Herbert walked through the streets, kicking rubble out of his way with a slight smile on his face. It had been a long time since his family line had seen any action and he had to admit he’d probably never seen anything like this before. Having a few thoughts on his mind that he wanted to share he looked around then sighed for a moment as he did not see what he was looking for.

“What the hell were these kids doing around here anyways.”

He muttered to no one in particular. After a quick glance he spotted a hardware store and decidedly let himself in through a shattered window being sure to gingerly step over a body filled with holes as he did. After a few moments of rummaging around he emerged with a hammer, a few nails, and some wood. He then knelt down and went to work with the tools only looking up once to notice the crowd that had started to gather around him.

Finally, he stood up admiring his work, a soap box. Noticing the crowd had grown larger in size he lifted one foot onto the box and, with a big inhale to acknowledge the moment, he stepped up.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention Puh-lease.  I think we’ve all witnessed something here in the last two odd days that some of us, who’s bloodlines have been around for the larger part of two decades, can say they’ve never really seen before. And I for one, am not only glad but so incredibly proud and thankful for the great men and women responsible. I didn’t come here to talk about that though. I came here to talk about why it was necessary, and do ask you all to think about what you want for the future.

A long time ago, many generations before my own, my forefathers were new to these streets. They were in a crew with the first godmother (and father) of our world Anita.  Back then, and in the many years to follow, things were different then they are now. There were less restrictions and laws from city hall because honestly the Mafiosi who were around knew when to keep their head down to keep the heat off them. They knew that sometimes bodies were bad for business and if they spent every waking moment of every day killing anyone that could potentially cause them a threat when they were just some young greased up goomba nowhere near challenging them that they’d start losing money hand over foot as the heat came down.

More than that though they had some fucking respect. They knew what La Costa Nostra was and they knew what it meant to hold a made button. They respected their family members and treated them well because they were, well, fucking family. They respected their other CL’s and even when they day passed that they went to war they sent their rivals to the grave with honor and greeted their kin with an envelope of money and a sentiment that their father fought well and died for what they believed in. A sentiment that there were no hard feelings going into the next life.

That time unfortunately for the last few generations seamed to have come to an end. Now, I’ll be honest. My family line has spent a lot of time in the old country over the last few years and I won’t claim to be privy to all the knowledge and information of how things have gone but I’d like to speak about what I do know and have noticed. When my family line arrived on these shores for the first time in many a generation I was greeted by the brothers and sisters of those who had fought beside me time and again. After regaling ourselves with stories of the past from our journals I was told how things were now. That even though I had not been around in quite some time I would need to hide simply because my name may be one known by others. That I would never be given the chance to live my life out fully before it would be snuffed out by my own crewleader simply because I could be seen as someone who could challenge those in power if left unchecked for long enough. I was told that leaders now live in fear and would be happier to murder their own city time and time again, to place bullets in the skulls of their members the evening after they had given them millions in tribute. I was told that those in power now would like nothing more than for everyone not in their inner circle to leave this land entirely letting it rot away as they sit lonely in their empty castles.

I have to say I didn’t quite believe it. I didn’t think things could ever have strayed that far from the respect and honor of that past that I had come to know of the mafiosi that resided here. Rebukes of, “wouldn’t that be bloodlining” and “well if you honestly just want to be a good member and play for them till the end, they gotta respect” were made. Arguments of “My bloodlines not been here in ages, why would anyone care if I just wanna be a good member and relive my glory days” and “Can’t I just play like I used to” were given but those around me insisted, keep it all quite and close to the vest or you’ll find yourself with a bullet in your head.

Unfortunately, they were right. I watched as many people got “purged,” a horrible term I hope I never have to hear again. I watched as cities imploded in on themselves and Crewleaders bit the very hand that fed them as they killed their own members at the request of friends in other cities. I watched as the streets lost all of the luster they once had as every mafiosi walking around was more afraid of their own crewleader than the threat that lied beyond. It was despicable, and my father left and vowed he would likely never return again.

Then I got a letter in the mail. A request for my presence in the Americas. You see, a coalition of the willing was forming. A group of people who were just as fed up and sick as me about the current state of our world that they wanted to do something about it. A group who wanted to bring back the respect and honor we once saw here. Who wanted to revitalize this world and not leave it worse for wear like those in power did.

As you may have guessed, I answered the call and watched as old friend and foes alike came together to say “No more.” I watched as bitter rivals, and bloodlines who’ve not been here in quite a long time united to say “This is NOT the world we want it to be and we wont stand for it anymore.” I am not going to claim any of the credit. That all goes to a lot of tired people who’ve been working harder than I for much longer. What I will say to those people is that I am not only thankful but in complete awe of what you were able to accomplish. You’ve lit a fire in my soul I thought I would never feel again. You’ve done something that will go down in the history books and it goes to show not only to your combined skills, but also how great the threat was that needed to be eliminated.

