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The '''Mava Organisation''', also known as the '''Mava group''' and '''Mava coterie''', is a criminal organisation active in [[Gylias]]. It is mainly active in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]], and also participates in {{wpl|transnational organised crime}} in [[Tyran]].
The '''Mava Organisation''', also known as the '''Mava group''' and '''Mava coterie''', is a criminal organisation active in [[Gylias]]. It is mainly active in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]], and also participates in {{wpl|transnational organised crime}} in [[Tyran]].


Founded by [[Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva]], the Mava group became notorious for its strict non-violent code of conduct, elaborate initiation ceremonies, and highly organised nature. Core criminal activities were unauthorised {{wpl|gambling}}, underground banking, {{wpl|racket (crime)|racketeering}}, and facilitating {{wpl|drug trafficking}} through Gylias. Legitimate businesses include nightclubs, pubs, {{wpl|massage parlours}}, and various [[Prostitution in Gylias#Services|sex industry establishments]].
Founded by [[Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva]], the Mava group became notorious for its non-violent code of conduct, elaborate initiation ceremonies, and highly organised nature. Core criminal activities were unauthorised {{wpl|gambling}}, underground banking, {{wpl|racket (crime)|racketeering}}, and facilitating {{wpl|drug trafficking}} through Gylias. Legitimate businesses include nightclubs, pubs, {{wpl|massage parlours}}, and various [[Prostitution in Gylias#Services|sex industry establishments]].


Establishing itself as the largest [[Crime in Gylias#Organised crime|organised crime group]], the Mava group cultivated an image as [[Wicked–evil distinction#Distinctions|romantic outlaws]]. It managed to gain a foothold in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]] and a high profile nationally. It declined in the 1980s due to economic circumstances and internal struggles.  
Establishing itself as the largest [[Crime in Gylias#Organised crime|organised crime group]], the Mava group cultivated an image as [[Wicked–evil distinction#Distinctions|romantic outlaws]]. It managed to gain a foothold in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]] and a high profile nationally. It declined in the 1980s due to economic circumstances and internal struggles.


Under new leader [[Myra Ďande]], the group "went legitimate" in the 1990s, abandoning most of its criminal activities in favour of cooperating with [[Law enforcement in Gylias|law enforcement]] and legal businesses that capitalised on their [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation.
Under new leader Myra Ďande, the group created more legal businesses that capitalised on their [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation, achieving "semi-legitimate" status. It cooperates to a greater extent with [[Law enforcement in Gylias|law enforcement]].


The Mava group is considered the best-known and most powerful criminal organisation in Gylias. Since the 1990s, its links to the criminal world have been retained mainly to cooperate with law enforcement. Its reputation for honourable conduct and non-violence have earned it a level of public acceptance. It retains a presence in [[Aðuna Region|Aðunese]] society and the economy, and the [[Gylian Police]] consider its existence "more acceptable than the alternatives".
The Mava group is considered the best-known and most powerful criminal organisation in Gylias. Its reputation for non-violent conduct and influence in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]]'s economy have earned it a degree of public acceptance, with the [[Gylian Police]] considering its existence "more acceptable than the alternatives".


==History==
==History==
===Origins===
===Origins===
During the [[Liberation War (Gylias)|Liberation War]], the disintegration of [[Xevden]]ite authority and the slow advance of the [[People's Army (Gylias)|People's Army]] caused a proliferation of criminal {{wpl|gang}}s in present-day southern Gylias.  
During the [[Liberation War (Gylias)|Liberation War]], the disintegration of [[Xevden]]ite authority, the proliferation of {{wpl|paramilitary|paramilitaries}}, and the slow advance of the [[People's Army (Gylias)|People's Army]] caused a proliferation of criminal {{wpl|gang}}s in present-day southern Gylias.  


