Kai
Member
HOUSE D’MEDIVANTI
“We are the Source” [Unofficial]
"Let the masses chase the glitter of gold, blind to its source. It is we who shape the tides of fortune, and we who decide where the rivers shall run." [Official]
House Theme Song
“We are the Source” [Unofficial]
"Let the masses chase the glitter of gold, blind to its source. It is we who shape the tides of fortune, and we who decide where the rivers shall run." [Official]
House Theme Song
I. Denomination
II. Class
III. Culture
IV. Religion
V. Politics
VI. Holdings
VII. Trade & Wealth
VIII. Family Head
IX. Inheritance law
X. Family History
XI. Recruitment
I DENOMINATION
Hailing from the Ducal land of Val Fiorente known also as the Duchy of Val Fiorente, the d’Medivanti family were once held as prestigious and truthfully cut-throat politicians and merchants in a land that had grown ripe for trade within the south-western regions of the kingdom of Adra. The kingdom, once home to the cultural descendants of the d’Medivanti-Adranyi had found itself as a house commonly known for producing expert statesmen and merchants alike, allowing the house to make up for much of its marital inabilities by instead focusing upon the producing of naturally talented politicians. This allowed the once-ducal house to subvert the need for manpower demanded by the Kingdom through an increase of monetary donations in times of war instead.
II CLASS
The d’Medivanti, albeit known for their status as nobles are likely better classed as merchant elites, royalty in some regard, and influential aristocrats. Their elevation to the status of ducality was not earned through providing the best men for war or even for their conquests. Instead, it was bestowed upon them for their monetary support to the crown of Adra and their competency in trade, ensuring the Kingdom was always occupied by flowing merchants. Unlike historical houses that dominated through strength, the d’Medivanti dominated through politics and exerting influence through the mercantile class, dominating the courts through the use of their adaptive and rather innovative strengths.
III CULTURE
Deriving themselves directly from the cultural group came to be known as the Adranyi, the d’Medivanti are known to be a group of people who remain true to much of their cultures originality. The family is known to be a mixing and melting pot of various cultures, through political marriages and trading hubs in the family’s lands, the culture of the d’Medivanti are famously known to become an amalgamation of many prevalent sub-cultures in the local regions whilst also keeping majority to the original Adranyi. With Val Fiorente becoming a hub, the promotion of arts, architecture and pursuits of the arts themselves, all funded through the coffers of the house had come together to create the culture that is seen today within the family. This alongside the Adranyi’s natural natural celebration of festivals and trading has derived many festivals focusing on the pursuits of better trades and bountiful harvests in the years to come.
IV RELIGION
The House d’Medivanti were hardly known to be the most pious of all families. Instead with the family’s focus on merchant commerce and aristocratic policies, the house often found itself naturally inclined to deities who were known to be inclined towards the seas, trading, or prosperity. It is rumored albeit not proven that much of the d’Medivanti’s beliefs stemmed directly from the financial quarters and trades that took place within a space of time.
V POLITICS
Whilst engaging in diplomacy and trading as they were, the House d’Medivanti were known to be loyal to the crown they served despite the scrutiny that many neighboring houses placed them under. Never were they known to betray nor serve against the crown of Adra, instead as they served, they served faithfully and truthfully albeit many of their decisions were perhaps whispered as “Toeing a grey line”, placing them in many situations to other houses as uncertain to their goals, though as it were known by the crown, the d’Medivanit’s would never forget nor betray the ones who elevated them.
Despite this, the qualities of honour and virtue are often pursued by house members in conjunction with their culture, simply in other departments.
VI HOLDINGS
With the recent departure and total capitulation of the Kingdom of Adra, many if not all of the surviving members of House d’Medivanti have either survived and landed upon a lands or the few have managed to find themselves upon within the city of Vaelyn as refugees, two such members, the ‘next’ generation of the d’Medivanti household have managed to find themselves in some stability upon the capital of Vaelyn, as of currently, the family owns 2 houses, one for each brother.
VII TRADE & WEALTH
As of the most recent updates to the family, with the loss of the d’Medivanti’s coffers in shipwrecks and bad weather, the accumulated wealth of the once Ducal House has come down to the bear minimum, wealth that was once symbolic and power of the family has all but dissipated, claimed by the seas as perhaps punishment for the unfaithfulness and greed of the family. However, with the few members allowed to survive as they believe, there is still hope for the house to return to its former glory.
