Zlatis
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A Guide to Portraying a Balkan Criminal Character
Introduction
Hello. I decided to make a brief guide on how to properly portray a Balkan character and help you understand the Balkan mentality.
Who am I to make this guide? I am Zlatis. I've been roleplaying Balkan mobsters for years now. I have led several factions and I am part of one now, Bure Baruta. So here we go.
Please note, I will focus on the criminal world and the underground structure of these organizations. However, I will also give you insight into their day-to-day life, their habits, culture, and what drives them. This guide is meant to help you develop realistic, layered characters, not cheap stereotypes.
1. History behind it.
While not as widely known as the Italian or Russian mafias, Balkan criminal groups have had a quiet but serious presence in the U.S. since the 1980s. They didn’t make headlines. They made money.
They came in waves, often as immigrants or refugees, and blended in quickly, using tight-knit cultural bonds, loyalty, and practical skills to rise in the American underworld.
In the former Yugoslavia, life was hard. There were economic collapses, hyperinflation, and wars. Minimum wages couldn’t feed a family. Supplies were scarce. Many people lived on the edge of poverty, and crime became a way to survive.
What separates Balkans from other groups is their mentality. One of the most important aspects of this mentality is their love for money. Most come from struggling families where the concept of wealth was foreign. They’ve never truly understood what money can bring. That’s why the pursuit of it becomes almost like a childhood trauma.
As children, they faced rejection, often from parents who couldn’t provide. The lack of money during their formative years created deep traumas. Breaking the generational curse means chasing financial freedom. They don’t just want to survive. They want to prove they can thrive.
Balkans are flashy. They like expensive things. They like to show off how much money they can make, even if the reality is different. You might see a new BMW parked in front of a house in the worst neighborhood. But to them, that’s normal. They’re in love with the idea of the good life.
1.2 Beliefs and tradition
Balkan people are deeply nationalistic. Even if they don’t understand politics, they love their country and hate the politicians. They love their culture, even if it sometimes becomes fake nationalism.
Despite the flaws of their leaders, national pride runs deep. It’s about identity, not politics. To many, the flag of their home country represents resilience.
Often, nationalism and patriotism, as expressed in Balkan thinking, come with a lack of knowledge about the world. Many don’t know their own country’s history, yet they are willing to risk their lives for their beliefs.
2. Inside the Balkan criminal organization
Let’s take a deeper look into how Balkan criminal groups operate.
Due to the lack of monetary power and political protection in the U.S., Balkan organizations don’t have the same influence as Italian or Mexican mobs. That doesn’t mean they are weak. Balkan groups have a serious presence in the underground economy.
Their structure is different. Balkan crews are not built around ceremony or titles. They are built around loyalty, results, and street intelligence. Respect is earned through money and reliability.
At the top is the boss, usually a hidden figure. Most members might not even know his name. He works through a small circle of trusted people. Beneath them are the practical men. These are the guys who bring in money and handle problems.
They are not in it just for survival. They are in it for power, financial freedom, and legacy. But they don’t play politics. You prove yourself by what you bring to the table.
Each crew handles multiple rackets. Fraud, credit card cloning, stolen goods, gun-running, illegal gambling. They adapt to whatever works best.
Legal businesses are often used as fronts. A meat shop, a bakery, a construction firm. These are not just businesses. They are tools. They offer a clean image and another stream of income.
For Balkan criminals, money is not just about survival. It’s about breaking the generational curse. It’s about living better than the people who once had nothing.
3. How to approach a Balkan organization and become part of it.
Joining a Balkan criminal organization is not like in the movies. You don’t walk up to the boss and get "made." It doesn’t work like that. Here is how you can approach and become a part of a Balkan crew.
Step One: Be a Practical Man
You need to be useful. You need to be a practical man. Be someone who knows how to do things.
Example: My character Stipe doesn’t know how to run Facebook ads. He finds a guy who does. That guy becomes valuable. Later, Stipe finds out that guy knows how to handle other business matters. He becomes part of the crew.
Example two: One of the members’ cars breaks down. Someone says, "No worries, I got Ivan, he knows his stuff with cars."
Most Balkan men are naturally handy. Specialize in something. Maybe your father was a mechanic. Maybe he was in the army. You have a trade. Offer it to the organization. They might not need you today, but they will need you eventually.
Step Two: Get Involved in the Underground World
Show that you are capable of working for them. Earn the reputation of being a hardworking man. Once you show them you’re useful, they will test you.
They will ask you to carry packages. They will ask you to change someone’s mind about paperwork. They will ask you to drive someone. These are small tests.
If you pass, you start building trust. Once you prove yourself, the organization might step in and offer you help when you are down. But remember, nothing is free. They will expect you to pay it back. Not with money, but with favors and loyalty.
In the old days, you might have been taxed for protection. That practice is rare now, but it still happens sometimes.
