Dragons of Tirenia: Fiumenze and the Blue Dragons
Fiumenze was built a long time ago, on a ford of the Puzza River. It grew in importance under the Auromian Empire, as commerce became more widespread, and stone bridges were build across the river. The city was spared much of the devastation that accompanied the Empire's fall, and continued to be a major economic centre. The golden florins, the city's coinage, became ubiquitous worldwide, so much so that the 'pezzo d'oro,' as it is informally known, has become the most common name for a gold coin worldwide.
Fiumenze's importance made it a natural target for the dragons. The blue dragons worked their way into Fiumentian society, posing as an up-and-coming mercantile family, the di Dottori. They established banks, as well as other enterprises, and worked to drive their rivals out of business. Within a hundred years, the blue dragons ran the largest and most successful banking house in the world, with branches in all the major cities. Anyone could get a loan from the di Dottori banks, with competitive rates of interest, and even the High Ordinarchs would rely on them. From here, it was easy to overturn the city's republic and take power themselves. Once the blue dragons revealed themselves, they changed their family name to 'di Azzuro', keeping the Dottori name as a vassal family line for their dragon-born retainers.
Duke Zaffiro 'il Magnifico' di Azzuro is the current lord of Fiumenze. His great vault of banking ledgers serves as his hoard. Zaffiro understands that a flourishing, orderly society is the most profitable, and works hard to keep the city running efficiently. Through his emissaries and the branches of his banks, he wields considerable power throughout Tirenia. In times of war, he is able to finance a large mercenary army to fight on the city's behalf. He is also a great patron of the arts, and many great sculptors, painters and writers have come to Fiumenze to attend his court. But the city has its enemies: the bronze dragons of Staglia to the north wish to re-establish the Auromian Empire through force; street preachers denounce the corruption of the church and the secular nature of city; and jealous enemies wish to see Fiumenze fall so their own star may rise.
Fiumenze's importance made it a natural target for the dragons. The blue dragons worked their way into Fiumentian society, posing as an up-and-coming mercantile family, the di Dottori. They established banks, as well as other enterprises, and worked to drive their rivals out of business. Within a hundred years, the blue dragons ran the largest and most successful banking house in the world, with branches in all the major cities. Anyone could get a loan from the di Dottori banks, with competitive rates of interest, and even the High Ordinarchs would rely on them. From here, it was easy to overturn the city's republic and take power themselves. Once the blue dragons revealed themselves, they changed their family name to 'di Azzuro', keeping the Dottori name as a vassal family line for their dragon-born retainers.
Duke Zaffiro 'il Magnifico' di Azzuro is the current lord of Fiumenze. His great vault of banking ledgers serves as his hoard. Zaffiro understands that a flourishing, orderly society is the most profitable, and works hard to keep the city running efficiently. Through his emissaries and the branches of his banks, he wields considerable power throughout Tirenia. In times of war, he is able to finance a large mercenary army to fight on the city's behalf. He is also a great patron of the arts, and many great sculptors, painters and writers have come to Fiumenze to attend his court. But the city has its enemies: the bronze dragons of Staglia to the north wish to re-establish the Auromian Empire through force; street preachers denounce the corruption of the church and the secular nature of city; and jealous enemies wish to see Fiumenze fall so their own star may rise.
Art: 'Map of Florence'. Francesco Rosselli, 1473.
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