Viktor sat in his office sipping a glass of vodka and relaxing. This day had been quite a long day. Viktor's father's close friend, JohnWalton had finally ascended to the role of Godfather Chairman. It was a day of great celebration - All three of Wayne's hands now ruled as Godfather Chairmen on the West Coast. Viktor knew that Wayne could now truly rest in peace, with three of his closest confidants achieving greatness. It got Viktor to thinking about ancestry and the accumulation of knowledge over time.

Viktor had learned a lot about this life from his father, who had learned from his father (and so on), but he had always been curious as to where his ancestors gained their knowledge. Secrets of our life are generally passed down through generations, but at some point those secrets had to be passed along by someone outside of our gene pool. 

Viktor consulted the journals of his ancestors (which are wildly 95% males, weird) to find out where they gained their knowledge from. Some names kept popping up: Phil_Steak, Vaticus, Toaly, JesusTheGangster, LoveGun, tiggy, BigLawson. These people were cited as direct resources: people who taught my ancestors personally, and shared their vast knowledge with him. But there were also indirect sources: people my ancestors looked up to and tried to mold themselves after without ever directly working with them. Keats, Grin, DeadlySin, Evsie.

Viktor knew from his ancestors journals that these names came up a lot in discussions like this. There was certainly a correlation between older bloodlines learning from even older bloodlines, and certain ones stood out as very influential. But Viktor was quite curious as to where the newer generation had learned their skills. The last few years had seen an increase in younger bloodlines in power, and while some struggled and failed, others excelled like few expected. 

He decided to ask out in the streets, in an attempt to learn what drove the new generation of Mafiosi to be great.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I come to you today with a simple question, but I implore you to really think, truly rack your brains and memories. Who has influenced you and your family line? Really dig into those journals, and try to think of not only those that influenced you directly, but also the ones that have done so indirectly. Feel free to explain how or why they influenced you as well.

We're certain to see some of the same names as always, we all know the ones I mean. The legends of the past. I'm particularly interested in hearing from those of you who haven't been around quite as long as others, I want to know who influenced you. We've seen some truly influential leaders in recent times - the one that I expect to be mentioned quite often is LouisMezzo. But I also expect to hear names one might not expect."

He smiled out at the little crowd that had gathered around him.

"Well?"

"A great question," said Oriana, wondering if she sip from a flask or stand up on a soapbox. Eventually, she decided just to speak to the man from Seattle. "Great not only because it prompts trips down memory lane, which can always be fun- nostalgia is a hell of a drug- but also because your question as to why. Much more instructive than simply a list of names."

She paused, thoughtful.

"As a disclaimer, there are large gaps in the journals of my ancestors. Legends came and went in the times that my bloodline was elsewhere."

"The first and most obvious name that comes to mind, for me, is JackMezzo (although I agree that you're right to highlight LouisMezzo as an excellent mafioso, one that my bloodline has a great deal of respect for.) To me, the JackMezzo bloodline, which also includes ChristianGato, is simply the finest to grace our shores. He was excellent at many things that good leaders excel at, such as hard work and communication both in public and private, but he largely influenced my bloodline by innovating. He'd devise a new system for the business district for our city- and for people outside it. Then the next week he'd originate a new set up for boxing matches. Car races. A scavenger hunt. Business district raids. A jobs board. A boroughs system. The Favour System. From reading journals, it seemed like he always felt restless when he wasn't pondering some way to increase engagement in our world for the broader community. Some of those specific things, perhaps, people disagreed with or weren't interested in. To each their own. But to me, the connective tissue is a true leader who looked at our world and tried to add to it with something new. How many people can honestly say they've done the same? Even in my bloodline's proudest moments, I've mostly found myself trying to pursue excellence on a path that someone else already walked. JackMezzo and his bloodline repeatedly made their own paths to try to improve our society- and that influenced my bloodline by showing my ancestors what a true leadership is."

"Another large influence on my bloodline shares something in common with JackMezzo: like him, the bloodline of Marietta was well rounded. My bloodline has always admired men and women who seemed equally comfortable in a meeting between crewleaders, a debate in the streets, and the business district, while also excelling at other aspects of our society. Marietta, for me, was the prototype for my bloodline's beginnings. As a young pup in LexiLynn's crew, my earliest underworld ancestor saw someone who could do it all. Since then, my bloodline has tried to do the same- even if we walk different streets."

