The Royal Family
Grand Duke Ponsonby Britt
Officially: Gratiæ Sva Ponsonby Britt, Dei Gratiæ Magnvs Dvx Congelatio Cataractiæ et Pottsylvaniæ Dvx Normandiæ Conservator Moosylvaniæ et Dominvs Terrarum Transmarinarum (His Grace, Ponsonby Britt, by the Grace of God Grand Duke of Frostbite Falls and Pottsylvania, Duke of Normandy, Conservator of Moosylvania, and Lord of the Realms Outremer)
Grand Duke Ponsonby Britt is the ruler of Frostbite Falls. He was raised by his grandparents after his father and mother died when he was 8 in a Hushaboom explosion. In his adolescence he learned to fish from his uncles and spent much of his time learning how to govern. In college he hit a rebellious streak and embraced the life of a playboy heir, socializing with the rich and beautiful. He fathered an illegitimate daughter (Amber Duke) while in college, who is the only potential illegitimate child he has recognized.
He inherited the crown with the death of his Duke Earl and withdrew from the social scene to focus on managing the affairs of state. He married his first wife, Duchess Anne, and had a daughter. Frostbite Falls' decision to host the inaugural Nations Winter Olympic Games caused the ever present tensions with Pottsylvania escalate. After a failed assassination attempt on his life resulted in the death of Duchess Anne, he declared war on Pottsylvania. During the Winter Games he met Juliet Cappadocian and soon began a romantic affair. Following a costly and protracted war in which he seized control of Pottsylvania and incorporated it into Frostbite Falls as a province, he married Juliet in a grand ceremony that combined their wedding with the elevation of the country to a Grand Duchy.
The Grand Duke eschews the traditional regalia of his office preferring a more laid-back formal style. He has maintains an air of cool and calmness, which often masks his keen and ever-calculating mind. He strives to rule the nation benevolently, but is not opposed to using an iron fist when need be. The initial opposition to his second marriage has since faded and he enjoys large public support for both himself and policies. While portions of Pottsylvania still struggle against his rule, most residents recognize that they have a better standard of living now.
He inherited the crown with the death of his Duke Earl and withdrew from the social scene to focus on managing the affairs of state. He married his first wife, Duchess Anne, and had a daughter. Frostbite Falls' decision to host the inaugural Nations Winter Olympic Games caused the ever present tensions with Pottsylvania escalate. After a failed assassination attempt on his life resulted in the death of Duchess Anne, he declared war on Pottsylvania. During the Winter Games he met Juliet Cappadocian and soon began a romantic affair. Following a costly and protracted war in which he seized control of Pottsylvania and incorporated it into Frostbite Falls as a province, he married Juliet in a grand ceremony that combined their wedding with the elevation of the country to a Grand Duchy.
The Grand Duke eschews the traditional regalia of his office preferring a more laid-back formal style. He has maintains an air of cool and calmness, which often masks his keen and ever-calculating mind. He strives to rule the nation benevolently, but is not opposed to using an iron fist when need be. The initial opposition to his second marriage has since faded and he enjoys large public support for both himself and policies. While portions of Pottsylvania still struggle against his rule, most residents recognize that they have a better standard of living now.
Duchess Juliet of Frostbite Falls
The Lady Mayor Duchess Juliet of Slussia (in the Froth System)
Juliet Cappadocian (Duchess Consort) is Grand Duke Ponsonby's second wife. She was born in Frostbite Falls but left to pursue a career in journalism at the Boston Globe. She returned to the country to cover the assassination of Duchess Anne and upcoming Winter Olympic Games, during which time she met the Duke and began a friendship. After the games, she left her job in the United States and began working for the Frostbite Falls Far-Flung Flyer.
As the war progressed, her friendship with the Duke developed into a romantic relationship. She married the newly elevated Grand Duke shortly after the conclusion of the Ice Cold War. Initially, she was one of the least popular people in the Grand Duchy as many felt she was replacing Duchess Anne too quickly and preying upon the emotions of the Grand Duke.
She has since become an extremely popular figure and is well regarded as a patroness of the common man. She has given birth to Duke Earl, ensuring a continuation of the Grand Duke's line, and Duchess Katherine. She is an ardent supporter of the media, but uses her clout to fight tabloid journalism which she considers to be irresponsible journalism. She promotes local businesses within the Grand Duchy, frequent the local markets and wharfs, and is one of the most visible members of the Royal Family.
