Qiao Shi Company
Headquarters: SEDA / Lustra
Specialization: Enchanted goods, personal protection magic, covert weapons & mercenary contracts
Overview
Qiao Shi Company occupies a peculiar position in the SEDA marketplace: beloved by the public for the magic-infused luxuries that make daily life effortlessly elegant, and quietly indispensable to a much darker clientele for everything else.
Their consumer division is a household name. Self-cleaning homes. Auto-cooking appliances. Personal ward systems that make standard security look embarrassing. If it combines magic and quality of life, Qiao Shi probably makes it — and charges accordingly.
Their combat division is not discussed in polite company. It exists, everyone who matters knows it exists, and the company has never once confirmed it publicly. The weapons are flawless. The mercenary teams are elite. The paperwork disappears.
Leadership
Xu Qiao Shi — Chairperson, Qiao Shi Company
Xu Qiao Shi is one of the most feared individuals operating in SEDA — and the fear is entirely earned. A neuromancer of legendary ability, Xu has a personal reputation that extends well beyond corporate boardrooms. Their magical prowess is not theoretical. It has been demonstrated. The kill count attributed to Xu is measured in hundreds, and the number is not disputed by anyone in a position to dispute it.
Among their publicly known actions: Xu personally intervened to protect Honorable Ruler Alvaerelle during an assassination attempt — an act of loyalty that cemented Qiao Shi Company's standing with SEDA's highest governance tier. Who sent the assassins is a question that remains unanswered.
Xu is loyal to SEDA. The operative word, those who know them would say, is loyal to SEDA — not to any individual, not to any faction, and certainly not to anyone who mistakes their business relationship for a personal one.
Products & Services
Consumer Division
- Enchanted Appliances — Self-cleaning homes, auto-cooking systems, environmental management; the standard against which all competitors are measured
- Personal Protection Spells — Wards, shields, alarm enchantments; tiered by threat level and client budget
- Luxury Enchantments — Status-symbol magic for those who want the world to know they can afford it
Combat & Covert Division
- Combat Equipment — Weapons, armor, and tactical gear with magical enhancements
- Covert Operations Gear — Available through channels that don't appear on the consumer catalog
- Mercenary Contracts — Elite kill-teams, deployed with precision and discretion
Corporate Structure
| Role | Function |
|---|---|
| Chairperson — Xu Qiao Shi | Neuromancer, feared across all of Adamah; personally handles matters requiring absolute resolution |
| VP of Combat Solutions | Runs the weapons and mercenary division; operates in the shadows of the org chart |
| Director of Consumer Enchantments | Oversees the mass-market product line; the public face of what the company actually sells |
| Chief Battle Mage | Head of corporate security; former military; the person who handles problems before they reach Xu |
Corporate Culture
Qiao Shi Company does not hire non-mages. This is not a preference — it is policy. Every employee, from executive to entry-level production staff, holds some degree of magical ability. The reasoning is both philosophical and practical: the company believes magic is superior to technology, and that the fusion of both makes each stronger. A workforce that can't access magic can't embody that belief.
The result is a culture of relentless magical competition. Spell-dueling between employees is not just tolerated — it's encouraged as a performance indicator. Status within the company is determined by magical prowess. Promotion tracks run through ability, not tenure.
The injury rate from magical accidents is high. The company's medical division handles it quietly.
Employees carry themselves with a particular kind of pride: they are elite, they know they are elite, and they are correct. The culture is demanding, the standards are uncompromising, and the compensation is exceptional. Those who can survive it rarely want to leave.
Influence & Power
| Area of Influence | Details |
|---|---|
| Consumer Magic Dominance | Qiao Shi's enchanted goods are the market standard; their brand equity in civilian life is near-total in the luxury tier |
| Covert Weapons Supply | The shadow market for Qiao Shi gear runs through every serious intelligence and mercenary network in SEDA; they don't advertise and don't need to |
| Governance Proximity | Xu's protection of Honorable Ruler Alvaerelle created a direct line to the highest tier of SEDA governance; this relationship is an asset to both parties |
| Magical Workforce Monopoly | By requiring magical ability for all hires, Qiao Shi has effectively built a pipeline that pulls the most capable mages in the region; competitors cannot match their talent density |
Reputation
For civilians, Qiao Shi is the company that makes your home run better and your life feel just slightly more protected than it would otherwise be. The brand is aspirational. The products deliver.
For anyone operating in the shadow economy, Qiao Shi is a supplier, a contractor, or a threat — sometimes all three simultaneously. The combat division's existence is an open secret, and its reputation for discretion is why it continues to function. They don't leave loose ends. They don't acknowledge contracts publicly. They deliver.
For Xu Qiao Shi personally: the reputation is simpler. Don't make yourself a problem for this company. The people who have tested that boundary are not available to discuss the outcome.