- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Venice

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A message is handed to the Doge.

"My friend,

I have always steered away from alliances, but I see no reason that we should cooperate and not be in an alliance, so if you desire, Genoa shall enter the Alliance of St. Mark. May this be the beginning of a strong Italian, and Mediterranean alliance.

Now, onto other matters, Trebizond. They have disregarded warnings from both Constantinople and the Ottomans, who have so kindly helped Genoa. Trebizond has responded with a declaration of war against Genoa. They shall feel the wrath of Genoa as my armies pour into their lands. I will speak to the Emperor of the Romans, as those lands are especially desirable to him. Nonetheless, I would like to impose a trade embargo upon Trebizond, so that their treasuries dry up. We shall have no problem, as the trade shall continue flowing through Egypt.

Lastly, we never solidified the marriage of our two houses. I would like to extend my sister's hand, to bring Venice into the Grimaldi family. If you still desire her hand in marriage, perhaps we can arrange a wedding.

Your friend and ally,

Doge John II Grimaldi
Doge of Genoa."

 

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The ambassador from the Emperor of the Romans stands;

"It is unfourtunate that our alliance has to take action against Trebizond, but we must to defend our true ally Genoa."

The man then hands the Doge a letter.

 

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A messenger quickly hands a letter to the Doge:

My friend the Doge,
We in Moskva bring marvelous news!I the Princess of Moskva is going to wed the Prince of Novgorod tomarrow, and we humbly ask you to attend the ceremony even though we do not share the same faith. Please we hope that you will make it, it will be held in the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople if you wish to attend...
Soon to be wed,
Alexandra

 

[BaronFoxxe]

Milord,

You seem to have forgotten how trade works in the Black Sea region. The northern silk road passes through Kaffa/Kerch(Perateia) and the southern silk road passes through Trebizond. By embargoing Trebizond and my allies in Kaffa/Kerch(Perateia) you will hurt yourself and your merchants far more than Trebizond will be hurt.

signed
Alexius IV Comnenus
The Grand Comnenoi, King and Emperor of all the East, Perateia and Hiberia.

 

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letter from Modena

A messenger enters the court and hands a letter to the court officials. He bows towards the Doge and withdraws.


"Honorable Doge of Venice,

I write to you to convey my friendship and desire for closer relations with Venice. Though I eye your power and independence with some suspicion, my first duty to Modena's safety and prosperity tells me you will be a strong and beneficial ally. I invite the republic to send an official to Modena, and request I be allowed to send an official to Venice. Surely, our combined resolve and solidarity will bring both peace and prosperity to Italy for some time to come. Please send someone to my court, so that we can discuss this matter in greater detail..

By his own hand,

Duke Nicolò III di Modena"

 

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A dozen Syrian guardsmen escort a carriage into the city of Venice. The carriage has the crest of the Grimaldi family and the shield of Genoa. As the carriage pulls up to the royal palace, the guardsmen dismount and form a path from the carriage to the palace gates. A lady, in her early twenties exits from the carriage with a small entourage of maids. She enters the courtroom, bows before the Doge and speaks.

"Your majesty,

I am Claudia Grimaldi, and I have been sent here by the Doge of Genoa to speak on trading relations between our two realms, as well as our military alliance. Perhaps we can speak later, when you find the time."

She flashes a flirting smile at the Doge and awaits his response.

 

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A polish noble enters and reads aloud a letter from King Wladyslaw II Jagiello.

Poland has always saught after establishing profitable trade routes. Till now, my borders were closed for many foreign merchants, just like yours. I hereby lift this embargo and happily allow free trade (with some limitations) in Poland for the other christian nations. May our relationships grow.

 

[Legolas]

[A letter arrives from Lithuania]

"These are indeed grand news for me to hear. I always wanted Lithuania to benefit in all possible ways, mostly peaceful ones. And now, in less than half a year, I get two great trade proposals from two great trade countries - duchy of Pommern and from Your faraway country of Venice! I really appreciate having a trade route open between our countries. We will both benefit from this, I am sure!

Signed,
Magnus Dux Vytautas of Lithuania"

 

[Darth Tracid]

A messenger from Luxembourg enters the venetian court.
"Noble doge of Venice, I thank you for your king words, but I must inform you that King Sigismund has gone from us more than a year ago. Elisabeth of Luxembourg is now ruling our great nation. She would be more than happy to accept more trade with venice, and venetian tradesmen will be more than welcome in all of Hungary."
He bows and retreats.

 

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A well dressed man enters the court and kneels to the Doge. He holds his clenched fist across his chest as he speaks:

"Doge of Venice, I am Leonello Rovigo. I am one of Duke Nicolò's personal assistants in Modena. I am sent before you to serve as his voice in Venice. With your permission, I shall go about finding quarters in the city and become a member of this court. I pray that you will accept me and draw our states closer together. No other goal rests higher in my Duke's heart than a harmonious relationship with the great city of Venice."

 

[Longinus]

Delegation of Baltic merchants enter the ducal chamber. Their leader steps ahead and starts to speak.

"Noble and wise Doge of Venice and Venetian high merchants,

I am Augustus Fuller representative of Wendische Handels Union composed of Pommern and Livonia. We are aware that Venice want t open a new trade route through Hungary, Poland and Lithuania. We find this idea quite interesting.

However, you must take into consideration that both Pommern and Livonian traders are well installed in land of Poland and Lithuania and lots of cargo is already shipped through Stettin, Danzig and Riga. We wish to open negotiations with City of Venice concerning the trade which would benefit the whole "BIG trinity".