As the war progressed, her friendship with the Duke developed into a romantic relationship. She married the newly elevated Grand Duke shortly after the conclusion of the Ice Cold War. Initially, she was one of the least popular people in the Grand Duchy as many felt she was replacing Duchess Anne too quickly and preying upon the emotions of the Grand Duke.
She has since become an extremely popular figure and is well regarded as a patroness of the common man. She has given birth to Duke Earl, ensuring a continuation of the Grand Duke's line, and Duchess Katherine. She is an ardent supporter of the media, but uses her clout to fight tabloid journalism which she considers to be irresponsible journalism. She promotes local businesses within the Grand Duchy, frequent the local markets and wharfs, and is one of the most visible members of the Royal Family.
Dame Amber Duke, OMS
Amber Duke is the illegitimate daughter of Grand Duke Ponsonby Britt, and serves as the Ambassador to the Grand Duchy from the Kingdom of Applesauce-Lorraine. She was born to Elle Auchesouillon, a French teacher at Wossamotta University. Duke Ponsonby Britt caused a major scandal by recognizing her as his illegitimate daughter while she was still in utero because he was engaged at the time to Anne. After her birth, her mother was deported and she was raised at the Royal Residence, first by her grandmother Duchess Rose and later by her stepmother Duchess Anne.
She was sent to year-round boarding school in New England beginning in first grade, though she would occasionally return to the Duchy during breaks. While highly intelligent, she constantly rebelled against authority and was expelled 4 times from 3 different schools. She recently graduated from the Deerfield Academy in the same class as her half-sister Duchess Annabelle. She returned to the Grand Duchy to attend Cal Tech with a major in engineering.
While she maintained a close friendship with Duchess Annabelle, she regarded her father with disdain. She was an active member of the Pottsylvanian anti-monarchist movement until the movement became militant, and launched the Wossamotta Assault. Amber was acquitted of treason in the incident, but convicted of minor crimes related to her involvement in the organization and spent a year in jail as result. She spent her time in prison completing her degree and repairing her relationship with her father.
She worked for the Department of the Wilderness, before defying the Grand Duke and taking part in a military campaign to restore King Once-A-Louse to the throne of Applesauce-Lorraine. This act threatened the neutrality status held by the Grand Duchy and as a result she was stripped of her citizenship. Because she had been convicted of crimes relating to the overthrow of the Crown she is barred from petitioning for citizenship. She became a citizen of Applesauce-Lorraine and now represents the Kingdom's interests in international relations with the Grand Duchy as its ambassador. Though stripped of her citizenship, she is still considered a non-royal member of the Royal Family and resides in the nation as a result of ambassadorship.
She was sent to year-round boarding school in New England beginning in first grade, though she would occasionally return to the Duchy during breaks. While highly intelligent, she constantly rebelled against authority and was expelled 4 times from 3 different schools. She recently graduated from the Deerfield Academy in the same class as her half-sister Duchess Annabelle. She returned to the Grand Duchy to attend Cal Tech with a major in engineering.
While she maintained a close friendship with Duchess Annabelle, she regarded her father with disdain. She was an active member of the Pottsylvanian anti-monarchist movement until the movement became militant, and launched the Wossamotta Assault. Amber was acquitted of treason in the incident, but convicted of minor crimes related to her involvement in the organization and spent a year in jail as result. She spent her time in prison completing her degree and repairing her relationship with her father.
She worked for the Department of the Wilderness, before defying the Grand Duke and taking part in a military campaign to restore King Once-A-Louse to the throne of Applesauce-Lorraine. This act threatened the neutrality status held by the Grand Duchy and as a result she was stripped of her citizenship. Because she had been convicted of crimes relating to the overthrow of the Crown she is barred from petitioning for citizenship. She became a citizen of Applesauce-Lorraine and now represents the Kingdom's interests in international relations with the Grand Duchy as its ambassador. Though stripped of her citizenship, she is still considered a non-royal member of the Royal Family and resides in the nation as a result of ambassadorship.
Duchess Annabelle, Lord of Mann
Duchess Annabelle, Dominus Manniae, (Duchess Royal) is only child of Grand Duke Ponsonby and his first wife, Duchess Ann. As the only child of the Grand Duke's first marriage, she is the heiress apparent to the throne and holds claim to it over any potential offspring arising from later marriages. This makes her the first female to inherit the throne through the line of succession. Duchess Annabelle was seriously injured during an anti-monarchists attack at Wossamotta University, and as a result of her injuries she is unable to have children.
