Padovese History: Book 3 - Origins of The Serene Republic

### **Empire and Succession:**

The Gonfalon's men gathered in the grand hall of Padavium, their eyes fixed on the intricate tapestries that adorned the walls. The time had come to choose a new Gonfalon, a leader who would carry the weight of the new Padavium empire on his shoulders. After much deliberation and careful consideration, the gonfalons men elected Ennias Mennus as the chosen one. Ennias had proven himself to be a loyal and dedicated general under the command of Alesso. He had always offered his services on the front lines of every battle, but Alesso, wise and strategic, had kept him at the back. When Ennias finally confronted Alesso about it after the conquering of Noctria, Alesso revealed his intentions.

"If you were killed," Alesso explained, "I would not have a suitable person to govern Sollas after this war. I need you at the back so that I can sleep at night, knowing I have loyal men who would not disappoint me in ruling the people we made our equals." Ennias understood his role and remained steadfast in his loyalty to Alesso.

With the killing of Noctria's entire senate, Alesso spoke with the Gonfalon's men, making them swear never to betray Ennias Mennus when made governor of Sollas. Ennias would be the one to continue the legacy of the empire without fault or peril.

News of the new Gonfalon spread like wildfire through the city of Padavium, and the public rejoiced. However, Alesso's Generals, filled with arrogance, could not help but feel envious. They believed they were more deserving of ruling the empire and resented being ordered around by someone they considered a nobody like Ennias.

### **Death of The Pious:**

Days passed, and disaster struck the clergy of Padavium. Friar Jacabo Sotti, a prominent religious figure and member of the gonfalons men, was brutally murdered on a religious day. His body lay broken and bloodied, a chilling note pinned to his torso with a knife, threatening more slaughter if Ennias was not removed.

The people of the empire were shaken by this horrific event. Sensing the possibility of unrest from a minority with a loud presence if left unchecked, Ennias sent three of his generals, Antinigo, Sollecus, and Tolemaius, to the provinces. Their mission was to calm the people and assure them that good would come under the new Gonfalon.

However, these three generals harbored resentment towards Alesso's adoption of the conquered customs and traditions. Envy poisoned their hearts, and jealousy clouded their rationality and unity. Seizing the opportunity, they agreed to remove Ennias and install themselves as the rulers of the empire, forming a triumvirate.

**Triumvirate:**

After a week of clandestine planning, the Triumvirate sought to assassinate Ennias once and for all. They requested a meeting with the Gonfalons men and the Gonfalon himself, under the pretense of discussing a replacement for Friar Jacabo Sotti. The meeting took place in the grand Senate of the empire.

The Gonfalon and his men eagerly awaited the generals' arrival, expecting them to present a suitable replacement. However, to their surprise, the generals entered empty-handed. Instead, they invited the Gonfalon and his men to a dinner the following evening, promising further discussion on the replacement.

The next evening, a sumptuous feast was served. Everyone partook in the meal, unaware of the treacherous plot unfolding. The announcement of the replacement would come once Ennias had the opportunity to confer with the other men he had sent to the provinces.

### **Strongest Among You:**

But fate dealt a cruel hand. On the day of the announcement, the Gonfalon, his men, and one of the generals fell fatally ill. Only Antinigo and Sollecus remained unscathed, raising suspicions among the survivors, Tolemaius has been betrayed by one of the Triumvirate members. The generals rushed to the capital to aid the ailing Gonfalon, but many of the gonfalons men perished. Only three out of twelve remained alive. The remaining generals approached Ennias, hoping he would guide them in electing the next Gonfalon, as most of the Gonfalon's men had perished. Ennias, weakened by the poison, drew his last breath but uttered five profound words to his generals, "To the strongest among you." With those final words, Ennias passed away, ending his suffering.

The generals stood in disbelief, their hands instinctively gripping the hilts of their swords. Fillipos Andros, a respected man among them, stepped forward, his voice commanding their attention. He urged them to unite against any who betrayed Ennias Mennus, reminding them of his own loyalty to Alesso and how he led the people of Sollas to eliminate the royal court for their cause. The generals, filled with respect for Fillipos, heeded his words and vowed to stand together.

### **Turned Tables:**

Tolemaius, on his deathbed, revealed the plan to poison the Gonfalon, aiming to put a strong ruler in his place and expand the empire. In a fit of rage, a servant attacked Tolemaius, avenging the dead general.