First of all you have to give up any claims on supremacy in trade in Poland and Lithuania, than we wish to establish a direct trade route from Venice through former Hungary and Poland OR through Austria, Bohemia and Branderburg to Stettin, Danzig and Riga.

We are interested in your opinions and ready to sign a profitable agreement for both sides."

 

[Longinus]

Augustus Fuller replies.

"Noble Doge,

I think you misunderstood me. Wendische Handels Union do not want Venetians to alter their routes for us. We want to establish new one, directly between Stettin, Danzig, Riga and Venice.

However, I like your other words, we seek profit in trade and it seems Venetians speak the same language we do - language of ducat."

 

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The representative from Constantinople stands;

"Noble Doge of Venice,

The Emperor of the Romans has noted that you are seeking to form a trade route from Venice north into the states of Russia.

The Emperor would like to humbly ask for this route to continue south to Morea and Constantinople. As you Constantinople would like to build our nation on trade, and we could supply this trade root with Greek goods, and we would allow for free transit through the straits if Byzantium was allowed into this trade route.

It could prove easier to gain goods from the Orientals and the Black Sea if Byzantiums merchants lent their monetary funds to help this trade root.

Of course the Emperor does not know much about trade, and may have gotten some things wrong. But he would like to enter Byzantium into a new age of prosperity.

Plus Byzantium has now developed a relationship with the northern states."

The man then awaits the reply.

 

[driftwood]

Majid Bey politely approaches the Doge's court.

"Great Doge Foscari, greetings from the Sublime Porte." He bows.

"Apparently your ambassador at Edirne was unhappy with his new accomodations. While it is true that they are further from the Sublime Porte, they are more spacious and contain a delightful view upon the Third Gardens. In addition, the walls beneath the old suite had suffered damage due to water erosion and had to be knocked down, so the Ambassador would have found himself in an uncomfortable position had he remained. It was certainly a common mistake which prevented anyone from informing him of all this."

He pauses to think, then adds, "However, the Grand Vizier has asked me to discuss several matters with you, if you are willing."

 

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A letter arrives from Scotland bearing the seal of the McCloud family.



Aye Friend,
We in Scotland wish to be a part of this trade route as there is much we shall trade as the whiskey and our fine wool. I have set ye a gift of a tartan made for your family with the colors of venice upon it. I am Jacob McCloud head of the Trade Union of Scotland. I will be in charge of the trade route in Scotland. We are interested in ye plans for tha trade. Let us know more we are interseted.


By his own hand in Inverness,
Jacob McCloud

 

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A man wearing the style of Scotland enters the court of the Doge and his council bows and speaks:


"Greetings great Doge and Senate of Venice i am Hayden Garvin sent by his most Royal Majest King James I of Scotland to be ambassador to your nation. My King wishes for nothing but friendship and looks forward to working greatly with the Trade Union we are setting up currently right now. He also has heard of your future wedding and wishes you great happiness, you will get an invitation from my King as he is about to marry Lady Joan Beaufort the neice of the King of England. I bring great amounts of Scottish wool and whiskey for your nation to enjoy. I await your response."

 

[Bagricula]

A thin priest wearing the brown habit of a Franciscan enters the chamber. He fingers his wooden rosary as he approaches the Doge, murmuring Ave Marias under his breath.

"Most Serene Francesco Foscar, Doge of the Republic of St. Mark, the Pfalzian Court in Heidelburg has received your envoy and requests further information concerning this trade agreement and any stipulations it would entail. Your prompt response, would be most expedient.

Furthermore, the Pfalzgraf and his family wish to convey their congratulations and warmest prayers for your soon to be union with the sister of the noble John Grimaldi. They would be most pleased to attend the ceremony."

Father Benedict Magini bows, awaits and awaits an answer.

 

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Doge John II was amazed at the mass of soldiers. Surely, when joined by his own army, no one would stand in their way. John then leaned over to Francesco.

"Very impressive. I must say, they are disciplined enough to rival that armies of the ancient Romans. We shall surely ride over our enemies, for God is with us.

Now, onto other matters. I am forming a Genovese Trade company. Perhaps we can arrange for the creation of a sister company, led by yourself and your merchants. Together, we could rule the trade of the Mediterranean, and even beyond."

John sips on his wine while he awaits an answer.

 

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A courier arrives from Ragusa bearing a diplomatic message.

"Greetings Most Noble Doge,

I, Orlando IV Invictus, offer you my greetings and eternal friendship. Having just assumed lordship over the Duchy of Ragusa I hope to bring our nations closer together. Trade, being the lifeblood of all civilized nations, is something that perhaps we may collaborate on in the future.

I eagerly await your reply,


Orland IV Invictus
By the Grace of God Duke of Ragusa

 

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TRADE EVENT

Venice's' position of Power in the realm of trade is well known and despite trading with countries at war, their extensive international efforts and persistence pay off. (-2 modifier for persistant RP in this field, good RP, and Historical relevance )

1. Trade routes bring in good revenue for the Nation this year ( +1Tech +1 Morale for 1 year. +1 to both starting and current econ for one year )

2. Good trade raises the morale of the populous (+1 Morale +1Tech for 1 year )

3. Good trade aids the artisans. ( +1Tech for 1 year )

4. Traders break even.

5. Pirates and Bandits took all the profit.

6. Bad losses by traders. Trade agreements collapse . (-1 Morale for 1 year. )

A 3 is thrown. (-2 modifier) = 1

Venice's Trade routes bring in good revenue for the Nation this year.........( +1Tech +1 Morale for 1 year. +1 to both starting and current econ for one year ) End Oct 1426