The Great Cities
Siconze:
The city that would become Siconze, originated as a small settlement for silver miners, which over generations grew to the second largest city in the old Raimanzan Empire. Home to decadent aristocrats the city was often seen as a law unto itself, a place for those who wished to get out from under the thumb of the Imperial family. Eventually the silver began to run out and the city fell into decline. No longer able to fund their extravagant lifestyles and wary of the rumblings of an unhappy lower class, many of the nobles of Siconze left the city and returned to the fold in Raimanza.
Within Raimanza itself however another conflict was brewing between the Imperial family and the mages and scholars of the Collegium, which would lead to the eventual exile of the Collegium from the city. Aware of the power vacuum that had gripped Siconze the ruling council of the Collegium wasted no time in asserting themselves over the city, with the city very quickly falling under their sway.
From that point onwards Siconze entered a golden age, with the economy shifting from mining and metalwork to alchemy, education and magical services. Out from under the gaze of the Imperial family the Collegium flourished, making inroads to the rest of the nation while Raimanza became more and more insular.
After the fall of Raimanza, Siconze wasted no time in making its play for dominance, killing and manipulating all that would stand in its way. For while the other great cities involved themselves out of pride or ambition, the ruling class in Siconze did so out of self preservation. The council had seen the results of inept rulers and the people of Raimanza had paid the price. If the nation was going to survive, those with knowledge had to rule.
Malatesa:
Malatesa has long borne the brunt of foreign forays into Dominion held territory. A border city, on the edge of the Truscan mountain range, the plains of Illidia and the Sorande Forest, Malatesa is a highly militarized city and is home to the many of the great Condottieri of the Domnion. Malatesa is well known for it’s steelwork, with powerful guild's holding great political sway in the city. The city is heavily fortified and the people have a reputation for being stubborn and combative. In the war of reunification Malatesa was only other city to rival Siconze in power and influence. As Malatesa was arguably on the losing end of the conflict there is still a great rivalry between the two countries, even if the surviving leaders from Malatesa begrudgingly admit that Siconze has done great things for the Dominion in such a short period of time. Still they are generally not equipped to play the political game so perfected by the Siconze and they know that stability is the one thing that protects the Dominion from an increasingly hostile outside world. So they recruit and they train, preparing for the inevitable conflict that is to come.
Trusco:
Trusco is the breadbasket of the Dominion. Located in lush and fertile plains, surrounded by sweeping hills full of vineyards and orchards Trusco is responsible for feeding many of the people of the Dominion, regardless of class or occupation. From the bread and pasta of the lower classes to the finest wines of the Dominion, Trusco has everything. The people are known for their generous nature and their hospitality, but that does not mean that they are pushovers. Generosity has its limits and if you cross them then retribution is swift and overwhelming. Trusco is home to what they label as a the Trusconi milizia - by name they are simple farmers who take up sword and spear in time of need, but they have proven themselves a hundred time over on the battlefield. Their organised pike walls fending off much more heavily armoured foes during the war of reunification, when soldiers from the other cities came in search of food and supplies.
Contarini:
A port city Contarini is a hub of travel and trade and is probably the most diverse and open city in what has traditionally been an isolationist country. Sailors from Contarini have travelled the world, bringing back knowledge and riches from the outside world for generations. The people of Contarini are known for their cunning and their diplomacy, with a number of expressions in the rest of the Dominion referring to them offering gold with one hand while holding a dagger with the other. During the war of reunification they pushed for an opening of borders and end to the era of isolation, bringing in foreign mercenaries to bolster their cause. Since the establishment of the Dominion they have largely got what they have wanted, as the country now pays much greater attention to the outside world, and a great deal of money has poured into the city in an effort to bolster an already impressive navy with modern warships.
The Ruins of Old Raimanza:
After the fall of the empire and the cataclysm that rocked Old Raimanza the city has lies in the ruins, largely cut off from the rest of the Dominion by a Collegium quarantine. Rumours abound about what happened on that fateful day, with talk of strange weather surrounding the ruins and dark figures stalking the streets. There has been talk of attempting to rebuild the once great capital, but those conversations seem to fade quickly. For all know the ruins are under the control of the Collegium, and many within the Dominion feel that this is for the best, as they desire no repeat of what happened over a decade ago.
