The Factions
The Ruling Council
The Ruling Council of the Siconze Dominion is made up of a collection of the Dominion’s most powerful individuals, regardless of background. Their identities are kept secret and all of their deliberation takes places behind closed doors so as to remove any speculation about dissent or disagreement. They are the will of the Siconze people made manifest and while the motivations behind their decisions may sometimes be unclear, they have only the best interests of the nation at heart.
The Osservatore
The Osservatore are the hands and eyes of the council, they are everywhere and nowhere, enforcing the will of the council and observing all that takes places within the Dominion. Where the old empire was rife with nepotism, the Ossevatore are recruited from all walks of life on the basis of skill and intelligence. Most work in secrecy, though there are a number of members who act as the public face of the Ossevatore - these are known as the Capello - based on their distinctive cloaks.
Mercenary Companies
As the old empire fell, the great cities turned upon one another as they each vied for power or some sort of independence. Mercenaries, or condottieri, had always been prominent in the old empire, fighting for coin or spoils and this conflict was no different as each great city opened its coffers to bring in soldiers. Many companies flocked to the Trusco banner, seeing an opportunity for legitimacy as the city lord's promised land in exchange for service and while Trusco eventually lost the conflict, in desire for unity the new Siconze government honored the bargain, on terms that those who accepted join the state army and help to train a new generation of troops. Many agreed, and while they are no longer strictly mercenaries, they still maintain the the name ‘condottieri’ in reference to their history.
The State Army
In the days of the old empire, disagreements between the Imperial family and the other great families meant that in time of war each house would be expected to levy their own troops who would then be expected to fight for their lord under the command of the emperor. With the rise of the Siconze this outdated feudal practice has been done away with - the Dominion now has a standing state army of professional soldiers. Heavily trained and highly disciplined, the state army are organised under the ‘Terzo’ - literally meaning ‘third’ this refers to the subdivision of the army into units with polearms, units with shields and units who fight at range.
Cosa Nostra
A secret criminal organisation operating within the Siconze Dominion, known for its engagement in illegal activities such as, racketeering, prostitution, gambling, drug dealing, 'protection', information, theft, murder, etc. It consists of twelve great families from around the continent, however prior to the collapse of the Old Raimanzan empire these families worked independently. Often they argued about how things should be done within their own individual cities causing conflicts and minor power struggles until it was realized that together they could be much much better.
Underneath the current Don, a golden age has dawned for the Cosa Nostra, with business running perfectly and without problem do to the charismatic influence and no tolerance policy that is known to all members.
The Siconze Dominion Expeditionary Force (that's us!)
The Siconze Dominion Expeditionary Force was born out of the Ruling Council’s desire to put an end to the Raimanzan policy of isolation.