House Vincenti

**Head of House**
 **Heir**
 **Seat**
 **Lands**
 **Overlords**
 **Vassals**
 **Founder**

**House Vincenti** is a Stormwindian noble house that rules over the Barony of Levalet in the Duchy of Alcestenne. Previously a Baloric house of non-landed gentry, the House Vincenti was ennobled in the wake of the Stormwindian Civil War for their instrumental part in quelling the revolt of the previous ruling House, Barbet.

With their merchant origins, House Vincenti maintains a tight grip on the flow of money in Alcestenne and Balor at large, and uses their financial connections to bring troves of secrets back to their liege lords in House Laurent. Renowned for their skill in subterfuge as well as their loyalty, House Vincenti has earned their place so close to the capital of the northern Baloric duchy.

## History

### Rise of the Vincenti

Though the Vincenti name has existed for many long years, Lorenzo Vincenti was the first of their line to make a name for himself. A farmer by trade, Lorenzo implemented a four course crop rotation and saw his wealth explode over the years. With this sudden influx of wealth, Lorenzo saw to it that his family would reap the rewards.

In the year 500 K.Y. did Lorenzo Vincenti first set up his bench at a Levalet trade plaza. He gave out loans and earned royalties on other farmers' harvests, thus earning him another large influx of wealth. His rising star was noticed by multiple families; the most notable being the militia family of Fumaroli and the Mocchi Breadmakers. Simply despising Lorenzo's growing influence, they conspired against the "Lord of Golden Waves" and had him exiled under false evidence. Baron Barbet feared the second peasant revolt in twenty years. Lohan Barre, a vegetable seller, had rebelled in 483 K.Y. due to the oligarchy's stranglehold over the lowest classes. Lorenzo's father's second cousin twice removed had been one of Barre's associates.

Lorenzo Vincenti was then exiled in 510 K.Y. Chartering a vessel to Kul Tiras, Lorenzo made deep connections with the Ashvane Company. It is rumored that Ashvane mercenaries had Andre Fumaroli murdered. Jules Fumaroli, Andre's father, returned to the Baron and pleaded that Lorenzo was actually innocent. Though the Baron of Levalet didn't immediately believe Jules, it was evident that Lorenzo was going to have his way.

The Mocchi did not budge. So it was that the Vincenti and Fumaroli worked together to oust the Mocchi. Vincenti supporters killed every last Mocchi. Since they could no longer defend themselves, Jules Fumaroli told the Baron of Levalet that it had been Mocchi planning a second revolt. Vincenti had only been a red herring.

After 3 1/2 years, Lorenzo returned to Balor in 513 K.Y. He immediately went to work. The Vincenti become patrons to many artists and artisan guilds, buy up the once Mocchi workshops, and secure the Ashvane Company's exclusivity rights to the Levalet Harbor.

Lorenzo Vincenti dies in 533 K.Y. to illness and leaves the majority of his assets to his eldest son, Luca Vincenti.

### Expanding Influence and the Bank of Levalet

Born the same year his father was exiled, Luca Vincenti was raised under the new direction of his family. When he received his father's assets, he made steps to cement his family's new place. He sells his family's farm and ensures that no Vincenti will ever be a laborer again.

A painter and an architect in his own right, Luca had an eye for the arts. He also knew the power of the commoner well. He used his knowledge to secure negotiations between the nobility and masons, carpenters, smiths, and many other local commoner-led Levalet industries. This relationship saw Levalet beautified. The Basilica of Saint Alessandro, a beloved Baloric Saint, saw its construction due to Vincenti backed efforts. After being worked on between 534 and 555 K.Y., it was often called the Basilica of Saint Luca by those in Luca's sphere.

Aware of the ease of his father's exiling, Luca made it so that the Vincenti could never be taken off guard again. He makes a deal with Jules Fumaroli months before the latter's death that ensured the Fumaroli's loyalty in protecting the Vincenti as long as their bond remained strong. He also hires the Ashvane Trading Company to teach his children in the Ashvane style of business. Luca also reaches out to his brother in the church, Salvestro. Through this, the Vincenti handle the acquirement of many material goods - such as spices, textiles, and relics - through wholesale trade for the Church.

Luca's death in 570 K.Y. saw the end of a controversial man's life. His father had been largely apolitical and still saw himself as a common man, while Luca truly believed that the Vincenti deserved to be more than merchants - but true nobles!

His daughter, Marie Vincenti, carries this with her. Tired of going through Baloric banks and remembering her grandfather's grain bank, Marie establishes the Bank of Levalet (the Vincenti Bank outside of Balor). Within a few short years, most moneylenders and bankers are absorbed into the Bank of Levalet. Not only that, but several branches open across Balor.

