Thad took to the streets on his day off. It was quite a nice change from business, a real stress-buster. He inspected the half-empty pint in his hand, downed it and leaned back on the wooden park bench where he had been perched for the past hour. He spotted one of his friends, Right Hand to a well-established crime family, across the street at a coffee shop. The friend waved, and Thad waved back. Good lad, he thought to himself. He had started from scratch with no connections whatsoever, quickly forged bonds and became the second in command to the family. That's not something you see very often in these parts. A thought struck him, he hesitated for a moment but soon walked over to a busy corner to find a soapbox.

     Good day Ladies and Gents, I would like to gather your thoughts on something that's been haunting me as of late. I'm not sure if the exact same thing has been brought out here before but I've come across a few similar ones. Either way, time tends to change opinions and I think this is as good time as any to bring it up.

     He paused to see if he has any audience. A few people have stopped by, and a couple of familiar faces smiled at him. Satisfied, he smiled back and resumed talking.

     Right Hands. We've definitely discussed how important they are. We've also discussed about what it takes to be one, and about the respect they deserve. What do crewleaders expect from their Right Hand? Loyalty above all else. It is rhetorical, yes. But my question here is, how important is a person's bloodline when considering loyalty? Does having a history with the person make their loyalty any more strong founded? Yes? But is it enough grounds for considering the person over someone who has proven their loyalty, but never really had the opportunity to get to know your bloodline?
     I'm not taking sides, because I'm honestly torn between the two. My bloodline has been hands to a good few people, even to bloodlines who were complete strangers, as well as to friends. It has also been to the other side, where choosing the perfect hand was a fucking dilemma. So I totally can see both sides. A crewleader would want their Right Hand to be someone who they can completely trust, and who better suited for the job than someone with whom their bloodline has been comfortable with? I don't think they can be blamed for being paranoid. One can be never too careful, can they?

So who's right? The crewleader who wants the best for his family, or the crew member who feels betrayed for being overlooked?

Just my two cents, I'm curious to hear what y'all think.

I feel like the only way to pick your hands is chance unfair unbiased chance! It's the only morality in a cruel world!!

*fair too!

*MB Smirks as he looks on*

I would pick my hand very simply - the one with the softest touch and a nice consistent rythm...

*rolls eyes*

Okay what, its better than wigglefangirl4lyfe response - at least in my very unbiased and fair opinion..  

I was young and drunk!!! I had to much of my grain alcohol before selling it :(

After listening to the question and pondering a serious answer, it became clear to Manson that there is no right answer....

"A hand, Right or Left, should be a compliment to the CL.  You need to know your own weakness and select a trustworth set of hands who make the crew stronger.  People who are strong where you are weak.  

If you are a social, friendly  type, you don't need hands that monitor the pulse of the crew, because you already do that yourself.   Do you need someone with experience in war?  Do you need a strategist?  Do you need someone with a long history and knowledge of the past?  Do you need someone with close ties to other bloodlines?  All these things must be considered.

As a CL, your first priority should be identifying your own weakness and doing everything in your power to protect the crew by surrounding yourself with the people who will minimize the chance that that weakness will become an issue and endanger your crew."

 Does having a history with the person make their loyalty any more strong founded? Yes? But is it enough grounds for considering the person over someone who has proven their loyalty, but never really had the opportunity to get to know your bloodline?

​There is definitely something to knowing someones bloodline you are considering for RH or LH. But far to many times I have seen people picked for that reason alone over someone who has been very active and great for the family. Just to watch that old friend (now RH/LH) continue to be IA and not seem to do much of anything. To be fair I have seen it work out as well, when that formerly IA old friend steps up within their new position. 

interesting topic, what my bloodline expected from his right hand man was that he would be able to help the crew members who needed it, settle the situations that arose with in/out the family, loyalty is a no brainer when it comes to a right hand man as is trust, if they wanted to they could rob you blind or start wars, thats why trust is a big one for me.

knowing the person's bloodline is very important, it gives you a sense of what they have accomplished, what their fathers/mothers have done good or bad, or how they would be with the family. As for picking your friend over someone who has proven their loyalty, i guess it would come down to do you trust that person personally? would he be better at the job then your friend?

the crew leader is right, at the end of the day it is their family and they are gonna run it the way they want to, whether its good or bad.

as for the overlooked crew member, even if your family doesnt take notice of your hard work, it doesnt mean someone else hasnt.

just my personal opinions, my bloodline has only ever been graced with a family once and the pieces just fell in line to make the family amazing.

