"The Laevinii are among the truest of Nessans. For twelve generations we have served this city -- under kings and princes and senators and consuls. My ancestors rode with Galaeon Magnus against the Arkadian raiders, and with Satilin Victor against the Mugdul barbarians. We were there when the first foundations were laid, when Pila was taken, when the Republic was founded. We have always been a part of Nessos, and she has always been a part of us.
We know what is best for the city and the Republic. Land. Resources. Slaves. The fires of war have made Nessos strong. The spoils of war have made Nessos rich. The God of War who favors and blesses our people has made Nessos great. This is the proud tradition of our city -- forged in war, made great by the glory of war. My family knows this -- knows its better than any other. We have always fought for the glory of Nessos. We know.
Look about you! To the north, the south, the west -- everywhere, dirty, unwashed barbarians, the ancient and mortal enemies of our glorious Republic. Filthy, uncivilized beasts, whose presence so close to our borders is not only a danger but an insult. So long as these uncivilized tribes continue to exist their can be no peace.
The War God demands blood sacrifice. We must satisfy Him or risk losing His favor. The blood of our enemies, barbarian blood, must be spilt upon His altar; for if Nessos loses the favor of the Gods it shall surely die. Therefore to arms! To arms, stout Nessans, for the glory of the Republic and the favor of the Gods! To arms against the savage Arkadians! To arms against the Numonians of the West! To arms against all who threaten Nessos with pillage and plunder and the stench of barbarism. These are our enemies; they must be conquered. It is imperative that good Nessan law and order be established over Arkadian barbarians.
Nessan culture, too, must be brought to these heathen savages. Their foul-tongued language must be stamped out and replaced with proper Nessan; their so-called 'culture' must be annihilated, and replaced with the traditions and customs which have made Nessos great. Only when the barbarians have been fully civilized and assimilated into our glorious culture is Nessos truly safe. Only by conquest can we bring Nessan civilization to the barbarians.
And in return, of course, we would receive the profits of conquest. Land -- good rich land, for patrician magnates and plebeian farmers alike. Resources -- the gold and silver and iron and tin that is abundant, and yet untapped, in the lands of the barbarian hordes. Slaves -- prisoners of war, conquered tribesmen, whose labor will enrich our economy and whose services will improve our lives. These are the prizes awaiting our grand Republic. These are the things which Nessos needs. Land. Resources. Slaves.
War."
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Marcus Laevinius Honorius / Laevinii / Grandmaster
The Laevinii are an old, well-established patrician family. The Laevinii, while among the landed nobility, are not great landholders; they own a respectable estate in the countryside, where breed horses, raise livestock, and grow various types of fruit in their orchards, groves, and gardens. Plantation crops like wheat and grain they leave to the larger estates of the magnates. The primary business interests of the Laevinii are not in agriculture but in manufacturing; and, more specifically, in the manufacturing of weapons and armour. The Laevinius Foundry is one of the oldest and most highly-esteemed in Nessos. It produces numerous types of swords, kinves, spears, and shields, as well as armour, all to a very high standard of quality. As a result of their metalworking interests, the Laevinii have also recently expanded their reach into the iron mining industry; this combination of raw materials and manufacturing under one firm has greatly strengthened the productivity and profitability of the Foundry.
EDIT: Bah, looks like half of all characters are old-blood warmongers with weaponmaking/mining interests. Maybe I'll change mine, then...
Even better than before!!!
