The history of House Sirecchia
by Harri MäkiGiuseppe di Sfonti
The Di Sfonti family was an old Kerendan family that migrated to the western Alasiyan Marches in the early 6th century. They earned the title of baron in the beginning of the 7th century, and gained their position as one of the leading families in the area. At that time, war was brewing in the Marches, between the Thyatian migrants, the Alasiyan nomads, and the settlers from Alphatia.
In AC 707, Giuseppe di Sfonti succeeded his father, Enrico, as a baron, at the early age of 23. Giuseppe was a handsome young man with long blond hair. He received a best possible education and spoke Thyatian, Alphatian, Alasiyan, elvish and dwarvish all fluently. He was much admired but not loved because of his eccentricities. Giuseppe was highly intelligent and took no pains conceal it. He despised people of lower intelligence and he had a nihilistic view of world. He was also very cynical and very violent beneath his pleasant appearance.
Trouble in the Alasiyans
Baron Giuseppe didn't care much about military matters. He wanted to solve problems with the Alphatians and Alasiyans through negotiation not fighting. In AC 708, he told this to a military governor, Lord Carlo Glantri, and was accused of treason. Only Lord Cesare Fulvina's mediation saved him. In AC 711, when Lord Pontius Gardius succeeded Carlo Glantri as military governor, Giuseppe was more careful in putting forward the idea of negotiation. Under Lord Pontius' rule, it was not a possibility.
At that impasse, Giuseppe left military matters to the other lords, and concentrated in his favourite pastime: hunting with hawks. He also remarried in AC 715, his first wife had died in childbed in AC 713, giving birth to his second son Massimo. Giuseppe brought also this time his wife from Thyatis City.
AS the war with the Alasiyans and Alphatians intensified year by year, Giuseppe clearly saw disaster coming to Thyatians. He tried to speak with his influential friends in Thyatis City about the matter but to no avail.
In AC 728, disaster finally struck in the Battle of Hedjazi and the Thyatians were decimated by Alasiyans. The leader of the Hattians in the Alasiyan Marches, Herr Otto von Drachenfels proposed the idea of leaving the area and migrating to rich Highlands to the west. Baron Giuseppe supported this idea from the beginning. He had satisfactory relations with the nomads, because he had always treated them better than the other Thyatians. But he also knew that it would be a suicide to stay alone in the area. His third wife was also pregnant and he cared for her safety.
Migration to the Highlands
During the migration to the Highlands, Giuseppe was a constant annoyance to the other leaders. He complained about everything and when he was needed, he was mostly somewhere hunting. The only time during the migration he was of any use, was when the migration reached the woods of Belcadiz elves. Giuseppe was the only leader capable of speaking Elvish, so it was he who succeeded in negotiating safe passage for them through the woods. Giuseppe was already nearing 50, but with his flowing blond hair and boyish manners, he still looked in his thirties. His conduct and language were faultless, and he absolutely charmed the elven leaders (especially the elven ladies!). Giuseppe later spoke often about this as an example of the benefits of a good education.
Giuseppe led his followers to the banks of the Red River. There he began to build a new home for himself and his family. In AC 731, village of Oreggiano was founded. In the same year, Giuseppe was nearly killed in an assassination attempt. He was furious when it was revealed that the culprit was his eldest son, Enrico. Everyone else was horrified when Giuseppe himself tortured his son to death.
From AC 730 to 734, there was much fighting between the local Flaems and the new settlers of the Highlands, but Giuseppe's Kerendan followers were mostly spared because their area was farthest from the Flaemish territories. At that time, Giuseppe declared his village to Barony and began to use the title of Baron of Oreggiano.
In AC 743, his second son, Massimo, disappeared on a hunting trip in the Glantrian Alps. (Only in AC 788 was it revealed that the Flaems had captured Massimo and that he died in prison in AC 764.)
Giuseppe's end came suddenly in AC 750 when he died of fever. He was already 66 years old, but he still looked at least 20 years younger.
Corrado di Sfonti
Corrado di Sfonti was 21 years old when his father Giuseppe died. He was born during the migration in Selenica, and as a third son, he was not intended to follow his father as a leader of the family. It was only after Massimo's disappearance that his education was started as a future leader.
Corrado was in appearance a mirror image of his father, but that was the only similarity they had. Corrado didn't have his father's intelligence and he was a very simple person. He also didn't have his father's tolerance towards other races. Giuseppe had always spoken for peace with the Flaems, but Corrado was thirsty for military glory.
In AC 751, when the Hattian leader, Joachim von Drachenfels married a Flaemish lady, Luise van Agt, Corrado was amongst the first to accuse him as a traitor. When the skirmishes began between the Flaemish lords and Thyatian settlers, Corrado personally led his troops, together with his younger brother Manfredo. He left the matters of ruling Oreggiano to the hands of his fathers cousin, Ottone di Sfonti.