She received her primary education from a tutor, before attending the Deerfield Academy in the United States. This allowed her to avoid the all-male naval school that future sovereigns traditionally attend. After graduation, she returned to Frostbite Falls to pursue a degree in economics and political science at Wossamotta University, in accordance with national tradition. She is enrolled in the Military Officers Training Course at Wossamotta University in order to provide her with the military background she would need as future Commander of the Her Grace's Armed Forces. She currently holds the rank of colonel in the quartermasters’ corps, though that role is largely symbolic.
As the heiress apparent, Duchess Annabelle undertakes a number of official duties for her father. She holds the title Lord of Mann (Isle of Man) as the heiress apparent. She holds a seat in the Inner Circle, acts as his proxy at various national and international events, and serves as a liaison on implementing contentious and unpopular policies. She is extremely popular with the populace and attends many of the prominent social functions held throughout the Grand Duchy as well as being and ardent supporter of Wossamotta U athletics. She spearheaded the Pottsylvania Land Service, which cataloged and appraised all of the privately held land in the Province of Pottsylvania. She used the same model to catalog and appraise lands in the Isle of Man, the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, the Falkland Islands and the South Georgia Islands so that the Grand Duke may determine which properties to purchase when they become available and which to allow on to the open market.
Duchess Annabelle was severely injured in the Wossamotta Attacks and spent nearly a month recovering from her injuries. As a result of the attack she is unable to have children. While this does not affect her succession to the throne of the Grand Duchy, it does mean that the throne will eventually pass to her younger brother.
With the annexation of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, Duchess Annabelle was vested with the realm of the Isle of Man to rule as the heir apparent to the Grand Duchy. Maintaining tradition, she is referred to according to the title of Lord of Mann. While she still resides in Frostbite Falls Proper, she maintains a palace on the island and frequently travels there. She has since embraced the culture and has begun a campaign to replace English as the Isle's secondary language (Latin being the primary) with Manx.
She received her primary education from a tutor, before attending the Deerfield Academy in the United States. This allowed her to avoid the all-male naval school that future sovereigns traditionally attend. After graduation, she returned to Frostbite Falls to pursue a degree in economics and political science at Wossamotta University, in accordance with national tradition. She is enrolled in the Military Officers Training Course at Wossamotta University in order to provide her with the military background she would need as future Commander of the Her Grace's Armed Forces. She currently holds the rank of colonel in the quartermasters’ corps, though that role is largely symbolic.
As the heiress apparent, Duchess Annabelle undertakes a number of official duties for her father. She holds the title Lord of Mann (Isle of Man) as the heiress apparent. She holds a seat in the Inner Circle, acts as his proxy at various national and international events, and serves as a liaison on implementing contentious and unpopular policies. She is extremely popular with the populace and attends many of the prominent social functions held throughout the Grand Duchy as well as being and ardent supporter of Wossamotta U athletics. She spearheaded the Pottsylvania Land Service, which cataloged and appraised all of the privately held land in the Province of Pottsylvania. She used the same model to catalog and appraise lands in the Isle of Man, the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, the Falkland Islands and the South Georgia Islands so that the Grand Duke may determine which properties to purchase when they become available and which to allow on to the open market.
Duchess Annabelle was severely injured in the Wossamotta Attacks and spent nearly a month recovering from her injuries. As a result of the attack she is unable to have children. While this does not affect her succession to the throne of the Grand Duchy, it does mean that the throne will eventually pass to her younger brother.
With the annexation of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, Duchess Annabelle was vested with the realm of the Isle of Man to rule as the heir apparent to the Grand Duchy. Maintaining tradition, she is referred to according to the title of Lord of Mann. While she still resides in Frostbite Falls Proper, she maintains a palace on the island and frequently travels there. She has since embraced the culture and has begun a campaign to replace English as the Isle's secondary language (Latin being the primary) with Manx.
Duke Earl
Duke Earl (Duke Royal) is the eldest child of Grand Duke Ponsonby and his second wife, Duchess Juliet. As the child of a subsequent marriage, his claim to the throne is superseded by that of Duchess Annabelle. However, as a result of the attack at Wossamotta University, he will succeed Duchess Annabelle on the throne. As a child, Duke Earl was raised primarily in the Royal Residence with little interaction with the residents of the Grand Duchy. He was educated by a tutor and only companions were his half-sisters and Caroline Altgeld. He attended the Moosle Beach Naval Academy for his secondary education, in accordance with tradition. It was an experience that he hated, and he spent most of his vacations at sea so that he could complete his naval component and attend another school. He completed the naval program at the age of 16 and was commissioned as an ensign in the Royal Navy just prior to his junior year. He was then allowed to transfer, and following the tradition of his half-sisters he graduated from the Deerfield Academy in the United States.