Step Three: Prove You Are Irreplaceable
Once they start giving you jobs, you need to prove yourself. It’s not about killing someone or being flashy. Forget what you have seen in Italian mafia movies. That is not how Balkan crews work.
You prove yourself by becoming irreplaceable. If the boss cannot be somewhere, you go instead. If the boss needs something sorted out, you handle it. If the boss needs someone to be quiet, you take care of it.
You earn respect through work ethic, loyalty, and problem-solving. That is how you become part of the inner circle.
4. What Makes Balkan Crime Groups Special?
What makes Balkan groups special is how they operate.
Do not confuse their flashiness with a lack of discipline. They might drive expensive cars and wear loud clothes, but they are masters at staying under the radar. That is why we don’t hear much about them. They are there. They are operating. But they move smart.
This is why I fell in love with this type of roleplay. Their way of doing things is unique.
1. Brotherhood
Balkan criminals are loyal to their brothers. If you are inside, you are family. Often if you face problems in your personal life, they will be there for you.
2. Betrayal is no-go
Betrayal is the biggest sin. You do not snitch. Ever. They would rather die than betray their own, even though when money are involved, the image might change, but that's another topic.
3. Humor is a Survival Tool
Balkans laugh about their problems. When roleplaying a Balkan character, do not be stiff. Have fun (Laugh, live love- Balkans, haha)Even in serious moments.
4. Legal Business is Real Business
They invest in real businesses. These are not just covers. They take pride in owning something real. Take your time to invest
5. Money is Important, But Not Everything
Money matters, but so does respect, power, and pride. They want recognition.
6. Toughened by Repression, Connected by Brotherhood
Years of hardship have made them survivors. Being part of a crew is their safe space.
7. Crews Built on Practical Men
Balkan crews are built on men who get things done. They will even recruit non-Balkans if that person is effective.
5. Immersion in your character (Do's and Dont's)
Here are some tips to make your character more realistic and believable.
1. Don’t Spam Serbian Words
Stop adding random Serbian words at the end of English sentences. It looks forced. Keep it natural.
2. Image is Everything, But Earn It First
Balkans love their image. But don’t roleplay being rich if you don’t have the money. Earn it first.
3. Silence is Gold
When running a racket, be discreet. No one outside your circle should know.
4. Selling Drugs? Be Subtle
Balkans do not sell drugs on street corners. Approach people quietly. Start a conversation. Ease into it.
5. Real Immersion
Think pessimistically. Think like someone who has been through a lot but knows the job needs to be done. Smile through the pain. Always think three steps ahead.
I hope this short guide helps you out with getting the idea of a Balkan character
Introduction
Hello. I decided to make a brief guide on how to properly portray a Balkan character and help you understand the Balkan mentality.
Who am I to make this guide? I am Zlatis. I've been roleplaying Balkan mobsters for years now. I have led several factions and I am part of one now, Bure Baruta. So here we go.
Please note, I will focus on the criminal world and the underground structure of these organizations. However, I will also give you insight into their day-to-day life, their habits, culture, and what drives them. This guide is meant to help you develop realistic, layered characters, not cheap stereotypes.
1. History behind it.
While not as widely known as the Italian or Russian mafias, Balkan criminal groups have had a quiet but serious presence in the U.S. since the 1980s. They didn’t make headlines. They made money.
They came in waves, often as immigrants or refugees, and blended in quickly, using tight-knit cultural bonds, loyalty, and practical skills to rise in the American underworld.
In the former Yugoslavia, life was hard. There were economic collapses, hyperinflation, and wars. Minimum wages couldn’t feed a family. Supplies were scarce. Many people lived on the edge of poverty, and crime became a way to survive.
What separates Balkans from other groups is their mentality. One of the most important aspects of this mentality is their love for money. Most come from struggling families where the concept of wealth was foreign. They’ve never truly understood what money can bring. That’s why the pursuit of it becomes almost like a childhood trauma.
As children, they faced rejection, often from parents who couldn’t provide. The lack of money during their formative years created deep traumas. Breaking the generational curse means chasing financial freedom. They don’t just want to survive. They want to prove they can thrive.
Balkans are flashy. They like expensive things. They like to show off how much money they can make, even if the reality is different. You might see a new BMW parked in front of a house in the worst neighborhood. But to them, that’s normal. They’re in love with the idea of the good life.
1.2 Beliefs and tradition
Balkan people are deeply nationalistic. Even if they don’t understand politics, they love their country and hate the politicians. They love their culture, even if it sometimes becomes fake nationalism.
Despite the flaws of their leaders, national pride runs deep. It’s about identity, not politics. To many, the flag of their home country represents resilience.
Often, nationalism and patriotism, as expressed in Balkan thinking, come with a lack of knowledge about the world. Many don’t know their own country’s history, yet they are willing to risk their lives for their beliefs.
2. Inside the Balkan criminal organization
Let’s take a deeper look into how Balkan criminal groups operate.
Due to the lack of monetary power and political protection in the U.S., Balkan organizations don’t have the same influence as Italian or Mexican mobs. That doesn’t mean they are weak. Balkan groups have a serious presence in the underground economy.
