FdM} - La Famiglia di Medici - Printable Version

Introduction

Malta swarms with organised crime, but few organisations are known by name, and even fewer rise to the top. The Medici Family is an organized crime family within the Outcast network, which, although currently small, burns with ambition. The Medici Family goes back over 5 generations within Maltese society, and even though it is lesser-known than other families on Malta, it holds significant power and influence and has gathered a following amongst Malta's inhabitants.

The current Capofamiglia, or leader of the family, is Alessandro di Medici, a former legionnaire who saw an opportunity to capture an audience within Maltese society. He brings to the table multiple decades of combat experience both as a sicario (hitman), and a rank-and-file soldier, and has a renowned history built inside the cockpit of his Sabre. He has patiently waited his turn at the top of the family, and following the death of his older brother in combat, was given the opportunity to take the reins.

Medici is a highly experienced soldier, but an inexperienced diplomat. He prefers to be in the cockpit rather than wasting his time with pleasantries on Malta. He delegates these tasks to Il Consiglio, or the Council. The Council is his inner circle, to which only his most trusted advisers have access. Drawn from the lower ranks if they show promise as negotiators, this group handles all diplomacy with both Maltese organizations and outside vassals. They also draw up contracts for any security/escort detail that others will pay the family to provide, or for cardamine deliveries to the various dropoff bases throughout Sirius. Finally, they also oversee all payment to their sicari for successful hits.

The sicari are assassins, and are pulled from the lower ranks if they show exceptional prowess in combat. Typically with an affinity for killing, they are skilled duelists and have no trouble taking on multiple hostiles at once, with the sole purpose of killing their intended target. Targets are given to the sicari by Medici leadership, or by outside organizations who structure the deals with Il Consiglio to carry out. Few live long lives, but live for combat, and are paid handsomely for their work.

Zone of Influence

This group is primarily based on Planet Malta, and thus, operates heavily in the Taus and Omicrons, with goals to penetrate the major Houses as their Cardamine operation expands. Medici and his council believe that Cardamine supply lines into both Bretonia and Kusari can be more easily established by securing the Tau region first, specifically systems 23 and 37. To this end, the circle has concentrated most of their forces into raids against groups like the Hogosha, IMG, Bounty Hunters Guild and various lawful forces who patrol the region.

Once they take hold of the Taus, Medici plans to slowly infiltrate both Kusari and Bretonia, with a focus on establishing suppliers and drop off points for Cardamine in the Kyushu and Leeds systems. Upon securing Bretonia’s and Kusari’s criminal underworld, they will attempt to breach the independent worlds and eventually, Liberty itself.

The Medici Family doesn’t have enough bodies currently to sustain large-scale offensives in the Sigmas. The Family and their council do not wish to fight on two opposing fronts, and as such the Sigmas are not a priority at present. Once the Tau region is more-or-less under control, the Medici family may reconsider a more scaled offensive in the Sigma-19, Sigma-17, and Sigma-13 systems as a way to secure the Southern end of Kusari. However, Medici pilots will still patrol the entrances to the Omicrons through the Sigmas, keeping any major GMG offensives stymied with the help of other Outcast groups. The houses of Rheinland and Gallia are seen as tertiary objectives at this time, and would move up the priority list if the Dons of Malta deem it necessary, or if the Medici Family grows in numbers to take that challenge on seriously.

Combat Operations

The Medici family believes in quality over quantity, having neither a vast amounts of credits, nor a horde of disposable pilots. Combat operations are typically smaller-scale, relying on ambushes and hit-and-run tactics to destroy targets of opportunity. The Sicari will often spearhead these efforts, working solo or in small groups to kill targeted enemies quickly and quietly.

Capital ships are limited, as they are expensive and time-consuming to produce. As a result, it is uncommon to see any Medici ships above cruiser-class. There are plans to extend out their larger capitals in the future, but that is a secondary goal. In only dire cases would large-scale combat operations be coordinated. Usually, only a few sicari are needed to get the job done.

Because they are few in number, it is vital to the Medici Family's success that their pilots are capable combatants. Thus, there is a large emphasis by Medici on training when possible, and getting newer pilots combat experience quickly. New soldatos are thrown into the fire almost immediately, with a "sink or swim" attitude. Medici would rather find out quickly that his new recruits aren't up for the task, before bringing them under the umbrella fully.

New Challenges

Cardamine has been the go-to narcotic for decades in Sirius, but the new addition of Carix, or “Slog”, into the criminal underworld is both an opportunity and competition for the Medici Family and Outcasts at large. Current and future sicari will be tasked with handling any Carix distributors who think they can get in on Cardamine’s market share. With the introduction of the new drug, any groups seen to be smuggling the substance will be deemed hostile and treated with extreme prejudice.

