Chu’s face contorted into a grimace. ‘It’s quite clever if you think about it. The ceremony binds them to him with more than just money. Liliana insisted on it, recognising the power of loyalty. It’s almost like a cult. The Ravens believe they have a direct connection to the original Corvo Nero from Renaissance Italy. In reality, they’re just gangsters like the rest.’

The Ravens
The Ravens ensure order within his criminal empire. They address challenges and confront those who attempt to sever ties with the organisation. Donning black Venetian raven masks—a nod to the Pandini lineage—and raven tie pins as part of their distinctive uniform, their formidable reputation precedes them.

Under Liliana’s hand, Il Corvo Nero—The Black Raven—was born. No longer merely a gang, it became an institution cloaked in legend, feared as much for its purpose as for its methods. Rooted in an ancient tradition from 15th-century Italy, it binds its members through ceremony and history, demanding absolute loyalty and fealty to Pandini beneath a veneer of honour. Among them, the Corvi di Sangue—Blood Ravens—are the elite, enforcers of Pandini’s will, their presence a harbinger of inescapable reckoning.

When a debt or line of credit comes due, a white card bearing a single black raven is issued. As the raven’s imprint fades, so does the window for repayment. Some marks vanish faster than others, leaving the recipient uncertain of their remaining time.