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The Russian Mafia
They are an organisation which survived Communism’s fall and now prosper without the burden, an organised crime syndicate with many branches but with similar goals - the acquisition of wealth and the increase of power. Western media are terrified and ghoulishly fascinated with the Mafia whose black market trade deals with nuclear and biological weapons and they present the brutal car bombings and murders of prominent business men (those businesses foreign and wealthy) in shocked reactions to the world.
The Western Media know only of the high-profile crimes, and only those that interfere with their Western stranglehold on a country deep in tradition and history. Only the Russian people know of the Mafia; the shadow organisation that murders anyone, takes away family for slave auctions in forgotten warehouses, peddles poisoned drugs, enforces tax on small shops, and slaughters any who speak more than they should.
The Russian Mafia in Moskov thrive on the capitalist and exploit every opportunity and law to take away apartments, cars, money and people. The police (still known as the Militsiya) are poorly paid and many look the other way when paid - some turn the other cheek simply out of fear. The Mafia are everywhere and target as much as they can. Their numbers are a mystery which suits them fine. Like a family they have organisation which eventually trickles back to the core of leaders who run the various branches of the Mafia - Feodorova’s four sons.
Killing for the smallest of problems has never been a problem and that fact will prominently play a part in Moskov with the characters. Loved ones, friends will be targetted only if the Mafia believe they can use someone further, otherwise they merely eliminate the person causing difficulties.
Stefan Nemchenko
Stefan was born the last of three brothers to a tightly knit family where individual endeavours were a source of pride and honour. Stefan’s father, Mikhail, was a member of the Mafia - that was no secret to the family. Mikhail served as a high-ranking member of their branch in Moskov beside his brother Boris and that ‘honour’ was recognised by family and other Mafia under them.
Stefan, as the youngest always felt the burden of years and experience hanging over him - there was no way for him to catch up to his brothers, and whereas Mikhail praised his two eldest sons - now part of the Mafia - Stefan was the young lamb... not expected to do as well as the stronger family members.
Mikhail was shot and killed in Israel protecting his brother, Boris, one year before Stefan joined the Mafia. The death was a shock to the elder brothers who after much consideration, joined the army for the ‘security’ there. Stefan, determined to prove himself did not curtail his fear and met it straight on, knowing exactly where he was to go within the Mafia from the start - up.
From 1993 to 1995 he worked with the changing Mafia and participated as often as possible in murders, extortion and smuggling to gain prestige and wealth. His uncle, Boris, finally recognised Mikhail’s talent and in 1996 placed him in charge of distributing and selling drugs in the Taganka region with a contingent of men to aid him.
Stefan is trying to prove his worth to those ranked above him. Most of this determination is to step out of the shadow of his father whom his family overclouds him with endlessly but unconsciously. He likes position and goes to any lengths to increase his reliability and worth to the Mafia and deals harshly with those who betray him.
Tall and thin, Stefan looks though he could be blown over in a strong wind. Short black- hair spiked and wet caps a hawk-nosed and youthful face. Stefan dresses casually in Western clothes, but not so outgoing to alienate himself with elders - conservative but stylish dress in black, white and blue colours mainly.
GAMEMASTERING HINTS: Speak concisely, or as Russians say he ‘filtrate’s his chat’ (careful of what he says). You are calm and deal with business as business, but you get personal if things go wrong. Mostly you remain calm when dealing with those below you and agitated with those who outrank you.
Henchmen of Stefan Nemchenko
Stefan Nemchenko and those who work in part under him will terrorize, help, and betray the characters at any opportunity. Loyalty only works within the Mafia. Stefan Nemchenko and his henchmen are not granite in their position and any problems that happen that they deal with - namely drug peddling and a small amount of gun trading - and cannot rectify will cause a shake-up within the Mafia. Though loyalty is strong - failure breaks bonds of loyalty.
The following are a select few of Stefan’s men:
Kirill Cvirkunov:
Kirill sticks close to Stefan most times during business hours. He can be seen lurking nearby silently watching for problems. Kirill is ten years Stefan’s senior, but is a killer, and no business man - specifically the reason Boris, Stefan’s uncle placed Kirill to watch over Stefan. Kirill is a deeply pious man and attends church frequently when not working, but the distinction between the two is absolute. When he kills it is work - to those who die the last words they hear are “Pray to God but row to the shore” in Kirill’s gravely voice, but that is the most his religion comes into work.
Valerii Vishnevskii:
Valerii acts as an ear-to-the-ground type of man. His talent with people led him to this job, that and a family tradition. Valerii watches the streets, talks to people, picks up on the rumours, delivering them to Stefan. Primarily he plays up the facade of a good man, inspiring trust and should he betray that trust, it is to Stefan who sends someone else to eliminate any problem.
Svyatoslav Borisov:
Svyatoslav organises shipments of cannibas from the Altai mountains and from there distributes it, mainly to the local peddlers who owe partial allegiance to the Mafia. He also arranges other drugs, cannibas resin (plastilin), acid, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy. Svyatoslav keeps close watch over the peddlers to make sure they only deal with him.