That brings me to my point however. Things have and undoubtedly will continue to change from what we’ve seen lately. I for one hope the term purge falls to the wayside as a history note and not some sort of metagame tactic that continues to be used to keep the weak weaker and the strong stronger. I hope we can bring back some honor and respect to running a crew. I hope we can get back to respectfully handling our own business so we don’t have to deal with heat of city hall on our backs at every turn. I hope the streets become revitalized…

Herbert takes a moment to look at the crowd.

But this is not about what I hope for. I think I’ve spoken enough for a while and I want to hear form all of you. What do you hope to see in the coming days, weeks and months? What do you want your six cities to look like? Where would you like to see this thing of ours go? If the recent events have taught me anything it’s that even if you’re not a crew leader if you put in the work you can still have a say on how things turn out. And if you don’t like it, in the end, you can always rank up… and do something about it.

Herbert steps down from his soap box. His chest felt a little lighter. He’d been holding that in for a long time. He started to walk away and then stopped and turned around, looking at the soap box.

Oh, and leave that there. Hopefully it gets some more use.

I'd like to see more cornbread, and weekly dollar beers on Tuesday for the People. This should be at Firenza's expense. 

It'd also be cool if like, leaders kinda cared to get to know their members, and not assumed every single person was a threat, and like minimized them down to numbers. That'd be cool. Not everyone is a number. Not everyone is meat.  I mean sure there are Rogues, clearly. But one begs the question as to why they're Roguing. What occurred in the last day was reactionary towards abuse. It was not a power grab. There is nobility in this move. Other Rogues however, usually are not acting for a grander reason. 

I'd also like to see:

Maybe some new fancy horns for Lilith. 

NathanExplosion needs a body waxing. He's hairy and it's a mess. 

Finally one last thing, a question, is Toaly really an Armadillo, or is he a Pangolin? I've heard a lot of things about Pangolins this year, and he is just as cute as one with his little nose!

Don't eat a Pangolin (or Armadillo).

NathanExplosion stood in the crowd listening intently to Herbert as he spoke. The man had a way with words for sure. He was surprised to see that so far only one person had responded, mostly with nonsense. Nathan's hair was greasy glorious. All of it.

"It was a long night, after all," Nathan thought to himself. "A well deserved rest after a well deserved victory." Nathan stepped up to the soapbox to say his piece.

​​​​​​"It should be said; well spoken, well delivered, well reasoned, Herbert. You said everything that needed to be said and summarized the feelings of a very strong group of people. No small task, I applaud you."

NathanExplosion clapped for a bit, a few others around the crowd joined in.

"My line was there in those old times that you speak of. Our earliest forefathers got off the boat on Ellis Island together. They fought together and died together. My family was sad when yours went away, but in a way you lucked out on the timing. You were able to get the sour taste of the regime from a short time back, but it has been going on for years now.

The forefathers of these same men and women held the country in a similar grip a few years ago. The purge became the end game, keeping all threats neutralized for the sake of "winning." My ancestors repeatedly fell victim to the purge. One of them even went straight and earned auth under Borkers, only for him and his family to be slaughtered when his gun became threatening.

Alas, the gods rained down lightning and snuffed out the evil empire. In the wake of that divine intervention, many people shared similar sentiments as you are today. They vowed to change our world and not let it become so disgraceful again. And for a while things were good, but they had not truly returned to the ways of before. People were still purged depending on certain regimes. Bloodlines were still hunted. I admit my line participated in both of those practices, with the goal of keeping the evil empire suppressed.

And yet, a couple of years later, we were in the same spot, with the same names on top, practicing the same despicable actions. People forgot the past warning signs and allowed the empire to strike back. We had settled for good enough, rather than continuing to seek a better world. Which brings me to my main point.

We stand out here and speak of a better place for everyone, where members are valued and protected, rather than watched and scrutinized to the point of death. We speak of honor and respect and the weak and strong. This is great; these are things we should be speaking of and proclaiming to the world. It is the first step on a long journey of changing the culture of our thing.

But we must not just speak on it. We must practice it, each and every day, all of us. The leaders and the goombas, the gun monkeys and the street speakers. We must aspire to be better every day, to make a difference in everything we do. People should be able to work for their boss without pretending to be fresh blood, or worrying about being knifed in their sleep. Leaders should be upheld and respected, and yet held to a higher standard, not just by city hall or the gods but by all cosa nostra. 

Let us not fall back into the bad habits of purging, paranoia, or power grabs. As both a victim and a practitioner of all these things, let me be clear that my line does not take that statement lightly. We must always be open and honest, and treat one another with respect and integrity.