The city that would become Siconze, originated as a small settlement for silver miners, which over generations grew to the second largest city in the old Raimanzan Empire. Home to decadent aristocrats the city was often seen as a law unto itself, a place for those who wished to get out from under the thumb of the Imperial family. Eventually the silver began to run out and the city fell into decline. No longer able to fund their extravagant lifestyles and wary of the rumblings of an unhappy lower class, many of the nobles of Siconze left the city and returned to the fold in Raimanza.
Within Raimanza itself however another conflict was brewing between the Imperial family and the mages and scholars of the Collegium, which would lead to the eventual exile of the Collegium from the city. Aware of the power vacuum that had gripped Siconze the ruling council of the Collegium wasted no time in asserting themselves over the city, with the city very quickly falling under their sway.
From that point onwards Siconze entered a golden age, with the economy shifting from mining and metalwork to alchemy, education and magical services. Out from under the gaze of the Imperial family the Collegium flourished, making inroads to the rest of the nation while Raimanza became more and more insular.
After the fall of Raimanza, Siconze wasted no time in making its play for dominance, killing and manipulating all that would stand in its way. For while the other great cities involved themselves out of pride or ambition, the ruling class in Siconze did so out of self preservation. The council had seen the results of inept rulers and the people of Raimanza had paid the price. If the nation was going to survive, those with knowledge had to rule.
Malatesa:
Malatesa has long borne the brunt of foreign forays into Dominion held territory. A border city, on the edge of the Truscan mountain range, the plains of Illidia and the Sorande Forest, Malatesa is a highly militarized city and is home to the many of the great Condottieri of the Domnion. Malatesa is well known for it’s steelwork, with powerful guild's holding great political sway in the city. The city is heavily fortified and the people have a reputation for being stubborn and combative. In the war of reunification Malatesa was only other city to rival Siconze in power and influence. As Malatesa was arguably on the losing end of the conflict there is still a great rivalry between the two countries, even if the surviving leaders from Malatesa begrudgingly admit that Siconze has done great things for the Dominion in such a short period of time. Still they are generally not equipped to play the political game so perfected by the Siconze and they know that stability is the one thing that protects the Dominion from an increasingly hostile outside world. So they recruit and they train, preparing for the inevitable conflict that is to come.
Trusco:
Trusco is the breadbasket of the Dominion. Located in lush and fertile plains, surrounded by sweeping hills full of vineyards and orchards Trusco is responsible for feeding many of the people of the Dominion, regardless of class or occupation. From the bread and pasta of the lower classes to the finest wines of the Dominion, Trusco has everything. The people are known for their generous nature and their hospitality, but that does not mean that they are pushovers. Generosity has its limits and if you cross them then retribution is swift and overwhelming. Trusco is home to what they label as a the Trusconi milizia - by name they are simple farmers who take up sword and spear in time of need, but they have proven themselves a hundred time over on the battlefield. Their organised pike walls fending off much more heavily armoured foes during the war of reunification, when soldiers from the other cities came in search of food and supplies.
Contarini:
A port city Contarini is a hub of travel and trade and is probably the most diverse and open city in what has traditionally been an isolationist country. Sailors from Contarini have travelled the world, bringing back knowledge and riches from the outside world for generations. The people of Contarini are known for their cunning and their diplomacy, with a number of expressions in the rest of the Dominion referring to them offering gold with one hand while holding a dagger with the other. During the war of reunification they pushed for an opening of borders and end to the era of isolation, bringing in foreign mercenaries to bolster their cause. Since the establishment of the Dominion they have largely got what they have wanted, as the country now pays much greater attention to the outside world, and a great deal of money has poured into the city in an effort to bolster an already impressive navy with modern warships.
The Ruins of Old Raimanza:
After the fall of the empire and the cataclysm that rocked Old Raimanza the city has lies in the ruins, largely cut off from the rest of the Dominion by a Collegium quarantine. Rumours abound about what happened on that fateful day, with talk of strange weather surrounding the ruins and dark figures stalking the streets. There has been talk of attempting to rebuild the once great capital, but those conversations seem to fade quickly. For all know the ruins are under the control of the Collegium, and many within the Dominion feel that this is for the best, as they desire no repeat of what happened over a decade ago.