Pax Italia: Rule Conceptualization - Game World

A week ago, I posted the map of the Pax Italia game world. Now comes the time to flesh out the game world beyond just a map. There will be three different aspects of the game map represented by graphics (maps). Those aspects are: the political, the economic, and the religious.

Political Map and Nations

Pax Italia Province Map (PNG format, 226 KB)

There are 11 playable nations to begin with in the game, although future playable nations could be created as a result of in-game events. Due to the small number of nations, team play will be allowed. I anticipate that the complexity of the game will be such that there would be enough for two people to do on a nation if a nation were being played as a team. However, if a nation should open up or be created, any players on a team would be encouraged to take that nation.

The Nations

Duchy of Ferrara
The Duchy of Ferrara is a smaller state situated on the northern border of the Papal States along the Adriatic Sea. Although the Duch is centered around Ferrara, it also includes the city of Modena, over which the d'Este family also holds dominion. In 1492, the Duchy of Ferrara is ruled by Ercole d'Este, a popular and enlightened figure of the Renaissance. The d'Este family has strong dynastic ties to Naples and is less than a decade removed from war with Venice and the Pope.
Status: Independent
Ruler: Ercole I d'Este
Family: Alfonso I d'Este (Lord, General), Niccolo II d'Este (Bishop)
Relations: Naples (friendly), Venice (hostile), Papal States (hostile)

Republic of Florence
In 1492, the Republic of Florence is at a crossroads. The wealthy Medici family, the longtime rulers of Tuscany, is in peril. With the recent death of Lorenzo de Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificient), the wise and beloved ruler of Florence, dominion has passed to his eldest son, Piero II. Florence is unencumbered by any alliances or vendettas against other states, although the activity of the conservative prophet Savonarola could be pose a grave danger to the Medicis' rule.
Status: Independent
Ruler: Piero II de Medici
Family: None
Relations: Milan (friendly)

Republic of Genoa
After a century of decline, the Republic of Genoa finds itself under the heel of their neighbors to the north, the Milanese. Genoa has seen their possessions in the eastern Mediterranean lost to the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia to the Aragonese. Genoa still remains a major banking and trading center and if adequately inspired, the Genoese are more than capable of breaking free of Milanese hegemony.
Status: Vassals of Milan
Ruler: Giovanni Roncaglione
Family: None
Relations: Milan (hegemonic), Venice (hostile)

Marquisite of Mantua
The city-state of Mantua is a wealthy and loose vassal of the Republic of Venice. Since the early 14th century, Mantua has been ruled by the House of Ganzaga, the head of which, Francesco II Gonzaga, has in the past served as the commander of the Venetian armed forces. While Mantua does bow to Venetian authority, the association is loose and Mantua enjoys positive relations with Venice as well as her enemies.
Status: Vassals of Venice
Ruler: Francesco II Gonzaga
Family: Bordo de Saluzzi (Treasurer), Isabella d'Este (Chancellor)
Relations: Venice (hegemonic), Ferrara (friendly)

Taking a break now. More to come later.