So in my whole time here at MR, I have never been in a crew that did anything for becoming Made.  I know some of you talk about ceremonies and have linked me to videos and online resources talking about the real mafia... AND... I've heard a story or two about ceremonies done by Capazzo for his family back in old Chicago.

As I sit here thinking about giving a button to the first of Ivory Tower 2.0 I'd love to come up with something fun and meaningful and I'd love to hear your best stories about being made in the hopes that it will inspire me.  Please, if you got a moment, sure what your favorite "got my button" experience was like.  Did you have a ceremony?  What was it like?  How did your cl keep those from feeling like a form letter :  "I (state your name) swear to..."

Did you get a gift?  Did the crew celebrate?  Was there a neat tradition your crew did that others didn't?  Why was it special? 

Let's hear the deets!

Mine is a bit funny thing. In the first crew that I've been (EXILES), Visas asked me if I was plannin to move up since I was stuck at Wise Guy for sooooo long. I had a really long learning curve. I just told him that I'm cool with it and will do my best, and boom! He got me made.

Since I'm a Mafia fan, it meant a big deal for me. Process may be simple, but it really boosted my morale! 

I didn’t think I was going to get Made. I just came off a 4 year break so I was asking every noob question to get myself back in shape. My chances were slimmer than slim fast. So one day as I’m loading up my browser to watch porn something told me to look at the family chat.

”Boogie you ready brother?”

Promotion!

”Welcome to the family”

It was truly beautiful.

Best ceremonies were under Slash, Capazzo, and Achilles. It's shite to hear that it's becomming a lost art, but when done correctly and without a prompt and when especially new to the game it's amaze balls.

I should add more and not be so lazy :)...

Did you get a gift?  Did the crew celebrate?  Was there a neat tradition your crew did that others didn't?  Why was it special? 

Let's hear the deets!

My first was under Achilles.

A got telegram asking me to perform a job for him, with details and an IA (MIA) to kill. All role-played. And in the mafia sense, it was the 'making my bones' part, where my character makes a hit to show his loyalty and that he has the right stuff.

After this was another telegram, asking me to a venue with an address that linked to a BA. Within this BA was a well detailed intro to what would become the greatest moment of my character's life. Well written, full of the old tradition and role-played back and forth till the ceremony was finished.

Once complete, to my surprise other well known figureheads of the city and alliances also came forward and role-played a 'welcome to the family' piece. This part here is what I remember the most, as it shows how well recieved I was amongst my peers and gave that spine tingly 'special' feeling. (Maybe even ninjas were about cutting onions).

Slash's was more elaborate, as we did a joint RP together leading into it, and I was writing alot at that time. But it included all the same stuff and showed his commitment to adding to my time here as a role-player.

Capazzo's was even more elaborate, as there was more criteria to meet before one could be considered made. Other family members needing to vouch for a member, the books had to be open, and the family code of conduct known to a tee. As well as the kill and major ceremony, and not to forget the completing of a role-play course. After the fact, we role-played a small celebration in a crew BD thread if I remember correctly.

But of course, the popping of the cherry was the one I remember the most.

And as a special mention (as it slipped my mind before) my last proper one was under Keats and the RP Inc. crew. It had its own flavour to it which I'll always remember, as it was part of the groups collective story which was always unfolding.

Hope this helps tickle the inspiration and I'm sure whatever you come up with will be enjoyable.

Ive been in crews that had just clicked the button when they trusted members. As well as one, where they had this story and then you just signed your name for other members of the upcoming family. 

Currently only one stands above the rest and I guess for now it will be kept that way :)

Ditto what George said. Becoming Made under Grin and Achilles, I'll never forget. Being Made under Kathryn in RP Inc. was beyond inspiring. ;)

I wonder if length of time playing a character & repetition of the event making it seem less special has something to do with the reason why folks don't put more effort into made ceremonies now?

What I mean is -

Maybe folks get jaded over time and are like "why the fuck should we bother doing yet another big elaborate ceremony when we know we're gonna be dead in a short while anyway?" 

...  or  ... 

Maybe people who've been playing here for years and years are simply bored of made man ceremonies?  If you're in a new crew every 1-6 months and you've been here for more than a year... you've probably see/participated in A LOT of made man ceremonies to the point that it might be really fucking old to see them and maybe now it feel less original and creative every time??? 

I know I want to do something fun and original and make my crew feel like they are part of something special but I'm pretty new around here so the site still has its shine in my eyes (so to speak) I can see where it would take a whole lot more energy to do this sort of thing if you've been around the block more than a few times.

I have so much respect for those leaders who did go the extra mile in spite of all that and am really jealous/envious of those of you who have gotten to experience that.  While I haven't yet, I hope I can give something to my people they will talk about for a while to come too.

Thank you all for sharing!

I think what it comes down to is what those leaders deem important. If Achilles/Grin/Keats/Curtis/Capazzo and others like them were still about in leadership roles, I believe their members would still get that same experience, and they would actively be pushing others and inspiring others the same way they always do, as that's just how they play the game. As I imagine you, Lucy, will still go in depth with role-playing no matter how long you kick about in this world.

I'm not trying to say anything negative towards the current crop of leaders, just to be clear. It's just that some really make an effort to push and promote the role-play immersion aspect of the game, including the made man aspect, no matter the time they have been about. And others don't seem too fussed about it. Which is fine either way.

Having said that though, I can see where you are coming from. I've read of some that were big into writing and role-play who have less time for it nowdays for whatever reason. I can also see how some may lose the spark after a fair few character runs.

That's why, some, are truly inspiring to be amongst, even if this is just a game, as they hold the light of tradition no matter the landscape. Something else flows through them, and their influence rubs off on you whether you like it or not. And it's why some names and times will always be remembered by an individual regardless of how things change, as legends really do and can live forever on MR.

And although seemingly dormant, some legends that enjoy this part of the game still do roam these parts. And probably will for time to come. Maybe they just need a breath of fresh air to get them enlivened again. As change isn't necessarily a bad thing, and could even be a welcome friend if met with open arms and an open mind. :)

Very insightful George.  Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with me/us.  :)  I think we see eye to eye on a great deal.  I see you're new on your character - I'd be really honored if you'd consider coming by our crew and checking us out.  Hopefully you're not just checking in and leaving.  Anyone who puts this much thought into expressing their thoughts is a value to this community and we'd be honored to have you at the tower.

littlejohnnytorrio and bryan certainly earned their place in getting made. Thanks for honoring me guys!  

The link they spoke of is here if you wish to see it: 

https://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/906688/tpass/57f3f8844758b616083bec11ee758124#13860581

Also let me just say, it was meant to be a complete surprise for them. I would randomly mail the link and check repeatedly to see when they had completed it lol

depending on the crew, I think it is much like the invites to become an associate. Sometimes there is a post about it, sometimes  is like are you gonna grave dig? I am okay with whatever.. I figure it is their crew and should do what ever is right for them. It does seem more "real" if there is a saga with it... generally you have to think about what to write and everything, so that makes it more real, it would seem. I dunno about gifts as for me I would do it anyways.. although nice sentiment.. good to feel appreciated. I have been in a wide array of crews that have some different things.. from a rp invite, to here come on in....to the you're not robbing graves, okay here is your new position...shrugs.