Character listing
Categories Kings and Queens Dukes, Duchesses and Ambassadors Cardinals Other Florentines Other characters Notable individuals who aren't player characters
Queen Isabella of Castille
Queen Isabella rules with her husband Ferdinand over a Spain united everywhere except for an Ottoman enclave in Granada. Nicknamed 'The Catholic' she is extremely devout and travels regularly to Rome on pilgrimage and has in the past visited Florence and Milan.
Her attendance at Lorenzo's funeral is an indication of the respect Spain held for him - and of the importance of the Medici bank to Spanish interests. However Isabella's absence from Spain at the moment is unusual in two respects. Firstly she has personally been leading the Spanish attack on the Moors in Grenada and a final assault was thought to be imminent. Secondly she is supposed to be waiting impatiently for the return of her favourite adventurer Christopher Columbus from his quest to find a Western route to the Indies.
Queen Catarina Cornaro
Cararina Cornaro was a beautiful Venetian girl from a noble family. Aged 14, in 1468, she was formally adopted and dowered by the Republic as its only daughter and then married to King Giacomo of Cyprus. The marriage cemented an alliance between the great Republic and the weak Mediterranean kingdom.
King Giacomo died suddenly in 1473 and Queen Catarina took control of the throne. In this she defied Venice as it wanted her to marry a Venetian noble so as to solidify the Republic's hold on the island. After ten years of sole rule, Catarina was finally persuaded to abdicate and Cyprus became part of the Venetian Republic.
Queen Catarina, her title retained, now holds court in splendour in a massive castle in Asola.
DUKES, DUCHESSES AND AMBASSADORS
Duke Alfonso d'Este
Alfonso is the Duke of Modena, one of the two states controlled by the powerful Este family. He will also inherit Ferrara on the death of his father Ercole.
Unlike his sisters Beatrice and Isabelle, Alfonso has not yet married. It is said he spends so much time with his beloved cannon he hasn't time to find a wife. Alfonso controls a Condottiere company which is largely comprised of modern artillery.
Duchess Isabelle d'Este
The eldest Este child, Isabelle married Duke Francesco Gonzaga of Mantua almost a quarter of a century ago. Isabelle has helped guide her husband's affairs and was instrumental in making his Condottiere company Venice's usual first choice. Certainly Mantua's relations with its large neighbour have never been better.
Mantua is near the heart of an Este web of interests. Isabelle's father is Duke of Ferrara; her brother is Duke of Modena; her sister is married the the ruler, if not the Duke, of Milan; and her and Francesco's daughter - Elisabetta Gonzaga - is married to the son of the Duke of Urbino.
The absence of Isabelle's husband, Duke Francesco, from Ludovico's funeral is unusual, but Isabelle has dealt on Mantua's behalf before now. Perhaps Francesco's absence is tact as he has fought more often against Florence on its behalf.
Duchess Caterina Sforza
Caterina is the illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza, the assassinated brother of Ludovico Sforza. As such, she is Ludovico and Ascanio's neice and the half-sister of the deposed Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza. She married Duke Gerolamo Riario of Forlì and has ruled the state as Duchess since her husband's murder in 1488.
Caterina's willpower in taking her husband's state as her own, coupled with her courage and beauty have won her many admirers. As well as being a popular Duchess she is a Condottiere who leads the Forli mercenary company.
Duke Federigo da Montefeltro
Probably the foremost Condottiere of the time, Duke Federigo has established Urbino as a great court with one of the largest libraries in Europe.
Federigo is renown as a fierce and brave general, often fighting at the front of his men. Portraits of him only show his left profile because he lost his right eye from a sword blow many years ago.
Marchesa Vittoria Colonna
The young widow Vittoria Colonna is Marchesa of Pescara, part of the Kingdom of Naples. Granddaughter of Duke Federigo da Montefeltro and daughter of one of Rome's greatest families, Vittoria was betrothed at age three to Ferrante Francesco d'Avalos the Marquis of Pescara. Vittoria married Ferrante in 1489 and quickly established her court.
Vittoria was soon one of the most famous women in Italy. She travels often and has formed great friendships with prominent artists and intellectuals, notably Michelangelo. Her own poetry, although unpublished, is reportedly magnificent.
Marquis Ferrante died in battle last year, leaving his 25-year-old widow to rule Pescara.
Duchess Isabella di Bari
The daughter of Ippolita Maria Sforza and Duke Alfonso of Aragon, Isabella was married in 1488 to her cousin Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza, nominal Duke of Milan. Isabella fled Milan when Ludovico imprisoned her husband in 1489 and took up residence in Bari, part of the Kingdom of Naples.