Aðnat was one of the worst-affected cities: a turf war erupted between gangs that peaked in 1951–1952, while the PA focused on liberating [[Nauras Region|Nauras]] before a final push on the [[Geography of Gylias|Nerveiík Peninsula]].
Aðnat was one of the worst-affected cities: a turf war erupted between gangs that peaked in 1951–1952, while the PA focused on liberating [[Nauras Region|Nauras]] before a final push on the [[Geography of Gylias|Nerveiík Peninsula]].
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===Development===
===Development===
In order to carry out their transformation plans, Maria and Valeria initially ruled the group with an iron fist. They brought in a strict code of conduct, forbidding violence and involvement in violent crimes. Elaborate initiation ceremonies were introduced, and two years were spent disciplining the ranks and formalising organisation. The group established a solid base in the "four cities": Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance.
In order to carry out their transformation plans, Maria and Valeria initially ruled the group with an iron fist. They brought in a strict code of conduct, forbidding violence and involvement in violent crimes. Elaborate initiation ceremonies were introduced, and two years were spent disciplining the ranks and formalising organisation.  


The Mava group took advantage of the [[National Obligation period]] to establish a strong {{wpl|black market}} presence. It used connections to procure and sell goods outside {{wpl|rationing}}. It set up underground {{wpl|gambling}} and banking activities, and initiated several non-monetary {{wpl|protection racket}}s. Its activities were financed with {{wpl|scrip}}s and [[Gylian þaler#Complementary currencies|local currencies]]. Maria and Valeria controlled the supply of [[Gylian þaler|þalers]], helping reinforce subordinates' loyalty.
The group established a solid base in the "four cities": Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance.


The group also established legitimate businesses — not mere {{wpl|front organisation|front companies}}, but genuine activities that would strengthen their role in the local economy. It focused on {{wpl|nightlife}} and the [[Tourism in Gylias|tourism industry]], creating establishments that catered to less savoury tourists attracted to Gylias' libertine norms of [[Gender and sexuality in Gylias|sexuality]] and [[Drugs in Gylias|drugs]]. Most significantly, it established {{wpl|casino}}s, seizing a niche ignored by the government and avoiding competition with [[Sport in Gylias#Finance|public betting pools]].
The Mava group took advantage of the [[National Obligation period]] to establish a strong {{wpl|black market}} presence. It used connections to procure and sell goods outside {{wpl|rationing}}. It set up underground {{wpl|gambling}} (particularly the {{wpl|numbers game}}) and banking activities, and initiated {{wpl|protection racket}}s.  
 
It also established legitimate businesses, with a particular focus on {{wpl|nightlife}}, the [[Tourism in Gylias|tourism industry]], {{wpl|casino}}s, and [[Prostitution in Gylias#Services|sex industry establishments]].
 
The group came to dominate life in the "four cities" through several factors. Crucial was its success in seizing control over the supply of [[Gylian þaler|þalers]] in the "four cities", causing their economies to be dominated by {{wpl|scrip}}s and [[Gylian þaler#Complementary currencies|local currencies]], and further enmeshing the cities' economies with the group.
 
Similarly, to avoid detection, the group changed its {{wpl|protection racket}}s to payments {{wpl|in kind}}. Businesses paid for "protection" by hiring Mava members and obtaining services from Mava-controlled companies. In turn, the Mava group expanded, either taking over companies outright or using {{wpl|entryism}} to turn other companies into {{wpl|front organisation|fronts}} for their criminal activities.


===Boom years===
===Boom years===
[[File:Maria+Valeria.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva]] founded the Mava group and led it through its height of influence]]
[[File:Maria+Valeria.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva]] founded the Mava group and led it through its height of influence]]
The Mava group's power hit its peak in the 1960s–1970s. Aided by the [[Economy of Gylias#Economic miracle|booming economy]], its illegal operations were lucrative, and its legitimate businesses were profitable. It moved to {{wpl|honour system}}-based rackets, allowing it to recruit new members and avoid attention from law enforcement.
The Mava group's power hit its peak in the 1960s–1970s. Aided by the [[Economy of Gylias#Economic miracle|booming economy]], its illegal operations were lucrative, and its legitimate businesses were profitable.


