Duke Wayne I (1845 - 1850)
Wayne Duke was a farmer and scout who owned a large tract of land in the upper Minnesota Territory of the United States. He began renting the land to tenant farmers in exchange for a cut of their profits, which he used to purchase neighboring properties. After founding the town of Frostbite Falls to support the local farmers, the area began to prosper. As wealth began to pour into the town, he grew richer. He purchased the Bullwinkle Estate that spanned the U.S. and Canada and increased his holdings.
Tiring of the United States army's inability to quell Indian raids on his lands Wayne formed a posse and took matters into his own hands. He repelled the next raid and persued the Indians for three weeks slowing whittling down their numbers before finally rescuing their captives. He came to terms with the local tribes to ensure peace in the region. After meeting with a group of supporters, he declared that if the U.S. was not going to protect his land then his land was no longer of interest to it. With that he issued the Declaration of Secession and established the Duchy of Frostbite Falls. From that point on he became known as Duke Wayne and set about ensuring the stability of his country.
The governments of Canada and the United States ignored his claims, but never made any attempt to reclaim their national lands. The only dealings he had was from an army garrison which refused to enter his lands. Their contention was that if he wants to be sovereign, then let him deal with his own problems. Duke Wayne took this to be federal recognition of his sovereignty. He began printing his own money to be used instead of the American dollar, but otherwise continued operating his land as he had done prior to secession. While out riding across his fields, Duke Wayne suffered from a stroke and collapsed on the back of his horse. He was discovered when his horse wandered back to the stable. He regained consciousness briefly, but died three days later from complications.
Tiring of the United States army's inability to quell Indian raids on his lands Wayne formed a posse and took matters into his own hands. He repelled the next raid and persued the Indians for three weeks slowing whittling down their numbers before finally rescuing their captives. He came to terms with the local tribes to ensure peace in the region. After meeting with a group of supporters, he declared that if the U.S. was not going to protect his land then his land was no longer of interest to it. With that he issued the Declaration of Secession and established the Duchy of Frostbite Falls. From that point on he became known as Duke Wayne and set about ensuring the stability of his country.
The governments of Canada and the United States ignored his claims, but never made any attempt to reclaim their national lands. The only dealings he had was from an army garrison which refused to enter his lands. Their contention was that if he wants to be sovereign, then let him deal with his own problems. Duke Wayne took this to be federal recognition of his sovereignty. He began printing his own money to be used instead of the American dollar, but otherwise continued operating his land as he had done prior to secession. While out riding across his fields, Duke Wayne suffered from a stroke and collapsed on the back of his horse. He was discovered when his horse wandered back to the stable. He regained consciousness briefly, but died three days later from complications.
Duchess Amy (1850 - 1878)
Amy Fremont, a Presbyterian preacher's daughter, came to the area with her father to set up a mission. After leaving Frostbite Falls, she was kidnapped during an Indian attack. She was rescued by Wayne Duke's posse and had to spend a few months in a hospital healing from her wounds. During this time Wayne would frequently visit her and after she was healthy they were married. Following the Declaration of Secession she became Duchess Amy.
She initially tried to convert the area, but the influence of the Jesuits in the region was too great to overcome and she relented. When Duke Wayne died she held the nation together by quick and decisive action. She suppressed a farmers revolt who wanted to take over the land that they had been renting from Duke Wayne. In coming to terms with them, the basic framework of the nation was established. She claimed the crown as her own according to provisions in the Declaration of Secession and negotiated the passage of Duke Wayne I's Treaty of Duluth. This was necessary as she feared for the new nation's future if it were to fall under a regency reign.
Duchess Amy established the hereditary nature of the Duchy, codified the tenant situation that existed between the farmers and the Dukes, and gained international recognition from the U.S. and Canada by agreeing to annex Moosylvania. She instituted notion that the Duke or Duchess rules with absolute power as it is their land on which the farmers reside; however, the farmers have no duty to her beyond that of citizens of the Duchy and they are free to move or leave as they desire. Following the destruction of her personal chapel in an avalanche, she began attending mass with the catholic tenants. This led to her conversion and the establishment of Roman Catholicism as the formal state religion. Throughout her reign she worked to strengthen the power and position of the dukes by making compromises and concessions that appeased the people but gave up nothing of substance from the nobility.