Unfortunately, Corrado also inherited his father's lack of military capabilities, and Corrado led the Kerendan troops from defeat to defeat. He could never admit his failings and died of fever in AC 754.
Manfredo di Sfonti
Manfredo di Sfonti was 22 years old when he succeeded his brother Corrado as Baron of Oreggiano. He had inherited his looks from his mother more than from his father. He was still a handsome, but dark-haired and taller than his brother. He was also more capable in military matters. He had long realized that Joachim von Drachenfels and the Hattian troops were superior to his army. After Corrado died, he made a peace with Herr Joachim and returned to Oreggiano.
Manfredo now lived a peaceful life concentrating on hunting and settling his people over Red River. In AC 759, he married his cousin Constanza di Sfonto. In AC 761, when Joachim von Drachenfels proposed a unified state in the Highlands, Manfredo's answers were evasive. He didn't believe that a unified state was possible and he didn't like the idea of the leadership of Joachim von Drachenfels.
In AC 766, Manfredo went to a hunting trip with his cousin, Carlo di Sfonti. That was the last time he was seen. Carlo return from the trip badly wounded and reported that they have encountered a group of ogres. Carlo had escaped only after he had seen Manfredo killed. (In fact, Carlo had planned all this. He himself had murdered Manfredo.)
Manfredo's son, Ruggiero, was only 2 years old, so Carlo was chosen as the nearest relative, to be a guardian and regent during his minority.
Carlo di Sfonti
Carlo di Sfonti was a son of Giuseppe's younger brother, Alessandro di Sfonti, who had died with his wife during the migration in AC 729. Giuseppe had taken in the 3 year-old Carlo and his sister Constanza to be raised with his children. However, Giuseppe's third wife, the mother of Corrado and Manfredo, never let Carlo forget that he was not her child. Carlo had grown to hate his younger cousins who always got what they wanted from their mother.
Carlo was very cruel and vindictive, but he controlled these traits well that Corrado and Manfredo never suspected how much he hated them. Carlo was happy when Corrado died, because he knew that after Manfredo, he would be the next in line to the barony. Carlo was even happy when his sister Constanza died in giving birth to Ruggiero, because it meant that Manfredo would have no more heirs (as long as Manfredo didn't marry again). Carlo had begun to plan Manfredo's death immediately after Ruggiero was born. It took him little over two years to realise his plan. Ruggiero lived only 3 months longer than his father.
Carlo took the title of Baron before the end of year 766. As a ruler Carlo was efficient but hard. There were no rights to complain about his decisions and his taxes, but then again, everything worked. He took care of everything, there were not a detail he didn't get involved in.
During his years as Baron, Carlo's relatives began to disappear or die in accidents. By AC 777, only old Ottone, Giuseppe's cousin, and Ottone's young nephew, Matteo di Sfonti, were left living. In the previous year, Carlo had made a military pact with other Thyatian leaders, Herr Joachim von Drachenfels and Lord Titus Glantri, against the possible Flaemish aggression. However, Herr Joachim and Lord Titus knew that they couldn't trust Baron Carlo, so when Ottone and Matteo led a sudden attack against Oreggiano in AC 777, Herr Joachim and Lord Titus refused to help Carlo.
Most of Carlo's troops switched side during the battle, and Matteo killed his cousin at the steps of Palazzo Oreggiano. After the battle, Ottone was announced as a Baron of Sirecchia and the Kerendans accepted him as their new leader.
Ottone di Sfonti
Ottone di Sfonti was already 70 years old, when he was proclaimed as the new leader of the Kerendan settlers. He was a cousin of Giuseppe and had followed him with his younger brother, Massimo, from the Alasiyan lands in AC 728. Ottone was a reclusive mage who had only taken part in politics when he helped young Corrado after Giuseppe's death. After Corrado's own death, he moved to nearby Sirecchia where he built a tower for himself.
Ottone had been handsome when young, but now he was bald, cleanshaved, stooped old man. He had never been married and had no children. He was also as cynical as Giuseppe has been, uncaring and somewhat unscrupulous. He had wakened to Carlo's murderous dealings only after his brother Massimo's death in AC 776. Massimo's son, Matteo fled to Sirecchia and told Ottone about his parents' deaths in the hand of assassins and how he had barely escaped.
Together, uncle and nephew carefully planned their attack On Baron Carlo. Matteo travelled to the other Thyatian settlements, to get promises of support from Herr Joachim von Drachenfels and Lord Titus Glantri. When that was obtained, Ottone declared that Carlo was unfit to rule and Matteo led the troops to Oreggiano.