As well as being Duchess of Milan, at least in title and whilst her husband still lives, Isabella has inherited the title of Marchesa di Bari from her father. From him, she also has significant landholdings in Calabria in Spain.
Duke Juan Borgia
Juan Borgia is the eldest of Pope Alexander's children and his father's favourite. He has been made Duke of Gandia in Spain and appointed General of the Papal forces, something which has led to tension between him and his brother Cesare. The handsome Duke enjoys his rank and authority and hosts fine banquets in Rome.
Cassandra Fedele
Born into an obscure Venetian noble family, Cassandra Fedele first rose to prominence when she married the last Doge.
Now widowed, she has kept her key place in Venetian society thanks to a combination of her wealth, contacts, great classical education and her charm and beauty. She is very close to the present Doge, but has recently been appointed Venice's Ambassador to Florence.
Phillippe de Comines
Comines has served in the French court for most of the past twenty years. He first served Louis XI and then was counsellor to the Regent, Queen Anne, before King Charles VIII reached maturity.
Three years ago, Comines was imprisoned for conspiracy against the Regent. However, last year Charles restored him to favour and he presently serves the King as Ambassador.
Cardinal Guiliano Della Rovere
Cardinal Rovere was considered the most likely successor to Pope Innocent VIII and was believed to have the support of most of the Italian cardinals, as well as the French. His defeat by his personal enemy Rodrigo Borgia came as a shock to many and Rovere has fled Rome, no doubt seeking a safe haven.
Rovere is extremely energetic and an enthusiastic patron of the Arts. More interested in secular power than religious, Rovere is probably already preparing for the next Papal election. His attendance at Lorenzo's funeral perhaps indicates he seeks the support of the Medici.
Cardinal Ascanio Sforza
Ascanio Sforza is the brother of Ludovico and was a possible rival to his rule in Milan, suffering frequent exile as a result. His appointment as a Cardinal meant his arena moved to Rome and he has been heavily involved in church intrigues ever since.
Ascanio was considered a possible Papal candidate at the recent election, but threw his weight squarely behind Rodrigo Borgia. Rumours of the time spoke of mule trains of Spanish silver being delivered to his door. Since the election, Ascanio has been granted the post of Vice Chancellor and is in charge of all church finances.
Cardinal Giovanni de’ Medici
Created a Cardinal at thirteen by the last Pope, Giovanni is a worldly and cultured man. The hospitality at his palaces in both Florence and Rome is legendary and he is a generous patron of the arts.
Giovanni is an able administrator and negotiator and his reputation within the church has steadily grown. He is expected to become Pope one day, although he is presently considered too young. He was one of the six cardinals who did not support Rodrigo Borgia's election and so is currently out of favour.
Cardinal Ippolyto d’Este
The younger, more handsome Este brother has followed the traditional route into the Church. He was appointed a Cardinal only recently, at the same time as Cesare Borgia, but has taken well to the life. He is rapidly acquiring a reputation for cleverness and persuasiveness and lives a worldly lifestyle in keeping more with his age than his office.
Cardinal Cesare Borgia
Cesare was made a Cardinal very shortly after his father's accession to the Papacy. The young man has not yet fully settled into the role and still shows a wild and aggressive character. He is thought to be jealous of the titles and military duties granted to his elder brother Juan, and also very protective of his sister Lucrezia.
Piero de’ Medici
Piero is the eldest of the children of Lorenzo and as such heir to the Medici trading and banking interests as well as, at least by tradition, the title of First Citizen of Florence.
However Piero has not yet proved himself to have his father's intellect and powers of leadership. His brother Giovanni is wilier, and his cousin Giulio better with numbers and languages.
Catherine de’ Medici
Lorenzo de' Medici's seventeen year old daughter has received the best education available to any man or woman and lacks nothing save a suitable husband. Her father put off any thought of marriage to keep her at his side in his last months. For the last few weeks she has assisted Nostradamus as a nurse.
Guilio de’ Medici
Guilio is the bastard child not of Lorenzo de' Medici but his brother Guiliano. Guilio's mother came forward with the boy after Guiliano's assassination in 1478. Thereafter he was raised alongside Piero and Giovanni and treated by Lorenzo like a son.
Guilio is close to his younger cousin Giovanni and they share a Palace in Rome. His relationship with Piero is more distant.
