Mafia

Mafia refers to the groups of people, known as Famiglia or Family, who primarily engage in organized crimes, protection racketeering, or illegal agreements and transactions. The groups can usually trace their origins to the Hanseatyn Free Kingdom, but there are also groups that are formed in other countries.

## Origins

  The Mafia evolved over centuries in the Hanseatyn Free Kingdom, during the time of the merchant-princes many regions where left with little to no military or guardian defence, leaving the people to defend their own property.

  The low class of the Hanseatyn Kingdom began banding together in groups to protect themselves and carry out their own justice. In this kingdom, the term “mafioso,” or Mafia member, initially had no criminal connotations and was used to refer to a person who was suspicious of central authority. After a decade however, some of these groups emerged as private armies, or “mafie,” who extorted protection money from landowners and eventually became the violent criminal organization known today as the Hanseatyan Mafia.

  Mafias in other countries evolved separately, although they share such traditions as omerta, a code of conduct and loyalty.

## Culture

By nature of the mafia´s start in the Hanseatyn Kingdom, most mafia lingo uses “Hansean Elven”. A language that culturally evolved over time, and has its roots in the Old Elven, Common and other minor languages of the region. Even though the mafia practice has evolved beyond the Hanseatyn Kingdom, the language is still widely used within the organizations and as code.

### Organization

 A Famiglia (or family) is headed by a leader known as a "boss". The boss has absolute command over the members' movements and the family's possessions, but a second-in-command known as a "right-hand man" may also exist, having almost similar powers as the Boss or a similar position as a secretary, if none exist. A subgroup of people known as "guardians" are the boss's closer subordinates that may be commanded directly by the boss, and the guardians can also act as the boss's bodyguards. All other members may have diverse ranks but are usually referred to as “members” or “soldiers”

  Most people that partake in Mafia activities are not actually officially part of the family, first you must become an “Associate”. Associates cannot turn down an order from the Mafia, and they can be employed as drivers, bodyguards, hitmen, enforcers or other necessary jobs.

  It is only when you’ve shown your potential as an associate, that a member of the mafia may request your inclusion in the family. At which point you will go through the initiation ceremony and officially belong to the family.

### Omerta

The basic principle of Omerta is that it is not "manly" to seek aid from legally constituted authorities to settle personal grievances. The suspicion of being an informant constitutes the blackest mark against manhood, according to the culture. An individual who has been wronged is obligated to look out for his own interests by avenging that wrong himself, or finding a patron—but not the State—to do the job.

It as also been described that: "Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of himself without royal protection is both." – By Marcello de Ricca.

However you look at it however, it is usually used as a tool to control the members and avoid prosecution.