Kaspar Teuber, merchant of Dotternbach[1a]
Kaspar Teuber is a merchant who lives and maintains his business in the Imperial village of Dotternbach; there are many stories told about him, some are even true.
Kaspar was trained as a cartographer by an old explorer of some renown. His mentor's tales inspired him to join several expeditions to the distant Far East. His adventuring years were memorable and profitable. He still talks of travelling the Silver Road and his many close scrapes with death. His favourite story is about "fabled Katan," which he attempted to map in detail but the geography of which changed from day to day. Eventually, Kaspar retired and used his earnings to set himself up in the wool business in Dotternbach. He yearned for simple village life after years of adventure.[1a]
Over the last 15 years he has become the dominant merchant in the village and controls all the important trade. His house, which is fairly modest by Imperial urban standards, is a veritable mansion as far as the Dotternbachers are concerned and is easily the largest structure in the village. The Dotternbachers are respectful and even deferential towards Kaspar.[1a]
Kaspar is in debt to a Tilean moneylender named Alphonse (known as "the Big D" for reasons that are obscure). One of Alphonse's goons came to Dotternbach two weeks ago to remind Kaspar (at the point of a dagger) that he better pay up on time. When he was caught pointing a dagger at Kaspar Teuber, the village militia tossed him out of town. Even so the time to pay up is now fast approaching and with commerce all but shutdown in Dotternbach, Herr Teuber is desperate to avoid losing any fingers...or his life.[1a]
Kaspar Teuber is a colourful character, the antithesis of the staid businessman. He is friendly and outgoing and likes to get to know the people he does business with. Although he seems like an open book, he is quite skilled at keeping his problems private and he will be reluctant to trust strangers with any of his secrets.[1a]