After Carlo's death, Ottone declared Matteo as his heir and returned to Sirecchia. He left most of the ruling to Matteo and interfered only in the most important things, such as relations with the allies. The War with the Flaems
In the 780s, racial hostilities between the Flaems and the other settlers were seething in the Highlands. Herr Joachim von Drachenfels was looking to start a war, but couldn't provoke Flaems to attack. Ottone was actually satisfied at this, since he was happy with his magical experiments and was afraid that a war in the Highlands might interfere with them. In AC 784 however, when the war did erupt, Ottone honoured his promises and gave his support to Herr Joachim. Ottone actually sent all his troops to Joachim, because neither he nor Matteo were actually war leaders.
During the course of the war, Ottone stayed in Sirecchia, whereas Matteo was with Herr Joachim and Lord Titus in the field, as an advisor and negotiator. Ottone only left Sirecchia in AC 788 after hearing of Herr Joachim's sudden death. He took part in the negotiations at Braastar for the Treaty of 788, but because of his advanced age, Ottone left most of the duties to Matteo. Ottone had seen through the ploys of the Alphatian leader, General Halzunthram, from the first, and warned the other leaders about the dangers of overlooking him, but the others didn't heed his warnings.
After Halzunthram's coup to declare Highlands as a colony of Alphatia, Ottone let everyone know that he had been right all along. But on the other hand, he didn't care much who ruled the Highlands, as long as there was peace. Ottone submitted to Halzunthram's leadership and returned to Sirecchia as viscount.
Ottone again left ruling to Matteo and went back to his experiments, oblivious to the events of the Forty Years War. Ottone didn't leave his tower ever again. He died in his bed in AC 795 at the age of 88. By that time, most of the Kerendans had already forgotten that he, not Matteo, was their ruler.
Matteo di Sfonti
Matteo was 40 years old when he became the leader of his people in name. He had already been the real leader nearly twenty years, because his uncle Ottone had left nearly everything about ruling to him.
Matteo was a quiet, unimposing man and everyone liked him. He was friendly with the people and was seen nearly everyday walking amongst the commoners. He had large family, five sons (Galeazzo, Lucchino, Mario, Giovanni, and Gino) and two daughters (Filippa and Julia). He was more like a benevolent merchant than a nobleman, and it was very hard for the Kerendans to imagine that Matteo had killed Carlo di Sfonti 20 years earlier. The Forty years War
Matteo became Viscount of Sirecchia in the middle of the Forty Years War and had already been negotiating with the rebel Flaems. In AC 796, he switched sides to join the rebel faction under the command of Titus Glantri. At first he tried to lead his troops against the Hattians (who had allied with the Alphatians), but he soon realised that he was not a war leader. He left the leadership of the troops to his eldest son Galeazzo, who showed himself to be a good leader.
Matteo concentrated on keeping the rebel alliance together and trying to get new allies to join them. He sent envoys to the elves, Ethengar, Kaelics and Traladarans. He also personally tried to persuade the d'Ambrevilles to join the rebels. The negotiations took years and in the end, Matteo only succeeded with the Ethengar to join the rebels in AC 801.
In AC 802, the combined rebel forces attacked Braejr: The rebels might have conquered it, if only Hadriana Glantri hadn't left her position to attack the Hattians in the north. It was this rashness of Hadriana that nearly destroyed the alliance. Matteo had to ensure the Ethengar and the Flaems (who suffered the most losses) that no betrayal had taken place. He was so furious at Hadriana, that he recalled his own Kerendan troops, which he had given to Hadriana's command in AC 801, to return from the Hattian front. But his son, Galeazzo refused the command and stayed with Hadriana's army.
At that time, Matteo also moved his family from Oreggiano to the more secure Sirecchia. In AC 804, when Halzunthram had employed dwarven troops to join the Alphatians side, Matteo contacted the leader of the Elves, Don Fernando de Belcadiz to join the rebels. Matteo realised this would be the best time to approach the elves again, but it took two years for the elves to agree to join them.
In AC 805, Hadriana Glantri had led her army to the disastrous Battle of Vorstadt. She had fled over the Wendarian Ranges, at which point Galeazzo di Sfonti decided to return to Sirecchia with his men. Matteo took his son back with open arms and never mentioned his disobedience, but Galeazzo had now to submit to the command of the new leader, Alexander Glantri.
Matteo had raised Alexander Glantri like his own son, since Hadriana had left him in Sirecchia in AC 801. Alexander was more capable in military matters than Matteo's own younger sons, so he had been clear choice for leader.
From AC 806 onwards, Matteo was always in on a mission to negotiate with their allies or to obtain new allies for the rebels. He tried many time to persuade the d'Ambreville's to join their side, but they were adamant in their refusal to take any part of the fighting. (For some reason, Halzunthram also honoured their neutrality.) The Kaelics were another group that refused to join the war, and they stayed in their mountain's fastness.
In AC 811, Hadriana Glantri had returned to the war field with fresh Wendarian and Boldavian troops. Hadriana had remained surprisingly fit and agile, and somewhat harder than she was before. She had acquired many powerful magical items, and her troops had taken to only fighting and travelling at night. And though small in number, her troops were unusually efficient, ferocious, and blood thirsty.
