The Mob
Instructions
• Read more about your organization and its key figures.
• Get familiar with the era and rival factions you are going to encounter in the game.
• Go through the maps, to see what territory is claimed by individual rival groups.
• Look at the playable characters – think about a role, you would like to play.
View of Lower Manhattan in 1928.
Mobsters “Public Enemies of New York City”
Jewish Mob
Our forefathers set us a mighty example. They took the riches of the New World that were
there for taking. They were feared by Irishmen and Italians alike, but the days are gone.
History flies past very fast, and the Great War changed a lot of things as well. Who remembers
the names such as Monk Eastman or Harry Horowitz nowadays?
The government has banned import and sale of booze. What a blessing for us! The economy
is booming, and people want to enjoy their lives to the fullest. Why shouldn’t we give it to
them if there is a demand? We are no thugs, my dear friends; we are businessmen of a new
kind! Arnold Rothstein has led us successfully, and he knows his trade, be assured of that! He
is not called “the Brain” for no reason after all. Soon every city in the U.S. will know what is
“kosher” and what is not. We are the ones who will teach them about the proper ways starting
here in the very heart of New York. In Manhattan.
Arnold “the Brain” Rothstein
He understood the truths of capitalism (giving people what they want) and
dominated them.
He is the boss. A mobster of a new kind. A clever and educated
businessman who runs his mob like a corporation. Some say that he is
responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series (baseball). Well, after all,
isn’t it nice to know the winner when you bet? Who would blame him?!
Meyer “Mob’s Accountant” Lansky
When he was a schoolboy, an Italian teenager tried to extort protection money
from him. Instead of giving it to him, he made him his business associate.
Maths and bribery. A powerful combination that has both been mastered
by Mr. Lansky, a shooting star of the Mob. He is no stranger to
automobiles, and he is active in “the used car sale industry” He sees a
great opportunity in gambling operations. He never gets his hands dirty.
Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel
Siegel, the youngest of the gang, was known around his, as “chaye”; a Yiddish
word meaning "untamed" or "animal".
Every organization needs muscle. A man who knows his trade and who
is not afraid to get his hands dirty. “Bugs” is such a man – a complete
opposite of his friend Meyer Lansky. Some say that he even takes
pleasure in violence. Be it as it may, he is charismatic and very competent.
Dutch Schultz
A boy has never wept...nor dashed a thousand kin.
A business associate of a kind. He is known tobe unpredictable and violent,
but he is our man in Upper Westside. He worked his way to the top from
the very bottom of the ranks. He used to be a bouncer in a speakeasy, and
he knows the ways of bootlegging way too well to be “left on his own”.
Moreover, he is a clever man who is familiar with “numbers games”.
Roaring ‘20s in the U.S.
The Great War finished in 1918 and people were shaken by its horrors. The war was over, and
Americans did not want to go back to the trenches of the Western Front in their thoughts. They
wanted to feel alive. They wanted to enjoy all the beauties of life. They wanted to love, drink,
laugh and dance. This is where jazz craze struck home.
When it comes to politics, two very important amendments were introduced, the 18th and the
19th. Both changed the ways of the world. The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote,
they had helped their countries a lot during the war years and they wanted their fair share of
power. Who would blame them?!
The 18th amendment prohibited the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages.
It looks like a scourge to humanity; the opposite was the truth for us. The mobsters found ways
to deliver the booze to people who wanted it, despite the laws. This is where famous bootleggers
(smugglers) were born, and speakeasies (illegal bars) flourished. Untaxed money was there for
taking, and we have taken our share so far. But it seems that we might be entitled to more after all.
Customers of one of the speakeasies mock the prohibition law.
New music, new fashion and lust for life. All that was brought by jazz.
Factions of Manhattan Competing with Us
Irishmen
These ginger rascals have sucked our blood long enough. It is time to make
them pay. They have interfered with all our business long enough. They
have overtaken a couple of speakeasies and they have been really
successful with their bootlegging operations. Moreover, they have recently
started running gambling ventures and rackets in our neighborhoods. We
have made several attempts to get rid of their leader, Jack “Legs” Diamond
also known as Gentleman Jack but he always “bounced back”. They even
started calling him “clay pigeon of the underworld”, the bastard can't be killed! A bloody lucky
Irishman! Enough is enough; we’ll take the matter with those drunk potato-eaters more seriously
from now on!
Home neighborhods: Hell’s Kitchen North, Hell’s Kitchen South, Five Points, Lower East Side
Seized booze is poured in the gutter – what a waste!
