Kane Graas

MASTER KANE
CHARACTER DETAILS
Full Name:	Kane Graas
Nationality:	English
Title:	None
Estate Name:	Graas Residence, on St. James Square
Age:	29
Gender:	Male
Eye Colour:	Grey
Hair Colour:	Black
Marital Status:	Unmarried
Circles:	Trade
RESIDENCE
London:	Piccadilly Street

Reputation: «... This stealthy man likes to pretend at being a rake, but has hidden depths and strengths coupled with a keen mind. From loving kittens to secret missions, this merchant has found his way among court despite a difficult background....»

Physical Attributes

Kane stands at 5’9, his lean build suitable for running and climbing, both of which he has done a lot of in his life. He has a thick mane of black hair that is usually tied back with a black ribbon and a set of steely grey eyes. His face seems entirely put together by sharp lines and harsh angles that are somewhat tanned and weather-worn. An impression softened by eye-lashes so long that most women would be envious of them. He could perhaps pass as handsome if not for an old scar splitting his left eye-brow, starting again just under his left eye and curving over his cheek to split his lips. The scar splitting his face has an almost ominous effect on his face, especially as it causes his smiles to curve only the right side of his mouth upwards.

The First Impression

A man, generally preferring to wear grey or blue or green or a simple crisp white, steering clear from the brighter colours and too excessively flashy jewellery, although the piece he does wear are always of fine craftsman quality and valuable. He tends to position himself with his back towards some wall or pillar if at all possible or remains near windows. He might even be somewhat attractive, if not for the ominously long thin scar splitting his left eye-brow, starting again just under his left eye and curving over his cheek to split his lips.

April-May 1676 ~ Season IV

3 - 6 May Minirecess

The world carried on turning – and even in the right direction – and London was still as busy as ever. Nor was Kane, despite his fondness for an occasional nap or two in a spot of sunshine, spending his days idly. Morning were spent dancing in his garden with his daggers, his long blackbladed ones were his favourites but Kane also practiced with the rest so that he’d be confident on how they fit in his hand when he next needed to use them. During daytime business took up a lot of his time and on Monday he took Alexandra to a barge-ride on Thames as promised, telling her about osme urban legends more popular among ladies as well as pointing out some more interesting sites that could be seen along the edges of the river.

Except then the 5th of May rolled up and what Kane had been suspecting anyway did come true. He was forcibly kidnapped from his bed even before dawn (he would strangle that treacherous butler of his for being swayed into cooperating. Just after taking some of the strawberry cake, for both master and butler enjoyed the same treats, back home as a way of saying thank you). Kane himself had never really made much of a fuss out of his birthday, but his little sister had and she had easily managed to convince her husband – and one of Kane’s best friends – to go along with the ploy of kidnapping Kane to make sure he’d have fun on the day. And Kane had to admit, however grudgingly, that he did have fun spending the day with his sister and brother-in-law. Staying in their house for the night and ending up lingering for the following day, it was only on the 7th that Kane finally made his way back to his own home (with the aforemention strawberry cake).

15-19 May 1676

Kane was a busy man and continued to be so. His days were filled with business and work and different errands and sword-drills, but he made sure to take time for his friends and fun in the evenings as well. Friday, the 15th, was wholly dedicated to business as a shipment of his arrived in London port and his attention was required to oversee that the unloading and transportation to the waiting customer went flawlessly. In comparison the following Saturday was dedicated to leisure and fun. After a strenuous morning practicing sword drills and practicing with his beloved daggers, Kane met a couple of friends, including Hashim, for dinner. The group of young men, all of whom had long since proven themselves in the world of business, easily found a common tongue and the merry meeting lasted well through the night to morning hours to be followed by a half-napping presence at Sunday morning sermon. After the sermon Kane headed off to visit his little sister and brother-in-law.