"Another influence on my line has to do with those who create newspapers so that our society can be entertained and/or informed. Gwarble, and the Gwarble Barble, particularly stand out as an influence by demonstrating what a truly excellent (and hilarious) newspaper can be. I also enjoyed the efforts of Marietta, Belle, and Eepster in Tea Time, as well as many other publications by others over the years. I admire those who contribute to our world, and I've always felt that our society is at our best when we have one or two decent newspapers around."

"The simple truth is that it's hard to answer this question without mentioning the people one's bloodlines have been closest to. I don't want to change this question into 'list people that you like', but who influences someone more than their friends? I'll justify the list, I hope, by providing a short rationale as well. I'm fortunate enough to have some truly old friends here that go back to my bloodline's days in New Orleans (which says something itself); whether it's been years or just a couple days, I know these old-blood connections will always answer the call for me. Their loyalty has influenced my bloodline and helped give them confidence in bygone days. Especially as we make our way in the world, these early friends influenced my line by sharing a part of themselves. Tennyson once wrote 'I am a part of all that I have met.' My bloodline was influenced, I think, by sharing in the focus of JohnnyAxe, late night talks with ralph, the smirk of Kizzy, the loyalty of Kittie, the happiness of Star, a taco cart in veracruz with LoveGun, and a dozen others who influenced me by the pleasure of their company as my ancestors figured out who and what I wanted to be in their early days."

"In a bar recently, I heard a rather intoxicated and famous author proclaim that 'there are no second acts in American lives'. My bloodline, fortunately, has thoroughly enjoyed its second act. After spending so much time away, I've been largely influenced by those who keep me feeling young- who either pushed my bloodline to teach them or simply challenged myself or my ancestors to keep up with them. Whether it's Mercedes, Bishop, and Billie in Detroit, Jen, Shini, and Scalise in Vegas, or Bella, Stella, Bowden, Marie, Arturo, Billy, and countless others in Philadelphia and beyond... well, I like to think that interacting with these people has influenced my bloodline by keeping them fresh, challenged, and excited. My bloodline has also been challenged to live up to their expectations. Without them, I wouldn't be here. I mean this literally in the case of Mercedes_Kompressor and Isabella-Luciano; sometimes, people can influence you just by keeping you sane when the world is overwhelming- being a rock and a source of comfort for someone who needs it. I try to be the same for others."

"In a special way, I suppose my bloodline has been influenced by those who frequent the streets and business districts. Having someone like JohnConstantine, Adonis, Pavanno, or AlexanderKnight crash into a business district like an asteroid strike inspired my bloodline not only to do more, but to also elevate my game and try to match or surpass them. My bloodline has had fun trying to live up to their challenges."

"I know I forgot people in the above categories; I'll think of more deserving names as soon as I finish speaking, I'm sure, and I apologize in advance to them. My point, though, has been to highlight the categories of people, as I've been influenced by those who innovate, those who are well-rounded, those who contributed newspapers to our society, those who built deep early bonds, and those new acquaintances that keep me motivated and challenge me to be better."

"Strangely, I'd also say my bloodline has also been influenced by those I don't know particularly well, in the sense that they entice my bloodline to stick around and get to know them. There are several people out there that have long had my respect that I can't say my bloodline has known as well they've known some others. Sometimes I'll wander past a street speech by Viktor, for the easy example, or the latest paper by NikkiOsavkoska, or a business by OrionByrne and I'm intrigued; these glimpses of possibility at getting to know new people influence me by keeping me around to explore the intriguing and the not yet known. Sometimes, my bloodline winds up working closely with these people; other times, I never get the chance to speak to them more."

Oriana paused.

"What was it I said at the beginning of this? Nostalgia's a hell of a drug, and I think I rambled a bit much here. But thanks for the thought-provoking question, Viktor... and the trip down memory lane- and the journals of some very old ancestors."

Christian listened intently as both Viktor and then Oriana spoke. Both of them literate and skilled at their words. He could only hope he was half as graceful. Speaking from where he stood and listened, he started with praise...

