Regarding Shinra EPC Departmental Structure

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

There are some thing that I want to go confirm about the Shinra Company, and how it exists in a post-merge world. Canonically, according to the wiki, the company collapsed following the Meteor Crisis. However, in AC the company still exists, but albeit smaller and with a new goal of helping to heal the planet. In DoC, a lot of the company’s previous operations seemed replaced by the WRO, which is hinted at being funded by a benefactor theorized to be Rufus himself.

- DEPARTMENTAL BREAKDOWN -

Department of Public Relations and Public Safety Maintenance (Including the military, SOLDIER, and Turks) --- From what I read in the wiki, and understand from the games, this department was disbanded after the Meteor Crisis. From AC, it seems as though the Turks then operate as personal bodyguards to Rufus, with some investigation into matters concerning Jenova, yet not much else. From DoC, I get the impression that, for the most part, this department was replaced by Reeve’s WRO.

Department of Science and Research - Seemed mostly based out of Midgar, as well as a few field labs in remote towns. Main lab likely destroyed in Meteor Crisis? In AC&DoC, operations seemed to have been replaced partly by the WRO, and partly by Healen Lodge?

Department of Weapons Development - Not really clear what happened here in wake of Scarlet’s death, but I assume they are still in good operation? It was my understanding that they operated out of Junon as much as they did Midgar, so there was lesser losses in this area?

Department of Urban Development - Operations seemed to have been replaced by WRO?

Department of Space Exploration - Would this department still
be active under the post-merge ShinRa?

- WORLD REGENESIS ORGANIZATION -

It seems, to me, that the function of this organization replaced not only ShinRa’s role as a governing entity, but also absorbed the functions of the Department of Urban Development, as well as Department of Public Relations and Public Safety Maintenance. The WRO seems like the leading military presence. However, with their level of technology, it also seems they have a sizable scientific R&D department. I also wonder if some parts of the Department of Space Exploration was enfolded into them as well, due to heavy use of airships. Then again, maybe not, because those ships were found at an excavation site, made from ancient (but not Ancient/Cetra) technology.


- POST-MERGE QUESTIONS -

Just what exactly does ShinRa do now?

Is this company still functioning as an Electric Power Company, and are the mako reactors still in use? Also, is research into alternative power being considered? Magicite? Crystals? Farplane?

Before the use of MAKO as an energy source, the company was originally a small weapons manufacturer called Shinra Manufacturing Works. I’m wondering if they have returned to this older company model, or if this aspect of the company still exists within post-merge operations. If so, then I assume it would mean that the Weapons Development Department is still in operation. Who would be head of it after the death of Scarlet? Would it be a role left for any character applicant that might want the job? If there were a Scarlet to apply, would it be a position returned to her?

Where is the WRO headquarters located? From the architecture seen in DoC, I get the impression that it is Junon. However, is there a set place for post-merge?

Healen Lodge, originally Cliff Resort, it was a medical center built to treat people with Geostigma. It also became as the base of operations for Shinra EPC after Rufus was transferred there and later took control. With Geostigma treated, and SinRA HQ now in Junon, what is the function of this lodge? Are they a medical center now? Have they replaced the role of ShinRa’s Department of Science and Research?

Is the military sector still dissolved, with the WRO running the show? Or, in the post-merge world, as any of its operations been reactivated?

Who polices Gaia territories? The WRO?

Is ShinRa EPC now a small-medium sized parent company with smaller to larger operating subsidiaries all over the place? An operating subsidiarity being a company that's owned by a parent company, but operates under it's own separate identity. If the WRO is really funded by Shinra, then I suspect that it is secretly an operating subsidiary--or something similar.

- THE TURK OFFICE in Edge -

I’m doing some thinking about just what their purpose would be, if no longer acting primarily as bodyguards to Rufus. In previous conversations, there were suggestions made that one of their activities might include gaining intelligence about the other cities of this post-merge world, as well as create a dossier of Persons of Interest for Tseng to provide to Rufus when he meets with world leaders. However, I would like to get a more concrete departmental function in my head.

Being that they have their own office, I assume that they have grown quite a bit in number, but my how much?

