako, Korra, and Bolin through tunnels and into an abandoned Earthen Fire Refinery. Once there, the group met up with Asami Sato and worked to fight off Tokuga and the rest of the Triple Threats. Tokuga fled the scene with Asami, and Korra offered Jargala a chance to go with them. Jargala announced she would stay, stating she did not want to leave her turf in the hands of the Triple Threat Triad.[1]
Growing influence[]
After the chaos of Tokuga's rebellion, the Creeping Crystal Triad emerged as one of the strongest triads,[3][7] and began to further extend its control in Republic City's underworld. It became involved in a scheme to blackmail the influential information broker Gantulga,[8] set up illegal auctions at the Stoneriver Auction House,[9] and a plan to abduct Ceba due to her unique knowledge of lost literature.[10]
However, trouble was brewing in the Creeping Crystals' main turf of the Dragon Flats borough, as their old overlord turned rival,[7] the Terra Triad, was regaining power.[11] The latter still maintained some territory in the borough, and intended to retake lost territory. Neither outfit was really willing to risk an all-out turf war, knowing that this could cost both sides more than either would gain. Yet, tensions continued to rise as a third party, the Agni Kai Triad, manufactured violent incidents, seeking to weaken the Creeping Crystals and Terras to its own favor.[7]
Involvement in the mover industry[]
Meanwhile, the Creeping Crystal Triad looked to expand into ownership of various lucrative industries in Republic City. One of Jargala's lieutenants, Amrita, was particularly excited about moving in on the mover industry, largely because she was enamored with films, and desired to be a rich and famous director. The triad had previously given a loan to mover executive Hongmei to start his own company, which he later paid off with the success of his debut mover. Hongmei ended up becoming the leading executive at Varrimovers International, a well-known studio which was experiencing financial difficulties. This provided an opportunity for Amrita to get everything she wanted.
However, Jargala was tired of Amrita's mover obsession, and ordered her to get back to her with something real and profitable within a month, or else the lieutenant would be moved to a different district, and the Creeping Crystals would look into something more lucrative, like the waste disposal industry. Amrita met with Hongmei after this, demanding that he take Creeping Crystal money in exchange for a percentage of the mover's success in exchange for cash, and Amrita being named an executive producer - the latter of which was her own, personal ambition.[12]
When Hongmei denied Amrita's attempt at extortion, she decided to put pressure on him by having her underlings terrorize production. She took a team of around twenty earthbenders who were all loyally committed to her, and had them disrupt the filming process. When Hongmei refused to give in, the disruptions and sabotage became more severe, risking harm to cast and crew members. As Jargala's deadline grew closer, Amrita was even willing to launch an all-out attack, believing that if the mover failed, Hongmei would have no choice but to hand her control of the company and let her rebuild it from the ground up with Creeping Crystal cash.[12] However, others began to suspect that something was amiss, and Bolin called in Erdene, Qacha, Thi, Meeka, and Dae, having them act as a new security force for the studio.[13]
Hideout[]
The Creeping Crystal Triad has traditionally based itself at taverns with pool tables. Its first known headquarters was destroyed during Tokuga's uprising.[2][1][6] Afterward, the Creeping Crystals relocated their headquarters to the Platinum Pool Hall in the Dragon Flats borough. The Platinum Pool Hall is a tavern, often nicknamed "Creeping Crystal Triad's Pool Hall", where bartender Sikkuak serves frosty drinks and clients usually play pool, a game with bats and balls evolved for the indoors.[2][14]
Known members[]
- Amrita[12]
- Jargala Omo (leader)
- Jiro (formerly)[9]
Trivia[]
- The Creeping Crystal Triad is the only known triad whose leader has a last name.