Venucci Republics

Culture

The Venucci Republics are in the temperate north of the known world. They highly value creativity and progress, and are known for having the most talented scientists in the world. The Venucci believe that scientific progress is the key to success, and as long as they keep making progress it’s only a matter of time before they become the dominant power in the world. Venucci greatly value success and deride failure, but while failure is derided, the only thing worse is stagnation, so there are always Venucci keen to invest in those with big ideas who are willing to try.

Venucci names tend to be based on more extravagant English names, Italian or French. Examples: Genevieve, Barnaby, Giacomo, Chiara, Jean, Odette.

Venucci surnames are based on profession or House. Children use the surname of their parents until adulthood. When someone is accepted in to a House they change their surname to that of the House, and when someone is ejected from a House, they are expected to change their surname to their profession, or their birth surname. When children of members of a House come of age they are typically provisionally accepted in to their parents' House if they wish House, but if they choose not to join, or are rejected, they must choose a new surname.

Politics

Venucci is made up of independent city states, each of which is ruled over by councils of representatives from influential houses and guilds in that city. The cities formed a loose political and military association in order to expand their influence and protect their interests. The Venucci believe that the best way to expand their influence is culturally, and historically accomplished much of their expansion by aggressively exporting their culture to their neighbours, until they were de facto integrated in to Venucci.

Venucci political houses are not necessarily based on family lines. Children of existing house members must prove themselves to be accepted, and those that showed promise but fail are quickly removed; meanwhile adoption of outside individuals that show talent is common.

Geography

To the south of the Venucci are of course Clare and the Enclaves, with a natural border formed by the Fulcrum Mountains. While the Venucci would be delighted to explore the Western Sea, the frequent storms make it very hazardous; as a result the only sea travel of note is up and down the coast. The north of Venucci is the Lombard Desert, which resists all attempts to spread civilisation over it. To the east is a large region of dense tropical rainforest and swamps, which similarly resists civilisation. But the Venucci are confident that it's only a matter of time before these obstacles can be overcome by Venucci knowhow.

Look and Feel

Venucci like “finer” fabrics, colourful schemes, and patterns, and decorative adornments such as jewellery.

The aspirational Venucci look is western European Renaissance period, though anything from late middle ages stretching to Victoriana can work. Try to avoid anything that looks more modern than mid-1800s, so late Victorian styles would be less appropriate.