[Guide] The Basics of the Mob & How to Roleplay as a Mafioso.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) What is the Mafia?
2) Ranking.
3) Operations.
4) Mafia Terminology/Slang.
5) Kick Ups.
6) Roleplaying a Mobster.

I. What is the Mafia?

An organized international body of criminal factions named after the leaders last names, also "Families". They're operating originally in Sicily and now esp. in Italy and the US.
A Mafia use extortion and other criminal methods to earn cash. If you look below you can locate most basic items you will need to role-play a successful mobster.

II. Ranking

Boss

The head of the family, usually reigning as a dictator, sometimes called the don or an old Italian expression “godfather” which is almost never used anymore. The Boss receives a cut of every operation taken on by every member of his family. Depending on the Family, the Boss may be chosen by a vote from the Caporegimes of the family. In the event of a tie, the Underboss must vote. In the past, all the members of a Family voted on the Boss, but by the late 1950s, any gathering such as that attracted too much attention.

Underboss

The Underboss, usually appointed by the Boss, is the second in command of the family. The Underboss is in charge of all of the Capos, who is controlled by the Boss. The Underboss is usually first in line to become Acting Boss if the Boss is imprisoned or dies.

Consigliere

Consigliere is an advisor to the family. They are often low profile gangsters that can be trusted. They are used as a mediator of disputes or representatives or aids in meetings with other Families. They often keep the Family looking as legitimate as possible, and are, themselves, legitimate apart from some minor gambling or loan sharking. Often Consiglieres are lawyers or stock brokers, are trusted and have a close friendship or relationship with the Don. They usually do not have crew of their own, but still wield great power in the Family. They are also often the liaison between the Don and important ‘bought’ figures, such as politicians or Judges.

Caporegime/Capo

A Capo (translated to Leader or Captain) is in charge of a crew. There are usually four to six crews in each family, possibly even seven to nine crews, each one consisting of up to ten Soldiers. Capos run their own small family, but must follow the limitations and guidelines created by the Boss, as well as pay him his cut of their profits. Capos are nominated by the Underboss, but typically chosen by the Boss himself.

Soldier

Soldiers are members of the family, and can only be of Italian background. Soldiers start as Associates that have proven themselves. When the books are open, meaning that there is an open spot in the family, a Capo (or several Capos) may recommend an up-and-coming Associate to be a new member. In the case that there is only one slot and multiple recommendations, the Boss will decide. The new member usually becomes part of the Capo’s crew that recommended him.

Associate

An Associate is not a member of the mob, and an Associate’s role is more similar to that of an errand boy. They are usually a go-between or sometimes deal in drugs to keep the heat off the actual members. In other cases, an associate might be a corrupt labor union delegate or businessman. Non-Italians will never go any further than this.

III. Operations

Without these successful operations, the mafia wouldn't be as dominant and superior as it is.

1) Extortion - Extortion is the practice of obtaining something, esp. money, through force or threats. The mafia often uses the word protection to mask the word extortion. When you purchase "protection" from the mafia, you pay a weekly fee. If you do NOT pay the fee, you may be beaten, possibly killed, or maybe in some scenarios warned.

2) Illegal gambling - The mafia oftenly hosts illegal gambling in a backroom of a joint/establishment. Sometimes the games can possibly be rigged; no matter how hard you try, you lose, they win. Illegal gambling attracts a lot of attention, and gathers a truckload of cash if its planned properly.

3) Arms dealing - Selling unlicensed or stolen firearms is probably the best operation to use, but its risky. When you conduct these deals, normally the person buying hands the cash; then the seller tells the buyer where the items are located or handed right away.

4) Drug trafficking - Drug dealing isn't a main operation, but when you conduct these deals, you can usually rack up a load of cash. You can either grow/make the stuff on your own, or find a dealer. Selling drugs is risky.

5) Printing - Printing rackets can be profitable depending on your production rate. Its self explanatory, you have a location with a couple of guys guarding it. This isn't a popular operation, but is sometimes used by lower ranking of the mob.

IV. Mafia Terminology/Slang

Spoiler :

V. Kick-ups

Kick ups are weekly or monthly fees you pay to a higher-up. If you're an associate you might pay to a made-man, and the made man pays to a captain. There's a cycle, all of this money ends up in a cut for the don.
Associate gives the cash to a made man, or a captain.
The captain hands off the cash to the underboss.
The underboss passes the cash down to the don.
The thing is, each high archery gets a cut of the cash being passed up. Say an associate hands twelve grand, a captain may keep six grand from him, then get seventy-five grand from the rest of his crew, he'll hand up about fifty grand to the under boss. The underboss might eventually hand up fourty-five grand to the don, and the don keeps the cash to himself. If you don't pay kick ups with cash, you're gonna pay - physically.

VI. Roleplaying a Mobster

Roleplaying a mobster is difficult if you make it that way. Its basically roleplaying a civilian with a twist. You are always tied with your job now that you have been introduced. You must show respect to everyone around you, including the big guys above you, and below you. There isn't a specific way to roleplay a mafioso, they don't roam around in fedoras and trenchcoats like this is Mafia II, alot has changed since the old times. You can be a disrespectful guy if you want, but you probably aren't going to make it as far as another guy might.
If you are having trouble being introduced to the mobsters, roam around the city, find some friends, maybe they might come to you. There is really no specific way to roleplaying a mobster, but you have to spice it up and use realism at the same time.

Also as I said, the Mafia isn't what it was in the 1900's, it has changed alot recently, people dont drive around in old cars with fedoras, trenchcoats and Thompsons, this isn't like Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" anymore, it has changed so we should change with it.