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This is some starting notes on the game setting Oh - and anyone with a good book on milanese history - I'd apprieciate it. Be warned now - this game will not be strictly historically correct - that requires far more research than I'm up to right now. I guess the best answer there - is its a world of darkness ppl, not the real world. The year is 1440 (yes that somewhat later than the 10th to 13th century covered in the darkages books) It is however still pre - Camarilla. I'm using Mage - the renaissance (OKay sorcerers crusade) for alot of source material. The game is set in the Italian city-state of Milan. Milan is a largish city by this time, with a well established middle class, the city itself is governed by a council of ruling nobles, mostly taken from the main families in Milan. Duke Filippo Maria is head of the council, and rules with the authority of tradition and the Church. Also on the council is Arch Bishop Callini, General Godoro, and several heads of noble families. Milan is rapidly becoming one of the great economic powers in Europe - there is a flourishing textile trade, and a lot of traffic moving in and out of town, being on several major trade routes. Which means that as well as the wealthy noble class, there are several wealthy commoners as well. Like all cities Milan still could use a lot of improvements - the majority of the population are still living at poverty level - schooling is intermiddant, only for those that can afford it and only for boys. Most people can not read or write, the average life span for a peasant is still only 30ish, nobles can live longer. Many people are farmers, many people are still at subsitance level, and the collaspe of fuedalism, means most peasants don't even have a lord to 'care' for them. Milan has at least one large cathedral and many churchs. Catholism is still the guiding force in society, and the terms holy ground and sanctury still mean something. Vampires still cannot go on holy ground, well those brought up to believe in the catholic church anyway (which will be most of you). The Inquisition has been raging for awhile and only shows signs of getting stronger, the Inquisition is a force to be feared. Disease is rife, western medecine is still amazingly primitive compared to the medical sciences in the east. At a time when the chinese are using aneasthetic the european doctors still think leechs are pretty cool, and will continue to do so for quite some time. Milan however does have a university and a number of scholars who apparently are working hard on rediscoving lost knowledge. None of you have been able to inflitrate the university - but the rumour mongers say great things are afoot there. Other rumours abound of a new invention, the printing press, which apparently makes is easier to mass produce text. No-one is quite sure what this will mean yet, other rumours of a coming age of knowledge abound, what this will mean for vampiric society no one is quite sure. For vampires things are not so good. The things that are effecting the general populace aren't doing much for vampires, and the rising power of others is impinging on vampiric society, improved weapns, improved vigilance, less mindless supersition, and the rumours of a new age of reason. Vampiric society in Milan is currently ruled by a Lasombra Prince. He is weak, but is supported by a council of strong elders. The 3 elders aside from the prince are ventrue and cappadocian (which is strange, cappadocians not given to meddle in politics generally) There are you guys of course, and a smattering on young childer around from a variety of clans. Followers of Set, Malkavians, Gangrel and Tzimce are not represented and it is said that there presence in Milan would not be tolerated. There are rumoured to be Nosferatu in the city, but they are never seen at court. The Prince is a touchy fellow with many prejudices. There is also an Assemite visitor to the court, no one knows quite why he is there or why the Prince has allowed a foriegner in the court, but he is under the Princes protection, and should any harm come to the abassoder, it has been made quite clear what their punishment will be. It has also been declared that there are more than enough vampires in Milan for the now, so any creation of progeny is strictly verboten, and will be punished with the final death. |