Verona's Government

The cities of northern Italy are generally organized as communes independent of direct royal rule. In place of a royal court, the city is governed by a council led by a podesta, a kind of elected mayor. Around 1220, the unscrupulous Ezzalino III di Romano is influential, becoming podesta 1226 and then seizing direct control of the city from 1236. He is a powerful man and much hated by his enemies. He is ruthless and potentially infernally corrupt. This at least gives the nobles of the region reason to support the Duca di Casalmaggiore in the struggle against their more powerful neighbor. If you use Verona as the backdrop to this scenario you should bear in mind its shifting political situation. From 1226, it is Ezzalino di Romano and not Migliore Bevilacqua who approaches the covenant and he is inclined to be more persuasive in his arguments to ensure that he has his own magical support in the coming conflict.

conflict. But the city understands that this is to protect the magi in the event of any assault and ensure that they are able to safely retreat to Verona.