The DiCanto Family
90 years ago Nialassan Di Canto watched her husband die. She was only 24 years old, he had only been 32. The couple had no children. Nialassan was not allowed to grieve. The family was being torn apart by arguments between cousins, brothers and minor relations over who would now rule the family. Refusing to allow her husbands family to be destroyed by such dissension, she took the unprecedented step of claiming the position of Head of Household. It took a lengthy battle in the Star Chamber to win the right to do this, but eventually Nialassan overcame. Three generations later it is the accepted tradition that the Di Canto family is led by a woman.
Isana Di Canto leads the family now. She is renowned for her skill as a musician and a poet and is an honorary member of the Word Smiths Guild. Isana is unmarried. As a young woman she was betrothed to a minor nobleman. Anyone who heard her sing the songs she wrote for him can be in no doubt as to her passionate love. However five days before they were due to marry her intended was found stabbed in an alleyway at the back of a whorehouse. Devastated, Isana sank into a black despair from which it was feared she would never recover. Even though she continues to perform her duties diligently, since her loves death, she has never raised her voice in song.
She is not the only member of the family troubled by matters of the heart. The family are trying to recover from a scandal involving Isana’s brother, Allesio Di Canto. For months he had producing sonnets of sublime beauty, all of which were clearly dedicated to the same lady. Alessio never revealed who it was but all of the young women of the court secretly hoped that it was them. It was then discovered that these odes were not written for any noble women, but the bastard daughter of a huntsman. It has divided the city. The common people are charmed by a tale that could have come from the romantic tales told by old women round kitchen hearths. The nobles feel that Alessio scorns his bloodline and birthright.
This family have a quiet power that many do not appreciate. They have no control over the troops and they have none who are particularly gifted as thread weavers. In the Star Chamber, they witness all the passing events but rarely take a leading role. The Di Canto’s influence comes from their sway over the Wordsmiths Guild. There is a great deal to be said for knowing what song is sung in every bar and tavern and which stories grace the ears of the noble’s children at bedtime.
Blake Alacosts’ Guide to Lalenth Fashion:
Such dramatic styles of dress suit a family so closely associated with the arts! The rich royal blues favoured by the Di Canto’s are accentuated with glittering silver. Their formal dress is close fitting showing off curves and planes to their best advantage. Tight bodices draw attention to the female form whilst exquisitely tailored frock coats draw attention to strong broad shoulders. Hair is often worn long and flowing; a fashion copied by the city’s bards and minstrels. Indeed, whether it be out of vanity or flattery, every Wordsmith emulates the Di Canto style.