Thus in its trade, the house has historically and even presently produced talents in the way of statesmen and merchants. With its rich history in the prescribed offices, the family has produced and still to this day continues to produce members of such quality who ensure that the house’s lack of marital prowess is amply made up for. In most recent times with the surviving members finding themselves within Vaelyn, the current members are rumored to be seeking appointments into offices to aid the city in its governance and administration, opting to focus on statesmanship as opposed to the historical merchantry known to the family.
VIII FAMILY HEAD
With current succession laws abided by the living family members, the current head of the family is “Constanz Vittorio d’Medivanti”, Patriarch of House d’Medivanti.
IX INHERITANCE LAW
Upon the death of the former Patriarch, the Senior members of the Family are summoned forth to elect the next Patriarch of the Family. In most of the recorded cases, the family typically elects the former Patriarch’s oldest living child to preside over the family. Upon being elected, the Patriarch-Elect is given a mere six months to gain confidence over the majority of Senior members. Upon achieving confidence, the Patriarch’s reign is thus confirmed and can not be called into question.
X FAMILY HISTORY
The Rise of House d’Medivanti
The family’s early roots lay in trade, where a shrewd patriarch, Lucian d’Medivanti, forged connections across the Kingdom of Adra. He introduced financial institutions that changed the local economy, creating loans for noble families and even the crown. His ability to predict economic trends earned him the nickname ‘The Golden Oracle’ and he was whispered to be a herald of the Gods themselves by members of the d'Medivanti family. By the time his son, Evaristo d’Medivanti, assumed leadership, the family had transitioned from merchants to nobility, their wealth rivaling the crown's own.
Under Evaristo’s stewardship, Val Fiorente became a center of art and industry. The d’Medivanti built palatial villas and sponsored many works of architecture whilst ascertaining their dominance in trade. However, this rise in power was not without cost. Their reliance on wealth and diplomacy, coupled with a disdain for traditional militarism, began to sow the seeds of their downfall.
The Decline of Adra and the Fall of the House
The downfall of House d’Medivanti came not through their own hubris but through the collapse of the Kingdom of Adra itself. As the crown weakened under external invasions and internal strife, under this the d’Medivanti’s influence waned. The kingdom’s armies, which had once protected trade routes and noble holdings, crumbled under the sudden strains of conflict and leadership, crumbling what was once a secure society into total disarray. (Much appreciation to Sykotic 1867 for a broader history on the Kingdom of Adra, describing the issues faced and total collapse of the Kingdom)
Without the crown’s protection, the family’s wealth and holdings became targets for opportunists. Their emphasis on trade over military strength left them unable to defend their lands against the rising tide of chaos. Brigands, rival houses, and even foreign mercenaries began pillaging Val Fiorente, each seeking to claim a piece of the d’Medivanti fortune.
Worse still, rumors spread of an unnatural blight sweeping the southern regions of Adra, rumored to be from the curses of the Nalari and Ssi’thar themselves had brought forth a tide of horrors that seemed to prey on weakened lands. Some whispered that it was divine punishment for the greed of the merchant lords, while others claimed it was merely the wrath of abandoned soldiers turned to monstrous desperation. Whatever the truth, the blight devastated Val Fiorente, leaving the d’Medivanti no choice but to abandon their ancestral lands.
The Exodus
Facing the inevitability of destruction, the family’s leaders made a fateful decision, survival through retreat. The d’Medivanti splintered into factions, each taking what wealth and loyal retainers they could carry. Some sought refuge in distant courts, offering their expertise in trade and governance in exchange for sanctuary. Others turned to less noble pursuits, becoming itinerant merchants or mercenaries to survive.
The once-great House d’Medivanti was reduced to fragments of its former glory, its members living as exiles and wanderers. Yet even in their fall, their reputation as cunning merchants and skilled statesmen endured, finding themselves now at the mercy and in refuge of Vaelyn itself.
IX RECRUITMENT | PLAYING A D’MEDIVANTI
There are no special requirements for making a d’Medivanti character, instead, the only requirement is permission from the patriarch (HeyKaiiii). This guide is designed to help you in making such a character and give more flair in roleplaying your character. However, every character is different! Nothing on here is set in stone, and you may act as you wish. This Family (written by __Stal27) and Culture (written by Sykotic1867) are designed to be created entirely by the player base to create a dynamic house of d’Medivanti and one that can bring vast amounts of RP and player-based events and history.
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