The Prince (OOC/Sign Up)

by **Sulamalik** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:43 pm

Intro:

Welcome to the city of Lucretia! The wretched hive of scum and villainy that inhabits the island off the coast of Northern Italy, in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. The year is 1579, while Europe is enjoying the chaos and conflict stemming from an explosion of arts and sciences, the city is undergoing its own dramatic changes. The multitudes of noble Houses seek to usurp control of the city for themselves, at any cost. Under the shadow of humanism and reform, the same tired dance is performed. In the end, a Prince always rises, but at what cost?

What is this?

This RP is based upon the politicking and backstabbing commonplace in Renaissance Italy. The RP's participants will take on the role of patriarch for a powerful merchant family, striving to become the Prince of Lucretia. Through violence, bribery, and charisma, you will dominate the political spectrum of the city and shape the course of history.

The thread is focused more on the political aspect of a despot's rise to power than war. That is not to say that some blood will not be shed however. If you wish for a military roleplay or more "nation" focused rp, this one might not be for you. This is first and foremost a RP about your character's story.

What is Lucretia?

Lucretia is a (fictional) island city-state located in Northern Italy. Twenty years ago the city broke off from the hegemony of Venice and proclaimed itself a free republic. However, incompetent ruler after ruler has corrupted the system into little more than a oligarchy in everything but name. The city is ruled by a council of powerful merchant families who rule the island collectively.

Located directly on top of a popular trade route, the city makes most of its income off taxing the occupants of their harbour. In addition, the Lucretia is home to extremely solvent fisheries and silver mines. Lucretian mercenary companies are seen as the finest in the region, and are often sought by mainland princes to expand their influence.

The majority (approx. 27'000) of the island's population live in the city of Lucretia. A little less than two thousand make their home in Tyre, the second largest settlement on the island. Tyre is also where the majority of military warships are docked. The last two settlements of note are San Palo and Port Januria, two very small fishing villages. Even smaller hamlets dot the island, mostly around the hills where silver is mined.

Application:

Family Name:
Head of Household:
Trade (i.e, fisheries, mercenaries, etc):
Biography:
RP Sample:

List of Families:
--Videlessi
--Bianchi
--Vaziri
--Volk

by **Len Hyet** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:45 am

Family Name: The Medici (you can surrender now if you'd like)
Head of Household: Lorenzo I de' Medici
Trade: Bankers and all things monetary
Biography: Lorenzo's grandfather, Cosimo de' Medici, was the first member of the Medici family to combine running the Medici bank with leading the Republic. Cosimo, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, spent a very large portion of his fortune in government and philanthropy. He was a patron of the arts and funded public works. Lorenzo's father, Piero 'the Gouty' de' Medici, was also at the center of Florentine life, active as an art patron and collector. His mother Lucrezia Tornabuoni was a poet and writer of sonnets. She was also a friend to figures such as Luigi Pulci and Agnolo Poliziano and became her son's advisor when he took over power.
Lorenzo was considered the brightest of the five children of Piero and Lucrezia, tutored by a diplomat, Gentile Becchi. He participated in jousting, hawking, hunting, and horse breeding for the palio, a horse race in Siena. His own horse was named Morello di Vento.
Piero sent Lorenzo on many important diplomatic missions when he was still a youth. These included trips to Rome to meet with the pope and other important religious and political figures. In 1469 Lorenzo took over as head of the Medici family when his father died. At age twenty, he was now the leader of the largest and most powerful family in all of Italy.
RP Sample: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=200799

by **Sulamalik** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:29 pm

Len Hyet wrote:Family Name: The Medici (you can surrender now if you'd like)
Head of Household: Lorenzo I de' Medici
Trade: Bankers and all things monetary
Biography: Lorenzo's grandfather, Cosimo de' Medici, was the first member of the Medici family to combine running the Medici bank with leading the Republic. Cosimo, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, spent a very large portion of his fortune in government and philanthropy. He was a patron of the arts and funded public works. Lorenzo's father, Piero 'the Gouty' de' Medici, was also at the center of Florentine life, active as an art patron and collector. His mother Lucrezia Tornabuoni was a poet and writer of sonnets. She was also a friend to figures such as Luigi Pulci and Agnolo Poliziano and became her son's advisor when he took over power.
Lorenzo was considered the brightest of the five children of Piero and Lucrezia, tutored by a diplomat, Gentile Becchi. He participated in jousting, hawking, hunting, and horse breeding for the palio, a horse race in Siena. His own horse was named Morello di Vento.
Piero sent Lorenzo on many important diplomatic missions when he was still a youth. These included trips to Rome to meet with the pope and other important religious and political figures. In 1469 Lorenzo took over as head of the Medici family when his father died. At age twenty, he was now the leader of the largest and most powerful family in all of Italy.
RP Sample: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=200799

Accepted!

