Henri Dustyll
“Whoremaster Henri” – The Robber Baron of Vice and Secrets
Full Name: Henri Dustyll
Aliases: “Whoremaster Henri,” “The Baron of Secrets”
Profession: Merchant, Underworld Figure, Informant Master
Location: Gornwall, capital of Skandalsea
Affiliation: The Dark Triumvirate (Gornwall’s criminal leadership)
Age: Mid-30s
Race: Human (Corvid-Celt heritage suspected)
Appearance: Portly, gregarious, with short floppy brown hair, spectacles, and a stubbly beard. Wears fine, dark-toned merchant’s garb.
Overview
Henri Dustyll is one of the most powerful and enigmatic men in Gornwall. By day, he is the charismatic proprietor of a successful import/export business, known for funding public works and supporting the city’s poor. By night, he is the Robber Baron of Vice and Secrets, one-third of Gornwall’s infamous Dark Triumvirate—the unofficial rulers of its criminal underworld.
Despite his scandalous nickname, Henri is no mere thug or brothel lord. He is a reformer, strategist, and information broker whose network stretches from dockside taverns to the Triumvirate court itself.
Origins and Rise
Henri began life as a clever street urchin, raised among the warehouses and brackish alleys of Gornwall’s lower wards. As a teenager, he entered the brothel trade—not to exploit, but to reform it. Over time, Henri standardized safety protocols, protected the women under his employ, and built a reputation as someone who could be trusted by both workers and clients alike.
This protection, paired with his merchant ties, elevated him. Eventually, he became a Robber Baron—one of three dominant crime lords in the city who share power through a tense alliance. Henri’s domain is vice and secrets. The other two control muscle and money.
The Dark Triumvirate
Henri shares control of Gornwall’s underworld with:
- Rourke “Ironjaw” Brannic – Baron of Muscle and Metal, a former pit-fighter turned enforcer king.
- Marissa Vellvine – Baroness of Gold and Guilt, a cold and elegant master of forgeries and laundering.
Though all three would love to see the others fail, none dare tip the balance. Together, they form a mocking mirror of Gornwall’s official Triumvirate, and they are careful to keep their internal rivalries beneath the surface—most of the time.
Notable Informants
Henri’s network is vast, but two of his most notable agents are:
- Seashore Peggy – A fiery red-haired prostitute who works the docks, gathering gossip and secrets from passing sailors. She’s loyal, sharp-tongued, and underestimated at great peril.
- “Lady” Jayne – A poised and cultured courtesan embedded in the official Triumvirate court. Rumours say she was raised in one of Henri’s schools and trained by him personally to move among the elite and extract secrets with a whisper and a smile.
Activities and Influence
Henri’s operations span multiple spheres:
- Prostitution (reformed and regulated)
- Blackmail and secret dealing
- Information brokerage
- Political manipulation
- Import/export smuggling under a legal front
He also funds multiple girls’ schools throughout Gornwall—many see this as a way to give young women options beyond the streets. Others say it’s a long-term investment in future assets.
Secrets and Reputation
Henri is said to currently hold a dangerous secret involving Velische vampires operating covertly in the city of Talverin—a truth that could shake alliances and spill blood if revealed.
Despite his profession and nickname, Henri is seen by many as the best of the worst. He keeps order, respects his own rules, and ensures his “kingdom of vice” doesn’t descend into chaos. Others say he's just better at hiding the knives.
Quote
“Everything has a price, darling. Even silence. Especially silence.”
—Henri Dustyll, to a noble who didn’t realize he was being blackmailed.
“Everything has a price, darling. Even silence. Especially silence.” -to a noble who didn’t realize he was being blackmailed.
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