Proto-Republican Venice world illustration - Medieval theme
Medieval

Proto-Republican Venice

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The year is 1260 and Venice teeters on the brink as the wealthiest patricians vie for control.


Author's Note: Welcome to Venice—a labyrinth of canals and intrigue, where fortunes are made on the silk, spice, and slave trades, and betrayal lurks behind every gilded façade. The Doge, once a powerful figure, is now a puppet to be manipulated. Behind him, the Great Council teeters between chaos and consolidation as noble families vie for dominance in the city’s rise to Mediterranean power. A growing divide between the entrenched nobility, rising merchants, and foreign-born traders fuels alliances, betrayals, and assassinations. Outside Venice, Genoa is locked in a bitter struggle for trade dominance; Byzantium is resentful of the 4th Crusade; and the HRE is eager to assert control. - House Ziani: Traditionalists of Venetian values, the Ziani favor cautious foreign policy and oppose reckless expansion. Allies of Byzantium, they fight to preserve the old balance of power. - House Dandolo: Bold imperialists emboldened by their role in the Fourth Crusade, the Dandolo seek naval supremacy and control of Eastern trade, earning them accusations of tyranny. - House Tiepolo: Reformists courting the rising merchant class, the Tiepolo thrive on chaos, undermining patrician traditions to reshape Venice as a broader, merchant-driven republic. - House Gradenigo: Subtle and secretive, the Gradenigo are skilled manipulators and allies of the Ziani, favoring quiet diplomacy to maintain conservative order. - House Contarini: Naval adventurers aligned with the Dandolo, the Contarini pursue maritime empire-building but remain opportunistic and unpredictable in loyalty. - House Querini: Champions of excluded merchants and guilds, the Querini push for reforms, but their egalitarian rhetoric hides their hunger for power. Campaign Hooks: - Players must use bribes, alliances, and sabotage to secure a spot in the Great Council before it is "closed" forever. - A noble is assassinated. Was it a rival, a foreign agent, or the Doge himself trying to reclaim power? - Discontent threatens rebellion.
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Artisan's Quarter

Artisan's Quarter

The Artisan's Quarter is a bustling neighborhood filled with the sounds of hammers striking anvils, the hum of spinning wheels, and the flickering light of molten glass. Merchants and craftsmen ply their trades, providing unique and exquisite goods to those fortunate enough to visit. However, beneath the surface, whispers of industrial sabotage and mysterious disappearances have begun to spread, casting a shadow over its creative spirit.

Dandolo Estate

Dandolo Estate

The Dandolo estate rises like a fortress along the Grand Canal, its opulent red-and-gold exterior a testament to the family’s wealth and ambition. The palazzo’s grand staircase, visible from the canal, is lined with statues of Venetian war heroes and crusaders, invoking the Dandolo legacy of conquest and dominance. Inside, vast halls are decorated with treasures looted from Constantinople—golden icons, rare silks, and Byzantine relics. The estate also houses a private war room, where naval strategies are planned, and secret dealings with admirals and merchants unfold.

Islamic Merchant Docks

Islamic Merchant Docks

The Islamic Merchant Docks serve as a bustling marketplace where traders from the Middle East gather to exchange exotic goods and precious information. Guarded by vigilant sentinels, the docks offer a wealth of wares, from silks and spices to intricate pottery and rare artifacts, creating an atmosphere ripe for negotiation and intrigue.

Merchant Residences

Merchant Residences

The Merchant Residences are where some merchants dwell in their residences. Tucked between vibrant marketplaces, these opulent homes are often targets for underhanded dealings, espionage, and opportunities for blackmail or robbery. Secrets and whispers flow freely here, as the stakes are high and the rewards even higher.

Merchant's Shipyard

Merchant's Shipyard

The Merchant's Shipyard is a bustling hub of activity, where the sound of hammering, the scent of saltwater, and the calls of dockworkers fill the air. Docks are lined with half-finished vessels and merchant ships undergoing repairs, while workers rush about, some eyeing each other with suspicion, as rival guilds jostle for dominance. Sabotage is an ever-present threat, fueling an atmosphere of tension amongst the shipbuilders.