"Oriana, your words are enlightening and show a humbleness I feel many of us, me included, may have forgotten from one time to another. What we do here in this world, and what we accomplish, it's never by our selves... Our lines have crossed a few times over, and they say you never forget your first, right?"

He chuckled.

"Our first meeting was when my ancestors first came, and ChristianGato, as you mentioned, reached out a hand. Your line and his took mine under their wing. Those ancestries probably have had the absolutely biggest influence on what my line strives for, and the integrity I and mine have always tried to uphold. From Gato's initiations and ways with conversation, to his intense and remarkable visions for whatever city his line is representative of, he always managed to see more potential in me than even I myself could. KateLogan of your line trained my lineage after that long night in Detroit so many years ago. They wrote of watching her work tireless hours, and met with other amazing individuals that would have a lasting impression. Mercedes_Kompressor, MavisBeacon, Noto, among many others of that time..."

"After that, though, my lineage didn't come back to these shores for a bit... When I did, I met even more fabulous bloodlines that taught me even more. Telkin, Syndicate, these lines taught me about game mechanics and encouraged me to be better. Syndicate had a thing in his Head Quarters that, according to my journals, struck my line:"

I am here for one reason. That reason is to do whatever I can to help each of you achieve your goals. This is a learning environment, this is a progression environment and for those that wish to excel - I will provide my council and push you to be all that you wish to be. I expect you to communicate your goals to me and I expect that you will do nothing to hinder your chances to achieve that goal.

"They took that to mean that their line was willing to listen, to coach, to teach and take the time to sit with new souls to this thing of ours. Even my line, while a few souls had come, my lineage was still a child. The tutelage of Syndicate's lineage added to the same values I myself now hold important."

"From there, I met one of my line's dearest friends... LuckyLucy. Her lineage showed me to smile in the face of a bullet. That when we die, our next of kin can smile, accept that fate, and walk on to these shores knowing that we can be a changing factor, without being a tyrant or being angry. What was done, was often done in the name of business. And let's be honest, it never truly matters what the reason for a death is. Bottom line is? Some will believe the story, and others won't. Fact of the matter? Winners write the history. So just move forward, live your best life. Keep Calm and Remember, The Tower Still Stands."

"There are so many more, like TonyCastelli, Video, Insomnia, Wild-Card, Remy, Wilson, Lordian, Goku, and even my right hand SamStone that my line has only crossed with once before, and not for long, that have influenced my path. I know there are a TON that I'm forgetting, and like Oriana stated, I'm sure they will come to me after I close out, but regardless of that... I'm thankful to each and every one of those lines. Even when we weren't on the same foot, or the same side of the war. Sometimes, we really can be 'Men of Honor' in this thing of ours."

"Viktor , Thank you for the wonderful engagement and, as Oriana said, the trip down memory lane. Cheers..."

Viktor listened intently to Oriana and Christian. He was not at all surprised that New York had been the first to respond to his questions, and with such lengthy input as well. New York was well known for such things.

"I must apologize," He said, looking slightly embarrassed. "I of course meant JackMezzo, not Louis. While Louis was a fine man, obviously Jack was who I was referencing, as his influence inspired not only his own generation but many generations after his."

"I thank you both for coming out here this evening and musing on the past with me. As expected, several names keep cropping up. I do hope we find a few more folks willing to share their inspirations though."

"Such a wonderful topic to always discuss. This isn't the first time nor will it be the last time this question comes to our streets and I love that. Its because like everyone else, I can go through a bit of nostalgia hearing some of these names. OrianaMontini, some of the names you mentioned I hadn't read or heard about in quite some time. Marietta... She was something else. I admired her somewhat old school practices with her shooting tax and her new school debating with young gangsters in the streets. She was truly ahead of her time."

Mikhail listened to the other responses before making his own.