After couple of years, Matteo began to sense that there was something terrible wrong with Hadriana, and it was only in AC 818 than he his suspicions were confirmed. It was his most difficult task ever to reveal his findings to Alexander Glantri and to convince him that it was the truth. When Alexander met his mother, he believed Matteo at last. With Matteo's help, Alexander destroyed Hadriana and dispersed her troops. They announced Hadriana's death without explanations.
In AC 813, the Hattian leader Wilhelm von Drachenfels sent envoys to Don Fernando de Belcadiz, making negotiations to switch sides. It was a major break for the rebels, but Matteo and the other leaders took it as a hoax. Alexander Glantri and Don Fernando persuaded them to take the negotiations seriously. It took some years for to Matteo recognise Wilhelm's sincerity, and seven years after that before Wilhelm openly switched sides.
At this point, war began to go against Halzunthram and the Alphatians and he had to bring in more troops from Alphatia.
In AC 822, Matteo's missions cost him his life. He was returning from Linden after negotiating with the Flaems, when he was captured by Alphatian troops and promptly executed for high treason. He was 67 years old.
Galeazzo di Sfonti
Matteo was succeeded as Viscount by his 45 year-old son, Galeazzo. Galeazzo was already a tired man, having seen war since he was 11 and having fought in war since he was 18. The war years had clearly left their mark on him. He was grim, humourless, and lacking of his father's intelligence. He was particularly bitter of his father putting Alexander Glantri before him.
Galeazzo was probably better warrior than Alexander, but he lacked Alexander's charisma. Galeazzo was blunt, rude and only his wife and son, Astolfo, could make him smile. Even his brothers were afraid of him. He was however steady, upright, fair, and just with his rulings.
Galeazzo was killed in the last battle of the Forty Years War. When Alexander Glantri's troops found the headquarters of Halzunthram in AC 828, Galeazzo was among the first to die in the attack. He was 51-years old.
Astolfo di Sfonti
Galeazzo's son Astolfo was 27 years old when his father died. Astolfo was more cultivated than his father; as his mother had taken care of his education. He had not been taken in any part of the fighting, as his father had wanted to spare him from those unhappy years.
In AC 829, under the newly established Republic of the Highlands, Astolfo was confirmed as a Viscount of Sirecchia by the House of Lords. He was not very interested in political matters and let his uncle Lucchino di Sfonti represent him at Parliament. Astolfo spent most of his time in hunting and partying with his relatives. Astolfo however was also interested in literature and managed to collect a very sizeable library at Sirecchia.
Astolfo was much liked by people and it was a quite a shock when a wild boar killed him in AC 834 at the age of 33.
Lucchino di Sfonti
Astolfo's successor as Viscount was his 47 year-old uncle Lucchino, son of Matteo di Sfonti and brother of Galeazzo di Sfonti. This was the last time di Sfontis were unanimous when selecting the new leader of the family. Whereas all of his brothers were warriors, Lucchino was more like his father Matteo. He was by far the most intelligent of the brothers, and consequently derived most from his father's education.
From the very early age, Lucchino had accompanied Matteo in the negotiations during the Forty Years War. It was sheer good luck that Lucchino wasn't with his father when Matteo was captured. After Matteo and during Galeazzo's leadership, Lucchino was family's chief negotiator. After the war, under Astolfo's rule, Lucchino was the only possible choice as a representative for the parliament.
In AC 835, when Lord Alexander Glantri was murdered, there was no question amongst the Thyatian and Kerendan nobles that Lucchino di Sfonti should succeed him as their representative at Council. Lucchino was also chosen to succeed Alexander as the Chancellor of the Council, because the only other alternative, Herr Wilhelm von Drachenfels, had refused the position.
Lucchino now used his position to bring architects from the Thyatis to build a new town in the area of Lizzieni. He constructed Lizzieni as a replacement for Oreggiano as the main town in the area. Lizzieni was filled with large Thyatian-style marble buildings and great avenues, and the construction of a coliseum, Circus Lizzieni begun in AC 838.
Lucchino was loved by common people but he also had his enemies. Soon after becoming the Viscount, Lucchino drove Astolfo's young sycophants out of Sirecchia. These turned out to become very dangerous enemies. In AC 849 Lucchino was murdered in the age of 62, when he was opening the newly built Circus Lizzieni.
Giovanni di Sfonti
Selecting Lucchino's successor wasn't an easy process. He didn't have any children, so the main contenders for Viscount were his only living brother, Giovanni, and Borso, the son of his deceased brother, Mario. Mario had been older than Giovanni, and Borso placed his claim on that fact. After much quarrelling, Giovanni was chosen to succeed Lucchino.
