Harry Dennison

This article is about the Marterus the socialite. For the seismologist, see Harold J. Dennison.

Harry Dennison (born Uktar 9, 1417) is a Marterus socialite and merchant. Known for both, hosting opulent social events, as well as a ruthless business acumen. Harry rose to fame in the summer of 1487 when disappearing while aboard the family ship, the Opulence. Rumors still circulate on his fate many years later.

Early Life and Family

Harry was born in Marterus, Felldrei, on Uktar 9, 1417 to merchant Urgin Dennison and homemaker Jolene Dennison (née Frager). Both parents are the part of a long line of dwarven merchant traders based in the city of Marterus.

Harry's sister, Lithen Dennison studied at the University of Marterus and graduated with honors. She became a famous herbalist in her own right. She lives with her mother in the family home on the northern quarter of Marterus.

Urgin Dennison disappeared with Harry aboard the Opulence in the summer of 1487. His fate is unknown, presumed dead.

Harry was raised in a house of immense wealth. Thanks to a successful network of merchant companies, his father, Urgin Dennison could provide anything money could buy.

Through his adolescence (ages 25-55), Harry lived the life of an entitled young man. He would buy restaurants just to get a reservation, then sell them back at a loss. His private life would often splash in to the public view through articles in local papers.

One notable event on in this period of his life was purchasing the Marterus Zoo only to dismiss the staff and let it run in to disrepair. Some animals, such as the lions, escape the zoo and were seen throughout the city, before being captured by the local guard. The other animals sadly perished in the cages, starved of food. Harry received a slew of negative press until an unknown gardener came forward and took responsibility. Rumors suggest Harry's father paid the farmer off [citation needed]. Never-the-less, the negative press stopped.

Adult Life

Harry went missing late in the summer of 1487 at the age of 70 years of age. As a dwarf this puts him at the early stages of his adult life. He is currently presumed dead.

Despite his age, Harry had a reputation of impulsive, and sometimes reckless, behavior. He would often lose large sums of money in business activities, but would just as often make large sums.

Harry's short adult life (ages 45-70) was made up of learning the ropes of his father's company and integrating himself in to its operations. Harry was always expected to take over from his father at some point.

Career

Little is known of Harry's responsibilities while working in the family businesses. It is understood he was working to replace his father at some time in the future, so its speculated that he was working closely with the senior leadership group.

Harry did not ever run, or was known to be responsible for an part of his family's company before he went missing.

The Family Company

Founded by Harry's great grandfather, Guthrin Dennison, (1041-1293, 252 years) in 1233, the Dennison family business ran a number of merchant import and export companies throughout the area. These companies operated under the same banner, a clenched dwarven fist with lightning shooting to the stars.

They consisted of multiple caravan companies that would travel the Four Seas purchasing goods of various types.

Fine silks was the most common commodity, picked up in the distant lands of the Drenn and sold for a massive profit in the markets in the Gallery of Wonders. Estimates put silks at about 80% of the company's revenue throughout the first 100 years of trading.

Since the disappearances, the company has been run by Polin Garten, a human merchant, a local of the Marterus area and long time family friend of the Dennisons.

The sinking of the Opulence

The Opulence, a 22m luxury sea worthy ship, went missing late in the summer of 1487. The last confirmed sighting was 14 Flamerule, 1487 as it sailed passed the lighthouse of Dawnlight. All 17 crew and passengers are presumed dead. Despite a search lasting almost 10 months, no ship was ever found.

The destination of this journey was not known as there were discrepancies in the manifests submitted before leaving. It is speculated that the destination were the warm seas off the island of Irinor, but no evidence exists to back up this claim. Other possible destinations were Meryn's Pyre or even the Burnt Lands.

On board the Opulence was Harry Dennison, his father Urgin Dennison, and 15 staff. Making up the command was Captain Jeery Odlirk, a half orc professional ship captain, known to successfully scare off pirates in the past. Navigation officer, Gerdrin Malliard, a dwarven ship master, plot the course and navigated the oceans. The rest of the crew was made up as security, cooks and other service providers.

Since no wreckage was found, all passengers are now presumed dead.

Controversies

The Dennison family has been close to a number of controversies over the years, without being linked directly to any. Some say this is the work of Urgin Dennison [citation needed]

In 1423 a caravan traveling under a, now believed to be stolen, banner of the Dennison family attacked a village settlement on the northern boarders of Drunjas, near Dawnlight. The rogue caravan looted the village and attempted to sell their plundered items in the Gallery of Wonders. They were caught by Meager Gartin, the father of the current chief operator of the company. Despite no evidence of wrong doing, the Dennison leadership compensated the surviving villagers generously.