She initially tried to convert the area, but the influence of the Jesuits in the region was too great to overcome and she relented. When Duke Wayne died she held the nation together by quick and decisive action. She suppressed a farmers revolt who wanted to take over the land that they had been renting from Duke Wayne. In coming to terms with them, the basic framework of the nation was established. She claimed the crown as her own according to provisions in the Declaration of Secession and negotiated the passage of Duke Wayne I's Treaty of Duluth. This was necessary as she feared for the new nation's future if it were to fall under a regency reign.
Duchess Amy established the hereditary nature of the Duchy, codified the tenant situation that existed between the farmers and the Dukes, and gained international recognition from the U.S. and Canada by agreeing to annex Moosylvania. She instituted notion that the Duke or Duchess rules with absolute power as it is their land on which the farmers reside; however, the farmers have no duty to her beyond that of citizens of the Duchy and they are free to move or leave as they desire. Following the destruction of her personal chapel in an avalanche, she began attending mass with the catholic tenants. This led to her conversion and the establishment of Roman Catholicism as the formal state religion. Throughout her reign she worked to strengthen the power and position of the dukes by making compromises and concessions that appeased the people but gave up nothing of substance from the nobility.
Duke Wayne II (1878 - 1898)
Duke Wayne II was raised by his mother and a slew of various tutors, as his father died when he was three. As a teenager he began speaking exclusively in Latin as a means of rebellion, which he continued throughout most of his life. Never satisfied with his inherited social position, he felt that he needed to go out and earn his place in life. He eschewed that trappings of wealth, preferring to live as all the other Frostbiters did. After numerous failed endeavors in farming, he turned to prospecting in the Grimalayan mountains. He would fine some success in this, but only enough to keep him at it.
When his mother died, he was pulled back into the political world of governance. He began delegating powers and responsibilities to friends and political allies, and in the process formed the various ministries that currently exist. His solitary nature was hampered by the fact that he was an only child and had no heir. He finally succumbed to political pressure and declared that he would marry when he could find someone who could hold a decent conversation with him in Latin. This led him to meet Cassandra Fatale and who he later married.
After a year of married life at Abominable Manor, he began spending weekends in the mountains. Soon, the weekends became weeks and he was spending more time away from the mansion than at it. This left raising the children and most of the daily oversight of the nation in the hands of his wife. Wayne II commissioned a courier service specifically to carry correspondence between him and his wife so he could authorize her actions. This worked so well that most citizens did not realize that he was ruling in absentia and he returned from the mountains only when formal ceremony necessitated. Wayne II finally discovered the mother load of silver that had eluded him for so many years, but this would prove to be his demise. He was killed in a cave-in only three weeks after he began excavation.
When his mother died, he was pulled back into the political world of governance. He began delegating powers and responsibilities to friends and political allies, and in the process formed the various ministries that currently exist. His solitary nature was hampered by the fact that he was an only child and had no heir. He finally succumbed to political pressure and declared that he would marry when he could find someone who could hold a decent conversation with him in Latin. This led him to meet Cassandra Fatale and who he later married.
After a year of married life at Abominable Manor, he began spending weekends in the mountains. Soon, the weekends became weeks and he was spending more time away from the mansion than at it. This left raising the children and most of the daily oversight of the nation in the hands of his wife. Wayne II commissioned a courier service specifically to carry correspondence between him and his wife so he could authorize her actions. This worked so well that most citizens did not realize that he was ruling in absentia and he returned from the mountains only when formal ceremony necessitated. Wayne II finally discovered the mother load of silver that had eluded him for so many years, but this would prove to be his demise. He was killed in a cave-in only three weeks after he began excavation.
Duchess Cassandra
Cassandra Fatale (Duchess Consort of Duke Wayne II) was groomed since adolescence to be Wayne II wife. Realizing that her son would be ill prepared and suited for running the duchy, Duchess Amy took Cassandra as her protégé and moved her into the royal residence. Under the tutelage of the Duchess, Cassandra learned the art of politics and national and international diplomacy. She studied Latin, agriculture, and mining in order to provide her with a common interest in the activities of the heir apparent. Following the death of Amy, she was introduced to Duke Wayne II at a ball and the two were soon wed.
