Imperial Family

The Vignoli dynasty can look back to a unique history, as no family in human history ever sat on a throne for so long. Between cadet branches and derived Houses, the dynasty counts around 138 living members all around the galaxy, but the core is of course the family living in the Imperial Citadel, directly descending from the founder Anastasia.

In 2225, the Imperial Family is composed of Empress Benedetta, her consort Howard Scott Bradshaw and their four children: Claudio, Anastasia, Francesco and Federico.

Benedetta IV dei Vignoli

48th Head of the Vignoli Dynasty, 47th Pontifex Maxima, 7th Empress of the Imperial Federation. These are the three most important titles owned by Benedetta. Born inside the main palace in 2154, Benedetta grew up with a lot of expectations: contrary to the tradition, her father didn't sire more children, so the Princess had to become a worthy leader in one go or it might doom the dynasty.

Luckily for all the monarchists, Benedetta grew up with a strong sense of duty and the will to prove that she was going to be fit for the throne. At the age of 18 she enlisted into the Imperial Armed Forces and studied as an officer, coming out as one of the top students and being scouted for the N7 program. She also showed a good amount of both biotic and psionic powers, which led them to become a 'Fury'.

Benedetta was then recalled to court to complete her education in other fields, but it was actually a cover from her father to let her know of the Reaper threat and involve her in the search for clues about them. When Commander Shepard proved their existence thanks to the Prothean beacon on Eden Prime, in 2183, Benedetta joined the Normandy to stop rogue Specter Saren Arterius and she made the call to save the Destiny Ascension with the combined fleets of the Federation and the Systems Alliance.

This move earned her the sympathy of the Council species and she stayed on the Citadel to help reconstruction and to stabilize the new position earned by Humanity in the Council. She wasn't on the first Normandy when the ship was destroyed and the news of Shepard's death struck her hard. For the three years before the Commander's return, she took care of Jane Shepard, by then three years old, earning a deep relationship with the daughter of the legendary hero.

Benedetta gave a huge contribution to the buildup of the Federal forces in preparations for the Reaper invasion and her father actually put her in charge of the war leadership. She proved herself to be extremely talented not just to humanity, but to all species.

After her father died at the end of the war, Benedetta rose to the throne and married her lifelong friend and comrade Howard. She then managed to federalize all the species of the Citadel, transforming the Federation into the superpower of the Milky Way. She is extremely popular among the people and the armed forces. Many consider her the third on a streak of 'Good Emperors' started with her two predecessors.

Emperor-Consort Howard Scott Bradshaw

Born in 2153 as the son of a bureaucrat at the Imperial Citadel, Howard Scott Bradshaw (commonly referred to as simply 'Scott') was quite lucky to have been born barely a year before Benedetta. While there were other children living at the Citadel, Howard and Benedetta quickly developed a strong friendship, though for many years it never became love. Emperor Lorenzo V noticed the relationship and encouraged him to stay close to his daughter, knowing full well that she needed someone to support her.

Scott joined the Imperial Navy as soon as he finished High School, seeking adventure among the stars. He served with distinction as navigation officer first and then as Executive Officer of the cruiser INS Pavia. Following the events of Eden Prime, Scott was recalled by the Emperor himself to join the investigation on the Reapers and serving on the Normandy as personal assistant of Benedetta.

For the next years, Howard studied the remainders of the Sovereign and studied the battle of the Citadel, coming up with some tactics that would prove very effective in the first stages of the war against the Reapers.

It's not clear whether he and Benedetta started to have romantic feelings around this period, but after the war, to the surprise of many, the new Empress made him his main consort. Scott is certainly devout to Benedetta, so much that he retired from active service after the marriage in order to keep things in line at the court, becoming the main advisor of the Empress.

Prince Claudio

Firstborn of the imperial couple, Claudio was born in 2187. He grew up to become passionate in military affairs, joining the Systems Alliance as soon as he reached the legal age, much like his parents. His blatant favoritism of the military, however, has made him a poor choice for a successor. On the other hand, he doesn't seem interested in governing, and he has willingly accepted to be put last in the line of succession between his siblings. His desire to fight has led him to join the expedition in Andromeda, where he is now serving as a General of the Army.

Despite his eagerness to go to war, Claudio is not hot-headed or aggressive: his interest in military affairs is only due to his belief that the Federation must protect itself from every possible threat that the universe throws at it. In the conflict against the Empire he has favored a patient and methodical approach, daring only when he saw high chances of success in doing so.

Princess Anastasia

Born in 2189, Anastasia shares her older brother's view on foreign policy. Her education has focused on diplomacy, bringing her to become a very influential member of the Foreign Department and she has recently followed her mother in her travel to the New Republic in Andromeda, where she has worked to establish the new embassy and chose the personnel.

She isn't married, but she is known for having four consorts and lovers, having also gave birth to a daughter and a son. Her children are a valuable asset that puts her second in the line of succession. She could easily be the first, but she finds the responsibilities of the monarch "boring", so she elected her younger brother to be the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Francesco

Born in 2192, Francesco is said to share many traits with his grandfather, both physically and in personality. He is very popular because, differently from his two older siblings, he tends to avoid luxurious ceremonies and lives a quite austere life. He might appear quite tame in his behavior, but he actually has a strong resolve and he started dealing with politics since he was 14, lobbying for many social reforms in raising salaries of the lower classes and ensuring a social safety net.

His popularity with the people and his strong sense of duty, combined with the fact that he has a wife and a son already, made him the best choice as an heir, and he has been declared Crown Prince in 2218. From that point on, Benedetta has slowly started to give him responsibilities in the matters of government, to strengthen his legitimacy as Heir. Many wonder if he's going to adopt another name when he ascends the throne, in line with one of the most illustrious names of the dynasty, or if he's going to become the first monarch with his name.

Regarding the current war, Francesco believes that the conflict with the Empire is a defensive one, and that the Federation has a moral obligation to help the New Republic at restoring democracy and the rule of law in Andromeda, but he fears that the strain on the Federation's resources might leave it vulnerable to the threats lingering in the Terminus Systems.

Prince Federico

The last child of Benedetta was born in 2199. Despite having an important name bestowed upon him, Federico seems completely uninterested in being a Prince and possible heir to the throne. He has time and again expressed the desire to work in the entertainment industry, putting a lot of effort in recitation classes. Benedetta would like to put his passion at work for the state media, but Federico seems adamant in leaving the court sooner or later to search his own destiny.