Furthermore on the purpose of the Turks, how far would their reach be? I’m thinking they might be charged with the internal security of the ShinRa company, bodyguarding Rufus, as well gaining intelligence on other nations. Or, that they might have some dealing with doing background checks on potential employees. But does anyone have any thoughts toward what else they might be tasked to do?

Also, I’m trying to sort out why they would have their own office, exactly, and why they wouldn’t located in Junon at ShinRa’s new HQ. It doesn’t make much sense to me, at moment, unless there was some restructuring of The Department of Administrative Research (and Investigative Division of General Affairs Department).

Would the Edge office be the main Turk office, field office, or training center? Following that thought, would all locations that have ShinRa Company assets (Junon, Edge, Healen Lodge, Gongaga, Corel, Fort Condor, Modeoheim, Costa del Sol etc.) now house a field office?

With what seems to be a larger Turk force, just what is their objective? Are they now leading the show when it comes to what’s left of ShinRa’s Security Department? Or, are the Turks themselves are now the entirety of the Security Department?

If so, I’m thinking there might have been some departmental expansion, if not some sub-departments added, or at least the inclusion of job roles that require specialists in technical investigative services. Perhaps they headhunted relevant specialists who might have originally been in other Shinra departments before the company’s collapse?

Thoughts?

[Kuro Otome]

Well I haven't read all of it, but I don't think Healen Lodge has much to do with anything other than it was a hospital for those with Geostigma. But now that Geostigma is cured there is not really any use for it.

As for Junon...I mean ShinRa was a weapons company BEFORE it was an electric company. Junon was pretty much its weapon manufacturing place so why would it stop?

[Cloud]

Ahaha, well you sure did make me feel like Rufus isn't really all that important. Guess I took the wrong character, eh?

From what I can see, you're correct. Public safety, urban development and scientific/space research would have most likely been replaced in some form by the WRO, at least on a global scale. Space exploration is pretty useless to the company for the foreseeable future while scientific research would still be carried out on a smaller scale than before. Public safety and urban development is, from as far as I can tell, on the end of their list of pressing matters. They may have been working under the guise of public safety, but keep in mind what kind of man Rufus is.
Department of Weapons Development: Can't see Rufus letting that one go, I think it is fair to assume they still have a firm control over it.

Before I say anything else, I do like to believe the company hasn't just fizzled out either. Reno said in AC-Complete that people were returning back to work. There is a chance that all the departments still exist in some form.

Now for your first question.

Just what exactly does ShinRa do now?

Is this company still functioning as an Electric Power Company, and are the mako reactors still in use? Also, is research into alternative power being considered? Magicite? Crystals? Farplane?

They are indeed still a power company, and for the time being they're only invested in alternative energy sources (anything besides mako energy). Research has been started in things like the Fareplane, but so far their understanding is basic. They had to reorganize after the Merge and now are finally starting to get their butts into gear and getting to work. If all else fails, there is a small chance they'll return to their wicked old ways and use Mako as a last resort; the technology is already in place after all. Planet is already messed up as it is. xD

Before the use of MAKO as an energy source, the company was originally a small weapons manufacturer called Shinra Manufacturing Works. I’m wondering if they have returned to this older company model, or if this aspect of the company still exists within post-merge operations. If so, then I assume it would mean that the Weapons Development Department is still in operation. Who would be head of it after the death of Scarlet? Would it be a role left for any character applicant that might want the job? If there were a Scarlet to apply, would it be a position returned to her?


I think as of now, they're a mix of that old business model and what they once were post-Meteorfall. Without their broad sources of income, they would have had to revert back to primarily weapon manufacturing while keeping their foot in the door in other fields. So yes, the Weapons Development Department does still exist, and is their primary department. As for Scarlet, no, I can't see her being welcomed back so easily. She was dead after all, and her sudden reappearance would raise many red flags. I can't see Rufus or the Turks being comfortable with just letting her come back. I think the role can be filled by a character applicant if they really wish to have it, but it is a role that'd be pretty dull. lol

Where is the WRO headquarters located? From the architecture seen in DoC, I get the impression that it is Junon. However, is there a set place for post-merge?