Using her ruthless business acumen, Marie uses the Band of the Drake (The Fumaroli's Free Company) and her family's spies to spread Vincenti influence like wildfire. She bullies other merchants out of deals, threatens other organizations away from valuable plots of land, and even successfully pulls off a conspiracy and assassination in a conflict known as the Baradin Trade Wars (580-586). With Vincenti money and goods flowing just about as free as they could, the Vincenti Bank opens branches throughout the Stormwind mainland.

The reigning Baron of Levalet noticed the ruthless and illicit activities being handled by Marie Vincenti and is quick to pass an ordinance demanding all Free Companies to register their activates through the Harbormaster. The Band of the Drake was effectively defanged and Marie was seemingly backed into a corner. That was until...

### The Second Rise of Vincenti

Marie's vessel sank as she attempted to flee the Orcish Horde's invasion of Balor (592). With the head of the family dead, Balor lost, and Stormwind in shambles - it would seem that the Vincenti's rise to power had ended.

The three sons of Marie Vincenti are capable of holding the family together, however. Through the Ashvane, through all of their wealth, and through their connections all across the Kingdoms of Humanity - the Vincenti survive. Though not pivotal in the reclamation of Balor, one of Marie's sons believes that the Vincenti had a greater role to play. Dominique Vincenti undermines his eldest brother, Giovanni Vincenti, with the assistance of Leo Vincenti - his youngest brother. Taking control of the Vincenti, Dominique sees to it that Balor and the Kingdom of Stormwind are rebuilt with by his family.

He funds mining operations, the building of lumbermills and the restoration of Levalet's Carpentry Guild, and he functionally takes control of the Wool Guild. Vincenti funded miners find alum, an important mordant in dyeing. They may not own the workshop, nor the companies that put it all togehter, but their money is what set it all in motion.

By 608 K.Y., Dominique has done nothing but propel the Vincenti name far beyond what it had been before. Noble all but in name. His daughter Jeanne-Dominique Vincenti is born the same year the Alliance of Lordaeron disbands, and this fear that humanity may wane after all his hard work instills a deep dread within Dominique. A dread that will last until his death. He cherishes his daughter more than anything in the world, as she is the first light in his life after the terrors of the First and Second Wars. She deserves the world. And she knows it.

By the time of the closure of 633 K.Y., whispers of unrest started to brew. Jeanne-Dominique is given to Barbet's son in marriage to bolster the Barbet. Within the year, however, this proves to be the Barbet's downfall. In 634 K.Y., Baron Verril Barbet joins the Lyonesse rebels and promises Balor's northern shores to them. It seems that the Levalet native Vincenti go along with his plan to become the new Duke of Alcestenne until the Battle of Levalet where the Vincenti's guile is truly revealed. Vincenti vessels unload Band of the Drake men-at-arms and forces loyal to House Laurent during the night in conjunction with a siege, killing Verril Barbet in the Battle of Levalet, at the cost of Jeanne-Dominique's father and namesake, Dominique.

### Ennoblement

House Vincenti was founded in 635 K.Y. when House Laurent elevated Jeanne-Dominique to nobility for her family playing an instrumental part in the Battle of Levalet, stopping the treachery of Verill Barbet. Though her father died, Jeanne-Dominique survived the battle and was honored with elevation into nobility for her part in saving Alcestenne from the clutches of rebellion.

### Present Day

House Vincenti, under the auspices of Jeanne-Dominique, continue to serve as the reigning house of Levalet, directing trade and commerce from the central spire in Levalet, Beverlare Citadel. They serve with great loyalty to House Laurent, and their family has been honored with the entitlement to produce the Spymaster of Alcestenne generationally.

## Notable Members

### Jeanne-Dominique Vincenti

Baroness Jeanne-Dominique is the current head of House Vincenti.

### Sebastian Vincenti

The eldest of two younger brothers to Jeanne-Dominique, Sebastian is the current Heir-Apparent to House Vincenti.

## Lands and Vassals

### Barony of Levalet

The House Vincenti reigns in the Barony of Levalet, a large port Barony on the northern shore of Balor, under the vassalage of House Laurent.

### Vassals

House Barbet and House Palomer reside in Levalet as well, with Palomer proving loyal and dependable vassals to Vincenti, thankful that there are now rulers more forgiving and gracious than the Barbet family to serve, while the Barbet family is still embittered by losing so much in the Civil War.

## Coat of Arms

**Crest:**
Black Dragon

**Crest Colors:**
White, blue, black, gold, orange.

**Description of Shield:**
Blue and white checkerboard with a tilted Baloric star at the top, golden Baloric anchor in the top left corner, a guarding Black Dragon in the center of the crest.

**Motto:**
To be seen is our honor.