Duke Körbl Dowsett - Deposed & Imprisoned

Prior to his imprisonment, Duke Dowsett always wore the latest in fine fashions for the respectable gentleman, usually with an appropriate amount of fine jewelry.  Now he wears prison garb.

Duke Körbl is a perfect example of the noble House of Dowsett; shrewd, quiet, cautious. Born as part of a large family, Körbl was raised at home until he came of learning age, then he traveled to Lys where he received a formal education in mathematics, classics, geography, manners, finance, and history. Körbl is one of the few dukes or duchesses who holds an actual degree from the university in Lys.   After graduation, Körbl took control of one of his family's cloth-making businesses and worked hard to increase its profits. During the first few years, he eked out meager returns, until his sister Sitrana returned from abroad. One year after she joined him in his business, their profits took off. The siblings offered a new type of soft cloth they named "velvet", which they could produce in large quantities. The cloth took the fashion world by storm and made the pair very rich. When Körbl 's mother, the dowager duchess Igmina Dowsett decided to retire, the family took his shrewd success as a sign and selected him to be the new head of the House and Duke of Pozzisoldi.   Despite being the duke, Körbl spends relatively little time in his domain, preferring to reside in Lys and oversee the family's various business holdings there. Many thought he would name his sister as his deputy in the duchy, but instead he gave that responsibility to a lesser known cousin, Kherson Dowsett, who manages the estates and collects the rents from the Dowsett subjects.   Duke Körbl had recently married and begun to start a family.   After the death of King Brenwell, Duke Körbl participated in a conclave to select a new ruler.  During deliberation, Körbl confessed that he had engaged in trading with the undead realm of Osseus.  The emissaries of the Wraith King attempted to blackmail him to keep quiet about it, but he refused and instead voted for Duke Poldern.  After the conclave ended, he was arrested and presently awaits trial for kidnapping, slavery, conspiracy and treason.

Duke Dowsett holds a Master's degree from the university in Lys.

Duke Dowsett acts to improve the circumstances of his noble house.  Nothing, not even patriotism or loyalty to the crown, trumps this motivation.

Duke Dowsett belonged to the so-called "Gold Faction", a political alliance of nobles that includes the Houses of Ingran, Essenkoff, Froude, and occasionally Scammel.   At court, the Gold Faction tends to advocate for the more aggressive path in political affairs. Duke Dowsett has been approached by Duchess Ingran, who has made it clear that she counts on his support for her eventual bid for the throne. While he has made no public declaration, his actions at court would appear to show that the Duke supports Duchess Ingran's claim. However, some have noted that messages from other dukes and duchesses, especially Essenkoff and Scammel, have increased in recent months.

Duke Dowsett pays lip service to Raya Invicta, but keeps the feast days of Handel (known as St. Handel in Rosalind), the godling of wealth and trade.

Duke Dowsett is perhaps the most wealthy private individual in Rosalind, maybe even on the continent. The House of Dowsett directly owns several businesses, mills, and arable farmland. The house also operates the second largest lending house in Rosalind.