Let us pursue growth not just in ourselves and our friends, but in our thing as a whole, every day. Because only then can we truly change the world."

A young gangster Approaches the soap box

As everyone knows my lineage have not had many orators but I want to say first thank you for the excellent points you have brought up Herbet. It was very well said and I echo many of the sentiments you made.

What do I want to see? Well there are many things and talk is cheap it will be the actions of the leaders now installed that will dictate whether we move on to a better six cities.

First I want purging to disappear. A member should be loyal to a leader but only if that loyalty is earned. If a member follows the rules, donates and helps in war then a leader should look after their members with every fibre of their being. A leader should also be around the six cities, those who sleep for many days should not be the ones setting the tone for everyone else.

I want crews to become families, for people to be able to talk in their own HQ without fear for their upper structure wondering who their ancestors were or what they did. Let families to become closer through interaction and shared experiences.

If wanted, a lineage can be who they want to be without leaders asking what they have done in past. However I also don't want anyone to have to hide, if someone wishes to show their family name proud and loud then they should be allowed to without retribution for past ancestor sins.

I want experienced family lineages to tutor new and young ones, that they be allowed to flourish and grow and achieve what they wish in the six cities. Nothing should be impossible for anyone if they want it enough.

I want this leadership to lead on a new path of what CAN be done in the six cities if people put their minds to it.

Mainly I want people to have fun as most that come to these shores really want. We all know that a bullet is round the corner and that we can't live forever but in the time of being a young thug running around the streets to an old Godfather surrounded by bodyguards everyone should be enjoying themselves.

Rhetoric is all well and good but let actions speak louder than words and a legacy established.

Steps down for anyone else who wishes.

I guess my main hope for the near future is that people will be able to venture into the streets and offer their opinion on a subject without fear of being ganged up on and/or attacked for daring to voice something different.  I'd also hope that the more creative elements of society won't be made to feel that they have no place in this thing of ours.

Very well spoken Herbert. Your words resonate with everyone that has been frustrated for a very long time.

During this resent purge era I feel like most of us forgot what a family is. Some new bloods may not even know what that is. Lets get back to those days where you can be safe in your own crew. Where you can interact, laugh, and build connections without someone looking at your every action waiting to use you as target practice.

Our world has been sad,  endangered, paranoid for so long. The way forward will be tough and even scary. We must thrive, We must build, and We must respect.

A better world is possible.

truly good words spken and a very good read to get into many brains and hope many will understand and also having a great moment with all others without to much anger after this last war.

Respect & Honour to all! Both living and dead ones.

Alexei ventured to the streets for the first time since his arrival from Mother Russia. His arrival was quite different than most. He was met with open arms at Ellis Island by an old friend of his uncle's. His uncle was a highly connected guy over in Las Vegas at some point. He didn't know the exact details. He was welcomed with opened arms by a very select few and was told it had to be that way. Never did he ever think this thing of ours had to be this secret...

"Everything that has been said previously cannot be understated. I recall reading journals of my ancestors just like my comrades had mentioned. The actions of the deceased should never have lasted for as long as they did. The world was not in a good place and it was time that things changed.

I truly hope those actions and that way of life is in the past now."

Hello everyone! I am here to check on future of this thing of ours, now i am very limited with knowledge of bloodlines of current cls and especially on current made man and above ranks that are eventually getting opportunity in getting auth. 

Now since most of people will say that reign was brought down due to purging and killing mafiosos even from their own city and family just because they are good in what they do. 

My question would be, whats safety for that to never happen again. My bloodline took long break and came back on these shores couple of months ago since then all i hear are stories about purging from different reigns and leaders. So how do we stop that from happening now? I dont want to be dissrespectful nor anything like that but how do i know or any one of us that CL X thats currently in power or person X who is getting authed soon to fill one of many empty spots will not do the same? Is there someone now among us who wasnt part of recently taken down reign whos bloodline was known for purges? If there is are they getting back into power? 

These are all questions that are in mind of this little gangster.

It took a lot of guts to come out and make an impassioned speech about the state of affairs in this thing of ours, but it was absolutely something that needed to be said. Others stepped up and spoke, many saying things that were desperately needed. Robert cleared his throat and stepped up out of the crowd to add in his opinions on the matter. 

Like many others, I believe that purging needs to stop. There was once a time that when a takedown happened. the top was cleared and everybody under made was allowed to live. My family and bloodline has been in far too many full city wipeouts from the highest member all the way down to the gangsters. Frankly that's no way to run things and nobody lives or dies with honor that way. The gods here have tried to make many things non-specific as a way to discourage mindless jealousy shootings and yet it seems as though they're still happening. 