{{wpl|Drug smuggling}} became the group's primary criminal activity. Its southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]] base gave it access to the Nanshe and Ruadak Oceans. The "Gylian connection" developed: the group would buy drugs from [[Nalaya]] and move them north to [[Knichus]] and [[Cacerta]]. To avoid detection, it limited its involvement to moving drugs from Gylias to elsewhere, and demanded low fees for ease of {{wpl|money laundering}}.
{{wpl|Drug smuggling}} became the group's primary criminal activity. Its southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]] base gave it access to the Varuna and Ruadak seas. The "Gylian connection" developed: the group would buy drugs from [[Nalaya]] and move them north to [[Knichus]] and [[Cacerta]]. To avoid detection, it limited its involvement to moving drugs from Gylias to elsewhere, and demanded low fees for ease of {{wpl|money laundering}}.


Maria and Valeria gambled that gaining publicity would be advantageous. Accordingly, the Mava group cultivated an image as [[Wicked–evil distinction#Distinctions|romantic outlaws]], adopting glamorous appearances and flamboyant lifestyles. Combined with their rigid code of conduct, the Gylian public came to accept the group's existence to a degree, and it gained a base of supporters impressed by their romanticised image. Maria and Valeria gained a degree of celebrity and connections to the [[Groovy Gylias]] scene.  
Maria and Valeria gambled that gaining publicity would be advantageous. Accordingly, the Mava group cultivated an image as [[Wicked–evil distinction#Distinctions|romantic outlaws]], adopting glamorous appearances and flamboyant lifestyles. Maria and Valeria gained a degree of celebrity and connections to the [[Groovy Gylias]] scene.


Group members took jobs in public services and civic organisations, allowing the organisation to ingratiate itself into civic life. The group openly associated with {{G-ARENA/meta/shortname}}, the only party to cultivate ties openly. It sometimes leveraged its reputation for work as {{wpl|fixer (person)|fixers}}, such as being hired as "heavies" by [[Şaisa Tausi]] to intimidate rivals and keep control of the [[Pornography in Gylias#Gylias|pornography industry]].
Group members took jobs in public services and civic organisations, allowing the organisation to ingratiate itself into civic life. The group openly associated with {{G-ARENA/meta/shortname}}, the only party to cultivate ties openly. It sometimes leveraged its reputation for work as {{wpl|fixer (person)|fixers}}, such as being hired as "heavies" by [[Şaisa Tausi]] to intimidate rivals and keep control of the [[Pornography in Gylias#Gylias|pornography industry]].


Although enjoying a reputation for power and non-violence, in practice the group's activities remained concentrated in the "four cities". An attempt to expand operations westward famously failed when they were driven out of Riáona by detectives [[Peggy Carter]] and [[Dolly Underwood]]. The group walked a tightrope of maintaining a reputation that could deter its rivals while not losing public acceptance. It collaborated with [[Gylian Police]] to catch more dangerous criminals, souring their reputation with foreign criminal organisations.
Much effort was spent maintaining its grip on the "four cities". Mava members had an extensive presence in the [[Municipalities of Gylias#Government|municipal governments]], and brought local officeholders under their influence. The group's philosophy was "get them while they're young" — initiate southern Aðunese into paying protection or joining Mava early on so they'd become accustomed to the group's role in the cities and remain amenable when older.
 
The group was largely weak or entirely absent outside its base. An attempt to expand operations westward famously failed. With so much of their success depending on the public perceiving them as essentially harmless and glamorous, the risk of a challenge from more violent rivals was ever-present. To ward it off, it would {{wpl|Supergrass (informant)|"grass"}} on rivals to the [[Gylian Police]], pursuing a strategy of {{wpl|limited hangout}}s to deflect attention.


In the early 1970s, Maria and Valeria orchestrated a purge of the Mava group, getting rid of older and more violent members to make way for newer ones. Having eliminated the older faction, they reorganised and decentralised the group, giving members more autonomy and role in decision-making.
With much of its activity becoming engulfed by protection rackets, warding off threats to its dominance of the "four cities" became paramount. In the early 1970s, Maria and Valeria orchestrated a purge of the Mava group, getting rid of older and more violent members to make way for newer ones. At the same time, the group's choice to cooperate with the [[Gylian Police]] at times destroyed their reputation among foreign criminals, who contemptuously saw them as {{wpl|Supergrass (informant)|"grasses"}}.


