The Venetian Empire
Chapter One
The Republic of Venice has expanded greatly in the past fifty years. It is dominated by three families: House Vendramin who hold sway in the east from their fortress at Sofia; House Memo who control the south from the naval strongholds of Corinth and Athens; and House Donado who have risen to prominence in Venice itself, becoming the wealthiest family in a city full of wealth.
We hold alliances with The Holy Roman Empire, The Kingdom of Hungary and The Papal States.
The aged Doge Giustiniano Vendramin is the second successive Vendramin Doge, his father Paulo having led the Republic against The Byzantines for control of eastern Greece.
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The empire has largely been at peace since the Byzantines were defeated but recent conflicts between The Holy Roman Empire and The Seljuk Sultanate have highlighted the need to defend our borders. The military is organised both to defend strategic points and to respond effectively to foreign aggression.
1st Imperial
General: Councillor Michael Vendramin
2nd Venetian Guard
General: Pangratio Donado
3rd Sofian Guard
General: Doge Giustiniano Vendramin
4th Corinthian Guard
General: Nicolo Memo
5th Marines
General: Palmerio Memo
6th Thessalonican Guard
General: Reneiro Baseggio
7th Auxiliary
General: Benghi Bragadin
Now, in the year 1199, our main concerns are the Islamic forces allayed against Christendom from the Seljuks, the Fatimids and the Moors.
We have thus fortified our north eastern border and the 1st Imperial is stationed to the east of Sofia.
In 1195 Benghi Bragadin, Duke of Zagreb, raised a mercenary force to deal with northern rebels and has now brought this force east to support the 1st Imperial. He patrols the wildlands north of Sofia with the newly created 7th Auxiliary.
A series of forts have been built along our eastern borders to deter invasion and to guard against surprise raids. These also serve to deny Seljuk occupied Vienna the reinforcements they once sent through our lands.