I honestly have no idea where it is located. I haven't given much thought to the WRO's whereabouts. I was told I can't have Reeve and Rufus, so I left a lot of WRO operation decisions up to Griever and any future Mr.Tuesti.

Healen Lodge, originally Cliff Resort, it was a medical center built to treat people with Geostigma. It also became as the base of operations for Shinra EPC after Rufus was transferred there and later took control. With Geostigma treated, and SinRA HQ now in Junon, what is the function of this lodge? Are they a medical center now? Have they replaced the role of ShinRa’s Department of Science and Research?

Healen Lodge, hmmm... you're really making me think. I see no reason it couldn't be a medical center. It served Shinra well, and I can't see them completely abandoning it. Now that you have brought it to my attention, it really would be a good place to have a small science and research operation. Oh the possibilities for this little location.

Is the military sector still dissolved, with the WRO running the show? Or, in the post-merge world, as any of its operations been reactivated?

Who polices Gaia territories? The WRO?


No, Shinra had started to bring back their military operations after the merge, recruiting anyone they can find who hasn't already been taken by the WRO. While the WRO runs the show, I can see some sort of partnership forming in the near future, both putting the safety of the populace at the top of their list of priorities. SOLDIER has just been restarted as a small experimentation operation to see its viability in the current setting. It does require some tinkering with Mako energy, something that the company would outright deny.

And for now, the policing is left to the WRO until Shinra can build up a force large enough to be of use on a large scale.

Is ShinRa EPC now a small-medium sized parent company with smaller to larger operating subsidiaries all over the place? An operating subsidiarity being a company that's owned by a parent company, but operates under it's own separate identity. If the WRO is really funded by Shinra, then I suspect that it is secretly an operating subsidiary--or something similar.


Ahaha, so you've wondered about this too? It really does make you wonder, especially after the hint thrown about it being funded by Rufus. I do think that the donations go beyond just monitary, especially if you consider their weapons manufacturing and experience in scientific and techological research. If it isn't a secret subsidiary, then it is very possible that Rufus is using his company's resources/his own experience and the WRO's inexperience to pull their strings. It really is an interesting topic, but in the end it is just loads of speculation. For RP purposes, I can't put anything into stone until we get a Reeve to collaborate with.

Now for the Turks. I'd like to think that they're like the CIA, NSA and Secret service rolled all into one. Rufus wanted to split this off from the rest of the company operations to prevent a large burocracy when it came to security and information gathering. When it comes to such matters, you want as few people between the source and destination as possible. The Turks pretty much operate as their own entity and only report to Rufus, making for a simple hiearchy. Because of this, the Turks most likely have grown since the merge, but I think in that they have transformed to include employees who are not what we'd consider tradtional Turks. Look at the CIA and you'd get where I am trying to go with that. Of course the organization of the Turks and operation will be left up to it's head. This is just my opinion.

Would the Edge office be the main Turk office, field office, or training center? Following that thought, would all locations that have ShinRa Company assets (Junon, Edge, Healen Lodge, Gongaga, Corel, Fort Condor, Modeoheim, Costa del Sol etc.) now house a field office?

It is possible, I don't see why they couldn't have some sort of field office hidden all over where it'd be of use.

With what seems to be a larger Turk force, just what is their objective? Are they now leading the show when it comes to what’s left of ShinRa’s Security Department? Or, are the Turks themselves are now the entirety of the Security Department?

The Turks are the entirety of the Security Department, except the military. They gather information, guard the company, do Shinra's dirty work and whatever else is required of them. They are the go to guys for Rufus. I think their objective right now is to just help make things go as smoothly as possible in a world where the only certain thing is uncertainty.

If so, I’m thinking there might have been some departmental expansion, if not some sub-departments added, or at least the inclusion of job roles that require specialists in technical investigative services. Perhaps they headhunted relevant specialists who might have originally been in other Shinra departments before the company’s collapse?

Very reasonable assumption. It would be a natural transition and course of action from what I can see.


I am sorry for some of my incomplete answers. There are many things I haven't considered that you brought to light.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

Thanks for helping to clear things up, Cloud, but I do have a few (okay, a lot) more questions. Most of them regard the military, since it's starting to seem relevant to a plot idea I may be soon involved in.