This was a marriage of convenience and companionship rather than love, and once Cassandra was pregnant Wayne II began returning to the mountains. She gave birth to twins (Duke Marion and Duchess Mary Anne) and raised them as proper royals so that they would be prepared and able to take the reins of the nation.
Utilizing the courier service, she ran the duchy from behind closed doors with Wayne II acting as her rubber stamp. She formed the Inner Circle to assist her in local matters and charting a course of action that the people would support. She was also promoted the arts and education through numerous endowments that she created.
Cassandra began a secret affair with Hans Pferdemeister, the master of the stables, and with the tacit approval of Wayne II this continued throughout the rest of her life. This resulted in her having an illegitimate daughter, who was raised by Hans. After the death of Wayne II she retired from politics and moved into the cottage occupied by Hans and his daughter. While this caused a minor scandal, support from the new Duke effectively quelled it. She was prohibited from remarrying, but was given a manor on the royal grounds so that her extended family could be properly cared for.
This was a marriage of convenience and companionship rather than love, and once Cassandra was pregnant Wayne II began returning to the mountains. She gave birth to twins (Duke Marion and Duchess Mary Anne) and raised them as proper royals so that they would be prepared and able to take the reins of the nation.
Utilizing the courier service, she ran the duchy from behind closed doors with Wayne II acting as her rubber stamp. She formed the Inner Circle to assist her in local matters and charting a course of action that the people would support. She was also promoted the arts and education through numerous endowments that she created.
Cassandra began a secret affair with Hans Pferdemeister, the master of the stables, and with the tacit approval of Wayne II this continued throughout the rest of her life. This resulted in her having an illegitimate daughter, who was raised by Hans. After the death of Wayne II she retired from politics and moved into the cottage occupied by Hans and his daughter. While this caused a minor scandal, support from the new Duke effectively quelled it. She was prohibited from remarrying, but was given a manor on the royal grounds so that her extended family could be properly cared for.
Duke Marion (1898 - 1937)
Duke Marion was the only son of Duke Wayne II, and the elder fraternal twin of Duchess Maryanne. He spent most of his childhood raised by his mother at Abominable Manor, but would visit his father in the mountains in the summer. This gave him a duel view of Frostbite Falls that served him well. He learned how to rule and manage the nation with an understanding and respect of how the people lived and worked. He was 18 was Duke Wayne II died and he inherited the throne. Almost immediately he was hit with political scandal and brain drain resulting from his mother's romance and the resulting departure of most of her advisers.
He weathered the political storms and emerged with a bettering understanding of how to lead his people. He graduated from Wossamotta University and established the precedent that all nobility shall attend the school. While in college Marion had numerous affairs and is believed to have fathered at least 15 children, although none were ever formally recognized. He began a romance with Victoria Garden which resulted in her pregnancy. The two were quickly married so that the child would be born legitimately and be able to inherit the throne. Duke Marion fathered 11 more children with Duchess Victoria, yet refused to move the family or expand Abominable Manor. The Duke instead determined that the children would sleep 3 or 4 to a room, meals became simpler, and royal affairs became fewer and were held at other locations.
With the outbreak of the Great War, Duke Marion decreed that Frostbite Falls would remain neutral and take no sides in the issue. While many in the nation sympathize with, and supported, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the threat of invasion by Canada forced the nation to stay out of the war. The decree was again issued and made a perpetual national policy following the German invasion of Poland. He was also responsible for guiding the nation through the modernization that came from emergence of electricity, telephones, radios, and automobiles.
He weathered the political storms and emerged with a bettering understanding of how to lead his people. He graduated from Wossamotta University and established the precedent that all nobility shall attend the school. While in college Marion had numerous affairs and is believed to have fathered at least 15 children, although none were ever formally recognized. He began a romance with Victoria Garden which resulted in her pregnancy. The two were quickly married so that the child would be born legitimately and be able to inherit the throne. Duke Marion fathered 11 more children with Duchess Victoria, yet refused to move the family or expand Abominable Manor. The Duke instead determined that the children would sleep 3 or 4 to a room, meals became simpler, and royal affairs became fewer and were held at other locations.
With the outbreak of the Great War, Duke Marion decreed that Frostbite Falls would remain neutral and take no sides in the issue. While many in the nation sympathize with, and supported, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the threat of invasion by Canada forced the nation to stay out of the war. The decree was again issued and made a perpetual national policy following the German invasion of Poland. He was also responsible for guiding the nation through the modernization that came from emergence of electricity, telephones, radios, and automobiles.
