Duchess Annabelle
As Heir Apparent, Duchess Annabelle holds a de facto position in the Inner Circle and has been regularly attending meetings since childhood. Since her graduation from college, she has taken on a more active role working with other members to better understand their views and objectives. Though she lacks the expertise in specific fields that other member possess, she possesses extraordinary insight into the the will of the people and how they will react to various policies.
Since the Wossamotta Attacks she has spent a great deal of time meeting with various groups of citizens, advisers, analysts, and businessmen so that she can gain a better understanding of her people and the nation. Since her legacy will not be in her heirs, she is determined that when she ascends the throne she will have all the knowledge and insight necessary to rule the nation with wisdom and political acumen.
Since the Wossamotta Attacks she has spent a great deal of time meeting with various groups of citizens, advisers, analysts, and businessmen so that she can gain a better understanding of her people and the nation. Since her legacy will not be in her heirs, she is determined that when she ascends the throne she will have all the knowledge and insight necessary to rule the nation with wisdom and political acumen.
Sir Wilson Heath, OMS
Heath runs the Office of Land Management, which is responsible for collecting rent on the Grand Duke's lands and authorizing construction permits. He is considered to be one of the Uncorruptables, which in part has contributed to holding his post for nearly 30 years. He was the Grand Dukes first appointee to the Inner Circle and serves as a strong advocate for the ducal land rights. Though his post makes him generally disliked among the populace, he is highly respected and considered an assets of economic prosperity.
Dame Abigail Altgeld, OMS
Dame Abigail Altgeld is a banking magnate who controls most of the savings and loans in the nation. She is a 7th generation banker and one of the most knowledgeable financiers in the country. Her ancestors operated the first bank in the area that would eventually become the Grand Duchy. In addition to being the primary shareholder of Farmers' and Swineherds' National Bank, she sits on the board of the Royal Bank, which is responsible for managing the national and royal treasury as well as ensuring the solvency of all banks within the nation. Through her position in the Royal Bank she has been instrumental in acquiring the few niche banks and stymieing the formation of new ones.
While it is clear that Altgeld has benefited from her position in the Inner Circle, her keen insight into financial and economic trends has been invaluable to the wealth and prosperity of the nation. She uses her vast wealth to give back to the community of Frostbite Falls. She is a patron of the arts and education and provides numerous endowments to schools, museums, and conservatories to fund projects on their behalf. She sits on the boards of trustees of the national opera, symphony, and theatre, in addition to a multitude of charities. In recognition of her economic prowess and philanthropy, she was knighted and inducted into the Order of the Moose and Squirrel. With the recent availability of ownable land in Pottsylvania she has quickly become the second largest land-owner in the nation. It is unclear how she will use this land as it cannot be rented and is subject to the same sale conditions as other land in the Province.
While it is clear that Altgeld has benefited from her position in the Inner Circle, her keen insight into financial and economic trends has been invaluable to the wealth and prosperity of the nation. She uses her vast wealth to give back to the community of Frostbite Falls. She is a patron of the arts and education and provides numerous endowments to schools, museums, and conservatories to fund projects on their behalf. She sits on the boards of trustees of the national opera, symphony, and theatre, in addition to a multitude of charities. In recognition of her economic prowess and philanthropy, she was knighted and inducted into the Order of the Moose and Squirrel. With the recent availability of ownable land in Pottsylvania she has quickly become the second largest land-owner in the nation. It is unclear how she will use this land as it cannot be rented and is subject to the same sale conditions as other land in the Province.
Gen. Maximillian d'Issaré, OMS
Sir Maximillian d'Issaré is the current General of the Army, and is second to Cpt. Tennille within the Department of War. He began his career as a member of the royal guard before volunteering for a position in the border guard. He studied at the Royal Military College of Canada, learning military strategy and tactics. His skill and aptitude resulted in early, decisive victories in the Ice Cold War that allowed the Frostbite Falls military to effectively control the Grimalayas. He was rapidly promoted to command the entire Grimalayan forces, before taking control of the army as a whole towards the end of the war. For his actions in the Grimalayas he was knighted into the Order of the Moose and Squirrel.
Cpt. Emme Tennille, OMS
Morgan "Emme" Tennille is the current head of the Department of War and the Captain of the Navy. She began he career in the navy, serving as a junior officer under Cpt. Peachfuzz. She quickly distinguished herself as a leader in her ability to quell the planned mutiny of S.S. Guppy. At the onset of the Ice Cold War she was promoted to her own ship and stationed on the Lake of the Woods. Her policy of employing sailors with dubious morals and questionable reputations caused a stir, but she silenced her critic with the effectiveness of her crew. Her "Brigand Brigade" was responsible for decimating much of the Pottsylvanian navy and shipping lanes. Her actions and ability earned her and knighthood and an invitation to the Inner Circle.