Giovanni was 59 years old when he became Viscount. He was somewhat fat and had always been clumsy, ugly and slow. On horseback, he was mostly embarrassing. (Lucchino was also fat, but he was a good rider.) The reason behind Giovanni's selection as the new ruler was that his relatives thought him easier to control than young Borso. To his great surprise, Giovanni was also chosen to succeed his brother as the Chancellor of the Council. The actual reason was that at that time, nobody else wanted the position.
However, Giovanni proved himself to be a competent Chancellor and Viscount, much to everyone's surprise. He turned out to be more independent and intelligent than everybody suspected. Giovanni stepped out of the shadow of his brothers and showed everyone that he has talents too. Giovanni had his faults too. He continued Lucchino's lavish building plans in Lizzieni, which nearly ruined his finances.
In AC 850, the childless Giovanni adopted Matteo, the son of his older sister Filippa, to confirm his succession. Everyone had expected him to name Borso to be his successor, but Giovanni showed his independence in this question. He chose Matteo because Matteo had shown no interest in ruling.
Giovanni died of bubonic plague in AC 854 at the age of 64.
Matteo di Sfonti II
Matteo, the nephew and adopted son Giovanni, was 36 years old when Giovanni died. His position was not secure, because his cousin Borso and Borso's supporters were against it. However, the House of Lords confirmed his position as new Viscount of Sirecchia. His selection as a representative in the Council was also contested by Alexius Glantri, son of Alexander Glantri. But the other Thyatians favoured Matteo more than the somewhat arrogant Alexius. He was chosen as a Treasurer of the Council.
Matteo's father and mother had died in the last years of the Forty Years War, and he had been raised by his uncle Lucchino. When Lucchino died, Matteo was adopted by his other uncle Giovanni. Lucchino had realised the boy's intelligence and trained him to be a magic-user. Matteo was handsome, lively, well-mannered man, and everyone had expected much from him.
His murder in AC 855 was a great shock to everyone in Glantri.
Borso di Sfonti
Matteo's murder was followed by furious infighting among his relatives to gain the leadership of the house. During the first three months of AC 855 about 20 close and not so close relatives who supported Matteo disappeared or were murdered. In the end, only one contender was left in Sirecchia to present his claim as Viscount: Matteo's 35 year-old cousin, Borso. He was also chosen to be a representative in the Council in spite of Alexius Glantri's protestations and succeeded Matteo also as a Treasurer of the Council.
Borso's father, Mario, had died in AC 826, and he was also raised by his uncle Lucchino and trained as a magic-user. Borso had been very good friends with Matteo, until Giovanni had chosen Matteo as his successor.
Borso had inherited his father's and uncle's tendency to fatness, but was attractive and cultured. It was difficult for people to believe that he was behind his relatives' murders and disappearances, but his appearances was deceiving. Inside Borso was vindictive, petty-minded, and very power-hungry.
Borso also had something his predecessors didn't have since Galeazzo: a legitimate heir. In AC 840, Borso had married Barbara Löwenroth, the daughter of a Hattian baron from the north, and they had a son Galeazzo II. This was especially important after the Light of Rad decision and the establishment of the Principality of Caurenze.
Borso proved to be a good ruler in his principality. People generally liked him and he managed to balance the finances of both Caurenze and Glantri after the brief rebellion in AC 859. There was some restlessness in Caurenze, but nothing very serious.
In the Council, Borso supported enfeoffment of both Nouvelle Averoigne and Klantyre in AC 875. He did not have a friendly relations with Etienne d'Ambreville, but he recognised the d'Ambreville's power and understood the benefits of Etienne becoming a Prince.
In his last years, Borso also called his last living cousin Bernabo from Thyatis to Sirecchia. He was not sure about his son Galeazzo's abilities and declared that if he were to die before Galeazzo was 30, Bernabo should be next in line as Prince of Caurenze.
In AC 878, Borso died of food poisoning at the age of 58. Everyone suspected murder at first, but there was no proof to be found.
Bernabo di Sfonti
Borso's son Galeazzo was only 27 years old when his father died, so Borso's cousin Bernabo succeeded Borso as the new Prince. And to everyone's great surprise, Galeazzo accepted this without complaints.
Bernabo was 54 when he became the second prince of Caurenze. He was also elected to succeed his cousin as the Treasurer of the Council.
Bernabo's father, Gino was youngest son of Matteo di Sfonti. Gino was sent by his father to Thyatis City to gain support from the Empire, or at least hire mercenaries to fight against Halzunthram and the Alphatians in the Forty Years War. Thyatis was not interested in the events of the Highlands, so instead, Gino met one mercenary leader, Guglielmo di Tarento, who was interested in going to Highlands. Guglielmo lead his troop to Sirecchia and stayed there after war. Gino married Guglielmo's sister, Isabella, and stayed in Thyatis City. Bernabo was their second son and was educated to be a magic-user.