Because the Medici family is new to the trade, relationships with middle-men in their systems of opportunity will have to be built from the ground up. This means that the group will be in competition with suppliers of the new drug to capture clientele. Medici doesn't like middle-men who distribute both drugs, as it creates a conflict of interest and can jeopardize future contracts. He prefers to deal with organizations who exclusively will deal Cardamine, which makes relationship-building even more of a challenge. However, he is confident that his consiglieres can get the job done. If they can't, the sicari can always come in and provide muscle if necessary.

Additionally, the Dons of Malta have made it clear of a zero-tolerance policy, and will pay Medici sicari handsomely for ridding Sirius of well-known smugglers. Medici believes this will give him and his lieutenants new opportunities at funding their operations while getting their newer pilots some much-needed combat experience, energetically fostering such operations.

Primary Faction Goals

Establish Cardamine supply lines into House Space, specifically in the Tau systems 23 and 37.
Assert “Cardamine dominance” in the Houses of Bretonia, Kusari, and Liberty, stomping out the new Carix, or “Slog” craze, via extortion or targeted killings, if necessary
Provide defensive support during Corsair incursions into Maltese space, and assisting other Maltese raiders when appropriate

Diplomacy

Allies – Other Outcasts, and other organized Outcast units (Legion Maltesa (L\-), Maltese Acquisition (MA|), Hyperspace Starfleet (HS>)
Friendly – Golden Chrysanthemums, Lane Hackers, Liberty Rogues
Neutral – Zoners, Freelancers, Nomads
Unfriendly – The Core, The Order, Mollys, Gaians, Blood Dragons, Hessians, Xenos
Hostile – Corsairs, IMG, Bounty Hunters, Hogosha, GMG, Crayter Republic, Maquis, Unione Corse, Technocracy of Auxo, House Military/Police/Intels/Corporations

Naming Conventions

Snubs: FdM}Firstname.Lastname or FdM}‘Callsign’ (Italian names)
Capital Ships: FdM}MNS-Shipname (typically Italian places or terms)
Smuggling Vessels: FdM}MLS-Shipname (typically Italian places or terms)

Ranking Conventions

Capofamiglia: The head of the family (1IC)
Capobastone: The Capofamiglia's right-hand man (2IC)
Consigliere: Members of Il Consiglio, the Capofamiglia's most trusted advisers
Caporegime: A Lieutenant within the family
Soldato: A soldier, the lowest ranking member
Sicari: A special rank given to specific members, tasked with finding and killing important targets for a large payout.

Ships

Civilian: (Transports, Frigates)
Border Worlds: (Dagger, Stiletto, Sabre, Cutlass, Transports)
Edge Worlds: (Reaper)
Outcasts: (Gunboats, Cruisers, BCs, and Battleships)

Technology

Civilian
Outcasts
Liberty Rogues
Lane Hackers

OORP

Hello everyone, if you don’t know me, I am @Chxlls. This is my first serious attempt at a faction writeup and leadership, and I hope you all enjoy what I have in store. I have helped quite a few factions get off the ground and have attempted one other faction before this, but never before have I gone full-bore including writeups, forum posts and Discord.

Most people know me for being a snubber/connbot, but I don’t want this faction to be entirely PvP-based. My goal is to provide a high quality RP and PvP experience for the community at large, and to have a tightly-focused faction with a more niche role in the Discovery universe. Players will be held to a high standard of roleplay and will be encouraged to develop their Outcast characters over time via in-game interactions, storytelling, and participation in the faction’s activities. The Medici Family is a concept I originally thought of a while ago, but it took me quite a bit of time to conceptualize and take the leap into leadership. The faction takes after organized crime (think the mafia or cartels) and is not conducive to governmental or militaristic roleplay of the Outcasts at large. If you’re looking for an authentic Outcast experience, look no further.

For myself, and any other high-skill players who join, they will be held to a higher standard of PvP quality. Logging opposite sides and sitting out for the sake of balance will not only be encouraged, but required, in order to keep fights fun and fair for all, and to keep your membership in the faction. Sealclubbing, ganking, and toxic behavior, whether it be in-game or in other channels, will not be tolerated. My writeup talks about the lack of capital ships, but capital ship players are more than welcome. However, if you expect this faction to raid Gamma with massive Outcast fleets every weekend, then this isn’t the faction for you. Most of this faction’s identity will be small-scale raids and skirmishes, with a focus on high quality Outcast roleplay through the lens of the mafia/cartels of modern-day. Occasionally, we will log with other Outcasts during Gamma incursions, but not at scale. Should capital ship players be interested in joining, understand that cruisers and under are going to be encouraged in most engagements. Battleships and Battlecruisers will be only sparingly used in specific circumstances.

I will not be “ninja-ing” anyone in, and I have no 2IC established at this point in time. Recruitment posts will be required, and a 2IC will be appointed by the faction’s members. Should anyone have questions, comments, or criticisms, feel free to reach out to me.