In the aftermath of the war, she was asked to help reorganize the navy and make it a more effective force. Her popularity among many of the nation's sailors was a strong factor her promotion to be the Captain of the Navy over other more seasoned and experienced sailors. This resulted in two mutiny movements by ships under the commands of those passed over. She was able suppress them with such swiftness and ferocity that all vocal opposition to her command ceased. Her handling of the mutinies was also a key factor in her promotion to head the Department of War. In spite of her position in the War Department, she still holds the official position as the captain of the Black Swann.
In the aftermath of the war, she was asked to help reorganize the navy and make it a more effective force. Her popularity among many of the nation's sailors was a strong factor her promotion to be the Captain of the Navy over other more seasoned and experienced sailors. This resulted in two mutiny movements by ships under the commands of those passed over. She was able suppress them with such swiftness and ferocity that all vocal opposition to her command ceased. Her handling of the mutinies was also a key factor in her promotion to head the Department of War. In spite of her position in the War Department, she still holds the official position as the captain of the Black Swann.
Peter Long
Peter Long serves as the Grand Duke's Royal Ambassador. He is the chief foreign relations agent in the nation and frequently represents the nation when the Grand Duke is unable to do so directly. He is a skillful negotiator and diplomat who specializes in bring people together in order to resolve their differences.
Bea Essen
Bea Essen serves as the Royal Herald of the Grand Duke. She earned a degree in political science from Wossamotta University before graduating summa cum laude from the University of Oxford (New College) with a degree in law. She is considered one of the nation's foremost political strategists. As the Royal Herald she is the principle press agent for the Grand Duke and uses her power to promote the monarchy. Realizng the power the media holds, she established a press office in the Herald's building and bi-weekly press conferences. She is considered to be one of the key members of the Inner Circle and is a master of political spin. In addition to her role as chief press agent, as the Royal Herald she serves as the personal herald and voice of the Grand Duke whenever he holds a Royal Court.
Sir Thomas Gunn, OMS
Sir Thomas Gunn serves as the Chief of Security for the Grand Duke. During the war he served as a spy and assassin, and was the trigger-man who responsible for killing Fearless Leader. After the war his notoriety essentially ended his espionage career. He joined the Inner Circle as an adviser on the on the annexation of Pottsylvania and spearheaded a unit created to root out the personnel responsible for the death of Duchess Anne. After concluding the mission, he was appointed the Chief of Security to royal family. He is one of the few people in the nation who hold a license to kill.
Doctor John Trapper
Dr. Trapper is the Grand Duke's personal physician. He studied abroad and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a specialty in thoracic surgery. He returned to the Duchy just after the start of the Ice Cold War and was stationed to the 7704th M*A*S*H unit. His skill and ingenuity as a surgeon brought him the respect of his patients and colleagues alike. After the war he took a position at St. Francis Memorial Hospital where he rapidly advanced to the position of Chief of Surgery. This caught the attention of the Grand Duke who sought his advice on the state of medical care throughout the nation. After a few meetings he was promoted from the Outer Circle to the Inner Circle of Government. With this new post, he left the hospital to become the physician for the Grand Duke and his family.
Col. Nathan Hawkeye
Col. Hawkeye is the head of the Department of the Wilderness. He grew up in the Deep Dark Woods near Moosylvania and earned a living as a hunter and occasional scout for the military. His knowledge of the woods and skill with a rifle made him a logical choice to lead a detachment of army rangers during the Ice Cold War. The efficiency and precision with which they acted enabled them to decimate larger forces and kept the forests firmly in the hands of the Duchy.
Following the war he left the army to start a family and became a game warden in the royal forests. He quickly advanced within the department and soon was responsible for overseeing the forests of Whynchatakea Peak. With that promotion he was asked to join the Inner Circle. When wilderness protection became a department level position (which he had been advocating since his time as a ranger), he was appoint to the head of the new Department of the Wilderness.
Following the war he left the army to start a family and became a game warden in the royal forests. He quickly advanced within the department and soon was responsible for overseeing the forests of Whynchatakea Peak. With that promotion he was asked to join the Inner Circle. When wilderness protection became a department level position (which he had been advocating since his time as a ranger), he was appoint to the head of the new Department of the Wilderness.
Jimmy Cratmer
Jimmy Cratmer was asked to join the Inner Circle, not for who he is, but what he represents: the six-year-old intellect. All military operations are vetted through him to see if he can find any problem areas in the plans. Considering that some of the most well thought out plans are foiled by issues that any six-year-old could have foreseen, a six-year-old is brought in to find those problems.