Venice is a fascinating city that has plenty of inspiration for fantasy campaigns.
Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals, many of which are linked by bridges. It was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as an important center of commerce—especially silk, grain, spice, and art from the 13th century to the end of the 17th.
Every other region we visited (including Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, and Corfu and Zakynthos in Greece) made it clear that their societies spent a lot of time fighting, placating, or planning for an invasion by the Venetians. The concept of a merchant fleet seems surprisingly modern and rife with adventuring opportunities both for characters employed by a Venetian-style city or as an adversary to fight off, a fleet outfitted with the best weapons and armor money can buy.
Floods are a constant concern, and with it a culture where it's not uncommon to step out of your home onto a boat. Thus, the iconic gondolas, piloted by gondoliers who, we were politely told, do not actually sing because they need to use their voices for shouting directions at other boats.
While Venice's lagoon protects it somewhat, it is right on the ocean—which is why, during the pandemic, dolphins were spotted in the canals. The canals, with their murky waters, have always had an air of mystery, with legends of creatures lurking beneath the surface. Any similar canal city would most certainly have something more sinister lurking beneath it.
Carnevale is a great opportunity to introduce a "Day of Forgiveness" or a "Night of Masks" in your setting (think "The Purge" but in a canal city), where all crimes are forgiven for a single day. This could lead to chaotic, unpredictable gameplay as the players navigate a city where the usual rules don’t apply. The challenge could be to survive the night, protect the innocent, or take advantage of the lawlessness to achieve a personal goal.
Meet Venice
Before I visited Venice, I thought I understood the city well. But seeing it in person is a whole other level, and it's clear there's way more to Venice than what I read in history books.Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals, many of which are linked by bridges. It was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as an important center of commerce—especially silk, grain, spice, and art from the 13th century to the end of the 17th.
A Naval and Financial Juggernaut
Venice was a powerhouse of trade and commerce during the medieval and Renaissance periods, dominating the Mediterranean Sea with its vast merchant fleet. The city-state was known for its political and economic independence, supported by a network of colonies and trading posts. Unlike typical feudal societies, Venice operated more like a corporation, with a Doge elected by an elite class of merchant families who focused on trade, diplomacy, and naval power. The wealth accumulated through trade allowed Venice to build a formidable navy, impressive architecture, and a unique social structure.Every other region we visited (including Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, and Corfu and Zakynthos in Greece) made it clear that their societies spent a lot of time fighting, placating, or planning for an invasion by the Venetians. The concept of a merchant fleet seems surprisingly modern and rife with adventuring opportunities both for characters employed by a Venetian-style city or as an adversary to fight off, a fleet outfitted with the best weapons and armor money can buy.
Water, Water Everywhere
Venice is famously built on a series of islands within a lagoon, its streets replaced by canals. Abstractly, the ideal of a "canal city" is easy to comprehend. But it's much more than that, as Venice is literally inches away from the ocean at all times. This unique geography made the city difficult to besiege, as any invading force would need to navigate the complex network of waterways.Floods are a constant concern, and with it a culture where it's not uncommon to step out of your home onto a boat. Thus, the iconic gondolas, piloted by gondoliers who, we were politely told, do not actually sing because they need to use their voices for shouting directions at other boats.
While Venice's lagoon protects it somewhat, it is right on the ocean—which is why, during the pandemic, dolphins were spotted in the canals. The canals, with their murky waters, have always had an air of mystery, with legends of creatures lurking beneath the surface. Any similar canal city would most certainly have something more sinister lurking beneath it.
Carnival for a Day
Carnevale di Venezia, held annually in Venice, is one of the most famous festivals in the world, known for its elaborate masks, costumes, and parties. Historically, Carnevale was a time when the rigid social order of Venice was temporarily upended—people could behave with a level of freedom and anonymity that was otherwise impossible. This "anything goes" attitude, however, was confined to the festival period, after which the city returned to its strict social norms.Carnevale is a great opportunity to introduce a "Day of Forgiveness" or a "Night of Masks" in your setting (think "The Purge" but in a canal city), where all crimes are forgiven for a single day. This could lead to chaotic, unpredictable gameplay as the players navigate a city where the usual rules don’t apply. The challenge could be to survive the night, protect the innocent, or take advantage of the lawlessness to achieve a personal goal.
In Your Campaign
My own Italian-inspired nation of Laneutia will certainly have a Venetian-inspired city, but by far the best game to capture the feel of Venice isn't a tabletop role-playing game at all: Carnevale. Carnevale combines the licentiousness of a masked carnival, Lovecraftian horrors from the deep lurking in the canals, and the pugnacious nature of the lower classes with the decadence of the upper classes into a series of awesome gondola-hopping battles. Best of all, the rules are available online for free.Other Sources of Inspiration
As I travel on vacation I do my best to document the experience and how I might use it as inspiration for my games. Here's where I've been so far:- Appalachian Trail
- Bari
- Corfu
- Dubrovnik
- Edinburgh
- Venice
- Zakynthos
