The Merchant Republic Of Alexander Hawk

The Five Families Of The Voyagers Table

In modern times the Voyagers Table is ruled by the five most powerful families of the city.

The Russo Family

Wagner Russo was a man who made his fortune buying up cheap real estate along the canal front in the early days of Meravigila's founding. He quickly turned a profit as speculators and shipping companies paid handsomely for the undeveloped land. Eventually he founded a large construction company which quickly earned many of the city's contracts for building government buildings. His family is also responsible for convincing Alexander to allow him to create the canals that the city is famous for. Wagner would eventually become one of the wealthiest men in the city and his family's fortune would only grow as he began to construct and rent properties all over the city. The Russo Construction Firm still exists to this day and continues to fulfill city contracts. In the present day Marcus Russo is the head of the family and is arguably the most influential man in the city. 

The Barrichello Family

While Wagner Russo was forming his construction company and real estate empire Xander Barrichello focused his attention to the land outside of the city. He quickly gained control of large swaths of fertile farmland around the city through the use of intimidation and sabotage. Once his farming empire began to turn a profit he hired a large number of land surveyors to explore the country and draw its borders. In secret Xander had his surveyors earmark the best land after which Xander purchased it for himself and made his fortune by having a stranglehold on the natural ore and mineral deposits of the country. In the present day Leveticus Barrichello continues to be a huge ore supplier in the modern world. 

The De Luca Family

Marcus De Luca was a member of Alexander Hawk's original voyages. Under Alexander's guidance he learned all of Alexander's best trade tricks and continued to create an international trade network across the world. If cargo goes in or out of Meravigila there is a 80% chance the crate has a De Luca family stamp on the side. Despite being a traveler on Alexander's crew he was originally passed over when Alexander picked the original five families. In the present day Earl De Luca maintains his family's global presence.

The Lombardo Family

The only original family to still serve as a member of the Voyagers Table. Patrick Lombardo was Alexander Hawk's right hand man and the ship's navigator. Patrick was instrumental in the founding of The Merchant Republic and helped in a large number of administrative duties under Alexander. While modern histories will argue in regards to the true relationship between Patrick and Alexander, some regard preserved letters between the two as 'Romantic' in nature; most agree that without Patrick's aid the country would have never become as prosperous as it is. The Lombardo Family had large coffers at the founding of the country but their value skyrocketed when Alexander Hawk failed to return to the country at which point his money was given to Patrick as per Alexander's last will and testament. The Lombardo Family sustains their political power by running many of the country's banks. Terrance Lombardo currently heads up the family. 

The Valentino Family

Focused on trade with the Orcs of the North and Dwarves of the South. Anthony Valentino was the head of Xander Barrichello's expedition parties. While on his travels Anthony made first known contact with the Orc tribes of the North and the Dwarf tribes of the south. Realizing that he could create a formidable military force by combining the advanced armaments of the Dwarves with the natural fighting aptitude of the Orcish Tribes Anthony would form the biggest Mercenary group in The Merchant Republic. The V.M.G or Valentino Mercenary Group would become the unofficial army of The Merchant Republic. As outlined in his constitution Alexander Hawk believed an army formed to serve the country would only lead to the oppression of other peoples in the world in the pursuit of money. While his prediction was probably true the current five families use Mercenary groups like the V.M.G. as a loophole. On the side Anthony Valentino made a sizable chunk of his fortune by controlling the border towns in the country as well as selling surplus dwarven weapons to countries around the globe. Currently headed by Alexandos Valentino after his fathers apparent suicide. 

Religion

A number of religions are practiced in The Merchant Republic due to it's diverse population.