In trying to keep a fresh outlook on things happening in the city I’ve been trying to recruit some local talent to help out. I’m going to enlist the help of some well spoken people to try and show some different perspectives on the stories that we cover. The first installment was brought to us by an idea from Dark Goddess of The Apocalisse Family. She wanted to discuss “respected families” in the city and how it is decided that they become respected.
These were her questions:
Them being around awhile makes them respected?
The work they do for the city?
The way they carry themselves?
The respect they show others?
Because they are large and have numbers and allies to help kill?
Unable to reach her by press time I turned to the Offices of F. Tripod. There a representative helped me by answering a few of the questions in an interview format.
NewsieML: When it comes to the topic of respected families. What do you think defines a respected family, time served?
NewsieML Wars fought?
NewsieML Size?
Representative from the offices of F. Tripod: (known from here on out as Rep.F.Tripod) Size usually has nothing to do with the respect level of a family. "Quality not quantity" is usually true to form. There have been small families that have been well-respected in this city, such as the Spilotro Family. Then there have been well-respected families that have been among the largest, such as the Assassin Families of way back when, the Gambales, etc.
NewsieML Is this a thing based on honor or popularity though?
Rep.F.Tripod: Ultimately, respected families have a combination of longevity, ability to be both aggressive AND defend themselves in war, and a sense of honorability among the other citizens of the city
Rep.F.Tripod It's a combination of both.
NewsieML I mean you have some feared families but does that mean they should be respected anymore than you would keep a respectful distance from a rabid dog?
Rep.F.Tripod): That's a good point. There's fear, and there's respect.
Rep.F.Tripod I think that most of the respected families that have been around had an air of intimidation about them. People respected them for their abilities...if the family was able to instill some fear as well; it was because people feared what they were capable of doing if they were disrespected.
Rep.F.Tripod: What it comes down to is the quality of the family members, ultimately - particularly, those in the higher ranks.
Rep.F.Tripod: Those are the higher profile people in the family
Rep.F.Tripod Respect is how you handle yourself, and it is definitely earned through experience and the ability to also respect what others in the City are doing.
NewsieML Ok and finally what about honor? Do you think that the so-called respected Families have it? Do you think there can be respect without some form of honor?
Rep.F.Tripod: Depends on who's considered the "respected Families"...but...
NewsieML: Well take the Saints. Or the Demonio's for example.
NewsieML Both are long standing Families and have some respect in this city that they have fought hard to earn.
NewsieML Being honorable, upstanding members of the city isn't something they are often accused of however.
Rep.F.Tripod: Most of the truly respected Families are honorable. There have been cases where Families that have been "respected" truly had no honor, but were able to conduct their business by convincing the masses that they are honorable....
Rep.F.Tripod Honorable and upstanding is two different things, especially in a business such as ours...
Rep.F.Tripod: Every family that has a major influence on the City will have its haters....and there are definitely differing opinions on who's respected/honorable/etc.
Rep.F.Tripod): There are people that will argue that the Capeci Family was not honorable. There are people that will say that the Moore Family and the Abattoir Family had no honor as well...
Rep.F.Tripod): it’s all perspective
Rep.F.Tripod I think you have the Saints and Demonio Families, two long-standing families in the City....both are respected for their contribution (positive or negative, depending how an individual looks at it) to the City
Rep.F.Tripod Have they been honorable, upstanding families 100% of their time in the City.....probably not.
Rep.F.Tripod): There's a rare few families that can come close to saying that they have been for 100% of their time...if any at all.
Rep.F.Tripod): Both of those families are respected for what they've accomplished, not necessarily for HOW they've accomplished it. Different strokes for different folks. But they've continued on as big parts of the City. And for that, they definitely deserve respect.
In the future these types of articles may be submitted solely by the contributors or done in various formats. If you or anyone you know is interested in being on the “phone” list for quotes and situational interviews please contact me at
http://www.thefakemafia.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=354
or NewsieML on paltalk and aim
