For the past fifteen years Holstace Fortraine has vied with Holan Brightson for the title of the most powerful man in Christoté. His power comes from three sources: his position as Baron of Dorlaf (since 1319); his role as the head of an achingly wealthy and well-connected family; and the possession of a degree of intelligence which is surprisingly high given the first two. First elected an Emissary in 1308, Fortraine was astute enough to hitch his wagon to Brightson's star early on. Brightson's influence helped Fortraine secure the Baron's post and the pair formed an alliance which governed the country through the 1320's, Brightson ruling the federal government and Fortraine dominating the Barons Councils. The alliance has been an uneasy one, though, partially because of their very different styles. Whilst Brightson wields his power in circular ways - cultivating his shady Huwdone House 'insider' image, an air of shabby gentility, the master of the murmured suggestion - Fortraine wears it, as they say, on his hat. He has grabbed every honorary title open to him - not that Christoté offers many - and always acts every inch the lord. Never travelling anywhere without a full retinue and a flashy coach, always resplendently dressed, he cultivates a crushing air of pomposity self-importance, never telling jokes and never relaxing an inch in public. The Fortraines own the swankiest house on Lewis Avenue and in Stacewell House, they have the most sumptuous, if not the largest, castle in Dorlaf, from which most of the provincial business is nowadays run. The family has a plethora of sources of wealth, with land scattered all across Christoté and lucrative commercial ventures such as the Dories Mill and the Forgar Timber Mill. They also have an army of illustrious offspring (though for every rising political/commercial star like Yonath Brenton there is an out-and-out waster or moron like Fortraine's son Ses), and a line of blood which stretches back to fighting alongside Tars Tukas in the Twin Strike. Over this brood Holstace is the indisputable head (a contrast to the more splintered Tannerz and Griegsons), a swarthy, tall and extremely stout figure who never tires of bullying and domineering. Politically he is a conservative, the usual depressing mixture of hatred for radicals, criminals, Torguns etc., a strong belief in mercantile/landowner freedom from regulation and a fiercely held Dorlafan/Christotan patriotism. (Naturally he is a Garran).
The combination of his power, opinions and personality have long made him the most hated man in Dorlaf. The thousands who screamed for his blood in Parliament Square when he was re-appointed to the Privy Council in 1330 is typical of his appeal with the masses. The Emissaries who serve under him tired long ago of his overbearing manner and hidebound views - which didn't stop the majority being cajoled into re-electing him in 1329. And few of his family admit to actually liking him. There have allegedly been several attempts on his life from this latter source, though none reached a serious stage and nothing has ever been proved. Unfortunately for those who hoped Chela Tatel's election would mean his end, Fortraine also shows a surprising degree of flexibility in many matters. He realises that in some, if not all, issues his personal prejudices aren't the only relevant views and only recommends policy if the weight of evidence backs him up. In other words he's someone Tatel can work with, despite his private notions of the right and wrong place for women and hers on the role of landed gentry in a modern government. In truth she has never dared alienate him, though his abilities - he has impressive analytical skills, diligence for research and an almost supernatural memory - assure him of his place in her inner circle.
Some solace for the Fortraine haters has come from his personal life. His first wife Yasel, an Astic noblewoman, died in mysterious circumstances in 1320. Nothing was ever proved but persistent and rather convincing rumours have circulated ever since that the tragedy was at Fortraine's own hand. ('Murderer'! is the standard insult to scream at Fortraine in the street, as well as the less slanderous 'Big Fat Bastard Fortraine'). His second, amused everyone greatly by divorcing him in 1331, citing mental cruelty and gross, unnatural acts which she subsequently proceeded to regale to anyone who cared to listen. There is also the sense that his time is coming to an end. In his mid-sixties, Fortraine is half-crippled with arthritis and has clearly indicated that he'll step aside for a younger man in 1338, if not sooner. The only problem is that it will probably be one of his sons.