"I have to admit, while I've served under some great people I tend to take their best qualities and attempt to recreate them. Having my fathers serve under the likes of Sal_Giaquinto, Numbers4Glory, Toaly, Bob, Phil_Steak, DeadlySin, V, Cassiopeia, FlyingPig, Goku even, some of them just had certain traits that my father loved. Some of them weren't big gestures but little things like, Cassiopeia would always be sure to thank her members/associates for their donations no matter how big or little they were. To me that spoke volumes. As a leader you need to understand that the amount of time people put in during this life of crime, it can't be overlooked. We have to be gracious to anything and everything our people are willing to do for us. And she did just that. Thats why I always annoy my members when they graciously donate something to me. I truly mean every thank you I send out to my comrades.

Along with that, the saying from Syndicate's old HQ:

I am here for one reason. That reason is to do whatever I can to help each of you achieve your goals. This is a learning environment, this is a progression environment and for those that wish to excel - I will provide my council and push you to be all that you wish to be. I expect you to communicate your goals to me and I expect that you will do nothing to hinder your chances to achieve that goal.

I too attempt to achieve this. Everyone underneath me knows that I have accomplished what I wanted to already and now I want them to achieve their own goals. Whatever they may be. You can even ask our newest young Godfather Chairman, JohnWalton about this. I made sure he achieved his goals before he took the reign of GFC in Seattle."

He took a second to take a sip of his new Leninande. 

"By the way everyone, be sure to get a bottle of our Leninade as soon as we get it from up north. Expect it to be in Las Vegas for our Casino opening."

Mikhail had to be the sales guy to advertise his new favorite beverage. Along with that, his new casino...

Adolph, being one of the newer mafioso to grace these shores in recent months, was thrilled to find another opportunity to talk up his mentors. While these shores contain many great people, leaders, and even just your average everyday mafioso.. There was always a few that seemed to stand out among the pack..

He listened cloesely to what Viktor had to say, and then the few that followed suit in @OrianaMontini , ChristianBlack , Mikhail , before stepping forward to say his piece..

"This is a wonderful discussion Viktor that you bring into the streets.. The topic of bloodlines is usually a sour one, but I find that this is a topic that even newer players can appreciate.. There are many fine Mafioso that run these shores, plenty that have made great impacts on it in their either long extensive history, or as mine with a much shorter one."

He takes a pause to clear his throat before continuing

"While it has already been said, LouisMezzo was a great man.. he was one of my personal mentors along the way recently.. he showed me things about this game that others were reluctant to.. even gave a first timer auth and for that he forever earned my respect in the hall of my mentors.. But he was not the one who taught me. Another person that goes by the name of Penny, one I haven't seen mentioned here yet taught me EVERYTHING I knew about this game, from building a gun.. to politics, she was a mentor that far and few are ever graced to have and on a personal level, she is probably the most down to earth person around here. She doesn't play no bullshit and is always about business."

He smiled a bit before take a puff off his marijuana cigarette and exhaling as he continued

"The second mentor of mine was sort of a combination of two people.. Keats and Isabella. These two shoot for the stars on everything they do, and are my role models when it comes to the "Roleplay" world. Before I graced these shores.. Roleplaying was not in my vocabulary, I would mock people on other games for doing it.. It always seemed so silly to me, yet It wasn't until I came here i found my roots.. But it didn't come easy. These two constantly encouraged and rewarded me for my roleplay efforts, provided me with much constructive criticism and molded me into the half ass decent writer I am today."

With all this talking, he was in need of some water.. He reached for a glass nearby and chugged it.. Smirking when finished..

"Last but but not least.. The man we all have been talking about. JackMezzo. I was very fortunate to have met him before his untimely demise. I heard MANY great stories about his bloodline, the things he has accomplished over the years.. But the thing that gets me is, his ability to inspire others. He holds a commanding presence when he talks in the streets, always has goals in mind and is never afraid to take what he feels is necessary to achieve them, a RP first kind of guy, I molded my entire Regime around his ideas.. He was truly and inspiring leader and one I was glad to serve under for such a short time. LG will forever be one of those bloodlines that I see influencing others for more generations to come after mine."

He stepped back from the crowd and drew his speech to a close

"Now theres many others I can throw on this list, Goku, V, Lush, Eve, Bunny, Dubliner, Video, Tiny_Tim.. all have had great impact on our shores, and continue too.. but this speech can only go on for so long so with that, I say to you adieu"

He took a short bow and stepped back into the crowd completely to give others a chance to speak.