Secondly I agree that leaders need to get to know their crew mates. Sure there will always be the silent and stoic mafiosos, the ones who don't speak regardless of how much you engage and there might be a few sleeper players who exists solely to make up numbers but for the ones who are always active and around, it is the responsibility of the upper structure to get to know their members. After all, they are the ones that everyone will be reporting to, how can they report to someone who hasn't even said hello? The mafia is la famiglia, a tight knit group of individuals who value each other as though they are connected by blood. Make the effort to be a good family person. Conversely, members need to be able to reach out and speak to their upper structures, know just who they are involved with. A door opens both ways, you can come and chat in the coffee shops, write letters, or even knock on our doors. We appreciate family members who also make an effort to be involved. 

Others have also said some important things that should be listened to and enacted. Be involved, listen, don't allow toxic behavior to continue, and make a stand for the things that will ultimately benefit the entire community, not just a few on the top who are reluctantly there because they have the most longevity.  

Noticing the crowd, he climbed a nearby stairwell at the back of the houses where the crowd was gathering, fancy cars and empty hooch bottles lined the side street, as he pushed his way up to try and get a view of what was going on.    Looking down he listened in as the crowd discussed the past and future as he looked on with caution.   He knew he had heard such speech before and how leaders weren't going to do what they actually do and disguise it.   He knew he liked the idea of it, but putting it into practice was going to be another thing.

"It's been a bloody few days, and the simple fact is many people have died, not knowing who was on what side, why they were fighting initially, or if anything would change after the war.   Personally before my father's death in 18 hours he never received a single order or answers of his offer to help before his death.    He knew the business he was in and the risks."

"Still as the war ended, I was clueless as to why or was with who or who stopped fighting due to the simple fact the main players were dead who caused such problems as I started wandering the streets to build some sort of life here with the few thousands I was left in my father's will.    The past few months have been demoralizing, demotivating and at stages simply despicable, watching people sacrificed simply wth no business sense to it just paranoia, incompetence, and rage.  The funny part is if so many of those sacrificed had not been, maybe these same leaders would still have lived through the changing of the power structure."

"The simple fact is sooner or later, this comes back to bite people in the ass, bit by bit a regime gets whittled down generally or turns on itself as most of us who have been here long enough know.   As much as I like the idea of the old days whether family working with Sal Riina, Evsie, even Marietta and Aurora I found part of the difference was the members themselves, the way people didn't have their own little groups who come before even family which will be hard to undo.     The sad truth is recently we could trust our friends more than our leaders, which goes against what some of us who ascend to Made and above especially aren't supposed to be doing."


"So as much as I would love a more business-like, purge, takedown friendly, non-power playing paranoia fest. the truth is I believe it will take a while to break out the kinks, and the problems as such but is not hard to go in this direction if the people follow.    The truth is when a family as a family is re-established, without sharing gun info, with actually teaching members properly the ways of this world, and actually, a progression from within based on work and contribution over this man's family has been my hand the last fifteen times my family was authed, kinda says what's the motivation to work hard for someone even if around less than ten hours a week gets a spot over you.   Maybe will actually see more of the old families who have disappeared return and those only after power, will be moulded or driven away from such methods as they have no means of support.   The truth is as much as the people may say survival of the strongest or fittest, is those who are more adaptable that evolve to rise in time."

"So to those now in charge, the eyes of the crime world are on you, and I expect them to voice it anytime they feel someone steps out of line in hope other leaders correct, such behaviour"

Indifference heard the speech.  He had to go back to the old country to tend to a few matters, but nonetheless appearing and speaking was on his honey-do list.  Nathanexplosion was persistent like that.  He hoped it wasn't too late....  actually, what the fuck did he care?  He was gonna speak anyway.

"First off, I want to second YourcandidateSpikeS and say that dollar beer Tuesday's would be great.  I don't really care who pays for them, as long as I drink them.  But... on to some slightly more important matters..."

Indifference straightens his tie and clears his throat...

"Herbert, the fact that you come out here and ask for feedback from the community is a step in the right direction.  I like to see the streets as a place worth coming.  I'd like to see it be relevant to this thing of ours.  Too often, I'd see a prominent crime family fall - and I'm left to my own thoughts as to why something happened.  Usually - it's something like "Harry's great great great grandpappy 4 times removed felt slighted by something that Beulah's 4th ex husband did.  Or - whatever rumours I can drum up over there on WhatsApp Avenue.  Either way, it just wasn't conducive to the present times here in our world.  I want to see leaders that take responsibility for their actions and I want to see a good exchange of communication here in the streets."

"I could go on more, but Rome wasn't built in a day.  Let's move forward and have a good time.  Let's let this thing evolve and let's make some money.  Moreover, let's drink a pile of $1 beers every Tuesday!!"