Their structure is different. Balkan crews are not built around ceremony or titles. They are built around loyalty, results, and street intelligence. Respect is earned through money and reliability.
At the top is the boss, usually a hidden figure. Most members might not even know his name. He works through a small circle of trusted people. Beneath them are the practical men. These are the guys who bring in money and handle problems.
They are not in it just for survival. They are in it for power, financial freedom, and legacy. But they don’t play politics. You prove yourself by what you bring to the table.
Each crew handles multiple rackets. Fraud, credit card cloning, stolen goods, gun-running, illegal gambling. They adapt to whatever works best.
Legal businesses are often used as fronts. A meat shop, a bakery, a construction firm. These are not just businesses. They are tools. They offer a clean image and another stream of income.
For Balkan criminals, money is not just about survival. It’s about breaking the generational curse. It’s about living better than the people who once had nothing.
3. How to approach a Balkan organization and become part of it.
Joining a Balkan criminal organization is not like in the movies. You don’t walk up to the boss and get "made." It doesn’t work like that. Here is how you can approach and become a part of a Balkan crew.
Step One: Be a Practical Man
You need to be useful. You need to be a practical man. Be someone who knows how to do things.
Example: My character Stipe doesn’t know how to run Facebook ads. He finds a guy who does. That guy becomes valuable. Later, Stipe finds out that guy knows how to handle other business matters. He becomes part of the crew.
Example two: One of the members’ cars breaks down. Someone says, "No worries, I got Ivan, he knows his stuff with cars."
Most Balkan men are naturally handy. Specialize in something. Maybe your father was a mechanic. Maybe he was in the army. You have a trade. Offer it to the organization. They might not need you today, but they will need you eventually.
Step Two: Get Involved in the Underground World
Show that you are capable of working for them. Earn the reputation of being a hardworking man. Once you show them you’re useful, they will test you.
They will ask you to carry packages. They will ask you to change someone’s mind about paperwork. They will ask you to drive someone. These are small tests.
If you pass, you start building trust. Once you prove yourself, the organization might step in and offer you help when you are down. But remember, nothing is free. They will expect you to pay it back. Not with money, but with favors and loyalty.
In the old days, you might have been taxed for protection. That practice is rare now, but it still happens sometimes.
Step Three: Prove You Are Irreplaceable
Once they start giving you jobs, you need to prove yourself. It’s not about killing someone or being flashy. Forget what you have seen in Italian mafia movies. That is not how Balkan crews work.
You prove yourself by becoming irreplaceable. If the boss cannot be somewhere, you go instead. If the boss needs something sorted out, you handle it. If the boss needs someone to be quiet, you take care of it.
You earn respect through work ethic, loyalty, and problem-solving. That is how you become part of the inner circle.
4. What Makes Balkan Crime Groups Special?
What makes Balkan groups special is how they operate.
Do not confuse their flashiness with a lack of discipline. They might drive expensive cars and wear loud clothes, but they are masters at staying under the radar. That is why we don’t hear much about them. They are there. They are operating. But they move smart.
This is why I fell in love with this type of roleplay. Their way of doing things is unique.
1. Brotherhood
Balkan criminals are loyal to their brothers. If you are inside, you are family. Often if you face problems in your personal life, they will be there for you.
2. Betrayal is no-go
Betrayal is the biggest sin. You do not snitch. Ever. They would rather die than betray their own, even though when money are involved, the image might change, but that's another topic.
3. Humor is a Survival Tool
Balkans laugh about their problems. When roleplaying a Balkan character, do not be stiff. Have fun (Laugh, live love- Balkans, haha)Even in serious moments.
4. Legal Business is Real Business
They invest in real businesses. These are not just covers. They take pride in owning something real. Take your time to invest
5. Money is Important, But Not Everything
Money matters, but so does respect, power, and pride. They want recognition.
6. Toughened by Repression, Connected by Brotherhood
Years of hardship have made them survivors. Being part of a crew is their safe space.
7. Crews Built on Practical Men
Balkan crews are built on men who get things done. They will even recruit non-Balkans if that person is effective.
5. Immersion in your character (Do's and Dont's)
Here are some tips to make your character more realistic and believable.
1. Don’t Spam Serbian Words
Stop adding random Serbian words at the end of English sentences. It looks forced. Keep it natural.
2. Image is Everything, But Earn It First
Balkans love their image. But don’t roleplay being rich if you don’t have the money. Earn it first.
3. Silence is Gold
When running a racket, be discreet. No one outside your circle should know.
4. Selling Drugs? Be Subtle
Balkans do not sell drugs on street corners. Approach people quietly. Start a conversation. Ease into it.
5. Real Immersion
Think pessimistically. Think like someone who has been through a lot but knows the job needs to be done. Smile through the pain. Always think three steps ahead.
I hope this short guide helps you out with getting the idea of a Balkan character
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