===Struggles===
===Struggles===
A confluence of domestic and international factors caused a decline for the Mava group from the late 1970s. Other Tyranian criminal organisations began to bypass the "Gylian connection", importing drugs directly from Nalaya and handling distribution. Gylian economic growth tapered off, and the [[wretched decade]] began.
A confluence of domestic and international factors caused a decline for the Mava group from the late 1970s. Other Tyranian criminal organisations began to bypass the "Gylian connection", importing drugs directly from Nalaya and handling distribution. Gylian economic growth tapered off, and the [[wretched decade]] began.


Maria and Valeria retired in 1981, setting off a leadership crisis. Enforced secrecy caused the illegal and legitimate branches to work at cross-purposes. Legitimate businesses suffered from the [[wretched decade]].
Maria and Valeria retired in 1981, setting off a leadership crisis. The vacuum of leadership caused the emergence of two factions:
 
* the "criminal" faction, which sought to strengthen the group's power even if it risked destroying their carefully-cultivated [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation.
A vacuum of leadership caused the emergence of two factions. One sought to rebuild the group's power with heavier measures if necessary, which risked destroying their carefully-cultivated [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation. Another viewed their illegal activities as a burden, and sought to do away with them in favour of legal ones.
* the "legalist" faction, which saw their illegal activities as a burden and sought to emphasise legitimation.
 
The conflict between the factions reached its peak in 1987–1988, with both factions providing evidence to police against each other. It ended with the victory of the legalist faction, and [[Myra Ďande]] becoming the Mava group's leader in 1989.


===Legitimation===
The conflict between the factions reached its peak in 1987–1988, with both factions providing evidence to police against each other. It ended with the victory of the "legalist" faction, and [[Myra Ďande]] becoming the Mava group's leader in 1989.
[[File:MyraĎande.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Myra Ďande]] led the Mava group into "going legitimate" in the 1990s]]
Myra took the leadership at the Mava group's lowest ebb. It was internally disorganised, its finances depleted, and its membership had dwindled. Many members were expelled or arrested and sentenced during the factional struggle. However, the struggle had left the legalists firmly in control of the organisation.


Myra chose an unprecedented strategy to legitimate the Mava group. Criminal activities were practically abandoned. A "corporatisation" was launched, reforming the group's organisation to resemble a {{wpl|corporation}}. The group capitalised fully on its [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation, switching to a business model of "selling the self-indulgent {{wpl|business oligarch|oligarch}} experience to those interested" and becoming a "glorified {{wpl|performance art}} of itself" — not unlike [[Ranyi Sesyk]]'s [[Ranyi Sesyk#Later life|later "Ganster Queen" years]].
===Semi-legitimacy===
[[File:MyraĎande.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Myra Ďande led the Mava group into "semi-legitimacy" in the 1990s]]
Myra took the leadership at the Mava group's lowest ebb. It was internally disorganised, its finances depleted, and its membership had dwindled. Many members were expelled or arrested and sentenced during the factional struggle. However, the struggle had left the "legalists" firmly in control of the organisation.


By abandoning illegal activities and playing up its image, the Mava group now gained greater public acceptance and media attention. It expanded its legitimate operations by setting up more casinos and gambling establishments throughout Gylias, and embraced the business of "selling a sly {{wpl|burlesque}} of capitalism as decadent performance art" to clients, particularly wealthy tourists. Its operations and {{wpl|public relations}} reinforced the makeover, adopting a glossy presentation that satirised corporate communications.
Myra pursued a strategy of "semi-legitimacy", focusing more on their legal activities. She masterminded an internal reorganisation that changed its structure to resemble a {{wpl|corporation}}. She garnered a celebrity comparable to Maria and Valeria, albeit with a stronger {{wpl|performance art}} aspect that resembled [[Ranyi Sesyk]]'s [[Ranyi Sesyk#Later life|later years]].


The group retained its links to organised crime but used those in cooperation with law enforcement. It helped fend off attempts by foreign criminal organisations to set up operations in Gylias and eliminated competition. It thus retains a monopoly on organised crime in Gylias, which the [[Gylian Police]] made use of to control crime.
The group also deepened its cooperation with [[Law enforcement in Gylias|law enforcement]], using these to fend off attempts by foreign criminal organisations to set up operations in Gylias and eliminate competition.