Suns walk up toward thud and spoke of his opinion in such matter.

If you're bond is truly that strong, becoming or not becoming a RHM should not hinder the relationship between the two.
I would have to question the word "bond" if such problem arise from a simple matter.

It is truly important to understand that the young blood of this generation is the future of this Community.
I strongly believe that giving chances to loyal, devoted young blood is crucial..... and a great long term investment.

Suns shakes the hand of thud and steps away from the crowd.

Ty looks down upon his hands.

I have a choice at what hands I could have if I were a Leader?!? Can I have an Asian hand and a Mexican hand? And can they both be female? Male hands are too "rough" for me. I would prefer hands that are loyal. I don't like my hands pleasing others. And I would prefer to know my hands quite well, however "strangers" can be fun too. But the most important quality for my hands are that they are always active and know how to "work it" well. But if you ask me the best hand is a hand that has a glass of the hooch in it.

Speaking of which....

Ty pulls out a flask and drinks a swig from it.

Familiarity will quite often play a huge part in picking your RHM, I don't think you can really say that this is the right or the wrong way to pick your RHM. Its a process that has been practiced by almost all of the crew leaders and those who say different will be lying to a certain extent. Personally, I have no issue with picking a certain bloodline because of their lineage and the prowess that they have, and I don't think anyone can hold you to ransom over that picking process.

I was always taught that your RHM was an extension of you, in your absence they run the family, they make the difficult decisions, they take a seat at the table in your absence. It wouldn't make sense to pick a lineage unfamiliar to you, or someone who doesn't share your ideals on how these types of decisions are made and/or how to run the family the way you want it run.

In an ideal world you can offer this great role to someone who has shone within your family, someone who has caught your eye, but in reality, your head will always go with someone's lineage who you know, you've worked with their family before them, there isn't a way to really get away from that.

I think LHM spot is a better place for those cutting their teeth as a hand, its a position can give to this potential star within your family, give them that little taste of how the family is run, without giving them real access to everything.

All-in-all, majority will always pick known lineage to them and I think rightly so.

Tell listens to the opinions of the masses

Hand selection is based off of trust simple as that. You can't trust anyone to take situations into their hands with out screwing up. That goes with old or new members.

Dizzi had sat here for quite some time listening to other speak. .She gave it a lot of thought and smiled over at Thad.

You know this is one of my favourite topics to debate back and forth with.

Right Hands should be trusted but I do not think that this is the only criteria for them. Yes, Right hands are an extension of their leader, but I have to wonder if its such a great pick if they vary so much. Say you're leader is very oriented in speaking to their family but the right hand couldn't be assed? Seems like the right hand would not really be an extension to me. And what about those hands that are never around? Are they really a good pick? I mean after all they could hardly be counted on to help members if they aren't around. So no trust would not be the only criteria. Hard work, willingness to actually speak to your family, loyalty without a doubt, among the trust and other things.

I am a full believer that hands should actually earn their spots, not just be given to them simply because their line is besties. A left hand would be a good place to give a newer individual some experience with these roles. Either way laziness or absence should not pay off for anyone, at the end of the day.

Just as a side note, knowing a bloodline is fickle. As many people know that so many rumours go around and then people think they know someone without even having a conversation with them. You never know a person's intentions until the time comes anyways. We have seen plenty of hands, right and left, jump ships or save themselves during war times. Clearly their intent was not to remain loyal.

So you can trust someone but you won't ever really know someone until push comes to shove.  Just something to think about.

Dizzi smiled sweetly and stepped back.

Yes, Right hands are an extension of their leader, but I have to wonder if its such a great pick if they vary so much. Say you're leader is very oriented in speaking to their family but the right hand couldn't be assed? Seems like the right hand would not really be an extension to me.