Guilio's good head for figures has earned him a senior role in the Medici bank. The Medici served as the Church's bankers during the reign of Pope Innocent. Pope Alexander has not yet made an appointment.
Piero Soderini
Piero Soderini is a young Florentine noble well educated in classical and humanist traditions. He is also the popular leader of the 'True Republic' faction that wants to reduce or remove the Medici influence over the affairs of the state.
Piero's family operates a small banking concern that competes with the Medici bank. However the family's wealth comes mostly from trade.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Machiavelli is a young, educated gentleman from a middle-ranking Florentine family. He presently works in Florence's government, holding the post of Undersecretary of Finance.
Although a young man, Niccolo has a reputation as a consummate diplomat. He is friendly with both the Medicis and the pro Republic faction in Florence, being in the Inner Circle of both Guilio de' Medici and Piero Soderini.
Michaelangelo Buonarrotti
Michaelangelo is rapidly gaining a reputation as Florence's greatest new artist. He trained in the Medici sculpture school and is also an extremely talented painter and architect. Born into a minor Florentine noble family, Michaelangelo has many friends throughout the city.
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci is a wealthy Florentine merchant, with extensive trade links and contacts throughout the Meditterranean. His success in the East has led to some suspicion as trading with the Turk is forbidden by Papal decree and punishable by excommunication.
Vespucci's success has brought him a beautiful wife and many friends and admirers. However he is thought to want even more - some kind of lasting fame through adventure, exploration and discovery.
Simonetta Vespucci
The wife of Amerigo Vespucci is widely admired, as much for her education as her great beauty. She is also something of a mystery. Her origins are unknown, and wild tales range her birth from the highest to the meanest.
However her good marriage and many other charms have put her among the highest of Florentine society. She was an intimate confidante of Lorenzo de' Medici and Botticelli is said to be infatuated with her. She has certainly served as the subject of several of his paintings - from Dawn through to Venus.
Sandro Botticelli
Known to everybody by his nickname of 'little bottle' rather than by his full name 'Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi', Botticelli is one of Florence's greatest artists. He has carried out many commissions for the Medicis amongst others and was part of Lorenzo the Magnificent's close circle. It was this that put him into contact with Simonetta Vespucci, the subject of so many of his paintings.
More recently, Botticelli seems to have become a disciple of Friar Savonarola. His bright clothes and demeanour have been replaced with darker tones.
Leonardo da Vinci
Artist, inventor, engineer - Leonardo is probably the greatest master of the age. His prolific imagination and vast range have on occasion led to a failure to finish some works but that is perhaps the price of genius.
Leonardo has spent the past ten years away from his beloved Florence. In 1482 he was accused, and then convicted in absentia of the serious crime of sodomy. His and Florence's loss has proved Milan's gain. Since his flight, Leonardo has served Ludovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este as both an artist and engineer. His latest project is a gigantic bronze horse.
Leonardo's return is a calculated risk. He may find himself imprisoned if Sforza's protection does not prove strong enough.
Ludovico Sforza
Ruler of Milan and husband of Beatrice d'Este, Ludovico Sforza, nicknamed 'Il Moro' (the moor), is a figure of contradictions.
He is ambitious and ruthless, having siezed power of Milan in 1479 from his nephew Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza, but also a great patron of the arts. He currently employs Leonardo da Vinci.
Ludovico is widely reported to desire the title of Duke of Milan – a position he holds in all but name. His son Giovanni, by his first wife, is Lucrezia Borgia's discarded husband.
Beatrice d’Este
Beatrice rules the Court in Milan alongside her husband Ludovico Sforza. She controls courtly matters and the civil aspects of the state, while he concentrates on the military.
Beatrice is educated and refined, steadily gaining a reputation for establishing Milan as a centre of culture and learning which may one day surpass Florence. Beatrice has borne Ludovico a son and a daughter.
Elisabetta Gonzaga
The daughter of Francesco Gonzaga, Elisabetta is married to the sickly Guidobaldo da Montefeltro (who is himself the son and heir of Federigo da Montefeltro). She is proving herself a strong leader and able to cope with her husband's infirmities. She has even taking to accompanying her father-in-law on his recent military campaigns.
Elisabetta has acquired a reputation as a strong but charming character, as keen as her father-in-law to make Urbino into a great court. Some of her artistic commissions already grace the Palace there.
Count Giovanni Pico della Mirandola
A noted Humanist scholar and Platonic philosopher, Pico was until recently Lorenzo de' Medici's personal physician, living in Florence under his protection. This protection was necessary because of an outstanding charge of Heresy over his head.