==Activities==
==Activities==
[[File:Mvmap.png|thumb|right|200px|The Mava group's main territory is the cities of Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]]]]
[[File:Mvmap.png|thumb|right|200px|The Mava group's main territory is the cities of Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance in southern [[Aðuna Region|Aðuna]]]]
Today, the Mava group are a semi-legitimate organisation, whose criminal ties are preserved mainly to aid the police with controlling crime. Their legitimate businesses include nightclubs, bars, pubs, casinos, massage parlours and other [[Prostitution in Gylias#Services|sex industry establishments]]. [[Media of Gylias#Newspapers|''The Aðnat Bulletin'']] writes in 2008 that the group's main activity consists of "selling its own brand", portraying a "theme park"–"comic book" version of itself for public consumption.
The Mava Organisation is involved in both illegal and legal activities, and is thus regarded as a "semi-legitimate organisation".  
 
The group restricts its involvement in crimes to semi-open activities and non-violent ones. It is best known for creating an underground {{wpl|parallel economy}} in the "four cities", based on underground banking activities and lotteries, the latter concentrated on {{wpl|numbers game}}s.  


It used to be involved in {{wpl|racket (crime)|rackets}}, which were mainly used to insert itself into the community and encourage others to do business. The rackets have been dismantled, but their {{wpl|honour system}} legacy remains in the form of barter and favours from outside associates and residents.
Its main activities are economic {{wpl|protection racket}}s. It is unique among [[Tyran]]ian criminal groups in mainly collecting these {{wpl|in kind}}. Businesses pay for "protection" by hiring Mava members and obtaining services from Mava-controlled companies.


Throughout their existence, commentators have noted that the Mava group approached its activities with a "capitalist mentality". Without open confrontation, it sought ways to out-compete rivals while playing by the rules of the economy. It preferred to create {{wpl|counterfeit goods}} rather than risk openly challenging the [[National Prices Board]] by undercutting prices. It also never sought to challenge or co-opt [[Merchants (Gylias)|merchants]] in the four cities.
Due to historical factors, the group managed to gain significant influence in the "four cities". Their takeover helped pacify the cities after the chaos of the late [[Liberation War (Gylias)|Liberation War]] and the violence of Aðnat's turf war. Thus, there are many clients who actively seek to enter into business with the Mava Organisation, and benefit from doing so. By respecting the rules of the [[Law of Gylias#Commercial law|Economic Code]] and demanding protection payments {{wpl|in kind}}, the group is perceived by southern Aðunese as not onerous, while their economic presence contributes to a {{wpl|code of silence}}.


The group is involved in international {{wpl|drug trafficking}}. Covertly transporting drugs through Gylias to other nations was a mainstay of its operations in the 1960s–1970s, but has now dwindled to the point of being negligible.
The group runs legitimate businesses, including nightclubs, bars, pubs, casinos, massage parlours and other [[Prostitution in Gylias#Services|sex industry establishments]].


It is known for its strict opposition to violent crimes such as rape, assault, murder, and collaborates with police to get rid of more dangerous criminals.
It is known for its strict opposition to violent crimes such as rape, assault, murder, and collaborates with police to get rid of more dangerous criminals.
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==In pop culture==
==In pop culture==
The Mava group are the most successful Gylian criminal organisation. Due to their non-violent and [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation, they are seen in a fairly positive light by Gylian society, particularly after their legitimation in the 1990s.
The Mava group are the most successful Gylian criminal organisation. Due to their non-violent and [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] reputation, they are accepted as a "semi-legitimate organisation".


