The Bianchi Family

The Bianchi Family is a cadet family of La Famiglia Nostra -- having pledged a lifelong oath of loyalty and fealty to the Calabrese Family. The Bianchi Family was founded by Diano Bianchi, Vincentio's lifelong childhood friend and right-hand man. After Diano's sudden death at the hands of the Streetsweepers, his younger brother Luis took control of the cadet family. The Bianchis are primarily known for drug smuggling, manufacturing, and distribution. In short, they're drug dealers - though they typically focus on high profile clients. They specialize in cocaine, absinthe, and opium.

## Notable Members

### Luis Bianchi

   Luis Bianchi ("Lulu" to very close friends and family) is the current patriarch and underboss of the Bianchi Family. He's the younger brother of the former and now deceased underboss, Diano Bianchi. In terms of appearance, Luis is staggeringly tall at 6'6" and identifiable by his well-kept, though prematurely grey hair and blue eyes. He has a thin frame that could be described as "spidery".  Luis styles himself as Claudia's right-hand man and closest advisor. Many in La Famiglia consider Luis to be the true "shadow-leader" of the mob.

He is 47 years old and wields a halberd as his primary weapon, though he also conceal-carries a dagger in cases of emergency. He is unmarried and prefers a bachelor's life. Luis is a practical, pragmatic, and careful man. He prefers to avoid conflict as much as possible and likes it best when the business is stable, functioning, and making lots of money. Luis enjoys the finer things in life, such as fancy cars and designer suits. Temperamentally, Luis tends to be calm, patient, and genial, fairly easy to get along with as long as you're not doing anything to irritate him. Luis has very exacting standards and high expectations for himself and others. He comes across a bit like a stern father to his men. Over the years, he's developed a keen intuition which can sometimes seem like a sixth sense. Luis has an uncanny ability to foretell when things are about to go wrong -- which contributes to his cautious approach toward life and business.

Luis and Claudia tend to get along well since they have similar tastes and interests. Luis affectionately refers to her as "the boss lady." He recognizes that Claudia is a bit out of her depth in the role of Donna. He could likely easily take over the mob if he wanted to -- but he's genuinely fond of Claudia and the Calabrese kids. He also swore an oath to the Calabreses and he isn't about to invite trouble by breaking that oath. If there's anything Luis can't stand, it's a bunch of unnecessary bloodshed. Luis is also deeply invested in the idea of himself as a loyal knight to the family. His service to the Calabrese Family is closely tied to his sense of personal worth, honor, and self-esteem. He envisions himself as the Lancelot to Vincentio's King Arthur (which, incidentally, makes Claudia his Guinevere).

Few know the truth - but Luis and Claudia came close to having an affair in the past. Five years ago, Claudia and Vincentio were at an especially low point in their marriage. During that time, Luis and Claudia became emotionally intimate -- with Luis once driving Claudia to the hospital after her husband broke her wrist by slamming it in a car door. Though that closeness never became physical (both Luis and Claudia agreed to call things off for the sake of Claudia's marriage and their mutual safety - deciding they were better as platonic friends), there are still perhaps some lingering feelings on Luis's part that he does not like to talk about. He both cares deeply for Claudia and finds her perpetually aggravating. He's caught between wanting to protect her and wanting to keep her under control.

### Armando Bianchi

Armando (also called "Manny") is Luis and Diano's cousin - a Capo in the Bianchi crime family. He is often out of town, searching for new contacts to aid in the importation and distribution of drugs in Chicago. However, since import lines collapsed under the Streetsweepers, Manny is now home more often than usual. He is Luis's frequent companion and - despite their differences - the two are friends and confidants. They grew up together more or less as brothers and remain close today, even if Manny aggravates Luis to no end.

Armando's personality could not be more different from Luis. Where Luis is stylish, reserved, and pragmatic, Armando is loud, flashy, gaudy, and reckless. Armando wears brightly colored shirts (usually unbuttoned to the chest) and lets his hair grow long and wild. Evidenced by his unconventional clothing choices, Armando has a free-wheeling, free-spirited, fun-loving, passionate personality that makes him excellent at networking. He's an incredibly fun drinking buddy with a cutting, wry sense of humor and a love of loose women. Armando enjoys causing trouble and raising hell. His biggest weakness is perhaps his aversion to hard work. He can be lazy and tends to half-ass the things he considers boring or unfun - leaving Luis to pick up after him. Armando is often smarter than he looks, however, and he can be very shrewd and perceptive when the situation calls for it.

Armando is the type to have a different woman in every city - but lately, he seems to have settled down into a romantic relationship with Bridget O'Driscoll, Claudia's housemaid. Armando is a fan of plump girls with freckles - and Bridget fits the bill perfectly. He seems to like her enough to stay faithful and they've been an item for some months now.

## Other Members

### Giancarlo Bianchi

Giancarlo - age 37 - is Diano's oldest son. He is next in line to be underboss after Luis. Giancarlo has a friendly relationship with his uncle, but secretly wishes Luis would step down and let him run the show.

### Casimira Bianchi

The Sicilian mother of Diano and Luis, wife of Basileo Bianchi. She immigrated to Chicago after the death of her husband - wanting to be closer to her two boys. She is ninety-five years old and suffering from dementia. Luis, a devoted and loving son, visits her in the nursing home regularly.

### Prospera Bianchi

Diano Bianchi's widow - age 63. Prospera is a shy and quiet woman who tends to keep to herself. She is close friends with Vittoria Fiorentino and they are often seen together.

## Deceased Members

### Diano Bianchi

Diano Bianchi (sometimes known as "Di" or "Didi") was instrumental in the founding of La Famiglia Nostra. He and Vincentio immigrated from Sicily to Chicago together, seeking their fortunes in America. Diano was Vincentio's childhood friend and the two men regarded one another as brothers. They began their careers as small-time criminals beneath the Sabbatini Crime Family, but soon established themselves as a powerful force in their own right. From the very start, Diano was Vincentio's right-hand man and closest advisor. Diano tended to be more of a follower than a leader - content to let Vincentio take center stage as the Don of La Famiglia Nostra. However, everyone in La Famiglia acknowledges that the organization would simply not exist without Diano's stalwart friendship and support. They solidified their bonds as family when Diano's daughter Lucia married Vincentio's son Enrico. Diano was boisterous, friendly, determined, brave, and loyal to the core -- the perfect support for Vincentio when they were just starting out.

Diano Bianchi, unfortunately, met his end in a sting operation by the Streetsweepers. He and Vincentio were meeting with rum-runners on board a boat in the Chicago River. The boat suddenly exploded, killing Diano and sinking his body to the bottom of the river. His remains were nearly unrecognizable when they pulled him from the riverbed - only identifiable by his dental records. Vincentio's body was never found.

### Cornelio Bianchi

Cornelio Bianchi was the second son of Diano and Prospera. He was Giancarlo's brother and Luis's nephew. Cornelio, unfortunately, lost his life during the period known as La Ricostituzione - where La Famiglia Nostra waged war on the Steel Chip Gang.

### Basileo Bianchi

Basileo Bianchi was the father of Diano and Luis, and the husband of Casimira. He was a Sicilian grape farmer who owned a marginally successful winery.

## Businesses

### Bianchi Production & Imports

Luis owns an import company that he inherited from his brother, Diano. Bianchi Production & Imports is mostly a front for drug smuggling, but they also do a fair bit of legitimate business to cover up their ill-gotten gains. Bianchi Production & Imports mostly focuses on bringing cheap Mexican and South America goods to American consumers.