Visconte Enea Prisco

Scourged Lands of Valenor      La Magna Contea      City of Stagliano      Visconte Enea Prisco

Visconte Enea Prisco

History

Origins of House Prisco

The Prisco family has ruled the Magna Contea for over four centuries, establishing itself as one of the longest-lived and most powerful houses in the region. Its origins date back to the times when the County was a borderland, infested by bandits and wild creatures. The founder of the house, Alberto Prisco, obtained the noble title in exchange for his loyalty to a distant Almighty Empire sovereign and the promise to maintain order in the territory. However, from the first decades, the Prisco house adopted an oppressive approach towards the population, demanding heavy tributes and harshly repressing any attempt at rebellion.

Over time, the family grew rich through the intensive exploitation of the County's natural resources, such as timber, minerals and agricultural crops, while ignoring the need to invest in infrastructure or improvements for the well-being of the population. This attitude has laid the foundation for the current decline of Magna Contea, a land now stripped of resources, where popular discontent grows year after year.

Rise to Power of Enea Prisco

Enea Prisco rose to power twenty years ago, following the sudden death of his father, Viscount Gregorio Prisco, during a mysterious hunting trip. From the early years of his government, Enea proved profoundly disinterested in the affairs of the people and surrounded himself with ambitious courtiers and corrupt nobles, cementing the reputation of his house as distant and cynical tyrants.

Although the Viscount is aware of the growing economic and social difficulties of the County, he has never taken concrete measures to address them, preferring to ignore reality and dedicate himself to the luxury and pleasures of court life.

Character and Personality

Enea Prisco is a deeply arrogant man, whose cynicism is only surpassed by his display of power. He is incapable of feeling empathy for the suffering of others and considers the population of Magna Contea as little more than a tool to further enrich himself and his allies.

• Arrogant and narcissistic: Enea has an inordinate opinion of his own abilities and lineage, convinced that his right to rule is sacred and inviolable. He despises anyone who does not belong to the noble class and considers the commoners as inferior beings.
• Disinterested and apathetic: Despite being perfectly aware of the precariousness of the social situation of Magna Contea, Enea prefers to ignore the signs of crisis, convinced that power and money will always protect him.
• Manipulator: Behind the facade of a lazy and indifferent man, Aeneas is a skilled manipulator, exploiting rivalries among nobles and the corruption of institutions to maintain his control.

Relationships and Conflicts

Relations with Nobles

The Viscount maintains ambivalent relations with the local nobles, who formally answer to him but, in practice, manage their fiefdoms with great autonomy. While secretly despising them, Enea tolerates their corruption and abuse, so long as they continue to support his rule and regularly pay the required tributes.

Feuds between noble families are common, but the Viscount rarely intervenes, preferring to let conflicts resolve themselves. This approach has further weakened central authority, but has allowed Enea to consolidate his power by exploiting divisions among his subjects.

Conflict with the People

The relationship between the Viscount and the people of Magna Contea is characterized by deep resentment. The population, impoverished and oppressed, sees in Aeneas the symbol of an unjust and corrupt system. The bands of brigands, who offer protection and summary justice to the peasants, are often more respected than the official authority.

The Viscount considers these bands a secondary threat and has never taken effective measures to deal with them, other than occasional punitive campaigns conducted with brutality by his guards.

Internal Intrigues

Within his court, Enea must face constant plots and rivalries. Some nobles and courtiers aspire to his power, but so far no one has dared to challenge him openly. His network of spies and informants keeps him informed of any conspiracies, which are eliminated discreetly.

Skills and Powers

Enea Prisco is neither a warrior nor a mage, but he possesses a number of skills that allow him to maintain control over the Magna Contea:

• Diplomatic Skills: Despite his disregard for the well-being of the populace, Enea is a skilled orator and knows how to manipulate words to appease his allies and intimidate his enemies.
• Knowledge of Feudal Politics: His understanding of the power dynamics among the local nobles allows him to maintain balance between rival factions.
• Resource Manipulation: Enea has an innate talent for accumulating and managing wealth, even if it comes at the expense of the populace.

Possessed Items

The Iron Crown

An ancient crown once owned by the founder of House Prisco. It is said to bring good luck to those who wear it, but curses those who betray their lineage. Enea rarely wears it, preferring to keep it on display as a symbol of his power.

The Seal of the Black Lion

A black gold ring inlaid with the image of a lion. This seal is used to authenticate decrees and official documents, but is also a symbol of the Viscount's personal power.

The Dark Library

Enea keeps a collection of ancient and forbidden books on his estate, some of which concern black magic and occult rituals. Although the Viscount is not a magician, it is said that he consults these tomes for advice in times of crisis.

Notes

The kingdom of Enea Prisco is on the brink of collapse. The populace, tired of being oppressed, may soon join forces with brigands to rise up against the nobles. Discontent is also growing among the local courtiers and feudal lords, and some are beginning to wonder if it is time to end the Priscus dynasty.

Despite this, Enea continues to live in luxury, blind to the precariousness of his power. His story is that of a man who, although aware of his decline, prefers to cling to the past rather than face change. This attitude could lead to his ruin, but for now the Viscount remains firm in his place, a symbol of a feudal system no longer capable of responding to the challenges of the present.

Current Location

City of Stagliano

Ethnicity

Dail Humans

Aligned Organization

La Magna Contea

Other Affiliations

• Principalities of Hansa