Repubblica di Amalfi - An Italian Republic AAR

[Colruth]

Repubblica di Amalfi​

The city of Amalfi was founded in 339 as a Roman trading post. Since then, it has grown into a respectable city along the southern shores of Italy, seeing its first appointed bishop in 596. Along the centuries, not much had been recorded about the history of this city. Or, at least, that is how much Musco knew. He wasn't known for being a very learned man anyway. He was known, however, for his abilities at producing profit and sniffing out a good deal.

That is exactly why he had called the most capable citizens of Amalfi who were loyal to him to figure out how to best expand their fledgling trading network. Or at least it was going to become one. For now it was nothing more than a lot of gold sitting in the family's mansion's coffers. He still had time to finish his meal, however, before he would have to accommodate his guests...

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Welcome to my new AAR. Since my other ones have grown into very large realms, I wanted to return to something more... average in terms of size and scale. Since I have some Steam Achievements to completeas a Republic, well, here I am. I did an Amalfi AAR in the past as House Konstantios, but I am not planning to take the same road this time.

I'll be playing as House Musco. They don't start as Doge, which I like and they are Italian Catholocis, unlike the majority of Amalfi who are Greek Orthodox.

The plan will be to at least control all of Sicily and not expand too much beyond that. It will depend on how the surrounding powers grow, but I will limit expansion outside of Sicily to just having enough to survive my neighbors.

Beyond that, the AAR will be written in a more Narrative way than my usual style. It will have much less screenshots than usual as well, but it will have some of them, especially important characters and maps. The focus will be more on the characters than the realm itself, too. My initial plan is to create scenes where the ruler meets up with his council where they will discuss past events and goals for the future.

Hope you guys enjoy and if you have any comments or suggestions for the AAR, feel free to comment anytime.

 

[Colruth]

The First Years​

"I say in Rome. I mean, we're Catholics, might as well show our allegiance to the people. And, no need to fool ourselves, its a much larger city than Amalfi. The larger it is, more profit for us." said the newly appointed Steward.

If anyone would know how to best make money it would be him, however Musco knew much more than him on the matter. Still he wanted them to feel that he was giving them a voice, so he just let them talk. They had been debating since the last 10 minutes on where best it would be to build their first serious trade post. Some said Amalfi itself, where the mansion and the seat of their new trading empire would be, arguing that it was more easily defended than anywhere else. Others, like the Steward, argued that they were not alone in Amalfi who were aiming to make profit and that House Musco was still too small to consider competing with the older houses in town. Better start from scratch where there was no one to bother them and no one would think to come to Rome to hinder their efforts.

"Alright then, Rome it will be. But don't go thinking this is the choice of a coward. We'll start there, but I also want to grow quickly so that we can defend ourselves before the other Houses see us as a threat."

Musco nodded after he spoke. Some obviously disagreed, but he held the key to any of their aspirations: the gold.

"Send word to the Doge that I am his loyal servant. Meanwhile I want you to round up capable young men in the streets of the city and train them to an acceptable level with a blade. Chaplain..."

It took a few seconds for the old man to look at Musco. He was still new to this office, afterall.

"I'm sending you to Rome. You'll supervise the construction of that post, but more importantly, find yourself a way to the Pope's ear. If we're going to compete with these orthodox patricians in town, we'll need some sort of support from our church. Meanwhile, I'm sending someone to Constantinople. We don't have the manpower to conduct any serious research here and if we're going to have an edge of some sort at any point, our best bet is to learn from the big city. Might as well let them think we are loyal to them for the time being."

Musco stopped to ponder a minute, staring into the fire.

"I'll send word to Sergio too, my eldest son. It's time for him to return home. This isn't just the work of a single man. Our people will want to know their work will last beyond me. He's not totally inept anyway, if a bit lacking in restraint."

"You remember why he left though. How will you make him want to return to this glorified piss-hole of a house, as he called it?"