In 1486, Pico published a work called "Oration on the Dignity of Man" which used Kabbalistic doctrine in support of Christian theology. However, a Papal commission declared part of this to be heretical. Although he published an explanation and partial retraction, Pico fled to France but was arrested there.
After a brief imprisonment, Pico settled in Florence. Lorenzo’s power protected him from arrest and prosecution, but the charge of Heresy is still open.
Laura Cereta
A young widow with no noble title and little wealth, Laura Cereta has become a famous Humanist scholar and teacher. Her book of letters, Epistolae Familiares, was acclaimed when published in 1488. It showed her interest in science, mathematics and astrology as well as moral philosophy. Cereta's work also strongly defends the rights of women to education in the arts and sciences and criticises those women who submit to oppression in marriage or live for frivolity.
Some consider Cereta, who has neither remarried nor entered a convent but instead supprts herself through her work, as a danger to society. Others merely view her as an amusing oddity. But a growing few, Humanists themselves, treat her as their equal.
Friar Girolamo Savonarola
A Dominican friar with a gift for oratory, Savonarola was invited to Florence in 1482 by Lorenzo de' Medici. However his preaching increasingly concentrated on the sinfulness of Florentine society and then started to attack first the Medici family's adherents and finally the family itself.
Savonarola has acquired a large following thanks to his colourful interpretation of scripture and a rumoured gift for prophecy. Thousands flock to hear him preach and to throw jewels, bright clothes and other vanities onto his bonfires.
Giulia Farenese
From a noble but impoverished Roman line, Giulia first married into the powerful Orsini family. However she and her Condottiere husband Orsino Orsini are estranged. For the last few years, Giulia has been the mistress of Rodrigo Borgia.
She has now moved into the palace adjacent to the vatican that she shares with Lucrezia Borgia. Giulia is said to be close in Pope Alexander's confidence. He once even boasted that she won him the votes of two Cardinals at the Papal election.
Veronica Franco
Veronica Franco is by far the most famous of Venice's Courtesans. Her wit and wide range of interests make her a perfect companion. Thus she has the power to pick and choose her clients.
Veronica is officially here as companion to the Venetian Cardinal Zeno, but it is widely known that he is besotted with her and does whatever she asks.
Lucrezia Borgia
At sixteen, Lucrezia has already been betrothed twice and married once. Her marriage to Giovanni Sforza, son of Ludovico Sforza, linked the Borgias and Sforzas and probably helped her father become Pope. However, the link is much less important now and Alexander is thought to have plans for a better match. Certainly Giovanni has been discarded and sent back to Milan. Of course, Lucrezia cannot marry again until her present marriage is annulled with good cause, or she becomes a widow.
Lucrezia has been installed in a palace next to the Vatican and serves her father as an aide and advisor. She is said to have inherited all his cunning and ruthlessness.
Archbishop Georges d'Amboise
Amboise is Archbishop of Rouen and a close advisor to King Charles. As such he is powerful in both Church and State, although he does not yet wear the Cardinal's hat he reportedly covets.
Archbishop d'Amboise spent part of his youth as a soldier in both France and Italy before entering the Church. As such he has some useful military experience.
Chevalier Pierre de Bayard
The Chevalier de Bayard is renowned throughout Christendom as 'the fearless and blameless knight'. Tales of his martial prowess, such as when he once held a bridge single-handed against two hundred men, are outweighed only by stories of his great honour.
De Bayard has just been appointed General of the French armies in Savoy. He will lead the French in any fighting that occurs.
Michel de Nostradame
A noted French doctor and Astrologer, Nostradamus has a reputation as an innovative and extremely gifted healer. He first became known through his work with Plague victims in Southern France but has on occasion left his home country to treat challenging cases.
Nostradamus has spent the last few weeks fighting to save the life of Lorenzo de' Medici, but without success.
Anna Notaras
An immensely wealthy Byzantine noblewoman, Anna Notaras made a home in Venice in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople. Widowed by the Turk, she now controls significant merchant and banking interests.
Anna Notaras is an educated woman and patron of the arts. Her Palazzo in Venice reportedly contains great treasures from both the Byzantine empire and Antiquity.
NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO AREN'T CHARACTERS
These are characters who either don't appear at all in the game but are important in the world or who will make brief appearances but are not major characters. In the former case there are player characters who can effectively make decisions on their behalf (e.g. King Charles of France) in the latter they will either be ability cards (e.g. Cardinal Zeno) or may be an alternate identity of a character.
Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia
An unexpected selection as Pope, but a man who spent many years building himself a power base in the Church - most recently as Vice Chancellor with control of Finances. Borgia publicly acknowledges and dotes on his children, particularly his favoured son Juan and his daughter Lucrezia.
Borgia is known to rely on his family and has no doubt granted his representatives significant ability to make decisions on his behalf. Cesare probably holds sway in religious matters, and Juan in military ones - but Borgia reportedly always listens most carefully to the counsels of his daughter Lucrezia and his mistress Guilia Farenese.
King Charles VIII of France
The young King inherited the throne as a child in 1483 on the death of his father Louis XI. His elder sister, Anne of France, assumed the Regency during this period. Three years ago, when Charles came of age, Anne refused to give up her power and kept Charles isolated and away from Court. However, after a period of uncertainty, Charles was eventually able to exert his will. Anne retired from public life about a year ago and Charles became King in fact as well as title.
Charles is presently with the main French forces in Savoy. Although he can perhaps be reached and influenced directly, he is heavily reliant of his key advisors Archbishop Georges Amboise, Phillippe de Comines and Chevalier Pierre de Bayard. He is almost certain to follow any united advice they give him.
King Ferdinand of Spain
It was the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella which created a powerful, united Spain - save for the Ottoman enclave in Granada. The couple are extremely close and rule jointly, living by the motto "Tanto monta, monta tanto (As much as the one is worth so much is the other)". Thus any decision made by Isabella can be considered the will of Spain.
King Ferrante I of Naples
A combination of incompetence and ill-luck have left Ferrante's fertile but impoverished kingdom open to invasion from both France and Spain. He sits uneasily on the throne since both Ferdinand of Spain and Charles of France have their own, tenuous but arguable, claims.
Doge Orlando of Venice
The elected ruler of Venice, the Doge commands the significant Venetian navy but few land forces. It achieves its military might by using its significant wealth to hire Condottiere. All such powers are presently in the hands of Venice's Ambassador to Florence - Cassandra Fedele.
Duke Ercole d'Este
Ercole is the Duke of Ferrara and father of Alfonso, Beatrice (married to Ludovico Sforza) and Isabelle (married to Francesco Gonzaga) d'Este. He relies on his son and heir and his daughters (and to a lesser extent their husbands) for their sound advice in all matters.
Duke Francesco Gonzaga
Francesco is the Duke of Mantua and husband of Isabelle d'Este. He is a Condottiere noted for his honour in fulfilling his contracts. His daughter Elisabetta is married to the son of Federigo da Montefeltro.
Francesco's absence from Ludovico's funeral is unusual. However his wife Isabelle is clearly empowered to speak for him.
Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza
The true Duke of Milan, presumably imprisoned somewhere by his uncle Ludovico Sforza. Gian Galeazzo has not been seen for three years, but must be still alive - otherwise Ludovico and Beatrice would claim the titles of Duke and Duchess. He is the nephew of both Ludovico and Ascanio Sforza, the half-brother of Caterina Sforza and husband to Isabella di Bari.
Cardinal Zeno of Venice
The Venetian Cardinal, Zeno was one of the six who opposed Rodrigo Borgia's recent election as Pope. He is completely besotted with Veronica Franco and so will do whatever she tells him. Her utterances can be considered to come from him.
Guidobaldo da Montefeltro
The son and heir of Duke Federigo da Montefeltro of Urbino, Guidobaldo is as unlike his father as seems possible. He is sickly and weak-willed and so made a very fortunate marriage to the virago Elisabetta Gonzaga. It is Elisabetta not Guidobaldo who makes the decisions for herself and her husband. He has not yet even given her a child to be their heir.
Giovanni Sforza
The son of Ludovico Sforza and his first wife, now deceased. Giovanni was married to Lucrezia Borgia about a year ago. However, since Rodrigo Borgia's election as Pope, Giovanni has been discarded and has returned to Milan. No doubt the Borgias wish to free Lucrezia so she can make a diffrent, more advantageous match. But there are few grounds on which a marriage can be dissolved.
Raphael Sanzio
A handsome, young artist rapidly making a name for himself in Florentine society. Raphael is thought to originate from Urbino.'The Black Hawk'
The trade name for a notorious spy and assassin who has been active throughout Italy for the past twenty years or more. The Black Hawk has been rumoured most recently in Rome, but can supposedly appear almost anywhere. Some of his most famous killings include both Caterina Sforza's father Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza of Milan and her husband Duke Gerolamo Riario of Forli.
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