Bernabo was a short, dark, stocky man with thick hair and very prominent nose. He was not a typical mage, as he was not very interested in learning or scholarship. Instead, he was typical di Sfonti; interested in hunting, dog-breeding and especially horse-breeding. Within ten years of arriving Glantri, he had developed the best horses for Caurenze. Unusual for a di Sfonti, Bernabo wasn't afraid of his relatives. He actually liked them and got along with everyone brilliantly. Even Galeazzo liked him somewhat, for being easygoing and a bit impulsive.
Bernabo had one serious defect: he couldn't see women as anything else other than a means to sexual pleasure. Consequently, he never married; and had many short-lived one-time liaisons.
Bernabo died in AC 885 at the age of 61. He had some venereal disease, which consumed his mind and his body. In his last year, he was practically a vegetable. After his death, it was revealed that Galeazzo had known of the disease and this was the reason why Galeazzo had so readily accepted his rule. Bernabo himself had told Galeazzo that he wouldn't last too many years, and Galeazzo had promised to wait.
Galeazzo di Sfonti II
Galeazzo, son of Borso, was 34 when Bernabo died. For a di Sfonti, Galeazzo was very handsome man, tall and fair and consequently very vain. In his younger days he was quite a daredevil. He liked women, hunting, hawks, dancing and gambling. As a magic user he was nearly as bad as Ernst von Drachenfels, who became a prince just a year after him.
By the time Galeazzo became Prince of Caurenze, he had somewhat mellowed. He had married Margherita Fulvina in AC 878 a couple of months before his father died, and had two young sons, Gianmaria and Filippo. But because of his reputation, the Council of princes didn't elect him as Treasurer of the Council. Instead, he was elected as Viceroy of Sablestone, when the former Viceroy, Robert McGregor was chosen as the new Treasurer.
As a ruler, Galeazzo proved to be very competent. People liked him because he had none of his father's vindictiveness or petty-mindedness. He liked to wander amongst the common people and listen to their complaints. He gave splendid displays in Circus Lizzieni, and in spite of this, he kept the treasury of Caurenze in prime condition.
In AC 896, with the d'Ambreville's disappearance and Toktai Virayana's death vacating the two top positions in the Council, the Council chose the Treasurer Kenneth McGregor to be a new Supreme Judge, and Galeazzo to succeed him as the Treasurer of the Council. Galeazzo also continued to be the Viceroy of Sablestone. (With one Prince less on the Council, it was decided that one viceroyalty should be connected with the position of Treasurer.
Galeazzo didn't have time to prove his abilities as a Treasurer, because of one vice of youth he hadn't outgrown: women. In AC 897, Galeazzo contracted the same disease that killed Bernabo. Galeazzo's end came much sooner than Bernabo's. He died in AC 902 at the age of 51.
Gianmaria di Sfonti
Galeazzo's elder son, Gianmaria, was 23 when he became a new Prince. Gianmaria was a handsome youth, much like his father. But he was much more serious minded, because of the responsibilities he had had already taken over in the last three years of his father's illness. At Council, he lost his father's position as Treasurer of the Council and Viceroy of Sablestone, but was chosen to be the Viceroy of Nordling.
In AC 905, he married Katherine von Drachenfels, cousin of Prince Albrecht von Drachenfels from Aalban. This was the only major event during his rule. Gianmaria was drowned in his bathtub in AC 912 at the age of 33 by his servants. Those years in Caurenze where so eventless that people even tend to forget that Gianmaria had been their Prince.
Filippo di Sfonti
Because Gianmaria had died childless, he was succeeded by his 30-years old brother Filippo. Filippo also succeeded his brother as Viceroy of Nordling.
Filippo was in many ways his brothers opposite. He was plain looking and dark man, who had enjoyed pleasures of life during his years in the Great School of Magic in Glantri City. There he had met Albrecht von Drachenfels and they had had some adventurous nightlife together. They stayed friends for rest of their lives.
After returning to Sirecchia, Filippo grew jealous of his brother's position. After Gianmaria's death, everyone supposed that Filippo was behind the murder, but there was no evidence of this.
In AC 914 Filippo married Eleonora von Drachenfels, Prince Albrecht's youngest sister. After the marriage, Filippo ended his night trips and left all other women. Their marriage still was not very happy. They had three daughters (Margherita, Anna and Lucina), but after they were born, Filippo didn't touch Eleonora anymore.
Filippo grew very stingy when he grew older: He became so mean and bad-tempered, that it was very difficult to deal anything with him. In AC 937, however, he was chosen to succeed Malcolm McGregor as the Treasurer of the Council, while keeping the viceroyalty of Fort Nordling.
In his later years, Filippo's greatest problem was his succession. All his three daughters together had as much magical talent as his left boot. He had hoped to linger on until his grandchildren came of age, but he feared that he should die too soon. Filippo had married all his daughters to magic-users, but he did not like any one of his son-in-laws: one was too loose with money, one was too stupid, and one was too power-hungry. Filippo was still pondering this question when he suddenly died of a heart attack in AC 947 at the age of 65.