It'll be interesting to see how such a prestigious mainland family will do as newcomers to the island.

by **Ceannairceach** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:40 pm

Family Name: Bianchi
Head of Household: Adriano Bianchi
Trade: Docks and warehouses (see bio)
Biography: The Bianchi family is an old, somewhat proud family of Lucretia, one with a heavy history that allegedly stretches back to the first people who lived on the Adriatic island.

The Bianchi have, at some time or another, dabbled in everything; At one point, they were soldiers, mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, their boys and those who worked for them traveling across the Mediterranean to fight in the wars of foreigners and Italians alike. After that, they were miners, holding stock in one of the many silver mines that dot the island city of Lucretia. Fishermen, bankers, farmers and armor makers followed, leaving the Bianchi's a skilled, historied, and above all rather wealthy family, the riches of generations of hard and varied work feeding the modern coffers.

In this day, the Bianchi have moved away from a trade in the material to trade in something a bit more grand; docks. Through sheer monetary power, low deals and the lack of desire for the space, the Bianchi have effectively bought up the docks and ports that service the ships that come to Lucretia, and the warehouses in which they store their goods. The income is not extravagant as the silver or banking trade, but it is steady, as ships always stop at Lucretia. Rumor has it that the Bianchi refuse to allow ships of their enemies to dock or store their goods should they be displeased enough.

The modern head of the Bianchi family, Adriano, was born on a boat during his parent's trip to the mainland, hence his name, forcing his parents to turn around. He has spearheaded the Bianchi efforts to control the travel of ships in Lucretia, and has recently taken an interest in buying random, unimportant storefronts in the city to increase revenue and diversify Bianchi holdings. He aspires not only to become Prince of Lucretia, but also to expand his holdings to the mainland, never before touched by Bianchi feet.
RP Sample: brb

by **Sulamalik** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:35 pm

Ceannairceach wrote:Family Name: Bianchi
Head of Household: Adriano Bianchi
Trade: Docks and warehouses (see bio)
Biography: The Bianchi family is an old, somewhat proud family of Lucretia, one with a heavy history that allegedly stretches back to the first people who lived on the Adriatic island.

The Bianchi have, at some time or another, dabbled in everything; At one point, they were soldiers, mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, their boys and those who worked for them traveling across the Mediterranean to fight in the wars of foreigners and Italians alike. After that, they were miners, holding stock in one of the many silver mines that dot the island city of Lucretia. Fishermen, bankers, farmers and armor makers followed, leaving the Bianchi's a skilled, historied, and above all rather wealthy family, the riches of generations of hard and varied work feeding the modern coffers.

In this day, the Bianchi have moved away from a trade in the material to trade in something a bit more grand; docks. Through sheer monetary power, low deals and the lack of desire for the space, the Bianchi have effectively bought up the docks and ports that service the ships that come to Lucretia, and the warehouses in which they store their goods. The income is not extravagant as the silver or banking trade, but it is steady, as ships always stop at Lucretia. Rumor has it that the Bianchi refuse to allow ships of their enemies to dock or store their goods should they be displeased enough.

The modern head of the Bianchi family, Adriano, was born on a boat during his parent's trip to the mainland, hence his name, forcing his parents to turn around. He has spearheaded the Bianchi efforts to control the travel of ships in Lucretia, and has recently taken an interest in buying random, unimportant storefronts in the city to increase revenue and diversify Bianchi holdings. He aspires not only to become Prince of Lucretia, but also to expand his holdings to the mainland, never before touched by Bianchi feet.
RP Sample: brb

Your bio is enough of a sample to say... Accepted!

Depending on how many more people show up I'll start the IC by at least the end of this week.

by **Ceannairceach** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:11 pm

Sulamalik wrote:
Ceannairceach wrote:Family Name: Bianchi
Head of Household: Adriano Bianchi
Trade: Docks and warehouses (see bio)
Biography: The Bianchi family is an old, somewhat proud family of Lucretia, one with a heavy history that allegedly stretches back to the first people who lived on the Adriatic island.

