Dragons of Tirenia: Mezziano and the Silver Dragons
Mezziano is a city in northern Tirenia, in fertile plains bordered by multiple rivers. It serves as the main trade route for goods travelling across the northern mountains. As a result, it is an extremely prosperous city, and was historically seen as a rival for the great city of Auromia itself.
From the beginning, the silver dragons who live near Mezziano have been its protectors. They were curious about the humans, and kept a watchful eye on them. This is also why there is such a high proportion of silver dragonborn in the city.
Mezziano was absorbed into the Auromian Empire after a brief war - the gold dragons thinking that the long-term benefits of unity would outweigh the short-term suffering, while the silver dragons believed that the ends could not justify the violent means. The silver dragons soon sued for peace, wishing an end to the destructive conflict. Mezziano entered the Empire on favourable terms, and those silver dragons that were willing (and later, other dragons as well) became a second tier of nobility after the gold dragon god-emperors. They were required to leave Mezziano, however, to prevent any future uprising from using them as a figurehead. The city became a gold dragon stronghold, and the administrative capital of the Auromian Empire.
After the fall of the Auromian Empire, the silver dragons largely left humans to their own devices. Many of those who had been a part of the Empire had perished, and the silver dragons who had remained apart felt that they had been vindicated. There was also a lot of anti-draconic feeling among the humans at that time. Those who still wanted to look out for humans dedicated themselves to tasks such as hunting down remaining orc warbands.
The silver dragons were caught by surprise by the plot of Morignus and the other evil dragons. When the truth was revealed, the silver dragons returned to Mezziano, driving out the white dragons who had claimed it, and placed it under their protection once again. Since then, the silver dragons have worked to keep their city safe and prosperous.
Mezziano is now one of the richest cities in Tirenia. Although surrounded by enemies - the bronze dragons to the west, the red dragons to the east, and the white dragons to the north - Mezziano has strong political alliances, particularly with the blue dragons of Fiumenze. Its goods, particularly its excess food, are exported throughout the country. The city also boasts a large number of skilled artisans, and has a command over all trade to the north. All this means that the silver dragons have the resources to hire a large condottieri mercenary army when needed. This, along with its political and economic clout, has kept it safe thus far.
The silver dragon court is renowned through Tirenia for its opulence and luxury. The fashion of 'courtly love' originated from here, and is still practiced commonly. The best musicians are said to come from Mezziano. This has earned the city and its draconic overlords a reputation for indolence, foppishness and self-absorption. Certainly the silver dragons are more interested in maintaining what they have, rather than expanding their holdings.
To an extent, however, the silver dragons being dandies is a front. Many silver dragons do believe in isolationism, but there is also a significant faction who are secretly leaders in the Humanist movement. Mezziano funds groups fighting for independence across Tirenia, and there are hidden silver dragons who are helping to destroy the other dragon lords. If the other cities found out about this, they would unite to destroy Mezziano.
The city is ruled by a draconic Principessa. She is advised by her chief courtiers, the other silver dragons. Thus, in effect, the government is a benevolent oligarchy. Humans actually have less political power than in other cities - there are no guilds to promote the interests of the middle class - but the dragons do make sure that their people have a better standard of living, and there are charitable programmes to help the poor and homeless as well. This has not stopped some agitation to have a human voice among the Principessa's advisory council, but it is unlikely that this will come to pass.
From the beginning, the silver dragons who live near Mezziano have been its protectors. They were curious about the humans, and kept a watchful eye on them. This is also why there is such a high proportion of silver dragonborn in the city.
Mezziano was absorbed into the Auromian Empire after a brief war - the gold dragons thinking that the long-term benefits of unity would outweigh the short-term suffering, while the silver dragons believed that the ends could not justify the violent means. The silver dragons soon sued for peace, wishing an end to the destructive conflict. Mezziano entered the Empire on favourable terms, and those silver dragons that were willing (and later, other dragons as well) became a second tier of nobility after the gold dragon god-emperors. They were required to leave Mezziano, however, to prevent any future uprising from using them as a figurehead. The city became a gold dragon stronghold, and the administrative capital of the Auromian Empire.
After the fall of the Auromian Empire, the silver dragons largely left humans to their own devices. Many of those who had been a part of the Empire had perished, and the silver dragons who had remained apart felt that they had been vindicated. There was also a lot of anti-draconic feeling among the humans at that time. Those who still wanted to look out for humans dedicated themselves to tasks such as hunting down remaining orc warbands.
The silver dragons were caught by surprise by the plot of Morignus and the other evil dragons. When the truth was revealed, the silver dragons returned to Mezziano, driving out the white dragons who had claimed it, and placed it under their protection once again. Since then, the silver dragons have worked to keep their city safe and prosperous.
Mezziano is now one of the richest cities in Tirenia. Although surrounded by enemies - the bronze dragons to the west, the red dragons to the east, and the white dragons to the north - Mezziano has strong political alliances, particularly with the blue dragons of Fiumenze. Its goods, particularly its excess food, are exported throughout the country. The city also boasts a large number of skilled artisans, and has a command over all trade to the north. All this means that the silver dragons have the resources to hire a large condottieri mercenary army when needed. This, along with its political and economic clout, has kept it safe thus far.
The silver dragon court is renowned through Tirenia for its opulence and luxury. The fashion of 'courtly love' originated from here, and is still practiced commonly. The best musicians are said to come from Mezziano. This has earned the city and its draconic overlords a reputation for indolence, foppishness and self-absorption. Certainly the silver dragons are more interested in maintaining what they have, rather than expanding their holdings.
To an extent, however, the silver dragons being dandies is a front. Many silver dragons do believe in isolationism, but there is also a significant faction who are secretly leaders in the Humanist movement. Mezziano funds groups fighting for independence across Tirenia, and there are hidden silver dragons who are helping to destroy the other dragon lords. If the other cities found out about this, they would unite to destroy Mezziano.
The city is ruled by a draconic Principessa. She is advised by her chief courtiers, the other silver dragons. Thus, in effect, the government is a benevolent oligarchy. Humans actually have less political power than in other cities - there are no guilds to promote the interests of the middle class - but the dragons do make sure that their people have a better standard of living, and there are charitable programmes to help the poor and homeless as well. This has not stopped some agitation to have a human voice among the Principessa's advisory council, but it is unlikely that this will come to pass.
Art: 'Mediolanum.' Artist unknown, c. 1493.
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