Enter di Malapietra's
Within one week of Filippo's death followed the deaths of his two daughters and their families. First, the eldest daughter Margherita, her husband Alfonso Novellara and their children burned to death in their house in Oreggiano. Two days later, the second daughter, Anna, her husband Fernando Bozzolo, and their children were murdered.
The only one left was youngest daughter, Lucina, who had married Francesco di Malapietra. Of course, everyone believed Francesco was behind the deaths of his wive's relatives, or at least with the murder of Bozzolos, but there was no proof whatsoever to connect him with these.
Francesco di Malapietra was thus confirmed the new Prince of Caurenze.
Vincenzo di Malapietra
Vincenzo, Francesco's father, was a younger son of Ercole di Malapietra, a senator of Thyatis. Vincenzo was a wild and extravagant youth, an enthusiastic swordsman, and a passionate womaniser. He spent more money than his father would give him, so he soon fell into debt. Vincenzo was spared from his debtors by the Thyatian Emperor Gabrionus IV. The Emperor promised to pay Vincenzo's debts on the condition that Vincenzo would travel to Glantri to be his spy there. Vincenzo had no alternative but to accept.
So in AC 898, Vincenzo di Malapietra, aged 25, arrived in Glantri City. At first Vincenzo had been bit depressed about his banishment to the backwoods. However, he soon realised that it was more fun to be a big fish in Glantri, than just one of the small fishes in Thyatis. He was soon accepted in the highest social circles, because he was entertaining, polite, and flirtatious. The Thyatian-speaking nobles particularly welcomed him with open arms. He may have not been a magic-user, but he was a man of the world, unlike many Glantrians.
In AC 899 Vincenzo married Livia Fulvina, the sister of Viscount Ferruccio Fulvina of Verazzano. Two years later, their son Francesco was born.
Vincenzo remained the socialite, and spent his life in celebrations. He was not a very effective spy. In fact, most of the reports he sent back to Thyatis were more or less made up. He was very good in telling people what they wanted to hear-be they a Glantrian glitterati or a Thyatian Emperor.
Vincenzo died in AC 923 at the age of 50. His body just couldn't stand anymore his very excessive lifestyle.
Francesco di Malapietra
Francesco was 46 years old when he succeeded Filippo di Sfonti as Prince of Caurenze and was also confirmed in his father-in-law's positions as Treasurer of the Council and Viceroy of Nordling.
Francesco was in many ways the opposite of his father. He didn't enjoy big occasions. He was pale and restrained. But this outward show was somewhat deceptive, since behind appearances he was jealous and power hungry.
Vincenzo had sent him to study in the Great School, because he had realised that that was the way his son could reach the nobility in the Glantri. That was the only thing Francesco was later thankful for to his father. Francesco proved himself to be very talented in magic and graduated as a primus of his class.
Upon Vincenzo's death, Francesco was initially happy, until he realised how much his father had in debts, which where now his responsibility. It took Francesco nearly four years to pay all debts back.
Then in AC 930, Francesco just vanished. Nobody knew where he had gone. He returned to Glantri City in AC 939, paler and more withdrawn than he had ever been, but his magical skills were now in a whole new level compared to earlier.
After returning, Francesco immediately began to court Lucina di Sfonti, the youngest daughter of Prince Filippo di Sfonti of Caurenze. Lucina was already 35 years old and everyone had assumed that she would die as a spinster. The reason for this was that clearly not everything in her head were in right places. It took Francesco two years to get Lucina's mother, Eleonora, to approve the marriage. Filippo didn't like Francesco, but he was ready to marry Lucina to anybody. Lucina was happy with Francesco and somehow it seemed that during those years Francesco also learned to love his wife.
After Francesco had assumed the status of Prince, it became apparent that he was very determined to keep the title in his family. Within two years all the remaining di Sfonti's were dead or had disappeared.
Beside of being a little paranoid Francesco proved to be a good Prince for Caurenze. He spent money more readily than his father-in-law. He had Circus Lizzieni opened again, despite the fact Filippo had closed it in AC 932 because of the costs of its maintenance.
As a member of the Council of Princes, Francesco soon angered the Drachenfels. He had the irritating habit of address Prince Johann and his brother, Georg ,as cousins, which they in fact were, to his wife, Lucina. Johann didn't pay any attention to that, but Georg was furious because he didn't like the disrespectful tone in Francesco's voice. During Filippo's reign, the relationships between two families had been very close, but Francesco soon made that history.
In AC 957 Francesco was chosen to succeed Prince Charan Erewan as the Chamberlain of the Land. This was part of the arrangement after Johann von Drachenfels had become unable to continue as a Grand Master of the Great School. Francesco had been content as a Treasurer, but he also wanted to get rid of viceroyalty of Nordling. Thus, he was only one of the Princes who wanted the status of Chamberlain.