Monday morning found Kane in the Royal Exchange, once more dealing with business. But it was the evening when Kane dressed in black and headed out into the world he had known so well as a child, the dark underbelly of London. Armed to the backteeth with sharp blades Kane slipped into the dangerous scene of dark streets, merging with ease with the rough crowd populating it. He drank some, listened to stories and rumours, made use of his fast fingers to pickpocket some coins here and there to pay for his drinks and the wench he took upstairs, a natural brunette a couple of months pregnant so that Kane cou ld be sure he wouldn’t be getting a kid – he was decidedly not going to repeat the mistake of his daddy dearest and having a bastard kid. Even if spreading his genes would mean doing the world a favour.

In stark contrast to his night-time fun, after a couple of hour long meeting with the French tutor Kane had finally got around to getting, Tuesday was spent at the royal palace seeing and being seen as Kane listened to courtly rumours and conversed with the nobility that could be found entertaining themselves in whichever manner in the rooms and hallways.

Recess IV: 1 June - 7 October 1676

Kane Graas had settled in comfortably in London and had managed to integrate himself into London’s genteel society with far more success than he had ever hoped for, however life had its own demands on his time and attention. Business called, and admittedly Kane had been feeling the urge to travel again, so a couple of days after the Restoration Ball Kane and Peabody set foot on a ship to sail to Sweden. The days passed quickly as Kane was busy catching up with old friends, renewing business contracts and contacts as well as delivering letters from other merchants from London to their business partners; and the nights merrily as Kane’s company was happily welcomed by one merry widow or another for an occasional no-strings one-night stand.

It was in the second half of July when fair winds brought Kane back to English soil with a packed of returned letters to deliver – as well as a parcel of some sort to Master Lee – while Kane himself moved past London to stay with his sister and brother-in-law. The timing of his arrival had been fortunate as well for on the first night Kane stayed over his little sister gave birth to a pair of twins, a boy and girl. The birth was extremely difficult, however thankfully both the children and the mother survived although the doctor warned that it was unlikely for Skie to ever fall pregnant again.

It was in the middle of August when Kane felt the urge to hop on a ship again, this time sailing to France. The next weeks were spent in France, a time spent usefully in setting up a ocuple of new contacts that might become useful in trade as well as allowing Kane a chance to polish up what French he knew as well as raise his knowledge of the language. He had always had an ear for language and a good memory, largely thanks to his inability to note down memos for himself, after all.

Still, there were questions in his mind so after a couple of weeks Kane was on the move again, this time to Maguire, Ulster, in Ireland. Time had passed since the Restoration, however with a bit of coin Kane was able to find a servant who had worked in the manor when Kane’s father was Baron of the area. It was an interesting conversation to be had with the old woman, who had been robbed by sense by old age as she thought it was Asher Graas himself that had returned to his estate. A mistake that wasn’t too unfathomed as Kane discovered that his features practically mirrored those of his fathers when he had been young. There would be no doubt of the lineage if the two men were ever to meet face to face.

Somewhat perturbed by what little he had learnt of his father Kane spent another day surveying the surrounding lands currently belonging to the crowm, privately considering the option of acquiring the area and the title himself one fine day, before moving on again. Another swift little smuggler ship carried Kane to Bristol port. Leaving behind musings of his father – he’d deal with those when he actually found the bloody man – Kane was pleased to hear of two acquaintances enjoying a bit of a vacation. It was an easy decision to hop on his horse for a quick detour to the Baths to meet up with Countess Atherstone and Lady Whittington. Thoroughly amused by the company of the two charming ladies, Kane was content to spend a day with them in Bath before the trio undertook the journey to Windsor.

Saint Georges Day Awards, 1676

Received a Medal of Bravery for his selfless acts in the face of danger, and retrieval of Lady Rebecca Halifax, the famous co-heiress.

Saint Georges Day Awards, 1677

Received Civilian Brinius Medal for bravery and selfless acts in the face of danger at the assassination attempt of the king at the Pageant Flotilla of October 1676 at Windsor.

Reputation

April 11: The recently arrived Kane Graas is a wealthy commoner who so far managed to establish a reputation of being a fair, friendly man.

April 25: ...is an intriguing adventurer with a carefree, mischievous yet kind-hearted manner, confident when he is on mercantile ground.