Gangs/tribes, Cause why not? Options

[NightmareX]

Remember back in 1st/2nd where you could take an entire gang or tribe or whatever as a "contact"? Well, this is kinda a resurrection of that which some may be interested in. Noticed it skimming the house rules, so I thought I'd put it up, though I have the nagging suspicion it might be on this board already (searches couldn't find anything) or be from/inspired by someone here's efforts (in which case I'm sorry, not trying to claim it as my own). Can't remember which (if either) off hand.

Gangs & Tribes - In addition to buying contacts as noted in SR4, characters can purchase affiliation with a local gang or tribe, either as a member or simply an individual with close ties to the group. Purchasing a gang as a contact requires the character to spend build points equal to the sum of it’s Connection and Loyalty ratings, multiplied by the group’s (Size rating +1). A gang’s Size rating determines both the average membership of the group and the number of members the character can call on for aid. At any given time, the character can call on a number of members of the gang or tribe if circumstances permit. This requires the character to make an Etiquette + Loyalty (3) test. If successful, a random number of allied gang members (roll the number of dice in the available members column) come to the characters aid, arriving as soon as the GM deems appropriate. All gang or tribe members called in this fashion have average skill and attribute ratings of 3 and a Professional rating of 2.

Size
Tiny (Rating 1, average 5-10 members, available members 1d3, Example Gang: Local neighbor gangs)

Small (Rating 2, average 10-50 members, available members 1d6, Example Gang: The Red Hot Nukes)

Medium (Rating 3, average 50-100 members, available members 2d6, Example Gang: The Halloweeners)

Large (Rating 4, average 100-200 members, available members 3d6, Example Gang: The Ancients)

International (Rating 5, average 200+ members, available members 4d6, Example Gang: The Cutters)

Btw - The reason I put the Ancients ranked lower than the Cutters is because (as I understand it) the Ancients have multiple independent chapters worldwide, whereas the Cutters have multiple centrally organized chapters worldwide. Ie local control makes each chapter of the Ancients a separate gang (in this system).