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Familigia Domici

Leitz

SOC-14 1K
Admin Award
Baron
Not a character, per se, but a wide spread merchanting "family" with diverse interests. The Domici family is a friendly and self-loyal corporation. Most of it's sub-divisions are not legally related to the others and the chain of command is based on a loose matrix that assumes connections made on the moment of contact.

For example, a Domici interest might be exploring a belt and have a few dozen belters employed as well as ships. During the course of time a ship is damaged beyond repair and the head of the belting interest would contact a Domici interest that deals with ship salvage. Whether or not the two units had done business together before there would be an instant relationship based on the family. The belter would get a good price that still gave the salvage team some profit, and the belter would not interfere with the salvage operations. The request would be made politely and the payment for scrap materials delivered with a fine vintage as a gift.

Employees of a Domici interest may or may not be related to the family but each unit tends to be small enough that the Division leader knows every employee by name. There are instances where a non-family member shows high value to the Domici and a suitable spouse is found that everyone is compatible with.

A very flat organization, there are only four distinct leadership ranks in the Domici. Note that family terms are used but that does not imply an actual relationship indicated by the title. For example, an "Uncle" may or may not be the individuals biological or legal uncle. Domici refer to peers as "cousins", otherwise they use the rank title for an individual; "My Uncle Vittoro".

When a Domici wants to enter the family leadership they will seek guidance from more experienced members and then set about a project. This project is funded by the individual themselves and must show a sustaind profit. At a minimum the project must earn MCR1 profit in less than one standard year, of which 20% goes to the family and 10% goes to a charitable organization. Once the ability to show sustained profit impresses an uncle, the individual becomes a "son" or "daughter", with the rights AND responsibilities to the family. At this level a "child" may get projects and funds assigned by the uncle.

Most Domici leaders are quite content to remain sons or daughters as the fellowship brings great rewards. Those that show particular talent and drive may seek to become an "Uncle"; it just takes a sustainable equivalent to 2000 tons of starship capability. Merchanting is one obvious angle, but other Domici own remote planets and provide rest and recreation facilities, mining operations, etc.

If there is a strong Domici presence in a Sector there may be a "Grandfather" resident. The position is mostly organizational; a grandfather or grandmother would not interfere with an uncle's business directly unless there's a significant issue at hand. However, as the grandfather knows every uncle's business intimately it provides a great level of inter-unit coordination without the usual red-tape and legalese. Grandparents are few and far between and universally respected in the family.

The Domici leader carries the title "il Drago", for some reason lost in the mists of time. In addition to business interests there are significant elements of charitable works funded and organized by the Domici. Orphanages are common, as is any effort to help people help themselves improve.

Symbolism is strong in Domici. Any family memeber in good standing, even non-leaders, may wear the family color combination of blue, yellow, and red. Historically the "black and silver" combination is disdained by the family though either one of itself is fine. A "child" may use some part of a draconic depiction in their business identify, but not more than 15% mass of a dragon. Full Dragons are reserved for Uncles, two dragons for Grandparents, and three for il Drago.
 
Very interesting and well-done indeed.

As depicted, everything is essentially legal. Are there any illegal pursuits the Domici engage in? Also, how is discipline maintained?
 
Very interesting and well-done indeed.

As depicted, everything is essentially legal. Are there any illegal pursuits the Domici engage in? Also, how is discipline maintained?

Thank you, glad you liked it.

Each Domici runs their "family" their own way. If you sustain an MCR 1 operation then you do well. It's impolite to ask too many details if it's not your family. :)

Depends on the level of discipline you mean. Each individual is self-responsible so a lazy person loses standing because they don't produce. An Uncle who breaks family bonds loses many of the connections that enable him to operate profitably, or at all. Back to the ship salvage example, once the ship is turned over for salvaging the payment might be...delayed. If this goes on for too long, and the Domici responsible doesn't provide good response, the Belter Domici might let his peers know that one of their own must be having financial difficulties, and suggest they be helped. Since the salvage Domici has loans due to other family member he might find the interest rising, or over-looked missed payments immediately due.

The Domici probably do have a security force somewhere but it seems to be seldom needed internally. :rofl:

L
 
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