Naval Command Quarters

Naval Command Quarters

The Naval Command Quarters serve as the strategic heart of maritime governance, bustling with the noise of naval officers and political families vying for influence. Here, admirals meticulously plan their campaigns and strategize the naval power of the realm, while highborn lords and ladies engage in subtle intrigues to secure command positions. The atmosphere is charged with ambition and tension, as the balance of power hangs in the air.

Smuggler Docks

Smuggler Docks

The Smuggler Docks are a labyrinthine stretch of hidden piers shrouded in mist, where the illicit flow of contraband secretly enters the bustling city. These docks serve as a haven for those engaged in shady dealings, offering a secluded atmosphere for clandestine meetings and sly transactions. The air is thick with intrigue and the scent of brine as shadowy figures move stealthily between the shadows, keeping watch for both friends and foes.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica

A magnificent cathedral renowned for its intricate mosaics and towering spires, St. Mark's Basilica serves as a central hub for both pious gatherings and clandestine meetings. Pilgrims and nobles alike flock to this sacred place, drawn by the allure of its holy relics and the treasures it guards. Beneath the splendor of the surface lies a web of political intrigue that could reshape the realm.

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square

Open area where festivals, speeches, or protests take place. An ideal setting for dramatic confrontations.

The Arsenale

The Arsenale

The Arsenale is a bustling and sprawling naval yard, where skilled craftsmen and laborers work tirelessly to construct and equip formidable war galleys. The air is filled with the sounds of hammers striking wood and the smell of saltwater and pitch as ships are forged for battles yet to come. Tension runs high as agents of rival factions may seek to sabotage the operations here, making The Arsenale a prime location for intrigue and espionage.

The Byzantine Embassy

The Byzantine Embassy

A residence for Constantinople’s diplomats, the Byzantine Embassy is a hub of political intrigue, where secrets are whispered in the shadows and alliances are formed over lavish feasts. The walls are adorned with exquisite artifacts from distant lands, symbolizing the power and influence of the Byzantine Empire.

The Campanile

The Campanile

The Campanile is a towering structure, an iconic landmark of the city, frequently used for both ceremonial functions and clandestine gatherings. Its upper levels provide expansive views of the sprawling streets below, making it perfect for scouting potential threats or unexpected allies.

The Contarini Estate

The Contarini Estate

The Contarini estate is a sprawling palazzo located near Venice’s shipyards, reflecting the family’s obsession with maritime power and exploration. The estate’s walls are adorned with maps, models of ships, and trophies from naval conquests. A grand hall features stained glass windows depicting famous Venetian battles at sea, while the family’s private dock, accessible only by gondola, is filled with sleek vessels ready for secret missions or quick escapes. The Contarini estate has a reputation for being lively and boisterous, with frequent feasts to celebrate naval victories and trade successes.

The Craftsmen's Guild Hall

The Craftsmen's Guild Hall

The Craftsmen's Guild Hall serves as a bustling meeting place for skilled artisans and labor unions across the city. Within its sturdy stone walls, passionate discussions about trades, tools, and future plans intermingle with whispers of rebellion against the powerful Tiepolo and Querini families. The hall acts as a potential center for alliances as craftsmen unite for their cause, strengthening their resolve.

The Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace serves as the heart of governance in the realm, a place where power brokers mix with the nobility amid whispered secrets and hidden agendas. Its opulent halls are adorned with lavish tapestries and grand chandeliers, while the labyrinth of secret tunnels beneath harbors plots and intrigues waiting to unfold.

The Exchange House

The Exchange House

The Exchange House is a bustling hub of commerce where foreign merchants gather to trade currency and negotiate intricate deals. The atmosphere is thick with intrigue, as whispers of hidden agendas and secret transactions swirl among the patrons, making it a potential den of spies. The wooden beams and stone walls bear the weight of many clandestine agreements, and the flickering torches cast dancing shadows that conceal as much as they reveal.

The Genoese Quarter

The Genoese Quarter

The Genoese Quarter is a hidden enclave within the bustling city of Venice, teeming with the undercurrents of rivalry and intrigue. Here, the air is thick with whispers of espionage and tense diplomatic negotiations, providing the perfect backdrop for clandestine meetings and secret exchanges. The narrow alleys and shadowy corners are frequented by spies and agents seeking to outmaneuver one another, adding an aura of danger and uncertainty.

