Montebianco
Principality of Montebianco Motto: Summa Omnis | |
| Capital: | Serrentino |
| Religion: Other Religions: |
Sotiran |
| Demonym: | Montebiancan |
| Ethnic Groups: | Archadians |
| Currency: | Perper |
The Principality of Montebianco is a realm located on the eastern end of the Inner Sea and the western end of the Strait of Levcovouno. Its capital is Serrentino and its official currency is the Montebiancan Perper though any gold based coinage is accepted. Whilst the realm is tolerable of other faiths, the majority of the populace and its government officials are Sotiran. The principality has its origins as a trading base for the Archadian Empire to control the Strait of Levcovouno between the two continents.
The Principality has suzereignity over the Elyrian cities of Ialessa and Delos, which maintain a greater degree of independence compared to other Montebiancan cities.
Contents
Etymology
The country's common name is derived directly from the name of the mountain the country is located near: Montebianco. This name means "Mount White" or "white mountain" in local tongue. In other languages, a direct translation is made. For example, in Classical Archadian, Mons Albus is often used.
History
Serrentino began as a small trading post of the Archadian Empire. After the Great Inner Sea War and the Archadian Civil War that followed, the village was the final destination for many refugees and thus the settlement grew. However, being small and still holding grudges towards Thure and Nosamo, the city remained unimportant on the world stage. Being mostly composed of Archadians, the city-state was republican in nature, having a curia of nobility which appointed consuls for two year terms.
A relatively small and unimportant town, the city was target for many attacks and raids during the Barbarian Invasions. The last of these attacks was thwarted by the trio of legendary brothers Veles, Porenutius, and Rugievitus at the Battle of Serrentino. This victory is historically considered to be the founding of the Principality of Montebianco with Veles as its first Prince. The Principality of Montebianco officially be founded and recognised by the Heliarch in 581 AIC. Over the next few hundred years, the city and principality expanded in size and influence, absorbing nearby villages such as Vercetti and Bonaventuro and eventually annexing the mountain which gives the state its name.
In more recent times, the principality has competed with the Republic of Leopoli for trade influence in the eastern half of the Inner Sea. Despite this sometimes unfriendly competition, the Prince-Sovereign of Montebianco personally sent 350 pounds of gold to the city of Leopoli after its devastating earthquake in 843 AIC to aid with the repairs and the refugee crisis.
Politics
Montebianco is a highly centralised absolute monarchy wherein the reigning Prince-Sovereign holds all the power. The current Prince-Sovereign of Montebianco is Lorenzo II of House Caseario and the current consort is Alexandra Cerva. The ruling family has 1 daughter and 2 sons.
The High Council is a group of appointed councillors in charge with the running of the nation. Its members are list below. Additionally, other members may be added when necessary to serve as advisers.
- Prince-Sovereign Lorenzo II Caseario - Wields absolute power, responsible for representing the nation, appointing councillors
- Princess-Consort Alexandra Cerva - Responsible for maintaining the house and educating the heirs
- Grand General Angelico Sabbatini - Responsible for maintaining the armies
- Grand Admiral Mauro Benessa - Responsible for maintaining the fleet
- Lord Treasurer Salvo Genovese - Responsible for maintaining the treasury
- Lord Confessor Aloisio Ferrari - Responsible for the discovery of plots and finding, torturing, and executing, their backers
- High Priest Giraldo - Responsible for representing the Sotiran faith on the High Council
- First Blade Gianetto Baresi - Leader of the Royal Blades, the household guard
- First Commoner Dolcelino Silves - Elected by the Council of Commoners to represent the interests of the common folk and petite bourgeoisie.
The Council of Commoners is a partially elected group of an unspecified amount of ministers, usually in the hundreds, who provide an advisory role to the High Council and the Prince-Sovereign by representing the interests of the common folk, the guilds, and the petite bourgeoisie. Additionally, the Commoners are also responsible for providing a judicial role in the country should citizens require and have the means to pay for a trial. Seats in the council are allocated to certain organisations in the city who nominate councillors of their own choosing in whatever way they like. The First Commoner is elected by majority from the Council of Commoners to attend High Council meetings. The Second Commoner and Third Commoner are his deputies should he be unable to attend. Other roles in the Council of Commoners are also nominated positions. Commoner Councillors tend not to get a salary. The Guildhall commands the most seats, with the army, navy, and taverns having significant amounts.
