Famiglia

> “This tattoo is a pledge that you would lay down your life for the Famiglia, and a proof that you are recognized as one of us. Just like how bonds formed by blood will not go away, we also cannot distance ourselves from the organization.”
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## Overview

The story revolves around the Italian-American Mafias, usually referring to themselves as Cosa Nostra. While not residing in their homeland, Italy, the families take pride in their roots and adhere to the customs of their Sicilian Cosa Nostra counterparts. Both the Cosa Nostra and their rival gangs are loose confederations, each of which claims sovereignty over a territory, usually a town or village, though without ever fully legitimizing its monopoly of violence.

Most of the crime families operate in the East Coast area, with New York City, United States, as the stronghold of the Italian-American Mafia.

Each family is autonomous on its territory and no formal authority stands above the "Boss". Majority of families in the Eastern Seaboard region take part in the East Coast Joint conferences held under the name of the Union. All inducted members of a crime family are full-blooded Italians called "made men". With the exception of associates, could be from any background, who aren't officially affiliated with the family.

The oath of loyalty to the Mafia is called the Omertà. The Omertà, also, places a set of rules that are to be followed.

Marriages help cement relations within each family and to expand membership, sovereignty, and influence. There were several instances of families trying to strengthen ties, particularly through marriage, with the CR:5 depicted in the story.

By and large, the American Mafia are involved in various illicit activities including -but not limited to- racketeering, money laundering, prostitution, and narcotics trafficking along with stock manipulation and first-degree murders.

## Structure

*This is the basic organizational structure in accordance to the Toscanini family.*

**Boss** – The head of the family, his orders are absolute; so long as they aren't unreasonable commands that'd bring forth harm to the family in any shape or form. The Caporegimes are obliged to report to him, as he's the reigning figure in the hierarchy. Any and all kinds of conspiracies going on within the family if not reported immediately to the Boss or the administration under him, is to be punished accordingly by the Boss, oftentimes, leading to public executions set as an example for those with wavering loyalties.

The Boss, usually, consults matters with his Capos and advisor then makes the final call. Depending on the family, the Boss may be chosen through voting from the Caporegimes of the family or inherit the Capo position from his father, in either cases, the chosen Boss must be of pure Italian descent and has had previous affiliations with the Mafia. Beside sitting at the top, the Boss often acts as a representative for the family in meetings with other families, rival criminal organizations, and important business associates.

Any kind of new activities or projects the family decides to invest into, can't progress without bypassing the approval of the Boss.

**Headcapo** – The Headcapo is the second in leadership and the one carrying the same responsibilities as an underboss. The family's day-to-day operations are frequently handled by the Headcapo, who also manages the family's most hugely profitable rackets. If the Boss is imprisoned, the Headcapo is the first in line to become the acting Boss, and he is also generally regarded as a potential successor. The CR:5 is the only family that does not have an underboss in its hierarchical structure.

**The Board** — The family is governed by a board of directors called The Chamber of Control. The local board is made up of influential families and investors existing as sponsors to the crime family. The basing administration in the organization from the boss to the Consigliere are to hold meetings under-taking the opinions of the Board. The family must be willing to do favors and be of the service to the Board, providing them protection and other assets; though it's not a written obligation on the family's part.

The Board often has a say in how the family functions and operates, the Boss and administration are expected to give heed to their thoughts even if not to an absolute degree. The relationship between the Board and the family is usually a business one where both parties benefit from each other even if not officially affiliated or tied down. Therefore, arousing the anger and dissatisfaction of the Board isn't much of an option in order for the family to sustain their sponsorship.

The Board of Directors have a figure sitting at the top of their assembly, this doesn't result in hierarchical inequality but rather just as an acting figure and representative of the Board. Cosimo Bondone was the first top figure in the Board since the reform of the Toscanini family, following his betrayal, he was replaced by Gardelli who also turns out to have been plotting a conspiracy against the second generation Boss and is executed in turn.

**Consigliere** – The Consigliere is the family advisor, typically seen as the Boss's "second self." He is involved as a dispute mediator, consultant, or for guidance purposes. The Consigliere is usually the third-ranking member of a family's administration, and is traditionally a senior member who commands the family's respect and is thoroughly versed in the organization's inner workings.

**Caporegime** – The Caporegime, made up of five privileged members of the crime family, is the second-highest level of leadership following the Boss. A Caporegime is in control of a squad of troops who answer to him directly. Countable soldiers and a large number of associates are frequently found in each squad. A Capo is appointed by the Boss and reports to either him or the Headcapo.

In labor racketeering, Capos usually have their own rackets and open enterprises ranging from casinos, private gambling firms, racetracks, and late-night clubs, to the distribution of goods such as alcoholic beverages or narcotics. They monitor local infiltration and negotiate with city police and government officials when necessary.

Along with Del Monte's rise to the Boss seat, the fifth Capo position has remained vacant due to the predecessor's failure to nominate a successor; nevertheless, Alessandro Del Salto affirms, later on, that he already has someone in mind to recommend for the post.