Italians
We need to tread lightly around Italians. Their families (mobs) are powerful when they pursue
the same goal. Luckily for us, they have their own disputes and wars among themselves. Two
families stand up on Manhattan Masseria family and Maranzano family. Their bosses are
respectively Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria and Salvatore “Little Caesar” Maranzano.
They have run successfully all branches of business from gambling or extortion to bootlegging
and prostitution. They started their crime careers back in Sicily and they are very old-fashioned
in all aspects that is why they call them old “Mustache Petes”. In their bigotry, they scold Jewish
people and they do not want to make business with us.
However, there are more flexible and progressive Sicilian-Americans among
their lieutenants and captains who see how the mutual business would be
beneficial for both sides. One such a fine gentleman is Charles “Lucky”
Luciano. We need to watch these “Young Turks” closely as they try to climb to
the top.
Home neighborhods: East Village, Little Italy, NoHo, Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village and
Lenox Hill.
“Gun Molls” or “Mob Molls” were girlfriends and wives of gangsters, they were pretty tough as well.
Chinese
China Town is a completely different world when compared to the one we live in. We know
very little about the Chinese community in Manhattan. They are very secretive and they don’t
reach out of their community much. Chinese gangsters organize themselves in Tongs, crime
brotherhoods There are currently two Tongs that compete with each other Hip Sing Tong and
On Leong Tong. The former is believed to be getting slightly upper hand in the power struggle.
They ran a lot of gambling halls and brothels, what is more, they almost have a monopoly on
the opium trade in New York. Heroin is also getting more and more popular among Jazz
musicians, guess who can import it a lot in the States?!
Would it be wise to be prejudiced against the Chinese as the rest of American society or try to
establish relationships with them?
Home neighborhods: China Town, Two Bridges, Upper East Side
Members of the Hip Sing Tong – one of the Chinese criminal syndicates
Jewish Mob Italians Irishmen Chinese
Roles to Play
You are the Mob. Every one of you has a different role in the organization and your expertise
in the field is never overlooked. It is wise to listen to what others in the organization have to
say, and your boss always does that.
The characters presented below are certain archetypes that help you approach the problems
presented in the game with a specific point of view. However, do not be limited by the unique
character traits of your role. They are here to help you enjoy the game and have competing
viewpoints in the group, not make you stuck with a simplistic, one-sided character.
The Underboss
Every boss has its underboss(es). You are a born leader that enjoys a lot of autonomy from his
boss. You always need to consider all the pros and cons. There are many different approaches
to the issues you are going to face. Consider them all wisely and be aware that in the end, it is
you who is responsible for the success or failure.
The Accountant
Math and money that is what makes you comfortable. You are a stranger to thuggish methods
and violence. You believe that clever financial operations can assure the prosperity of the mob.
Not always strictly legal, though.
The Lawyer
It is necessary to consider the legal implications of your actions. The line between the legal and
illegal might be thin in some cases. In some other, it is not, but there are still loopholes to be
used. Witnesses might disappear or change their testimony. No one wants to spend their time
in jail, right?! It is your job to keep your fellow friends from being found guilty.
The Captain
The mob needs practical men to run the operations. The booze won’t deliver itself to
speakeasies and wars can seldom be won without a single shot fired. There always needs to
be a person to organize soldiers on the ground, and it is you.
The Hitman
There are times where a precise hit can avoid bloodshed. Organizations will crumble when
you find their weak spots and do what needs to be done with them. You need to be both clever
and coldblooded to do so, and you are.
The Rabbi
No one really knows how deeply you really care about the spiritual ways of your ancestors
but you are here to remind your fellows of the traditions of your people. Wisdom and
knowledge of the ages are not be taken for granted. The chosen people need teachers to guide
them on their (sometimes very peculiar) ways.
The Gambler
Your life is a joyride with all the ups and downs it has brought to you. If you do not play, you
can’t win. Not only are you professionally interested in gambling, but you are also aware of
the fact that higher the stakes are the higher the yield can be – in all aspects of life.
The Brute
Violence is sometimes the simplest and the most effective method of making other people
understand what they have to or mustn’t do. You enjoy your work; it is messy and dangerous,
but the results speak for themselves.
The Unionist
It would be foolish to underestimate the working people of this country. They are the backbone
of the society and economy. In order to have common people on your side, you need to think
about their interest as well. There is no shame in “redistributing” the capital. It is convenient
if it is possible to redistribute the wealth of other capitalists.
The Politician
It is necessary to cultivate relationships within and even outside of your business. We need to
know what other people really want so that we can offer it to them. It doesn’t matter if it is
politicians, judges, policemen or thugs, you can always make mutually beneficial agreements.
One needs to form alliances. And also switch sides if need be.