While attending Wossamotta University he reconnected with Caroline Altgeld and the two began a relationship. He officially joined the active roster of the Royal Navy Reserves while at Wossamotta U working as a ROTC trainer. He graduated from college with a degree in finance and became formally engaged to Caroline. After graduation he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and transferred to the navy's Finance Corps; although, he holds an honorary rank of captain in the Fleet Corps. The two caused a bit of controversy by living together upon their engagement, as potential offspring would be illegitimate. The issue ended with their marriage. The Duke and Duchess live in the Province of Pottsylvania on property that he purchased and owns in his own right.
While attending Wossamotta University he reconnected with Caroline Altgeld and the two began a relationship. He officially joined the active roster of the Royal Navy Reserves while at Wossamotta U working as a ROTC trainer. He graduated from college with a degree in finance and became formally engaged to Caroline. After graduation he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and transferred to the navy's Finance Corps; although, he holds an honorary rank of captain in the Fleet Corps. The two caused a bit of controversy by living together upon their engagement, as potential offspring would be illegitimate. The issue ended with their marriage. The Duke and Duchess live in the Province of Pottsylvania on property that he purchased and owns in his own right.
Duchess Caroline
Caroline Altgeld (Duchess Consort of Duke Earl) is the illegitimate daughter and only child of Dame Abigail Altgeld. As a member of the Altgeld family, she has studied financing since she was a child, although she prefers dealing in international business. She married Duke Earl, who will eventually succeed Duchess Annabelle as the Grand Duke of Frostbite Falls. She is considered to be her mother's successor to the Farmers and Swineherders banking empire; however, steps are being taken by the Royal family and Altgeld family to maintain the bank's independence and separation from Royal control.
Duchess Katherine
The Lady Mayor Duchess Katherine of Stanley (Lady of the Southern Waters)
Duchess Katherine, Domina Australis Aequora, (Duchess Royal) is the youngest child of Grand Duke Ponsonby Brit and his second wife, Duchess Juliet. She currently resides in the city of Stanley on East Falkland Island. During the Civil War Duchess Katherine was able to maintain the support and loyalty of the local populations in the South Atlantic. She preempted a strike by the military by broadcasting radio feed of the events that were happening in Frostbite Falls Proper. Before the insurgents in the military had time to organize, the people had turned against them and the rebellion quickly broke apart. Duchess Katherine is the Lady Mayor of Stanley and its sole member of the Committee for Civic Improvement. She also holds the position of governor of the South Atlantic islands and the southern Nereid realms which gives her complete authority over all matters in the region.
She is considered by the South Atlantic Nereides to be their true sovereign, and they hold their allegiance to the Grand Duchy through her. The Grand Duke has formally recognized this unique relationship by granting her the royal title "Lady of the Southern Waters" and among the Nereide community she holds the title "Baroness above the South Atlantic Seas." She grants the eastern islands a degree of autonomy, due to the difficulty of properly administering such as spread out area, but she travels frequently throughout the region. She considers herself to be a woman of the people and interacts with all levels of society on a regular basis. She is a fierce supporter of her father's authority over the region, while at the same time holding the belief that she has a better grasp of issues facing the southern realm than the Grand Duke does. This independent streak has won over many supports and made her an extremely popular figure in the South Atlantic.
She is considered by the South Atlantic Nereides to be their true sovereign, and they hold their allegiance to the Grand Duchy through her. The Grand Duke has formally recognized this unique relationship by granting her the royal title "Lady of the Southern Waters" and among the Nereide community she holds the title "Baroness above the South Atlantic Seas." She grants the eastern islands a degree of autonomy, due to the difficulty of properly administering such as spread out area, but she travels frequently throughout the region. She considers herself to be a woman of the people and interacts with all levels of society on a regular basis. She is a fierce supporter of her father's authority over the region, while at the same time holding the belief that she has a better grasp of issues facing the southern realm than the Grand Duke does. This independent streak has won over many supports and made her an extremely popular figure in the South Atlantic.