The following characters are fully detailed protagonists and supporting cast that the gamemaster can use to spur entire stories or to serve as an ongoing thorn in the gang’s side. Much like their film counterparts, these incidentals are intricate personas, each with their own desires, needs, and schemes. While these characters can be used as-is, they can also be adjusted so that their appearances garner the desired reactions. Alberto Barberi, Mob Underboss
“That broad stole my money. I want it and the girl back or someone’s gonna pay.”

	fitness			awareness			creativity			reasoning			influence
	4			3			2			3			3

Skills: athletics 3, brawling 4, driving 4, firearms 4, melee 4, interrogation 5, investigation 4, streetwise 5, street cred 5, composure 4
Gimmicks: street contacts, gangster contacts As a lethal and slick gangster, Alberto Barberi has made a name for himself in the family’s racketeering business, shaking down everyone in his turf for money. Alberto does not care who is made his next target—politicians, mom-and-pop store clerks, and police are all fair game in his eyes. Barberi has been a high-ranking member of his organization for years. He is known as a smooth operator, a criminal euphemism for someone who is good at intimidating people to get what he wants. Unlike his peers, however, Barberi is patient, calm, cool, and collected. He does not resort to violence until it is absolutely necessary. Once he has someone in his sights, though, he does not let go, and is more than willing to apply pressure to get what is coming to him. Recently, one of Barberi’s ex-mistresses stole a briefcase full of cash after ambushing him in his high-rise apartment. Barberi is now out for blood. Anyone who gets in his way had better step aside or offer to lend a hand, because trying to stop him would be a big mistake. Alberto knows what people say behind his back; that he is one oily gent and a slick character. Whatever his peers say does not matter, since he rarely loses his temper, unless absolutely warranted. Even then, Barberi pursues his target with a quiet determination. Because of his knack for getting what he wants, Barberi has become a very wealthy underboss and appreciates the finer things in life. He is articulate and well-dressed, and likes to show off his wealth, whether by driving around in the newest luxury car or sporting the latest fashions. Alberto Barberi pretty much comes complete with a story, that of being jilted and robbed by an ex-mistress, now on the run for her life. Albert does not go after the woman himself, instead relying on an outside party to track her. Whether that is using his own men or hiring the services of a private detective makes no difference to him, just as long as the cash and the girl are returned. Written by Mark Bruno. Ben Gillsman, Crooked Detective
“Your Honor, the murderers knife and glove were found in the defendant’s home.”

	fitness			awareness			creativity			reasoning			influence
	3			4			4			3			3

Skills: athletics 3, brawling 4, driving 3, finesse 4, firearms 4, stealth 3, interrogation 4, investigation 4, academics 3, street cred 5, composure 3
Gimmicks: legal authority, gangster contacts, enemies The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Ben Gillsman is a prime example of that old saying. What started out as a simple job of infiltration turned into his own ruin. Ben was the pride of his father, an ex-beat cop of seventeen years, and was following in his father’s footsteps. After he was promoted to a detective in rapid time, he was soon given his first assignment—gaining the confidence of the Vinelli gang and reporting their activities. This all went horribly wrong as the gang was tipped off, probably by a mole in the police precinct. They arranged to dupe him. Ben was captured, revealed for what he was, and threatened that if he did not do what they said, his father and entire family would be killed. Ben had no doubt that they could commit such a vicious crime, as their reputation for ruthlessness was well-known throughout the city. Ben has been forced to lie in court, plant evidence, and otherwise derail investigations against Vinelli interests. His best friend on the force has suspicions about Ben; attempts to confront Ben about it have been coldly rebuffed. His friend can do little about it, because he has no proof. Still, he wants to help Ben get out of whatever trouble it is that he has fallen. Ben, much to his own dismay, has to treat his own best friend as an enemy. No matter what, Ben has vowed never to knowingly hurt a police officer, even if it means his own arrest or death. While Ben would never admit it openly, he is a scared man. He does not want to do the things that he has been made to do, but he also has little choice. Ben is not even sure that he can trust his fellow officers, because one of them is a snitch. Knowing that if he is caught, Ben’s family is as good as dead. He keeps hoping to find someone capable of helping that is trustworthy. Quiet desperation is exactly what he is like. Ben, at first impression, comes across as a nice guy willing to help with investigations. If the characters pry too much into Vinelli business, however, Ben does what he can to mislead and disrupt the investigation. On the other hand, if they can earn his trust before events get out of hand, he might confide in one of them. Ben’s friend, an old acquaintance of the gang, may also ask them to look into his sudden change of personality. Alternatively, Ben could be introduced purely as a villain, only to have the gang later discover his true motives. Characters looking into Vinelli affairs could find evidence linking them to a murder, planted with several dubious witnesses who are willing to step forward. This could lead to a game where the characters are on the lam from the police, while trying to prove their innocence. Written by James Stubbs.