Economist [[Leále Tiekat]] writes in ''Enterprise without Capitalism'' that it played a role in discrediting capitalism within Gylias. Once [[Merchants (Gylias)|merchants]] emerged as a positive reclamation of "entrepreneurial spirit", the Mava group claimed what had remained: the voracious aspect of capitalism, more knowingly so in legitimation. This cemented capitalism's association with crime in the public mind, reinforcing the [[Gylian consensus]].
Economist [[Leále Tiekat]] writes in ''Enterprise without Capitalism'' that it played a role in discrediting capitalism within Gylias. Once [[Merchants (Gylias)|merchants]] emerged as a positive reclamation of "entrepreneurial spirit", the Mava group embodied, with deliberate satire, the voracious aspect of capitalism. This cemented capitalism's association with crime in the public mind, reinforcing the [[Gylian consensus]].


The Mava group have been frequently depicted in pop culture, and are a mainstay of Gylian {{wpl|crime fiction}}. Films that romanticise the Mava have become a larger subgenre since the 1990s, emphasising the ideal of loyal, "honourable" criminals preventing worse violence and corruption from befalling Gylias. Favourable depictions of the group are distinguished by their use of the official name "Mava Organisation", as opposed to more neutral viewpoints which favour the common terms "Mava group" and "Mava coterie".
The Mava group have been frequently depicted in pop culture, and are a mainstay of Gylian {{wpl|crime fiction}}. Films that romanticise the Mava have become a larger subgenre since the 1990s, emphasising the ideal of loyal, "honourable" criminals preventing worse violence and corruption from befalling Gylias. Favourable depictions of the group are distinguished by their use of the official name "Mava Organisation", as opposed to more neutral viewpoints which favour the common terms "Mava group" and "Mava coterie".


Several subgenres of music have emerged that similarly emphasise themes and lyrics associated with the [[Wicked–evil distinction|"wicked"]] Mava lifestyle, particularly in [[Music of Gylias#Hip hop|hip hop]]. [[Beck]] referenced this image in his song [[Odelay|"Hotwax"]], with the line ''"Sitting in the kitchen/Wishing I was living like a hitman"''.
Recent pop culture depictions of the Mava group notably draw sly humour from the contrast between their image as honourable outlaws and the reality of their collaboration with law enforcement.
 
Recent pop culture depictions of the Mava group notably draw sly humour from the contrast between their image as honourable outlaws and the reality of their collaboration with law enforcement, such as the ''Beautiful But Deadly'' film series.


[[Category:Gylias]]
[[Category:Gylias]]

Latest revision as of 04:32, 3 June 2024

Mava Organisation
Mvgr.png
FoundedLate 1950s
FounderMaria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva
Founding locationAðnat, Aðuna, Gylias
Years active1950s–present
TerritoryAðnat–Tezira–Laiýs–Rance, Aðuna
Membership80.000 (estimated)
Criminal activities
AlliesProvenzano Syndicate

The Mava Organisation, also known as the Mava group and Mava coterie, is a criminal organisation active in Gylias. It is mainly active in southern Aðuna, and also participates in transnational organised crime in Tyran.

Founded by Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva, the Mava group became notorious for its non-violent code of conduct, elaborate initiation ceremonies, and highly organised nature. Core criminal activities were unauthorised gambling, underground banking, racketeering, and facilitating drug trafficking through Gylias. Legitimate businesses include nightclubs, pubs, massage parlours, and various sex industry establishments.

Establishing itself as the largest organised crime group, the Mava group cultivated an image as romantic outlaws. It managed to gain a foothold in southern Aðuna and a high profile nationally. It declined in the 1980s due to economic circumstances and internal struggles.

Under new leader Myra Ďande, the group created more legal businesses that capitalised on their "wicked" reputation, achieving "semi-legitimate" status. It cooperates to a greater extent with law enforcement.

The Mava group is considered the best-known and most powerful criminal organisation in Gylias. Its reputation for non-violent conduct and influence in southern Aðuna's economy have earned it a degree of public acceptance, with the Gylian Police considering its existence "more acceptable than the alternatives".

History

Origins

During the Liberation War, the disintegration of Xevdenite authority, the proliferation of paramilitaries, and the slow advance of the People's Army caused a proliferation of criminal gangs in present-day southern Gylias.

Aðnat was one of the worst-affected cities: a turf war erupted between gangs that peaked in 1951–1952, while the PA focused on liberating Nauras before a final push on the Nerveiík Peninsula.

