Serene Republic of Venice

The Serene Republic of Venice, commonly referred to as the Republic of Venice or simply Venice, was a country in Italy ruled by Pierre. It was also home to H1p0, Governor-General of Crete, and Bulgar, General of the Armed Forces of the Republic. It was founded on Day 1 (Year 1000) of season 3 By Pierre, who is the first and current Doge of Venice. It is one of the few republics on the server, although de-facto the title of Doge is hereditary. It is bordered by Khazad-Dum to the northwest. It was a member of the Italian Alliance and was a Vassal of Poland Lithuania. It had as vassals Genoa, Parma, Bosnia, Federation of Lombardy and Milan. It was dissolved on day 49 (year 1096), when they joined the Kingdom of Italy.

## History

Venice was founded on day 1 (year 1000) by current Doge Pierre, also known as Pierre of Venice, Pierre the conqueror, or simply il Doge. The country originally started as a small trading republic with its borders containing just the city of Venice and its surrounding areas. However, by the end of year 1000, the country had a colony on Istria, controlled most of the modern coastline (as well as a small bit of Friuli), and had merged with nearby San Marino to create the Italian Confederation, a country made to hopefully unite the Italian Peninsula under a confederacy. By day 7 (year 1012) the confederacy peacefully broke up and Venice and San Marino became two separate sovereign nations.

### Mainland Expansion

Upon its creation, Venice merely consisted of the city of Venice and some surrounding areas. But during 1000, the country expanded across the Venetian coastline and inland into a small bit of Friuli. in 1002, the country expanded further into Friuli and inland up to the Adige river. this is where the border remained until 1012 (Day 7), when an expedition into the Alps was launched. The border was moved to natural ridges and borders in the alps, except for a small uninhabited hole between the frontiers and Friuli. Also in 1012, the border was pushed beyond the Adige, marking the beginning of Venetian expansion into Lombardy. In 1014 (day 8) the uninhabited hole was conquered and small valleys and ridges in the Lombard Alps were also conquered. this is where the border remained until 1020 (day 11), when more Lombard territory was incorporated. In 1026 (day 14), mainland expansion was completed with the incorporation of Cremona.

### Colonies in Istria and Crete

In 1000, one of the first expansions of Venice was to create a small outpost on Istria, which would become the outpost of San Pietro, named after Doge Pierre. The primary export of San Pietro is lumber, being home to the few spruce trees in Venetian territory. in 1028 (day 15) the colony was expanded top include most of the Venetian claims in Istria. in 1032 (day 16), Tills was made Governor-General of Istria.

Crete was uninhabited, but claimed by the Hellenic Republic until 1028, when Leader of Hellas, Braden, gifted the island to Venice. Immediately after this, the first settlement of the island, Capo Cavour, was created. in 1030 (day 16), the island was appointed a governor-general, H1p0 of Bulgaria.

### Asylum and citizenship of Bulgar and H1p0

Bulgar and H1p0 were both members of Bulgaria, a nation which used to sit south of the Danube, neighbouring Macedon and Dacia. in 1012 (day 7), Bulgaria found itself in a war with Dacia. Nothing came of this until 1030 (day 16), when Dacia went down and conquered Bulgaria. A skilled statesman and general, Bulgar sent his army and hoped for victory, but he was severely outnumbered. As such, Bulgaria was crushed and partitioned between both Dacia and Macedon, with a small area going to Hellas. Venice was neutral during the war, however Doge Pierre watched the battles intently and came to admire both Bulgar and H1p0 for their courage and bravery during the war. Although the Bulgarians lost, Pierre still greatly appreciated their ability to keep morale during the situation. As a result, when the two showed up seeking asylum from the Dacians in Venice, Pierre accepted them both and gave them citizenship. The Dacians offered Bulgar to rule the new Dacian province of Plovdiv, but he refused, preferring to remain in Venice until he can hopefully retake Bulgaria. Bulgar was named General of the Armed Forces of the Republic, while H1p0 became the Governor-General of the colony of Crete.

