Role: Mayor of Piana dei Greci / Mafia-Linked Bureaucrat
Arc / Description:
Don Calògiru Bocchino serves as the official mayor of Piana dei Greci and a discreet collaborator within the Mafia’s sphere of influence. Though not a core decision-maker among the Mafia dons, he is a key administrative figure who enables the organization’s control over public affairs. Bocchino operates at the intersection of legality and organized power, lending a veneer of legitimacy to the Mafia’s activities in the town. He participates in strategic gatherings with Don Atanasio and others, maintaining a quiet but unmistakable alignment with the old order.
During Maria and Antonio’s wedding, Bocchino shares a story of how he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Crown of Italy. This tale, based on the real-life figure Francesco Cuccia, illustrates how deeply the Mafia had infiltrated official institutions. Cuccia, known as Don Ciccio, was a Mafia boss who became mayor and was honored by King Vittorio Emanuele III in 1922. His actions and subsequent interactions with Mussolini played a significant role in triggering the Fascist regime’s crackdown on the Mafia.
Outlook:
Don Calògiru Bocchino is a rotund, balding man in his 60s, with a face made for politics — round, ruddy, and perpetually on the edge of a diplomatic smile. His tailored suits often appear just a size too tight around the stomach, and his heavy jowls quiver slightly when he speaks. He carries himself with bureaucratic pomp, always adjusting his lapel or brushing invisible dust from his trousers. A gold chain peeks out from under his vest, and his soft, moisturized hands move with habitual theatricality — as if everything he says must carry the weight of office. His eyes, however, dart too quickly, betraying a man who has learned to survive by knowing more than he says.
AI Image Prompt:
“An overweight Sicilian mayor in his 60s, with a bald head, ruddy face, and diplomatic smile. Wearing a tight formal suit with a gold chain under his vest. Heavy jowls, soft manicured hands, expressive gestures, nervous eyes. Speaking at a formal wedding, with a pompous tone and political demeanor. Realistic style, soft ambient light, tone of irony and hidden power.”
Game Card Traits:
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Influence | 8 |
| Cunning | 6 |
| Brutality | 2 |
| Loyalty | 5 |
| Charisma | 7 |
| Combat Skill | 1 |
| Stamina | 3 |
| Notoriety | 6 |
| Secret Trait | Knighted Opportunist – Once per game, may deflect blame or attention from a Mafia operation using political cover. |
Type: CORRUPT OFFICIAL
Faction: Town Hall / Mafia-Aligned Administration
Age Range: Early 60s
Relationships:
- Politically aligned with Don Atanasio’s Family
- Symbol of the Mafia’s entrenchment in civic life
- Based on the historical model of Francesco Cuccia (Don Ciccio)
Scene Appearances:
- Maria and Antonio’s Wedding – delivers speech about being knighted
- Mafia Leadership Meetings – participates quietly, aligns with Don Atanasio
- Civic references in town discussions – emblem of public-facing power