Duchess Victoria
Victoria Garden (Duchess Consort of Duke Marion) was a stage actress renowned for her skill and beauty prior to becoming the Duchess. She began in vaudeville before moving to legitimate theater. She quickly became a crowd favorite with the ability to make or break a production. She became romantically involved with Duke Marion and became pregnant. Determined not to have an illegitimate child, the two were married. Two months later Duke Earl was born.
While her position as Duchess forced her to retire from professional acting she remained involved in the industry. She revolutionized the Office of the Royal Jester, becoming its first chairman, and turned it into the body that t is today. Under her tenure, the office shifted from organizing entertainment for the Duke to promoting, endowing, and organizing the arts for the nation. She founded the Moose Institute of Toe-dancing (M.I.T.) and oversaw its expansion to cover all forms of professional dance instruction. In honor of her career and support, the national theatrical awards are named after her.
As devoted as she was to the arts, Duchess Victoria was even more so devoted to her family. Aside from her work with the Office of the Royal Jester, she broke with previous trends by refusing to be drawn into issues and affairs of national governance. She maintained that it was the place of her husband since he was the one trained for it. Her place was to raise the children and oversee the running of the Manor. Over the course of her marriage she gave birth to 12 children ensuring there would be no crisis of succession that plagued Duchess Amy and Duke Wayne II.
While her position as Duchess forced her to retire from professional acting she remained involved in the industry. She revolutionized the Office of the Royal Jester, becoming its first chairman, and turned it into the body that t is today. Under her tenure, the office shifted from organizing entertainment for the Duke to promoting, endowing, and organizing the arts for the nation. She founded the Moose Institute of Toe-dancing (M.I.T.) and oversaw its expansion to cover all forms of professional dance instruction. In honor of her career and support, the national theatrical awards are named after her.
As devoted as she was to the arts, Duchess Victoria was even more so devoted to her family. Aside from her work with the Office of the Royal Jester, she broke with previous trends by refusing to be drawn into issues and affairs of national governance. She maintained that it was the place of her husband since he was the one trained for it. Her place was to raise the children and oversee the running of the Manor. Over the course of her marriage she gave birth to 12 children ensuring there would be no crisis of succession that plagued Duchess Amy and Duke Wayne II.
Duke Earl (1937 - 1988)
Duke Earl was the eldest legitimate son Duke Marion and Duchess Victoria. He was the oldest of 12 and while he did have a life of privilege as royalty, he was raised much like a commoner. Most ostentation was done away with except for formal ceremonies. The children shared cramped rooms, ate standard meals, and wore wear designed for warmth and durability rather than style. He learned to farm, mine and fish in order to have a proper perspective of his subjects and their lives. He graduated from Wossamotta U with a degree in naval science and signed on as a fisherman on a commercial trawler. While working there he met the captain's daughter Rose and the two developed a relationship. After parting ways with the captain at the end of the season, Earl and Rose were married. He operated his own boat with the help of his wife until signing on two of his bothers after two seasons.
Upon ascending to the throne Duke Earl retired from the industry and devoted his time to ensuring the stability and security of his country against the rising communist threat and clouds of war looming in Europe. He reiterated that the country would maintain its neutrality in regards to all nations in conflict and take no part in it unless the sanctity and sovereignty of the Duchy was violated. After the war he guided the nation to an economic boom and fought off calls for land reform and the formation of an national council. He is responsible for stalling the Pottsylvanian drive to invade the Duchy by mobilizing the border patrol and honor guard to outposts along the border opposite their massing armies. He expanded the army in order to replace those units with properly trained soldiers and built a large reserve force. He also expanded the navy and issued letters of marque to certain captains authorizing them to commandeer any Pottsylvanian ship found in the Duchy's territorial waters. The stalemate endured with neither side advancing, while arms were stockpiled as a form of deterrence.
