Marshak Rizzoli

The Mauro family are a very successful set of merchants. They have holdings on two continents and nine countries. The Mauro Mercantile company runs nineteen wagon trains steadily along routes that are carefully planned and changed after each year. The family has a long reach and enough wealth to buy off most people. While not above the law, they can go around it without much trouble. The current Patriarch of the family isn't quite as crafty as his forefathers and most importantly knows it. Rather than making blunders insisting on being in charge of things to try and overshadow his short comings, Raphael Mauro married a very intelligent woman and keeps only the wisest of family members around him. Rather than control everything himself he keeps a cadre of advisors around him to help him make the best decisions possible.
Raphael's cousin, Marshak Rizzoli works as his personal butler and the head of household staff. Marshak is the smartest member of his family currently and while he could rise to the top and the family might even allow him to replace Raphael, he has no intention of doing so. Marshak instead spends his time finding ways to let Raphael's advisors know key points of information or placing ideas in Raphael's own mind. By placing only part of an idea here or there and a bit of information with one person or another he has been able to change investments, trade routes, and who was paid off by the family when they did decide that smuggling something was worth the risk.
Marshak is proud to help guide his family but finds the idea of being the 'go to man' or 'problem solver' for the family distasteful. Those in charge miss so much because the servants don't speak freely in front of them. Because they are seen as above others they miss out on a lot of life and comforts in Marshak's opinion. Quiet evenings by the fire, a cup of tea with someone who is new to the house without them being overly nervous, wandering freely through the market without having their presence remarked on or watched. These are all things that Marshak finds crippling and limiting. Being the man behind the scenes does give him a sense of power but it also makes him feel safe.

Species

Halflings

Age

41

Gender

Male

Eyes

Gray, with a reserved and indifferent look.

Hair

curly and black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

lightly tanned with calloused hands.

Height

2 feet 10 inches (0.86 m)

Weight

42 lbs (19 kg)