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Dramatis Personae

  1. The Duchess Elizabeth Cadwallader McMannon
  2. The Heir Mary Cadwallader McMannon
  3. Jhereg, Son of Rabban, Ambassador to the Elves.
  4. The Former Duke

The Duchess Elizabeth Cadwallader McMannon

Like most of the Cadwallader family, she is a big person. Before she came to rule the duchy, she ruled her family for many years after her husband died of "the McMannon malady," also know as "a hunting accident." She was let rule the family for no other reason than she did it well. And because the last man that tried it died for it. This experience gave her the connections she needed years later to pull off the coup. [The fastest nutshell view of her is, again, think M. Thatcher]

The Heir Mary Cadwallader McMannon

Considered the most eligible woman in the duchy, aside perhaps by those stout enough of heart to consider wooing her mother, Mary Cadwallader isn't your normal noble lady. She spends her time learning two things: how to run the duchy, and how to conduct foreign affairs. She is known to be a rather good shot with the oversize crossbow she carries, but more often relies on her quick wit and good humor. She is well liked throughout the duchy, even by those who disagree with her mother. She works hard to make it that way. She is, like her mother, a large person, with gold to red hair (a description that fits a large number of women from McMannon; think Ireland).

Jhereg, Son of Rabban, Ambassador to the Elves.

He's a PC, wants, nay has vowed to become, Duke of McMannon. Consequently he is on good terms with Mary. He also is doing his best to increase his stature in the duchy by leading an expedition to the lost castle Llughen.

The Former Duke

Ian Jefferson Cadwallader McMannon (deceased) was a large man, about 5'-11" tall, weighing almost 500 pounds. He was grotesquely fat, and had a terminal case of acne. His legs, atrophied by years of disuse, were unable to support his weight. His only mobility was provided by several very large slaves which carried his chair/pedestal around wherever he wishes to go. His hair was brown, and his eyes a vivid green. He went by the standard Henry VIII custom of not washing whenever it could be avoided. "Water dilutes one's strength," he said. When the odor of his clothes became noxious, he had more clothes made. (OK, everybody, imagine the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen from Dune.)

Personally, the Duke was as revolting as he was physically. He was imperious, pompous, and duller of wit than one would expect of a person of his station. Anyone he considered an equal, or someone he needed, he would treat with something approaching respect. Anyone else, and that covers most everyone else, received the same contempt as just any other peasant.

Ian was assassinated. The perpetrator was never brought to justice. He died without leaving an heir, and the duchy was ruled by a regency council before being plunged into the civil war that produced the current duchess.


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