Diplomatic Relations
The Principality maintains cordial ties with all over realms and has diplomatic missions in Archadia, Tel Aldnium, and Garantinople. Montebianco has no disputes with any other nation. After the enforcement of the Levcovouno Tolls in 1117 AIC, Montebianco was contacted High Priest of Azurien who negotiated the opening of an Azuran temple in the capital city of Serrentino.
In response to the threats of war between Azurien and Desteylle, Montebianco called for the Serrentino Conference to be held to settle the matter peacefully.
Military
Montebianco maintains a small but professional military primarily focused on defensive operations and internal rule of law. The head of the military is the Prince-Sovereign though the daily running of the operations is left to the Grand General and Grand Admiral. The navy has presence in Serrentino, Vercetti, and Bonaventuro, whilst garrisons exist in Serrentino and Andariella.
Artillery in the Montebiancan military exists in three different types:
- 140mm field artillery - pulled by a team of four to eight horses but primarily used in static defence.
- 100mm field artillery - being pulled by a single horse but usually two, used in naval vessels as well as on land.
- 40mm revolving naval guns - primarily used in naval vessels, firing much faster than other types of artillery.
The Montebiancan Navy, led by the Grand Admiral, maintains two frigates, four corvettes, and two cutters, listed below:
- San Salvatore - double decker 16 40mm, 48 100mm gun frigate based in Serrentino
- Alexandra - double decker 16 40mm, 48 100mm gun frigate based in Serrentino
- Cassandra - single decker 18 40mm gun corvette based in Vercetti
- Isabella - single decker 18 40mm gun corvette based in Vercetti
- San Vincenzo - single decker 18 40mm gun corvette based in Bonaventuro
- Cassiopea - single decker 18 40mm gun corvette based in Bonaventuro
- San Valentino - 8 40mm gun cutter based in Bonaventuro
- Maria - 8 40mm gun cutter based in Bonaventuro
Coat of Arms
The blazon of the coat of arms of Montebianco is given thusly:
- Quarterly; 1st Argent a Wolf rampant sinister Or; 2nd and 3rd tierced per fess Gules, Argent, Gules; 4th Argent a Wheel of Cheese Or; inescutcheon an Archadian Star, Sable; surmounted by Crown of Montebianco. Accompanied by two Elyrian columns argent, with base and capital of gold, surmounted by pheasant close resting on sinister, and serpent erect on dexter. Banderole Argent, with letters Sable, depicting "SUMMA OMNIS".
The silver wolf on a gold background is the coat of arms of Serrentino, and also a symbol for the founder of the principality Veles. The silver wheel of cheese on a gold background is the coat of arms of House Caseario. The pheseant and serpent represent Porenutius and Rugievitus respectively. The columns represent Montebianco's Elyrian connections.
Economy
The economic activity of the realm is highly focussed in its densely populated capital and only city: Serrentino. The city boasts a wide variety of industry including woodworking, smithing, breweries, and wineries. A large number of taverns provide a thrilling nightlife whilst many the many markets ensure no one in the city starves or lacks a job. The city is strategically located on an important trade route through the Strait of Levcovouno. Trade ships flowing from Nosamo and Azurien to the cities of Archadia, Garantinople, and Montdrian traditionally stop in Serrentino for repairs and supplies.
Around the capital, the closest villages of Vercetti to the north and Bonaventuro to the south are the centres of the country's fishing industry, with produce being consumed locally or going to the capital to be exported. Further inland, the principal employment is in agriculture, with Lilodena and Aestissa, as well as numerous unnamed hamlets and country manors, forming key hubs to the nations grain, carrot, and potato harvests. Additionally, the town of Andariella on the northern border is the hub of the wine and grape harvest. The soil, though not particularly fertile, it efficiently utilised such that Montebianco is self sufficient in food. Further inland still, there are small lumber and mining operations in the villages of Argarita and Valeria.
Culture
Montebiancans are typically working-class urban dwellers who follow the Sotiran church of the country. Their diet consists of fish and grains and most prefer wine to beer.
Montebianco is a centre of culture, where east meets west and north meets south. Famous works of art include literature written by travellers such as Book of the Marvels of the World, and Wonders, among others.