The Bianchi have, at some time or another, dabbled in everything; At one point, they were soldiers, mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, their boys and those who worked for them traveling across the Mediterranean to fight in the wars of foreigners and Italians alike. After that, they were miners, holding stock in one of the many silver mines that dot the island city of Lucretia. Fishermen, bankers, farmers and armor makers followed, leaving the Bianchi's a skilled, historied, and above all rather wealthy family, the riches of generations of hard and varied work feeding the modern coffers.

In this day, the Bianchi have moved away from a trade in the material to trade in something a bit more grand; docks. Through sheer monetary power, low deals and the lack of desire for the space, the Bianchi have effectively bought up the docks and ports that service the ships that come to Lucretia, and the warehouses in which they store their goods. The income is not extravagant as the silver or banking trade, but it is steady, as ships always stop at Lucretia. Rumor has it that the Bianchi refuse to allow ships of their enemies to dock or store their goods should they be displeased enough.

The modern head of the Bianchi family, Adriano, was born on a boat during his parent's trip to the mainland, hence his name, forcing his parents to turn around. He has spearheaded the Bianchi efforts to control the travel of ships in Lucretia, and has recently taken an interest in buying random, unimportant storefronts in the city to increase revenue and diversify Bianchi holdings. He aspires not only to become Prince of Lucretia, but also to expand his holdings to the mainland, never before touched by Bianchi feet.
RP Sample: brb

Your bio is enough of a sample to say... Accepted!

Depending on how many more people show up I'll start the IC by at least the end of this week.

Cool beans. Any chance we can get a cheap map of Lucretia up?

by **Fowlick** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:28 pm

Family Name:Da Vinci
Head of Household:Leonardo
Trade :Renaissance men(Jack of all trades I.E.-art, music, literature, invention, construction)
Biography:The Da Vinci's were a low family before the renaissance. They Were of sound minds and souls, but no one wanted their works. The renaissance hit and citizens(especially the rich) wanted everything they could get their hands on that was Da Vinci. The greatest of these Da Vinci Masters is Leonardo. He has created many works that are appreciated by the public, and some works that are appreciated by the private audiences. Leonardo also has many schematics for new technologies that may revolutionize the modern world.
RP Sample:http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=201481

by **Ceannairceach** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:43 pm

Fowlick wrote:Family Name:Da Vinci
Head of Household:Leonardo
Trade :Renaissance men(Jack of all trades I.E.-art, music, literature, invention, construction)
Biography:The Da Vinci's were a low family before the renaissance. They Were of sound minds and souls, but no one wanted their works. The renaissance hit and citizens(especially the rich) wanted everything they could get their hands on that was Da Vinci. The greatest of these Da Vinci Masters is Leonardo. He has created many works that are appreciated by the public, and some works that are appreciated by the private audiences. Leonardo also has many schematics for new technologies that may revolutionize the modern world.
RP Sample:http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=201481

Is it possible to vote on the apps? Because I'd vote "no" to this. The Medici are one thing, but I'd rather not be a part of an RP flooded with rather extraordinary ideas for a Italian merchant family.

by **Sulamalik** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:51 pm

Fowlick wrote:Family Name:Da Vinci
Head of Household:Leonardo
Trade :Renaissance men(Jack of all trades I.E.-art, music, literature, invention, construction)
Biography:The Da Vinci's were a low family before the renaissance. They Were of sound minds and souls, but no one wanted their works. The renaissance hit and citizens(especially the rich) wanted everything they could get their hands on that was Da Vinci. The greatest of these Da Vinci Masters is Leonardo. He has created many works that are appreciated by the public, and some works that are appreciated by the private audiences. Leonardo also has many schematics for new technologies that may revolutionize the modern world.
RP Sample:http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=201481

Very interesting concept, but... I'll have to reject it.

Though I like the idea of a very modern, renaissance-minded, household on the Island, there's no real reason why the Da Vinci would have to head it. In addition, though I do not claim historical realism to be a priority, Leonardo would probably not be involved in such Machiavellian dealings. He has airplans to invent and what not.

If you still wish to participate I suggest you choose another family. Remember, think of the kinds of people who would be likey to fill a vacuum of power in this era.

by **Thanatttynia** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:10 pm

This looks very, very interesting. An app shall be up tomorrow, just thought I'd tag this...

by **Murgoth** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:33 pm

tagged. most likely going to do a family based around security/mercenary work. perhaps a major part of the force that enabled lucretia to free itself in the first place. any objections?

by **Sulamalik** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:42 pm

Murgoth wrote:tagged. most likely going to do a family based around security/mercenary work. perhaps a major part of the force that enabled lucretia to free itself in the first place. any objections?