The turf war weakened the city's gangs. Syaran migrants Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva seized the opportunity to establish a power base. They launched a campaign to unite the gangs under their leadership, conducted through a mixture of material enticements, intimidation, and violence.

The campaign was completed by 1956, shortly before Aðnat's liberation. The unified group chose the official name "Mava Organisation", after its founders.

Development

In order to carry out their transformation plans, Maria and Valeria initially ruled the group with an iron fist. They brought in a strict code of conduct, forbidding violence and involvement in violent crimes. Elaborate initiation ceremonies were introduced, and two years were spent disciplining the ranks and formalising organisation.

The group established a solid base in the "four cities": Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance.

The Mava group took advantage of the National Obligation period to establish a strong black market presence. It used connections to procure and sell goods outside rationing. It set up underground gambling (particularly the numbers game) and banking activities, and initiated protection rackets.

It also established legitimate businesses, with a particular focus on nightlife, the tourism industry, casinos, and sex industry establishments.

The group came to dominate life in the "four cities" through several factors. Crucial was its success in seizing control over the supply of þalers in the "four cities", causing their economies to be dominated by scrips and local currencies, and further enmeshing the cities' economies with the group.

Similarly, to avoid detection, the group changed its protection rackets to payments in kind. Businesses paid for "protection" by hiring Mava members and obtaining services from Mava-controlled companies. In turn, the Mava group expanded, either taking over companies outright or using entryism to turn other companies into fronts for their criminal activities.

Boom years

Maria Vaseva and Valeria Maneva founded the Mava group and led it through its height of influence

The Mava group's power hit its peak in the 1960s–1970s. Aided by the booming economy, its illegal operations were lucrative, and its legitimate businesses were profitable.

Drug smuggling became the group's primary criminal activity. Its southern Aðuna base gave it access to the Varuna and Ruadak seas. The "Gylian connection" developed: the group would buy drugs from Nalaya and move them north to Knichus and Cacerta. To avoid detection, it limited its involvement to moving drugs from Gylias to elsewhere, and demanded low fees for ease of money laundering.

Maria and Valeria gambled that gaining publicity would be advantageous. Accordingly, the Mava group cultivated an image as romantic outlaws, adopting glamorous appearances and flamboyant lifestyles. Maria and Valeria gained a degree of celebrity and connections to the Groovy Gylias scene.

Group members took jobs in public services and civic organisations, allowing the organisation to ingratiate itself into civic life. The group openly associated with ARENA, the only party to cultivate ties openly. It sometimes leveraged its reputation for work as fixers, such as being hired as "heavies" by Şaisa Tausi to intimidate rivals and keep control of the pornography industry.

Much effort was spent maintaining its grip on the "four cities". Mava members had an extensive presence in the municipal governments, and brought local officeholders under their influence. The group's philosophy was "get them while they're young" — initiate southern Aðunese into paying protection or joining Mava early on so they'd become accustomed to the group's role in the cities and remain amenable when older.

The group was largely weak or entirely absent outside its base. An attempt to expand operations westward famously failed. With so much of their success depending on the public perceiving them as essentially harmless and glamorous, the risk of a challenge from more violent rivals was ever-present. To ward it off, it would "grass" on rivals to the Gylian Police, pursuing a strategy of limited hangouts to deflect attention.

With much of its activity becoming engulfed by protection rackets, warding off threats to its dominance of the "four cities" became paramount. In the early 1970s, Maria and Valeria orchestrated a purge of the Mava group, getting rid of older and more violent members to make way for newer ones. At the same time, the group's choice to cooperate with the Gylian Police at times destroyed their reputation among foreign criminals, who contemptuously saw them as "grasses".

Struggles

A confluence of domestic and international factors caused a decline for the Mava group from the late 1970s. Other Tyranian criminal organisations began to bypass the "Gylian connection", importing drugs directly from Nalaya and handling distribution. Gylian economic growth tapered off, and the wretched decade began.

Maria and Valeria retired in 1981, setting off a leadership crisis. The vacuum of leadership caused the emergence of two factions:

  • the "criminal" faction, which sought to strengthen the group's power even if it risked destroying their carefully-cultivated "wicked" reputation.
  • the "legalist" faction, which saw their illegal activities as a burden and sought to emphasise legitimation.

