Dragons of Tirenia

The unquestioned ruler of Vanzenia is Morignus the red dragon. Morignus treats the city as his own personal hoard, wanting to see it become richer and more powerful. Before the arrival of the dragons, Vanzenia was unique in Tirenia for being a republic. Morignus subverted the republic while still undercover by turning it into an oligarchy: only the richest should be allowed to vote. By disenfranchising the people of Vanzenia, he found it easier to take over. Members of the oligarchy formed the Great Council, and would elect one of their number to become Doge (duke) of Vanzenia. Morignus is not interested in day-to-day governance, so he has allowed the Great Council to maintain an administrative role. It amuses Morignus to let the members of the Great Council squabble among themselves, and so he habitually appoints officials, such as tax-collectors, at his own discretion. Usually, this will be someone who has given him a hefty bribe, or someone of whom he currently approves - usual...

Vanzenia was founded at the fall of the Aurumian Empire. As orcs and other monsters began to encroach upon the edges of Tirenia, one group of refugees moved into the Vanzenian lagoon and established a new settlement upon the islands there.This made them safe from the worst of the war on the mainland, but it could not protect them from the air. The Vanzenians were terrorised by Excidius, a red dragon, who demanded tribute from them. They were saved by San Teodoro, one of the disciples of the Prophet. He killed Excidius, and then brought the holy word to the people of the lagoon. In the years that passed, Vanzenia grew rich and powerful. Its isolation from the wars of the mainland meant that it could maintain its neutrality. Its people sank posts into the lagoon and extended their great city out over the water. making a thousand artificial islands divided by canals. Its ships traveled across the Middle Sea and established trading connections everywhere. The city grew rich selling salt,...

I've decided to start writing a series of short articles about Tirenia, the world of Dragon Princes. They may be related to our game, or they may be about the wider world. Please request topics that you want me to write about: otherwise, I'll just see where the spirit takes me. For today, let's have something about the dragons of Vanzenia! The red dragons have ruled over Vanzenia for hundreds of years, although it is only within the last century that they have revealed themselves to humanity. Now they rule the city with an iron grip, and are slowly expanding their rule to more and more of the world. There are many broods of red dragons, but the 'ruling family' is Morignus, the lord of Vanzenia, and his three horrible children. Morignus is the oldest living dragon in the world. His sire, Excidius, fought against the Prophet Yesha, and was killed by Santo Teodoro, the patron saint of Vanzenia. Morignus was only a young dragon at the time, but he escaped and sw...