Regarding Shinra's Military and SOLDIER, what is an estimate of their sizes, respectively?

Which aspect of Shinra's military might be most powerful, or how is it mostly focused? Naval, army, air?

How might their military strength compare to others? Like, I imagine their air force would not be anywhere near as good as, say, that of Archades or the people of FF13. I also know they are smaller than the WRO, but by how much?

Also, for what purpose is Shinra rebuilding the military? What is their objective or goal?

How is the company handling the post-merge, and relations with other governments/factions? Are Sihnra influenced places like Junon open to outside visitors, or is there an increased interest in internal security and border control?

Would Shinra be interested in sending members of the military, or Turks, out to aid foreign cities/kingdoms/villages from other final fantasies in their problems? Or, is this something that would be left to the WRO to field?

Is Shinra military wiling to cooperate with foreign military forces, small or large, to acheive their goals?

Are there any current enemies or alliances?

Where is the military stationed? Are they just in Junon? Other cities like Edge? Are any deployed anywhere abroad on missions, and what kind of missions?

Do the Turks still help in recruitment for SOLDIER, or is this handled by the military, exclusively?

Do the Turks assist SOLDIERs in missions like they did in Crisis Core?

Also, as a company, I'm wondering if Shinra is still out to "heal the planet." Atoning to past sins of nearly being the planet's obliteration seemed to be the goal by the end of AC/DoC, as well as in Case of Shinra. Is this still one of the company's objective? Are they to look out for the planet's best interests when it comes to future operations?

This next one is more of a thought that I had, regarding one of the job functions of the Turks. Since they are now separate from the rest of the company, I get the impression that Shinra did this so that the Turks would have the means to be a sort of check and balance against the other remaining departments. So, along these lines, I was thinking that the Turks's Security Sector (listed below) would house the company's Internal Affairs division. Or, since the company turned a new leaf, perhaps it was a new division invented to keep an eye on the activities of the rest of the company. So say, if some scientist decided to do some unauthorized experiments, or that another Turk fell to another Hojo's whims like Valentine did, there would be someone around to investigate what happened. I was also thinking that they would do this for Shinra's military as well, essentially serving as something like a military police. I'm also thinking that they might have taken over the security section of IT--which includes investigating security breaches, outsider system penetration, data theft, etc.

What would be Tseng's security clearance? I imagine pretty high, if not the highest next to the Executive Board.

Would Tseng be considered an Executive, these days, and if so, would he have a place on the board?

Any thoughts about a Vice President? Interim? Acting?

Additionally, I've done some more thinking about how the Turks might be structured post-merge. Below is the departmental break down of possible responsibilities. Also, about how big to you think the department should be? I don't see them being very numerous so soon... Maybe up to the numbers they had in Before Crisis, or a number that falls somewhere between 15 and 30, but I have a hard time seeing must more than that. I get the impression that Turks are supposed to be pretty exclusive--the best of the best.

Rufus Shinra
-[Insert other departments here]
-Administrative Research Department (Tseng, Director)
---General Affairs Department (Tseng, Coordinator)
------Investigation Sector (Intelligence/Recon, Technical Services, Research & Records)
------Security Sector (Security Detail, Structure & System Development, Internal Affairs)
------Foreign Affairs/Operations (Field Operations, Black Ops)
---Civilian Encouragement Program / CEP (Human Resources, Support Staff)
---Academy (Cadet Training, Weapons Range)

CHAIN OF COMMAND - As head of the TURKS, Tseng directly coordinates the activities of General Affairs Department and its sectors. He also oversees the general operations of the Academy and CEP, although both departments are manged by a coordinator that provide him with regular updates. The senior Turks under Tseng are Reno, Rude, and Elena. Tseng, himself, directly reports to Rufus Shinra.

Also, here is a possible job description for Tseng.

