Pianta syndicate
The Pianta Syndicate is a criminal organization located in West Rogueport. The syndicate is made up of Piantas and, during the events of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, is led by Don Pianta and later on by Frankie and Francesca. The Pianta Syndicate is the rival organization to the Robbo Gang located on the East Side. Often, violence erupts between the two gangs, at least one instance of violence occurring as Toadsworth is meeting with Mario shortly after Princess Peach's disappearance from Rogueport where two members of the Pianta Syndicate gave two members of the Robbo Gang a "dirt nap." The Pianta Syndicate owns the Pianta Parlor, a place where people can gamble on games after acquiring membership cards. The Syndicate is based out of a building in a rundown alley, and the only way to gain access is to purchase a Dried Shroom followed by a Dizzy Dial from the Westside Goods. The store's owner will then inquire about the customer's favorite color; if the answer is yellow, the customer is granted access to the Syndicate Headquarters.
Members
- Don Pianta – original leader
- Francesca Pianta – replaces Don Pianta as leader (along with Frankie)
- Frankie – replaces Don Pianta as leader (along with Francesca)
- Rocko
- Tony
- Vinny
- Peeka
Names in other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | モンテオーネ・ファミリー Monteōne famirī |
Monteone Family, from Don Pianta's Japanese name Monteone, and how units of the mafia's organized crime are called "families," headed by a godfather. |
| Italian | Malapalma |
From malavita (a slang term for "organized crime") and palmense (Pianta) |
Trivia
- Many aspects of the Syndicate are similar to the Sicilian Mafia and its various offshoots. The use of the title "Don", the colloquial Brooklyn accents and speech used by its members, the residency in an economically polarized town (Rogueport) situated near a busy port resembling those of the northeastern United States (where Mafia members were most prevalent), member Piantas originating from Isle Delfino (which itself has Italian inspiration), the various members of the Syndicate being given Italian names, and the use of the Pianta Parlor as a front are all examples of this. Additionally, Mario, who is also Italian, is at one point asked if he has considered joining the Syndicate. Their similarities are further supported in the Japanese version which gave them the name "Monteone Family", which as noted above is stylized after how units in the Sicilian Mafia are called "families." Lastly, they are also shown wearing sunglasses as well as suits that are indicative of 1940s-era mafia units.
