Aristecchio di Philippi, Conte di Ragusa, is the ninth in his family's line to hold the title of Protector of the Ragusan Republic, having been recognized by the Doge of Venice and the Rector of the Ragusan Senate as his father's legitimate heir in 1306. A Philippi was the first Conte di Ragusa when that Republic became a Venetian protectorate in the twelfth century; and the sons of the Philippi have held the protectorship ever since, save for one brief period in the thirteenth century, when the title was stolen away from them in political infighting by the Severesti clan. It is said of Aristecchio that he is a capable and moderate ruler, if not possessing a great faculty for innovative thought.
His most favoured courtier is the wizard Marius Alienus, born Medrawt Llailyon of Cambria, who came to Dalmatia in 1310 after escaping the Massacre of Gdansk in 1308. Marius holds pride of place in the Count's councils, and has the ear of the sovereign in many different matters. It is Marius who was instrumental in the formation and training of the Ferali, the Count's elite cadre designed to protect the Ragusan trade caravans from the depredation of the Montenegrin tribesmen who inhabit the mountains of Dalmatia. And it is Marius who serves as intermediary between the magi of the Concilium and the Count's court, visiting once a Season with his shield grog, Shaoroch, to exchange pleasantries, news of the Court and of the outside world ... and to collect the tribute.
The Count has no love of the Concilium, for it was the covenant's Founder, Tariq al'Imi, who stood against Philippi almost twenty years ago, when the Count attempted to force Lidija Glowdneclew, last heir of the original Keeper of the Lighthouse of the Rock, to give up her claim to the land, so that the Count could use it as a training ground and headquarters for his Ferali. In addition, the Concilium has since become a haven for the Count's disgraced nephew, the Hospitaller Knight Giovanni. These two injuries have never been forgotten by Philippi, and the seasonal tribute of 25 silver pennies he levies against the current inhabitants of the Rock does little to salve his pain.