The conflict between the factions reached its peak in 1987–1988, with both factions providing evidence to police against each other. It ended with the victory of the "legalist" faction, and Myra Ďande becoming the Mava group's leader in 1989.

Semi-legitimacy

Myra Ďande led the Mava group into "semi-legitimacy" in the 1990s

Myra took the leadership at the Mava group's lowest ebb. It was internally disorganised, its finances depleted, and its membership had dwindled. Many members were expelled or arrested and sentenced during the factional struggle. However, the struggle had left the "legalists" firmly in control of the organisation.

Myra pursued a strategy of "semi-legitimacy", focusing more on their legal activities. She masterminded an internal reorganisation that changed its structure to resemble a corporation. She garnered a celebrity comparable to Maria and Valeria, albeit with a stronger performance art aspect that resembled Ranyi Sesyk's later years.

The group also deepened its cooperation with law enforcement, using these to fend off attempts by foreign criminal organisations to set up operations in Gylias and eliminate competition.

Activities

The Mava group's main territory is the cities of Aðnat, Tezira, Laiýs, and Rance in southern Aðuna

The Mava Organisation is involved in both illegal and legal activities, and is thus regarded as a "semi-legitimate organisation".

Its main activities are economic protection rackets. It is unique among Tyranian criminal groups in mainly collecting these in kind. Businesses pay for "protection" by hiring Mava members and obtaining services from Mava-controlled companies.

Due to historical factors, the group managed to gain significant influence in the "four cities". Their takeover helped pacify the cities after the chaos of the late Liberation War and the violence of Aðnat's turf war. Thus, there are many clients who actively seek to enter into business with the Mava Organisation, and benefit from doing so. By respecting the rules of the Economic Code and demanding protection payments in kind, the group is perceived by southern Aðunese as not onerous, while their economic presence contributes to a code of silence.

The group runs legitimate businesses, including nightclubs, bars, pubs, casinos, massage parlours and other sex industry establishments.

It is known for its strict opposition to violent crimes such as rape, assault, murder, and collaborates with police to get rid of more dangerous criminals.

Organisation

The Mava group uses a hierarchical structure modelled after a corporation. It functions as a confederation of organisations. Each organisation is governed by a Board of Directors, presided by a Director. All organisational boards are federated into the Commission, which serves as the central governing body. The Commission elects the President, who is the overall Mava leader.

Members of the Mava group are known as "employees", "soldiers", or "officers", reflecting an embrace of military terminology otherwise avoided by law enforcement.

The group is known for its elaborate rituals and codes of conduct. All members participate in an initiation ceremony. Membership recruitment is done through recommendations and based on the criterion of blood relationships, creating extraordinary cohesion that presents an obstacle to investigation. Many Mava members have distinctive tattoos visible only in particular parts of the body, concealed from outsiders.

During its heyday, the group focused on reputation in order to deter rivals and enemies, to allow them to intimidate others without recourse to violence.

In pop culture

The Mava group are the most successful Gylian criminal organisation. Due to their non-violent and "wicked" reputation, they are accepted as a "semi-legitimate organisation".

Economist Leále Tiekat writes in Enterprise without Capitalism that it played a role in discrediting capitalism within Gylias. Once merchants emerged as a positive reclamation of "entrepreneurial spirit", the Mava group embodied, with deliberate satire, the voracious aspect of capitalism. This cemented capitalism's association with crime in the public mind, reinforcing the Gylian consensus.

The Mava group have been frequently depicted in pop culture, and are a mainstay of Gylian crime fiction. Films that romanticise the Mava have become a larger subgenre since the 1990s, emphasising the ideal of loyal, "honourable" criminals preventing worse violence and corruption from befalling Gylias. Favourable depictions of the group are distinguished by their use of the official name "Mava Organisation", as opposed to more neutral viewpoints which favour the common terms "Mava group" and "Mava coterie".

Recent pop culture depictions of the Mava group notably draw sly humour from the contrast between their image as honourable outlaws and the reality of their collaboration with law enforcement.