The Gradenigo Estate

The Gradenigo Estate

The Gradenigo estate is a shadowy, understated palazzo tucked away in a quiet, winding canal near the Arsenale. Its unassuming stone façade gives little indication of the family’s wealth or influence, but inside, the estate is a maze of secret chambers, hidden passageways, and secured meeting rooms. The Gradenigo are master manipulators, and their estate reflects their preference for subtlety and control. The estate is rumored to house a hidden archive of blackmail material on rival families, along with clandestine meeting spaces for diplomats and spies.

The Guard Barracks

The Guard Barracks

The Guard Barracks serves as the stronghold for the city’s professional military forces, where vigilant guards maintain order and offer protection to the citizens. The imposing stone structure features fortified walls, a training yard for drills, and a small armory. Bribes can be arranged discreetly in the shadows of its busy halls, where whispers of both valor and corruption intertwine.

The Jewish Ghetto

The Jewish Ghetto

The Jewish Ghetto is a walled neighborhood bustling with merchants and bankers, each stall and home rich with the scent of exotic spices and the sound of animated bargaining. Tightly packed streets weave through, and behind every door could lie a secret waiting to be uncovered or a vital connection that may aid in your quest.

The Library of St. Mark

The Library of St. Mark

The Library of St. Mark serves as a sacred repository of knowledge, meticulously guarded by devoted clerics who maintain its ancient texts and secrets. Here, adventurers can uncover old maps that reveal lost lands, forbidden texts that hold dangerous arcane knowledge, or hidden secrets that could alter the very fabric of reality.

The Merchant's Quarter

The Merchant's Quarter

The Merchant's Quarter is a bustling hub of trade and commerce, where shipbuilders, silversmiths, and various merchant guilds converge. Lavish guildhalls line the streets, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant banners that represent the wealth and power of their occupants. The air is filled with the clamor of deals being struck, and whispers of intrigue circulate among the lavishly dressed merchants and their shadowy associates.

The Querini Estate

The Querini Estate

The Querini estate stands apart from the grand palaces of other noble families. Located in the Commoners’ Quarter, it reflects the family’s populist rhetoric and alliances with merchants and guilds. The estate is modest compared to the others but well-kept, with brightly painted walls and open courtyards used for gatherings of guild leaders and merchants. Inside, the family’s wealth is understated, focusing on practical luxuries like fine Venetian glassware and handwoven rugs. It’s a place of negotiation, where the Querini seek to build their power by cultivating alliances among the disenfranchised.

The Rialto Market

The Rialto Market

The Rialto Market serves as the bustling heart of commerce in the city, where merchants and adventurers converge to trade wares, share tales, and gather whispered rumors. It's a vibrant tapestry of sounds, scents, and sights, alive with bartering and the clinking of coins, making it an ideal place for those seeking information or rare items.

The Tiepolo Estate

The Tiepolo Estate

The Tiepolo estate is a vibrant hub of activity, located in the heart of the Merchant Quarter, surrounded by guildhalls and bustling markets. The palazzo is elegant but not overly lavish, with colorful murals depicting Venice’s prosperity and naval strength. Known for its open doors to merchants, guild leaders, and foreign traders, the estate serves as both a political meeting ground and a celebration of the family’s populist ideals. Inside, the halls are filled with artwork commissioned from rising Venetian artists and a large audience chamber where Lorenzo Tiepolo holds court with his allies.

The Wandering Gryphon

The Wandering Gryphon

The Wandering Gryphon is a bustling tavern and inn located at the edge of the quiet village of Eldermere. Renowned for its lively atmosphere and hearty meals, it serves as a common meeting spot for adventurers, spies, and rabble-rousers. Merchants and travelers often find respite here, sharing tales of their exploits over tankards of ale. Rumors about hidden treasures and dark secrets frequently circulate among the patrons, blurring the line between truth and fiction.

The Ziani Estate

The Ziani Estate

The Ziani estate is a grand yet restrained palazzo nestled near St. Mark’s Basilica, reflecting the family’s piety and traditionalism. Its façade is adorned with white marble and Byzantine mosaics depicting saints and Venetian icons, a reminder of the family’s long-standing ties to Byzantium. The estate is known for its serene inner courtyard, featuring a small chapel and a tranquil fountain, where whispered discussions about diplomacy and preservation of Venetian values often take place. The Ziani avoid ostentation, but their estate exudes an aura of quiet authority and ancient heritage.

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC . The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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