I understand that every person within this thing of ours is different and the day to day running of said family will, of course differ depending on the who out of the uppers may be awake and dealing with the business, but my point was more with the down and dirty stuff. Stuff that the generalised mobster might not be privy to, tasks that don't concern those foot soldiers. Its when it comes to these tasks that you WILL need a trusted lineage, someone that both of your lines have worked together before. OK, need might be a too strong of a word, but my point still stands. You have to know that given your absence, that who you choose as a RHM will make the same decision that you would make and that trust, knowledge, whatever you want to call it would only come with years of alliances.

I am a full believer that hands should actually earn their spots, not just be given to them simply because their line is besties. A left hand would be a good place to give a newer individual some experience with these roles. Either way laziness or absence should not pay off for anyone, at the end of the day.   

 Fully support this, I think for any potential rising star within your ranks, LHM is a perfect step-up role to start them with, thus they have less access to the walls with your HQ for that reason.  

Just as a side note, knowing a bloodline is fickle. As many people know that so many rumours go around and then people think they know someone without even having a conversation with them. You never know a person's intentions until the time comes anyways. We have seen plenty of hands, right and left, jump ships or save themselves during war times. Clearly their intent was not to remain loyal.

I don't know if this is entirely true, but it does raise a good thought, and even more cements the process in picking the correct person for the role. I have a good base of contacts within this community, a lot I know wouldn't go against me, if ever did make Crew Leader (god forbid) and out that pool id pick any single one of them to support decisions I make and "not jump ship".

I don't think there is a right or wrong way but I do think there are better ways than others to pick your RHM, and from a "friend pool" is a tried and tested method, that's for sure.

While I can respect your stance on the RHM. I do think there comes a time where people need to be willing to teach people. Otherwise we are just going to have the same lines constantly. I do believe that topic has been discussed before though, so I will leave it at that. Basically you need to be willing to take chances with people you think you can trust. After all these are people you are teaching and asking to trust in you. It does work both ways.

"Friend pools" aren't necessarily the way to go. Especially if said friend isn't doing jack. I really think people need to look more at work ethics rather than just handing things to their friends.

Sometimes people you take a chance on could be great. Someone you never worked with before could be the best hand you have.

I agree with Dizzy regarding "friend pool".

Good friend will understand if you don't choose him/her.

Moreover, it is not like overlooking anyone - this position is in my opinion more than extremaly responsible. Choosing right hand is not like "prizing" or "showing your friendship" - it is something beyond it.

Sometimes people you take a chance on could be great. Someone you never worked with before could be the best hand you have.

Dizzi, I agree with you only to a certain extent. From what I see, you're completely against selecting hands based on their bloodlines. I'll tell you where this would come back around and bite you in the ass.

     Imagine a situation where that someone who you chose as your hand is working for your enemies. They could seem very active and helpful. They could pretend to care when they actually don't give a shit about you or your family. And right when you fall into their trap and make them your most trusted, and they would just stab you in the back when you least expect it. Think about what they have access to. Locals on every crew member, including yourself. Your mails. Your bank account. Your personals. And let's not forget the exact time your beloved guards leave your side. So in case the people who this particular someone actually works for want to take you out, and not for dinner, they can easily do that. They can absolutely decimate you. You wouldn't want that to happen now, would you?

I was speaking more from the journals of one of my ancestors. They actually took on hands that they had never worked with before or knew a lot about. It turned out pretty great to be truthful, but if you stick to the same lines all the time you will never get the chance to know.  Are there situations where it could go wrong? Of course, but just like that there is another side and it could go incredibly right.

As far as being stabbed in the back, your friends could do that just as well, as we have seen time and time again in our community. There is always both sides to each view, it depends on which side you want to look at.

Aye I understand. That's why I said I agree with you to an extent. However your experiences may be, it's always a gamble. Who knows what has been laid out for us in the future. I have been lucky enough for my bloodline to be blessed with hands with the best qualities anyone could ask for. But who knows when my luck may run out.

Well when the luck runs out then its at the very least a lesson of people you cannot trust. Rather than shutting everyone off of opportunities, keep a list of people that absolutely cannot be trusted. That list will vary as every individual's experiences will be different.

I think the main issue I see with the "friends pool" is that they ultimately do not have to work for it. I really hate a lack of work ethic. Now I am not saying they don't do the job but ultimately if you are picking a friend of your line, then they usually do not have to show anything before obtaining the position.