So you're talking about playing as a Mercenary group? I think that's super swell.

by **Murgoth** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:09 pm

Sulamalik wrote:
Murgoth wrote:tagged. most likely going to do a family based around security/mercenary work. perhaps a major part of the force that enabled lucretia to free itself in the first place. any objections?

So you're talking about playing as a Mercenary group? I think that's super swell.

well, not as such. more a very, very new family founded by the leader of a mercenary group that was instrumental in lucretia's freedom. he still technically runs the mercenary group, but it is de facto lead by his oldest son. he also runs a bodygaurd/security force inside of the city. the mercenary company proper would most likely be away at the start of the game, to avoid me just outright taking over the city.

by **Sulamalik** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:17 pm

Murgoth wrote:
Sulamalik wrote:
So you're talking about playing as a Mercenary group? I think that's super swell.

well, not as such. more a very, very new family founded by the leader of a mercenary group that was instrumental in lucretia's freedom. he still technically runs the mercenary group, but it is de facto lead by his oldest son. he also runs a bodygaurd/security force inside of the city. the mercenary company proper would most likely be away at the start of the game, to avoid me just outright taking over the city.

Put out an app and I'll see if It's okay.

Also, (not meant to be an insult) but it would be great if you ran your posts through a spell checker and proofread for grammar. For example, Google chrome has one built in. It really helps other people understand your posts.

by **Sulamalik** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:46 pm

Ceannairceach wrote:
Sulamalik wrote:
Your bio is enough of a sample to say... Accepted!

Depending on how many more people show up I'll start the IC by at least the end of this week.

Cool beans. Any chance we can get a cheap map of Lucretia up?

Ask for shitty MS paint maps and you shall receive!

The majority (27'000) of the population live in the city of Lucretia. A little less than two thousand make their home in Tyre, the second largest settlement on the island. Tyre is also where the majority of military warships are docked. The last two settlements of note are San Palo and Port Januria, two very small fishing villages. Even smaller hamlets dot the island, mostly around the hills where silver is mined.

by **Levekstan** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:27 pm

Family Name: Vaziri
Head of Household: Kazem Vaziri
Trade: Fisheries
Biography: A Persian family in Italy, the Vaziris are not ordinary by any means. Kazem Vaziri moved his small family from a coastal village in Greater Persia to Italy, where he was told the waters were "teeming with brilliant fishes of all colours." He knew that this was an opportunity that he could not waste. It took the Vaziri family several months to reach Lucretia, but they settled in quickly. Kazem learned the local language and taught his children. Now, more family members from Persia are arriving, and Kazem has employed them in his business. He hopes to own most of, if not all of the fish market within several years.

RP Sample: Kazem Vaziri paced back and forth as his wife spoke to him. Although she was an uneducated woman, Somaya was intelligent in ways that one cannot learn through schooling. Kazem wanted to hear nothing of this latest rage that Somaya was directing at him, so he tuned her out and thought about what the next week would hold. He felt terrible about his young nephew, Ali, who had angered an Italian merchant. Kazem looked to the sky, thinking 'Oh, please do help young Ali. He is not as foolish as he looks.'

by **Boriem** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:28 pm

Family Name: "von Volk"/"Die Schnitterbrudders"
Head of Household: Winrich von Volk
Trade (i.e, fisheries, mercenaries, etc): Condottieri(Mercenaries, effectively.)
Biography: The Volk family originally held residence in the Holy Roman Empire as "Reichsritters" or nobles with no land. Despite their landless state they fought in many wars in the Empire. During these various wars the family established a time-honored military tradition, and due to their military prowess were given several areas of land under the Kaiser and many powerful states. However, as the system of Europe got more and more centralized they had less and less power. The family was also splintered into several fragments, and the coups against their liege often resulted in the revocation of their territory and if they were unlucky, execution.

