Murder Most Foul

Life, Crime

A Doge murdered on the Senate floor! In the 18th century competition between merchant princes threaten to tear the Republic apart.

Doge Nicolo di Maggio had held office for only a week and a day when his political rival had him murdered. The reason was a bill that di Maggio had proposed to the Senate, which would have dissolved certain trade monopolies held by the di Donato family, which were political rivals of di Maggio. The Donato family had made themselves unpopular with the other families on the Council of Ten and the Senate by having been implicated in a scandal involving Ordering Guardians, several exotic prostitutes and military secrets pertaining to ship building techniques. It looked like the proposal would be carried if it came to a vote.   The dissolution of their monopolies would make the Donato family destitute. In desperation the head of the house hired assassins and mercenaries, hoping to kill the Doge and seize control of the republic by holding the Council of Ten hostage, forcing them to grant house Donato legal monopoly and extra-constitutional powers.   Unfortunately for Donato the Council was late in meeting that day and the mercenaries arrived before the Councilors. The Councilors heard commotion from the Senate Chamber where assassins ambushed and killed the doge. The frightened councilors fled to their mansions. Di Donato fled Apex city with his family in the aftermath. He was found and seized by the Guardians of Albron the Allspeaking who delivered him to Apex city for trial.   Di Donato still possessed allies and clients in the Republic. His trial became a circus which showcased the worst aspects of the Republic. Di Donato was able to bribe several of the Councilors who were reluctant to punish one of their own. After several months of chaos di Donato was issued a large fine, and suspended from the Council. The family retained its monopolies, and is still prominent in the Republic to this day .