**Capo candidate** – Soldiers second in importance only to the Caporegimes, they're made up of five soldatos who operate under the Headcapo as well as the second and fourth Caporegimes. Capo candidates are responsible of the administration and have discretion and control over the soldiers and associates under them. They serve as the acting Capos in the absence of the Captains and are the next in line to be promoted to Caporegime.

With the exception of Fiore's forces, soldiers can only be of full Italian origin; thus, four of them are of pure Italian descent.

Capo candidates are the family's primary workers, generally, committing crimes such as assault, murder, extortion, and intimidation. In turn, they are handed lucrative rackets to operate by their superiors and complete access to their family's connections and influence.

**Soldier** – The Soldatos, or soldiers, are at the bottom of the chain of command and they are expected to follow orders with blind obedience until they are elevated to the next level of the hierarchy, where they will be given command over their own group of soldiers.

**Associate** – Although not a Mafia member, an Associate works for the criminal organisation and might come from any background. An Associate is usually assigned a variety of tasks, ranging from essentially doing the same duties as a soldier to simply running errands.

## Traditions

For the purpose of establishing connections and extending dominion, families will host lavish banquets and events, inviting influential figures and mafia leaders from all across the east coast. Apart from that, it's underlined throughout the story the fact that CR:5 Cadres frequently travel to various territories and meet with family heads or representatives with the aim of maintaining business partnerships with other crime organisations in the region.

When it comes to commerce, it's critical for Mafias to avoid doing business in areas where another or multiple families are prominent: so as to avoid arousing the hostility of fellow underworld groups as well as incite them to take adverse stances which are detrimental to the prosperity of the families' venture in general, and can also lead to unwarranted struggle and impediment amongst themselves.

Despite their inherently vile nature, the church is a sacred place of holy significance even in the eyes of the Mafia. As a result, Capo Del Monte's act of vandalising a church for personal gain was widely stigmatized.

## Crime Families

### Toscanini family

Intially, an extremely old-fashioned, riotous crime family —taking the Port city of Daivan as its lair— with little to no influence or recognition by other Mafias. The entire administration of the Toscanini family were known to be corrupt from the inside out and broken down in respect of principle and competence; Being openly and shamelessly profligate or decadent.

With the family deplorably dissipated and degraded, Alessandro Del Salto, aka Sandro the God of Death a senior member of the Toscanini family, plotted along a few others to overthrow the supposed dysfunctional regime. Subsequently, internal strife erupted in the family followed by Alessandro Del Salto personally killing all of the Toscanini Capos and board directors in what became known as "The Rose Purge."

When Sandro, the Reaper and traitor, mass-murdered his peers, the boutonnières worn on the murdered's left breast bloomed red which granted the incident its name.

Although the act was treachery against the family, by the time the killing spree was over, Del Salto and his associates were the only ones left alive in the organization.

Alessandro, who would later become the first boss of the CR:5, was immediately arrested and prosecuted by the state police. He was charged with selling moonshine, assaulting a government official, and sentenced to two years in prison. Evidence of "The Rose Purge" was not found by the police or the Bureau of Investigation until the very end. There are rumors that the arrest was a plea bargain to cover up the mobster man hunt.

#### Reformation

Alessandro Del Salto returned to Daivan after serving his term, renovating the base structure of the group and eliminating the family's rival gangs. He effectively restored the family's authority, regained Daivan's dominance, and made himself the first Boss of his new organization.

The Toscanini was re-branded to become the CR:5. Only Alessandro and a few Caporegimes knew the true meaning of the name.

Along with the former Capo, Cavalli, and the rest of his selected administration, Alessandro has abolished the traditional mafia style of persecuting the citizens of Daivan. Seeking a way to live in harmony with the city and its citizens.

The only way to become an official CR:5 made man is to get the family tattoo carved on any part of the body with a blade. Since it's a test of silence, if a man lets out even a single whine from pain during the engraving procedure, he's deemed unworthy.

The CR:5 crime family's main businesses are drug trafficking, racketeering, counterfeiting, and money laundering.

### Versace family

The Versace are a renown crime family using Boston as its underworld fort, and also partaking in the Italian-American Mafia Coalition. Led by capo Bartolo Versace, their organizational scale assets are several rounds larger than CR:5.

### Chicago family

While Chicago has long been turned into a conflict zone of several local and non-local Mafias and gangs gone rampant, the Chicago family governed by Capo Alan Drago, also an old friend of Death God Sandro, is the most powerful and supreme group in the state. The family is on friendly relations with CR:5, but can't be said to be a complete ally.

The Chicago family is the leading figure in the drug trafficking business.

### Mangano family

The Mangano crime family is one of the most eminent families that dominate organized crime in New York City, United States. The organization is named after Mangano, The Boss of the family.

Due to the Boss' chronic illness and receding health, the Cadres, namely his son Bellucci, lead the group's real prowess.