Due to the fall of many of the branches of the von Volk family, their lands were reduced to one small estate, and on that estate was born Winrich von Volk. He was the eldest son of the lone branch of the Volks still holding power and was expected to inherit the family estate. Much to the shock of his family he fled from home and began forming a group of mercenaries. He named the group "Die Schnitterbrudders", or "The Reaper Brothers". They were purchased in turn by one of the corrupt leaders of Lucretia and became a presence on the island ever since. They repeatedly threatened the islands inhabitants that if they were not paid that they would eradicate them, and have effectively used fear to gain control of several mines and effectively leech off the economy of the island. Despite this, Winrich is said to donate heavily to the poor and is considered a kind fellow.
RP Sample: I've got one somewhere...

by **Sulamalik** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:14 pm

Levekstan wrote:Family Name: Vaziri
Head of Household: Kazem Vaziri
Trade: Fisheries
Biography: A Persian family in Italy, the Vaziris are not ordinary by any means. Kazem Vaziri moved his small family from a coastal village in Greater Persia to Italy, where he was told the waters were "teeming with brilliant fishes of all colours." He knew that this was an opportunity that he could not waste. It took the Vaziri family several months to reach Lucretia, but they settled in quickly. Kazem learned the local language and taught his children. Now, more family members from Persia are arriving, and Kazem has employed them in his business. He hopes to own most of, if not all of the fish market within several years.

RP Sample: Kazem Vaziri paced back and forth as his wife spoke to him. Although she was an uneducated woman, Somaya was intelligent in ways that one cannot learn through schooling. Kazem wanted to hear nothing of this latest rage that Somaya was directing at him, so he tuned her out and thought about what the next week would hold. He felt terrible about his young nephew, Ali, who had angered an Italian merchant. Kazem looked to the sky, thinking 'Oh, please do help young Ali. He is not as foolish as he looks.'

Lucretia is seen as the transient point between east and west, so I'll allow this. You're accepted, but remember that with the political climate as it is, you'll be seen and treated as outsiders.

Boriem wrote:Family Name: "von Volk"/"Die Schnitterbrudders"
Head of Household: Winrich von Volk
Trade (i.e, fisheries, mercenaries, etc): Condottieri(Mercenaries, effectively.)
Biography: The Volk family originally held residence in the Holy Roman Empire as "Reichsritters" or nobles with no land. Despite their landless state they fought in many wars in the Empire. During these various wars the family established a time-honored military tradition, and due to their military prowess were given several areas of land under the Kaiser and many powerful states. However, as the system of Europe got more and more centralized they had less and less power. The family was also splintered into several fragments, and the coups against their liege often resulted in the revocation of their territory and if they were unlucky, execution.

Due to the fall of many of the branches of the von Volk family, their lands were reduced to one small estate, and on that estate was born Winrich von Volk. He was the eldest son of the lone branch of the Volks still holding power and was expected to inherit the family estate. Much to the shock of his family he fled from home and began forming a group of mercenaries. He named the group "Die Schnitterbrudders", or "The Reaper Brothers". They were purchased in turn by one of the corrupt leaders of Lucretia and became a presence on the island ever since. They repeatedly threatened the islands inhabitants that if they were not paid that they would eradicate them, and have effectively used fear to gain control of several mines and effectively leech off the economy of the island. Despite this, Winrich is said to donate heavily to the poor and is considered a kind fellow.
RP Sample: I've got one somewhere...

I like the idea, but I couple of issues that I'd like to bring up. "Die Schnitterbrudders" would not be the only mercenary group on the island, the idea that the Lucretian nobles would allow their silver mines to be extorted by a foreign company is hard to belief. In the Rp I advise you play your family as one's in need of allies. Military strength alone will not win Winrich von Volk their Principality.

by **Sulamalik** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:15 pm

I'm going to give this thing a bump. I think we have enough players for me to start up the IC.

by **Ceannairceach** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:25 pm

Sulamalik wrote:I'm going to give this thing a bump. I think we have enough players for me to start up the IC.

Bitchin'.

by **Sulamalik** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:25 pm

IC thread is up. Post to your heart's contents!

by **Boriem** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:17 pm

Here's a map I drew up.

Because, why not.

by **Len Hyet** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:21 am

I'm gonna have to pull out of this one guys, sorry, but life kinda sucks right now and I have too much on my plate.

by **Sulamalik** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:35 am

Boriem wrote:Here's a map I drew up.

Because, why not.

(Image)

What I like most about your map is the fact that it's better than mine. I hope you won't mind if I use that in the OP?

by **Prussia-Steinbach** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:54 am

Murgoth wrote:most likely going to do a family based around security/mercenary work.

Fuck. I had this exact idea.

Well, I might make an app soon, if I have the time and can think of some other idea for a family.

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