### The Scramble for Dalmatia

Dalmatia became a Venetian colony in 1032 (day 17), and the scramble became the dominant part of Venetian politics in that year. Dalmatia is very important, being home to most of the Adriatic Coast and being a major area of trade in both the Adriatic and the Balkans. Pierre had made known their intentions to colonise Dalmatia, which prompted an outcry from the small Kingdom of Zeta, and more importantly, Braden of the Hellenic League, a state that had formed at the very end of the year prior from the merging of Macedon and the Hellenic Republic. Braden, a de-jure Ottoman puppet but mostly acting on his own accord, was nervous of losing his prestige as the dominant power in the Balkan region (barring Dacia). As such, he proclaimed he would settle in Dalmatia, to which Pierre replied any Hellenic settlers would be shot on sight. With tensions between the two very high, Pierre set out with a fleet and settled Porto Meridio at the far south of Dalmatia. This angered the neighbouring Zeta, who claimed the region, so the Venetians, wanting to retain good relations with Zeta, withdrew from the area. Immediately after the withdrawal, Tills, a member of the settling fleet and mayor of Porto Meridio for its short existence, was named Governor-General of Istria. Tills was very sceptical of the League, fearing the Hellenic would show up for a colony in Dalmatia sooner than expected. As such, he helped Pierre fund another venture into Dalmatia, founding the city of Ragusa, and then expanding northward to Zara, a settlement which was named capital of the Military Frontier of Dalmatia. Dalmatia, as of now, has no Governor-General and remains controlled solely by the General of the Armed Forces, Bulgar, under military control. This is to enforce their claims and make sure nobody, especially the Hellenics, would show up to take a bit of Dalmatia. As of now, tensions between the League and Venice remain high, although an attempt was made to improve relations when Braden visited Venice in the latter half of 1032.

## Institutions and Positions of Government

### Doge

The Doge is the head of government and the one in charge of most policies in the country. While the Doge is in theory an elected position, elections are rare and the position is usually lifelong. The first and current Doge is Pierre, otherwise known as Pierre of Venice.

#### Pierre

Pierre I, born Pierre Vittori, is the first and current Doge of Venice. Pierre was born in the city of Venice and from a young age they had dreamed of a Venetian country that controlled all of Venezia and Friuli. Pierre would go on to conquer all of this, as well as eastern Lombardy, during their rule. Due to this, they were given the title Pierre the Conqueror. Pierre would go on to establish colonies in Istria and Crete as well.

##### Pierre's Policies

Pierre is a left-leaning politician, and as such many of their policies go with this. A founding member of the Movement For the Humane Treatment of Striders, Pierre criminalised Strider abuse in Venice in 1032, becoming the first country to do so. Pierre also has a policy of little direct rule, especially in the colonies, giving the far away island of Crete to H1p0 to lower their own involvement on the island.

### General of the Armed Forces of the Republic

The General of the Armed Forces of the Republic, often shortened to Armed Forces General or just General, is the head of the armed forces of Venice, controlling the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The General can do many things across Venice and its territories, including civilian and international policing, prepare and gather forces for ongoing wars, and request for the Doge to declare war on a nation. The current General is Bulgar.

#### Bulgar

Born in Bulgaria, Bulgar has a love for the Bulgarian nation and its people, dreaming to one day liberate Bulgaria from Dacian control and reinstate Bulgarian independence. He fled Bulgaria along with H1p0 to escape persecution from the Dacians, who had taken the country. Doge Pierre observed battles from this war and came to admire the statesmanship and courage of the general. So, upon arriving with H1p0, he was given citizenship and promoted to General.

##### Bulgar's policies

Bulgar's number one goal is to assemble a coalition to retake Bulgaria from Dacian control. Bulgar, a strict yet kind General, trains his soldiers very well and can often put together a very well-made army or navy. Bulgar is also responsible for putting together a police force.

### Colonial Governor-Generals

Every colony in Venice has a Governor-General who is in charge of both civil order in the colonies as well as organising local battalions to fight with the Venetian army. Governor-Generals are still in the process of being appointed, and currently the only colony to have a Governor-General is the island of Crete, with H1p0 as its Governor-General.

#### H1p0

Like Bulgar, H1p0 is also a Bulgarian. H1p0 was a powerful person in Bulgaria, working very closely with Bulgar. H1p0 arrived with Bulgar in Venice, and similarly to Bulgar, Pierre was fascinated with H1p0's ability to run a state. as such, H1p0 was given control of the island of Crete.

##### H1p0's policies

H1p0's policies are widely unknown, though many assume he has a similar dream to bulgar, the dream of retaking Bulgaria from Dacia. H1p0 is also known to be a firm ruler, able to empower people with his morale.

##### Tills

Tills is Governor-General of the Istria region. Not much is known about Tills, but it is known that he has a close rivalry with ruler of the Hellenic League, Braden.

##### Tills's policies

Like H1p0, Tills's policies are mostly unknown to the general public, although he has expanded the town and capital of San Pietro, and has expanded holdings in Istria, as well as helping with the settlement of Dalmatia, and is very skeptical of the Hellenic League.

## Rulers

Venice was a hereditary monarchy ruled by the house of Albergati.

 Bartolo I
 Helena I
 Pierre II
 Riccardo I