Meanwhile, the other generals reached the capital, unaware of the treachery that had unfolded. Antinigo set off for Noctria, where some of his supporters awaited, while Sollecus traveled to Sollas, seeking support by the hoax of vowing to avenge Ennias—unknowing that Sollecus himself had been one of the conspirators.

As news spread of the assassination plot carried out by Antinigo, Sollecus, and Tolemaius, the generals grew wary. Tolemaius, one of the plotters, was already dead, slain by his own servant. Noctria, where some of Antinigo's loyal supporters resided, received word of his treachery. The generals, now doubting Antinigo's sincerity and his commitment to the previous era of peace and harmony, approached Naksos, the capital of Noctria.

Fillipos Andros, ever the diplomat, promised no harm to Naksos and its citizens. He offered pardon to the generals if they would lay down their weapons and unite with him to remove the assassin, Antinigo. The general who was against Antinigo since the beginning, Cato Torius, handed over Antinigo to the people of Naksos and left the city, heading back to seek Fillipos' pardon with the other generals who actually supported Antinigo even though he didn't need to get a pardon. In a grand gesture of forgiveness, Fillipos granted them their pardon and then swiftly dealt with Antinigo. He fulfilled his promise to the people, dragging Antinigo by his hair to the temple of Noctiluca, the patron god of Noctria. The crowd erupted in cheers as Fillipos executed Antinigo, offering a blood statue of a spider as an offering to Noctiluca.

Sollecus, however, faced a different fate. His name had been tarnished by his involvement in Ennias' assassination. Captured by the supporters of Fillipos, Sollecus was hung upside down on a pole and beaten until his life was extinguished. His body was then cast into the sea, a symbolic act of avenging Ennias' death.

### **Riformatore:**

With Antinigo and Sollecus eliminated, Fillipos embarked on a mission to reshape the government and honour Ennias' memory. He arrived at the capital of the empire and enacted significant changes. Fillipos adopted a new name, Fillipos Ennias Mennus, paying homage to the fallen Gonfalon. Alongside his new name, he transformed the empire into "The Most Serene Republic of Padova," aligning it with the name commonly used by the people.

Fillipos disbanded the existing governmental bodies and introduced a fresh system that embraced the name of the people. The empire was divided into six provinces, each represented by 30 elected officials in the "150 of provinces" senate. To establish uniform laws and taxation, the "6 of law and order" senate was established. Lastly, Fillipos created the "10 of War" senate, comprising ten generals assigned to protect the Republic from foreign invaders.

Having positioned himself as the new Gonfalon of the Serene Republic, Fillipos ensured the selection of his heir, Cato Torius, also known as "Cato The Pale." Cato had gained respect for his valor and leadership during the Aerondite Wars, where he commanded the Padovese ships against Karthadasht's navy. Cato was responsible for capturing Antinigo and delivering him to Fillipos. The transition of power appeared smooth, and the Republic flourished under Fillipos' rule for eight years.

### **Sudden News:**

However, tragedy struck when Fillipos suffered a fatal heart attack. The Republic mourned their beloved leader for 40 days and nights. At the end of the mourning period, Cato The Pale ascended to the position of Gonfalon. Months after his coronation, a messenger arrived with unsettling news.

"Gonfalon Cato," the messenger said, bowing respectfully. "There is news from the north. The civil war in Athomo has come to an unexpected halt, not due to the victory of any faction."

Cato's eyes narrowed as he listened intently. "Then what stopped the war?" he demanded.

The messenger's voice quivered with unease. "Plague, Gonfalon Cato. A deadly plague coined The Satriona by the people of Athomo has swept through the north, and there are fears that it may reach our borders"

Cato's expression turned grave as he contemplated the gravity of the situation. The future of the Republic hung in the balance, overshadowed by the impending threat of the encroaching plague.

### **Database:**

1. Ancient Athomo
2. Ancient Noctria
3. Ancient Padavium
4. Ancient Sollas
5. Antinigo
6. Gonfalon Cato The Pale Torius
7. Gonfalon Ennias Mennus
8. Gonfalon Fillipos Andros
9. Gonfalon's Men
10. King Alesso Macetti
11. Satriona Plague
12. Senate of Noctria
13. Sollecus
14. Tolemaius