Karoline von Kassel

Baroness of Hermsdorf, seeing to mercantile interests in Talagaad (Archetype: Lord)

'If you wish to hold a snake, you must grasp it securely. Reach for it gingerly, and you will be bitten. The Old Forest Road is just such a creature, winding its way through the Grand Duchy. I would take hold of the serpent at head and tail, ruling not only Hermsdorf and Talagaad, but the road itself. Of course, any who aid me will be richly rewarded…' – Baroness Karoline von Kassel

Karoline von Kassel is the Baroness of Hermsdorf, Talabecland’s southernmost town on the Old Forest Road. Her family have ruled Hermsdorf for centuries, content to command a relatively modest duchy and reap the benefits thereof. Or so it was until Karoline von Kassel ascended as matriarch of the family. Her appetite for wealth and power stretched far beyond Hermsdorf, and so she has ensconced herself in Talagaad for the last few years, moving much of her court with her.

Though she wields no formal power in Talagaad beyond the privilege due to her rank, she nevertheless possesses substantial influence. Guards, merchants, tax collectors and soldiers all pay some heed to von Kassel, even if not all believe that she will one day control the town. Set against her are many of the town’s guilds, along with the nobles of Talabheim, many of whom, rightly or wrongly, have come to see her hand in their own diminished influence in the port.

Primary Skill: Leadership

Motivation: Gain control of the Old Forest Road, claiming all the coin and prestige such power would bring.

Meeting Place: Von Kassel holds court in her gilded townhouse off the Market Square, or painting outstanding landscapes of her modest estate south of Talagaad. Brass allies can expect to be met, discreetly and at a time of her ladyship’s choosing, in the servant’s quarters.

Favours: Gold or Silver allies of von Kasel can expect to be wined and dined for free, or introduced to powerful people in return for a favour owed. She can lend coin in some cases, but von Kassel is a shrewd woman and will expect prompt repayment with interest. Mentioning her name is usually enough to secure a free stay in many coaching houses along the Old Forest Road.

Needs: Von Kassel uses agents to escort merchant caravans along the Old Forest Road, deal with bandit raids, and investigate corruption amongst road wardens. In Talagaad, she employs spies to find dirt on her enemies, and leverage to use in negotiations. Genealogical records, real or convicing frauds, that granted her a claim to Talagaad would be most welcome.

Allies and Enemies: Van Obelmann (page 27) is a thorn in the Baroness’s side, and she plots for his occupation of Talagaad to fail. Nonetheless, she recognises the Slaughtered Stag Warherd (page 138) has caused significant disruption to trade, and is pressing Lieutenant Klossner (page 28) and the Talagaad Longsights to take a more aggressive stance against the Beastmen. Von Kassel has spoken with Wood Elves from the Serac Kinband (page 104), and while there may be some mutual interests, both parties are suspicious of the other. She has also been courting the Ludenhofs (page 108) in Osterlund, hoping they will use their resources to make road travel safer north of the border.

Gossip: Most folk in town have little trust for outsiders or aristocrats, but von Kassel talks as though she wants to help Talagaad and its people stand tall. Her money could transform the fortunes of the port — perhaps even allowing it to become a free port, in charge of its own destiny. Many think all such talk is rubbish, and she merely wishes to claim Talagaad as her own.

Secret: Karoline has worked with some unsavoury types to achieve her ambitions. She’s sponsored brigands to attack political rivals, street gangs to sabotage Talabheim’s occupation, even witches to dig up blackmail on cult leaders. Though she’s been careful, if these associations came to light, she’d be disgraced.