Upon ascending to the throne Duke Earl retired from the industry and devoted his time to ensuring the stability and security of his country against the rising communist threat and clouds of war looming in Europe. He reiterated that the country would maintain its neutrality in regards to all nations in conflict and take no part in it unless the sanctity and sovereignty of the Duchy was violated. After the war he guided the nation to an economic boom and fought off calls for land reform and the formation of an national council. He is responsible for stalling the Pottsylvanian drive to invade the Duchy by mobilizing the border patrol and honor guard to outposts along the border opposite their massing armies. He expanded the army in order to replace those units with properly trained soldiers and built a large reserve force. He also expanded the navy and issued letters of marque to certain captains authorizing them to commandeer any Pottsylvanian ship found in the Duchy's territorial waters. The stalemate endured with neither side advancing, while arms were stockpiled as a form of deterrence.
Duchess Rose
Rose O'Sheron (Duchess Consort of Duke Earl) was a wharf rat as a child. She was the only child of a widowed fisherman father and learned to fish and sail from a young age. As she got older she began taking over the fish stand and was soon managing the entire business on land. She met Duke Earl (Duke Royal) when he was working for her father and following the season they were married. She worked the boat with him during the first two seasons before returning to land. There she managed the business operations of both her father and Duke Earl as separate entities until Duke Earl inherited the throne and she retired from the business.
As the Duchess Consort, Rose returned Abominable Manor to its former grandeur and embraced the role of a society leader. However, she also worked ensure that the Royal Family was still a part of society and did not set themselves above it. Her style mimicked that of the common man, she shopped at local markets, and frequented the fish markets. She conversed with anyone and everyone on an equal level and never forgot her roots.
After the death of Duke Ellington and Duchess Simone she took over the care of her grandson Ponsonby Britt. Ensuring that he got a proper education and training to take over and lead the nation. After inheriting her father's fishing business she merged it with the company owned by her son Wayne creating a rival to the Duke's fishing fleet. She felt that this would provide greater competition and lead to more jobs and opportunities for the common man.
As the Duchess Consort, Rose returned Abominable Manor to its former grandeur and embraced the role of a society leader. However, she also worked ensure that the Royal Family was still a part of society and did not set themselves above it. Her style mimicked that of the common man, she shopped at local markets, and frequented the fish markets. She conversed with anyone and everyone on an equal level and never forgot her roots.
After the death of Duke Ellington and Duchess Simone she took over the care of her grandson Ponsonby Britt. Ensuring that he got a proper education and training to take over and lead the nation. After inheriting her father's fishing business she merged it with the company owned by her son Wayne creating a rival to the Duke's fishing fleet. She felt that this would provide greater competition and lead to more jobs and opportunities for the common man.
Duke Ellington
Ellington (Duke Royal) was the eldest son of Duke Earl and the Heir Apparent to the throne when he died. He was raised with an understanding that while it was his job to lead the nation, without the citizens he was nothing. He and his siblings would accompanied their mother on her trips to the markets and learned much about the way the commoners lived. He grew up learning how to conduct himself properly in high society, while also learning how to fit in at an average local establishment. He was sent to boarding school in the United States to round out his high school education and met Simone Charles. They began a friendship which developed into a romance when they attended Wossamotta University together.
After their marriage he continued his studies while she took time off to have a child. While on a tour of the physics department with Duchess Simone, a Hushaboom bomb accidentally exploded killing both of them as well as various other members of the faculty.
After their marriage he continued his studies while she took time off to have a child. While on a tour of the physics department with Duchess Simone, a Hushaboom bomb accidentally exploded killing both of them as well as various other members of the faculty.
Duchess Simone
Simone Charles (Duchess Consort of Duke Ellington) was the youngest daughter of a wealthy American detective. She spent most of her life in New England boarding schools where she met and befriended Duke Ellington. The two began dating at Wossamotta University and married a year later. When she became pregnant Duchess Simone and postponed her studies. After giving birth to a son she planned to resumed her studies. During this time she was killed in an explosion at the physics department along with her husband.
Duchess Anne
Anne Curraway (Duchess Consort) was Grand Duke Ponsonby's first wife and mother of Duchess Annabella. A former fashion designer, she left the industry upon her marriage to the then Duke. However, she continued to design clothes for her personal use and by the royal family. In this way she continued to shape the fashion industry of Frostbite Falls. Widely regarded as the "People's Duchess," she was able to exude a regal bearing while still maintaining her commoner roots. She was assassinated while in route to a local farm fair by Pottsylvanian militants; an event that started the Ice Cold War.