Archduchy of Galatone

House Name: House Caceres

House Words: Faith is our protector.

House leaders: Archduchess Alvada II and Archbishop Eleazar V

Seat: Escalona

Nation: Aladez

Summary: House Caceres was relatively new among the Great Houses of Valdez, inheriting Galatone only fifty years before the collapse of the old monarchy. In that time, they’ve made their priorities clear: faith, stability, and continuity. The central lands of the Valdez must have proper stewardship, just as the Eternal City must have an eternal pillar of support.

Modifiers & Point Allocation:

Army: 4 (+1)=5

Castle: 2 (-1)=1

Economy: 4 (-1)=3

Espionage: 1=1

Logistics: 1 (+1) (+2)=4

Loyalty: 3 (+2) (-1)=4

Navy: 0

Crusading heritage: +1 Army, +2 Loyalty, +2 Logistics

Fall of a kingdom: -1 Econ, -1 Castle, -1 Loyalty


Culture: Galatone has long been the heartland of the people of Valdez, outside the Eternal City at least. It is here that the Crusading armies of past kings have found their most enthusiastic recruits, where the Faith is sacrosanct, and where the nobility and priesthood work as one, in the name of the King.

The Archbishopric and Archduchy of Galatone have strived to work as a single body, mirroring the old relationship between the Kings and Patriarchs of Valdez. However, archducal power has slowly been eroded in Galatone, as a series of early deaths and unfit archdukes have left power in the hands of the more bureaucratic priesthood.


History: Galatone has been was a part of the original Valdez at the beginning, first overseen by a branch of the Valdez dynasty itself. The duchy was a model vassal to the Eternal City, providing troops and taxes on time and showing a zeal for crusading that was nearly unmatched among the lords of Valdez. This ideal existence would end with the extinction of the original archducal house, however.

The fall of the house around a century ago led to a rapid contest to prove heritage and connection among the remaining lords of Galatone, but the Church record-keepers ultimately recommended the House of Caceres: mere barons, the country cousins of country cousins of the old archdukes. This provoked outrage, but their appointment was confirmed by the King, and solidified by the Church: and this would define their relationship going forward. Where the dukes fell short, the Church would fill in, and, slowly but surely, the Archbishop’s court outpaced the archdukes’.

In an attempt to change this, Archduke Velasco II, father of the current duchess, tried to gain influence in the Church by sending his firstborn son to the priesthood. The boy was disinherited, but he was a natural talent, and that, combined with his father’s patronage, allowed him to become Archbishop at 25. Velasco had miscalculated, though: the newly crowned Archbishop Eleazar V had no interest in serving as his father’s patsy, and pushed the Church’s understated superiority into outright dominance over the archduke. Velasco died quickly, and his only other legitimate child, his daughter Alvada, became Archduchess at 16. Eleazar quickly seized the regency, and has kept it for a decade.

The fall of Valdez has shaken up the government of the duchy, however. There are influential nobles with great sympathy for the northern rebels, but more important is Alvada’s attempt at reemergence: she is an outspoken defender of Prince Juan, and hopes to gain his support at ending her brother’s regency. Eleazar believes in the sanctity of the Church, united by the Eternal City, and depends on them for continued support against his sister.

Army: 37500 man maximum.

The armed forces of Galatone are dominated by two militant orders, sworn to the Archbishop: the Order of the Watching Eye, and the Brotherhood of Saint Charles. These orders are professional, well trained, well equipped, and loyal to the Archbishop and his Church alone.