TSENG

JOB DESCRIPTION:

INTELLEGENCE - The TURKS have a number of assets for gathering information, listening devices, clandestine operatives, etc. TSENG, as the DIRECTOR of the TURKS, sets the priorities of regions and groups of interest for the various intelligence assets at his disposal. He also evaluates the gaps in SHINRA intelligence and recommends budgeting changes and new programs to cover those gaps. In this way, TSENG provides RUFUS with timely intelligence on the status and activities of enemies of SHINRA so that they can prepare for the contingencies of conflict or intervene with diplomacy prior to conflict. TSENG determines (a) what groups and regions pose the greatest threat to SHINRA; (b) allocate intelligence assets to gather information about them; (c) report the status of those threats, once intelligence has been gathered, to SHINRA so that appropriate decisions can be made to mitigate risk.

SECURITY - TSENG also has responsibility for overseeing the security of SHINRA's internal security information systems by helping to improve the security of critical operations and information though providing know-how and technology to SHINRA's corporate and military facilities.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

I'm sorry if any of this came across as though I'm trying to make or force decisions about how to have things handled. That was absolutely not the intention, and I'm really not trying to step on any toes here.

I apologize for my ill-throughout approach to fielding my questions. What I was attempting to do was get a feel for how this Shinra Company is being handled within the context of Mist and Rain. Most of what I've written above was meant to be questions listed in an attempt to help met ge a good mental image about how Shinra is structured or how it currently operates.

A for the text regarding Turk structure, it was intended to be a brainstorm idea about how they might be structured-post merge. At most, it was my thoughts on how I might like to handle them, as Tseng's roleplayer, if I can get the permission to do so. I was trying to work within the context of Mist and Rane's Shinra. I know it's really not up to me in the end, and anything written there must be rejected if it's out of bounds or unreasonable.

What I'm trying to say is that I'm attempting to get a good feel for how Shinra and its assets are structured, and the Turks within them. I'm also trying to get an idea for scope, power spheres, limitations, etc.... So that when I participate in threads that involve my Turk characters, I know what framework to work within. And, so that I don't accidently overstep bounds or contradict Mist and Rain Continuity when plotting threads.

Again, I apologize if this thread came across as pushy. I really didn't mean it to seem so.

[Al-Cid, Rakesh, Paloma, Mateo]

Sorry. Forgot to add that Tseng's job description stuff was based on what I read about what the directors of the CIA and NSA do. I was going from the earlier statement to look at the CIA for information on how to handle Turks. But if the points I picked up upon have no relevance to the Shinra Company within the context of Mist and Rain, or are completely different than what was being referenced, then I won't use them.

Unfortunately, this leaves me back at square one, with having no clue as to how Tseng should be handled. It's hard for me to play these kinds of character without having good understanding about the state of affairs, and especially when the character deals with intelligence. I like to have all my facts straight and organized into a place where I can later go back and reference or fact-check when I needed.

However, with certain things about my pedantic behavior coming to light, I've been made aware that I'm taking my desire for information too far for the context of an RP-site, and am thus over-analyzing the Turks and the company. I'm also falling into the habit plotting thread ideas in the same manner I would plot for a book's story--which involves me making/using fact-check list and being overly concerned about avoiding plot holes and continuity conflicts. I'm told by numerous people that such a writing/plotting style is not conducive with role-play, and tends to stunt people's creativity, and slows down response time to posts. I've also been told that my concern over all the details takes all the fun out of roleplaying for other people, and that roleplay is something that others prefer to be spontaneous about their plots, and make it up as they go.

Unfortunately, I myself have a really hard time with spontaneity when it comes to role-playing, more so when it comes to canon characters. It's been suggested that should I keep things vague and just not include any details in my plotting. While I might be able to get away with that initially, such lack of forethought on my part tends to come to bite me in the butt. Like, I end up writing myself into a plot hole that I can't get back out from. Or, end up getting stuck in a thread because I lack any of the information I need to continue, and the thread dies.

However, It's been revealed to me that my desire for information seems to be causing more problems then solving, as well as disrupting the nature of Role-play. This bad habit of mine also ended up driving a friend to leave the thread. I feel real bad about all that's happened as a result of me acting this way, and I don't want to be the cause of such things, again.

Therefore, for the sake of and keeping the peace, as well as in order to avoid delaying the turn-around time of replies to threads and paralysis by over-analysis, I'm dropping my questions. Please feel free to disregard my previous posts.

As for the characters for which I wanted the information, I can try to make things up as I go, and keep posts vague so as to avoid overstepping others.