Comte Peter du Chanaud
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The city of Chanaud is the second largest port in Sicinia Salis and only Martinique exceeds it in commercial importance. And to govern this teeming and ethnically diverse metropolis is one of the most ruthless entrepeneurs in the region: Peter du Chanaud.
Like several of the lords of Sicinia Salis, Peter was not born to nobility, but to a small local banker. Not a wealthy man, his ftaher bankrupted himself in order to get his son into the Uinversity of Bausin. Peter never forgot that sacrfice, and many feel that his rise to greatness was his way of thanking his father. As soon as he was able to begin his own business, the youth began investing in shipping firms. His luck was incredible, and in only a few short years he had made enough in his speculations to live well for the rest of his days.
But Peter was not finished yet. He incoporated his assets into the decrepit and barely functioning Guild of Saint Christopher and turned it into the largest and most profitable shipping franchise in central Namura. He began his own shipping insurance firm, the first in Namura, and quickly made himself a fabulous fortune. As a result he married the daughter of the old Comte du Chanaud, and following the man's unexplained death became the new Chanaud. Although a strong supporter of the King during the first months of the Lily Revolution, he was witness to his liege's disastrous defeat at the Battle of Bas-Armand, and quickly switched sides, becoming the lieutenant of Admiral Jean Francois de la Martinique. As a a reward for his invaluable service, the new Premier not only allowed Peter to retain his lands, but also allowed him almost complete autonomy, turning Chanaud into another nation in all but name and taxes.
Incredibly ambitious and merciless to enemies both political and commercial, his own constabulary provided the inspiration for the Sicinian Montre Noire. It is well known that any merchant foolish enough to cheat or flaunt his business wil soon find themsleves falling prey to the Comte's own squadron of privateers. He is one of the most powerful lords in the Cognress, and along with Baron Guy d'Pensee remains able to frighten even the state government.
A respected politician, it was widely predicted that he will succeed the Admiral Jean Francois de la Martinique as the next Premier, and with the death of the Admiral the predictions did indeed become true. He has one daughter, Rachele du Chanaud, who in her utter ruthlessness and shrewd business skills is exactly like her father.
