Four Families

The Four Families are a prominent organisation with activities across the Continent. Publicly a cartel of four powerful merchant families whose trades work in loose concert, privately they are a formidable criminal organisation with many interests across the Continent. There is little known history of the organisation's beginnings, but it is said to have been around for centuries.
==Overview==
====Leadership====
Each of the Four Families is predominated at its highest levels of leadership by actual blood members of the four respective houses. The leaders of each of the four families is known as the "Boss". In the case of each of the Families, the boss can inherit his or her position from their predecessor upon their death or retirement. The occasional violent transition has been known to happen. Within each family, the Boss holds full authority to arbitrate issues between members, to guide the business of the family, and to select his lieutenants. The Boss and his lieutenants each have the responsibility to enforce order and discipline among their men, and negligence and insubordination are harshly dealt with.
====Membership====
Any man or woman of majority - aged sixteen years - can be a prospective candidate for initiation. They must not be related by blood or marriage to any member of the family to which they seek to pledge their service, and cannot be related to or have any close links with law officers or members of the judiciary. Each prospect is carefully tested to demonstrate their obedience, discretion and skill. In almost all situations, the ultimate test of their sincerity is their willingness to commit a murder which they are ordered to carry out. The act of murder both proves their willingness to obey and binds them to silence.
Regular members of the families are treated as if they were "adopted" into the family. This both gives them the prestige of service to that house and the protection their name and influence can bring if they are wronged by any opposed to them.
==Member Houses==
====House of Alexine====
Natives of Fiovogana in the Southlands, the House of Alexine is most prominent for its trades in ores, sugar, horses and timber.
====House of Gunnbjorn====
Natives of Enneron in the Northlands, renowned for its trades in fine spices and oils, beers, and weaponry.
The present leader of the family is TBD.
====House of Lianno====
Natives of Apparona in the Eastlands, the House of Lianno has built its wealth trading in glass, ivory, livestock and wines.
The present leader of the family is Amantius Lianno.
====House of TBD====
Natives of TBD in TBD, very successful as traders active in the fabric and fragrance markets.
==The Commonwealth==
The criminal activities of the Families are known to the Commonwealth, and its intelligence apparatus, but its spymasters typically look the other way, trading the tolerance of the High Sovereign and the Privy Council for certain assistance when needed. In exchange, the Families avoid interference with State properties and business and the State refrains from moving to purge the families, or worse. The family's peace with the State and the collaboration they occasionally share is an agreement known simply to those aware of its existence as "the Silence".
Category:Organisations