The Gambilici Family

The Burth Port Dwarven mafia, also known as **the Gambilici Crime Family** or House Gambilici, is a predominantly Dwarven organized crime syndicate based in the city of Burth Port, located on the eastern coast of Venthalia. The family is led by crime lord Adamfino Gambilici and is known for its extensive control over the criminal underworld in Burth Port, and its corruption influence within the Althean Royal Government and Tramontano&Kotts Company (T&K Co).

## History

### Early Years and Rise to Power

The Gambilici Family's ascent can be traced back to the early 11th century AV when Dwarven patriarch Tonito Gambilici started a small-scale drug trafficking operation. Recognizing the city's strategic location and the high demand for illicit substances among the transient population, Tonito seized the opportunity to carve out a niche in the thriving black market. Tonito's business primarily dealt in substances imported from the Bratoli Isles, where his family had immigrated from. Tonito and his family were devout followers of the Braotli Pastoric faith and worshiped the Pastoric god, Deo. With the support of his two sons, Adamfino and Dunnivan, the family began to expand their operation.

### Expansion and Influence

As the drug trade flourished, the Gambilicis realized the necessity of establishing connections with local law enforcement and politicians to facilitate their illegal activities. Through a series of bribes, threats, and favors, the family gradually infiltrated the ranks of Burth Port's political and law enforcement establishments, allowing them to operate with relative impunity. This infiltration enabled the family to avoid detection and prosecution, further solidifying their control over the city's underworld. Throughout the 1060s and 1070s, the Gambilici Family continued to expand their criminal empire. As their wealth and influence grew, they diversified their operations, investing in legitimate businesses such as shipping, construction, and entertainment. These front companies served as a means to launder their illicit profits and provided a veneer of legitimacy, masking the true extent of their criminal activities. In 1087 AV, following Tonito's untimely death, his 18-year-old son Adamfino Gambilici assumed control of the drug trafficking operation. Adamfino was determined to expand the family business and transform it into a full-fledged crime syndicate. Through strategic alliances with other criminal organizations, ruthless elimination of rivals, and expansion into smuggling, extortion, gambling, and loan sharking, Adamfino quickly established the Gambilici Crime Family as a formidable power in Burth Port. The turning point in the family's rise to power came in the early 1090s, when Adamfino Gambilici orchestrated the assassination of several rival crime bosses, effectively eliminating the competition and consolidating his family's control over Burth Port's criminal underworld. With the elimination of their rivals, the Gambilicis solidified their position as the preeminent crime syndicate in the city. By the 1100s, the Gambilici Family had become an entrenched part of Burth Port's power structure, with their influence extending to the highest echelons of the city's political and economic systems. Functionally owning Burth Port, the family wielded significant control over the city's government, law enforcement, and business sectors, making them a formidable and feared presence. Their vast network of corrupt officials and criminal associates ensured that the Gambilicis' interests were always protected, and their authority within the city remained unchallenged.

### Departure of Dunnivan Artega Gambilici

Dunnivan Artega Gambilici, the younger brother of Adamfino, was once among the crucial leadership of the mob. Dunnivan's departure from the syndicate was a pivotal moment in the history of the organization. After many years of serving as a key member of the family's leadership, Dunnivan's decision to leave was fueled by a combination of factors, including the desire for a more legitimate and fulfilling career, the offer of a prestigious position by Queen Leonora II, and the opportunity to use his exceptional skills in negotiation and diplomacy for the benefit of the Kingdom of Althea. The catalyst for Dunnivan's departure came in 1117 AV when Queen Leonora II, recognizing his innate talent and potential value to her kingdom, offered him the position of Royal Negotiator. This offer was made despite the objections of Viceroy Darroll Tirone, who harbored concerns about Dunnivan's criminal background and loyalty. Ultimately, the generous salary and the promise of a more respectable and rewarding life swayed Dunnivan to accept the Queen's offer, marking the beginning of his transition from the criminal underworld to the Althean Royal Court. Upon leaving the Gambilici Crime Family, Dunnivan faced a considerable amount of backlash from his former associates, most notably his brother Adamfino. Feeling betrayed by Dunnivan's decision to abandon the family and join the Althean Royal Court, Adamfino considered his brother a "traitor and a rat" and vowed to exact revenge. This animosity has persisted in the years since Dunnivan's departure, with Adamfino orchestrating multiple assassination attempts against his brother. To date, all attempts have been unsuccessful, thanks in part to the protection afforded by Dunnivan's position within the Royal Court and the heightened security measures implemented by the Kingdom of Althea.