"By ordering the construction of a great mansion on the outskirts of town. It will attract people who wants to work anyway and I'm sure we'll see him come around just to see what I've been doing with his inheritance. To be certain, I'll remarry. He will certainly want to see the woman I replaced his mother with and when he comes around I will have prepared a young woman for him to settle down with, here, in Amalfi."

He grinned and nodded.

"Alright gentlemen. Enjoy your night. I'll have the funds ready for your assignments in the morning."

 

[Colruth]

Lord Mayor​

January 873, Amalfi, at the Musco's Mansion

Patrician Musco of Musco was sitting at his desk, late in the evening, accompanied by a cup of mulled wine and a piece of paper on which he was scribbling a few notes for the chores to come in the upcoming weeks. Outside, it was raining, as it often does on the coast, but at least his new mansion gave him a great view of the bay from atop the hill.

Outside, at the gate, he noticed a rider discussing with the keeper, whom let him in after a few words exchanged. He knew his keeper would not be so easily tricked, so he assumed it was someone he knew. But who would come visit at such a late hour? One of his councilmen? Perhaps, even though most of them were out of town.

His Chancellor was in Napoli, not a day away north along the coast. He had been there for over a year now, since House Urso had relinquished the trade post in Kroton. The Murso's military ability was no well known in Amalfi, rumors saying the upstart House had greater forces at their disposal than even the Doge himself. With now 3 trade posts at their disposal in Rome, Kroton and Amalfi itself, the latest of which had been taken from House Mauro 3 years ago, the only thing that kept House Konstantios ahead was the control of the city itself. However, Patrician Musco did not intend to leave things as such and that is why he had sent his Chancellor to Napoli, hopping that the news of his military power would help him forge a claim for the county there.

His Court Chaplain was still in Rome, befriending the pope as best as possible, while the Spymaster had been in Constantinople for over 7 years now. Their work had been very important for the success of House Musco. The friendship of the Pope gave Musco access to funds no one else could hope for, while the regular letters from Constantinople enabled House Musco to be the spearhead in Amalfi's technological advances.

The House's Marshall and Steward were in town, of course, but they lived at the mansion and were sound asleep since a few hours. They were both very busy in the day, the Marshall training the recruits in the new target range while the Steward took meticulous care into making sure that not a single penny of taxes went amiss. Who could it be? Curious, Musco headed down, ordering a fire to be lit in the hearth.

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"My Lord"

The man offered Musco a great smile as he took his wet hat off his head. Musco's curiosity was quickly satisfied as he recognized his old friend and Chancellor. However, more questions and some excitement replaced that curiosity. He stared at the man, awaiting details for his impromptu arrival at such a late hour, but the man offered a different speech to break the silence.

"What is this Lukania thing?"

Musco laughed. "Oh, that's Konstantios fantasies. The Greeks fancies that Amalfi should be called Lukania. If it pleases the old man, let it be I say. A name is just a name, it doesn't change the amount of coin I get in the morning" He smiled. "What brings you here, friend. By your appearance, I judge that you were not chased out of Napoli."

"No, I wasn't. Though I predict that before the next year, plenty of people will be chased from that land." He handed Musco a scroll adorned with the official seal of Napoli. Nervous, Musco broke the seal and opened the scroll. After a few minutes contemplating, he looked up at his old friend.

"This was fine work my friend. You will be leaving for Capua soon, to reproduce these lovely results there, but if you wish, you can stay a while so you may withness the fruits of your work."

The Chancellor smiled, obviously glad to be the one bringing good news to his employer. "I would enjoy that, yes. Shall I have the Marshall awoken?"

"Yes, please do. The Steward as well, it is time to put this stash of gold to good use."

He smiled to his old friend as the old man left the room. Musco took a seat close to the fire, warming his hands, awaiting for his council to arrive. Or at least those who were close enough to be called."

 

[Wilkey]

Nice AAR, really well written and interesting to read, I'm looking forward to see where is goes.