Francesco tried to be a good Chamberlain. He travelled around Glantri and personally inspected roads, bridges and forests of the country, but he had really no talent for that kind of job. After six years, he began to neglect his duties and when he died of smallpox in AC 966, everything had deteriorated in condition. It took Prinz Georg von Drachenfels, the new Chamberlain, some years to clean the mess Francesco had left behind.
Mario di Malapietra
Mario was 24, when his father Francesco died. He had inherited his grandfather's disposition, enjoying good company and celebrations. He had healthy appetite and he drank heavily, so he was already quite plump. He was even more intelligent than his father, and at a young age surprised his elders with his knowledge in philosophy and law.
Prince Mario was chosen to be a Viceroy of Nordling. That charge lasted only six years. In AC 972, he was chosen as the Chancellor of the Princes after the death of Prince Cadwallon Aendyr, the former Chancellor. He was youngest of the Princes at that time, but older princes thought his youth an advantage for the job. They also everyone realised that Mario's sociable nature was perfect for hosting foreign ambassadors. Mario was not much as a negotiator, but everyone had agreed that as Chancellor, he arranged best parties ever for foreigners. He made everything possible to get his guests to enjoy.
Mario had only one ambition; to become the Supreme Judge of the Council. Unfortunately, the Supreme Judge at that time was Prince Alfonso de Belcadiz, who would probably outlive all human contenders, so Mario realised that his dream might remain a dream only.
It was ironic that Prince Mario and Prince Alfonso died in same year of AC 991. Mario was poisoned in a diplomatic dinner. The culprit for the deed was never found. He was only 49.
Innocenti di Malapietra
Mario's successor was his 29 year old second son Innocenti. For some reason, Mario had passed over his eldest son Giovanni, and named Innocenti as his successor. Mario had never explained the reason, but everyone suspected that reason was that Mario's wife, Letizia, detested his eldest son.
Prince Innocenti was chosen to be the Viceroy of Ylourgne just to annoy Prince Etienne d'Ambreville, who didn't like him at all.
Summary
Giuseppe di Sfonti b.684 d.750
Corrado di Sfonti, son of Giuseppe. b.729 d.754
Manfredo di Sfonti, son of Giuseppe. b.732 d.766
Carlo di Sfonti, son of Giuseppe's brother, Alessandro di Sfonti. b.726 d.777
Ottone di Sfonti, cousin of Giuseppe. b.707 d.795
Matteo di Sfonti, son of Ottone's brother, Massimo di Sfonti. b.755 d.822
Galeazzo di Sfonti, son of Matteo. b.777 d.828
Astolfo di Sfonti, son of Galeazzo. b.801 d.834
Lucchino di Sfonti, son of Matteo. b.787 d.849
Giovanni di Sfonti, son of Matteo. b.790 d.854
Borso di Sfonti, son of Giovanni's brother, Gino. b.820 d.878
Bernabo di Sfonti, son of Giovanni's brother, Mario. b.824 d.885
Gianmaria di Sfonti, son of Galeazzo II. b.879 d.912
Filippo di Sfonti, son of Galeazzo II. b.882 d.947
Francesco di Malapietra, son-in-law of Filippo di Sfonti. b.901 d.966
Mario di Malapietra, son of Francesco. b.942 d.991
Innocenti di Malapietra, son of Mario. b.962
First Baron of Oreggiano 734-750
Baron of Oreggiano 750-754
Baron of Oreggiano 754-766
Baron of Oreggiano 766-777
First Baron of Sirecchia 777-788
First Viscount of Sirecchia 788-795
Viscount of Sirecchia 795-822
Viscount of Sirecchia 822-828
Viscount of Sirecchia 828-834
Viscount of Sirecchia 834-849
Chancellor of the Council 835-849
Viscount of Sirecchia 849-854
Chancellor of the Council 849-854 Matteo di Sfonti II, son of Giovanni's sister, Filippa. b.818 d.855
Viscount of Sirecchia 854-855
Treasurer of the Council 854-855
Viscount of Sirecchia 855-878
First Prince of Caurenze 858-878
Treasurer of the Council 855-878
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 878-885
Treasurer of the Council 878-885 Galeazzo di Sfonti II, son of Borso. b.851 d.902
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 885-902
Viceroy of Sablestone 885-902
Treasurer of the Council 896-902
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 902-912
Viceroy of Nordling 902-912
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 912-947
Viceroy of Nordling 912-947
Treasurer of the Council 937-947
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 947-966
Treasurer of the Council and Viceroy of Nordling 947-957
Chamberlain of the Land 957-966
Prince of Caurenze and Viscount of Sirecchia 966-991
Viceroy of Nordling 966-972
Chancellor of the Princes 972-991
Prince of Caurenze 991-1010
Viscount of Sirecchia 991-
Viceroy of Ylourgne 991-1006