Zucco Association
The Zucco Clan are one of the oldest in the WFP and certainly the most powerful. They settled the region that is now Fort William in the early 11th century, expanding their holdings and influence throughout the surrounding area. In many regards, they founded Fort William itself, and their influence in the city-state has rarely been questioned. Indeed, the core of Fort William, Ciudad Castel, was the original Zucco homestead which they sold to the Protectorate in TN 1604.
Zuccites are staunch believers in their own abilities and expect to do well at everything they attempt. Political leadership is no exception as Proconsul Zucco Adamo has amply demonstrated, seen as much as a right by the clan as a product of their abilities. The Zucco carefully manage their image to create a facade of excellence. The history of the Zucco - their personal one at least, rather than that they make public -is littered with individuals who fiiled to attain the excellence expected of them and have been moved to quiet, low-profile positions. This includes heirs to the clan (and thus faction) leadership, who are only confirmed in their standing on their thirtieth birthday and rarely assume power before they are fifty or sixty.
The Zuccite fiction came together in TN 1874 in response to Norlight domination of the CNCS, proposing a more aggressive stance concerning their neighbors. It is widely believed that the rise of the Zuccites played a major role in causing the Judas Syndrome, at least in the WFP. Their archconservative views are the main unifying factor of the group's member clans. They are widely regarded as "hawks" and almost all share a strong belief in Western nationalism and have a willingness to resort to force. They are unwilling to see the Protectorate dominated by its neighbors as happened so often in the past, and will fight to retain the freedoms they gained under the Norlight Von Breslau administration. This is a sweeping generalization and can only be applied with certainty to the most senior clans who work directly with the Zucco. The further down the chain of allegiances, the less likely a clan is to subscribe to such views.
Furthermore, talking tough in times of peace and delivering on promises in times of war are two different things. The faction held together well in the War of the Alliance - that was a battle for their survival - but the current Interpolar War has few solid goals and the lack of a clearly defined purpose has placed considerable strain on the alliance.
Members of the association
Structure
The Zucco Association uses a pyramid hierarchy, with Clan Zucco at the apex surrounded by a dozen first tier clans who in turn hold the allegiance of a second tier of clans and so forth. Traditionally the Don of Clan Zucco serves as the head of the alliance, with the head of a first-tier clan acting as deputy. In an odd arrangement, the heads of either the clan or the faction are rarely the most senior members of the clan, but rather are appointed by their predecessors. Officially, a council comprising the faction head and the heads of the first-tier clans makes decisions regarding alliance policy and actions. In reality, the faction head decides the course of action on most routine matters, only summoning the council for important business. This method of operation is widely accepted but such decisions may be subject to ratification by the council. Furthermore, the council reserves the right to remove a leader whose judgement is deemed flawed or who has abused their power. This provision requires a two-thirds vote of the council and has never been enacted.
Public Agenda
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