Kade Killough's page

About Kade Killough

Appearance:
Kade is pretty presentable for a squatter. He learned that he needed to compensate for his reserved manner at an early age, and so strives to make a good first impression by maintaining his appearance. His clothes, though old, are well cared for, and he carries them well with his impeccable posture; Kade has never been seen slouching. With his pecs thrust and his back straight he stands out with his already impressive physique. Tall, wide-shouldered and well-muscled, he might not be the most gifted in the personality department, but fate hasn't left him with nothing to make up for that deficiency. Kade's grooming also extends to his hair: his thick black hair is kept neat and short, while his face is well acquainted with the razor's edge. Unfortunately, Kade's efforts are largely thwarted by a serious case of 'resting bit*h face', leaving his otherwise handsome features with a near-perpetual scowl.

Personality:
Few really know Kade Killough, as most avoid him due to his past. Should one try to converse with the man, most would describe him as aloof and standoffish. It is, after all, very difficult to carry a conversation with a man seemingly incapable of speaking in little more than two-word responses. Dig a little deeper, however, and you'll find the truth: Kade's just a little boring. Socially awkward as a child and introverted even now, he never mastered the art of small-talk and doesn't have a whole heck of a lot to say to anyone. Worse still is that he makes no attempt to improve in this regard. He keeps up his appearance as an alternative, but considers himself too old to change his ways now. Unfortunately, Kade's dullness largely comes from the old adage of good being boring, because Kade is a genuinely good man. He follows a strict moral code and will stand up for others no matter the cost. True to his reserved nature though, he's not one to preach. His moral code applies only to himself, and he judges himself far harsher than he does others. Kade is not out to make the world a better place, but merely wants to be good.

Background:
Despite being born and raised in Belhaim, Kade can't tell you much about the place. It's hard not to feel alienated after a full decade in prison. The only child to a quarry worker and a stay-at-home wife Kade was seen as a blessing when he was finally born. The Killoughs had yearned for a child for years and had almost given up hope when Mrs Killough fell pregnant. A respectable couple, the Killoughs raised their son with all the love, and discipline, a boy could need. They may have leaned a little heavy on the discipline though. Whilst not out and out Irorans the couple were sympathetic to the views of the local monastery, and Kade was installed with some pretty hefty moral fiber growing up. The ideas of virtue and self-fulfillment in particular took hold in the boy's mind.

Still, he was as said awkward as a kid and a late bloomer to boot. Kade didn't have many friends growing up; in fact, he had exactly two. Fortunately, Adula and Menas were damn good friends. The trio had no relation but were inseparable as children, and their relationship continued into adulthood. By the time they were 20 both Kade and Menas had grown into men and it had escaped neither that Adula had grown into a fine woman. Both had an eye for her. None of the three dared mention this awkward threesome for fear of alienating the other, but Kade couldn't help but notice that Adula favored Menas, at least romantically. You may be surprised to know that this did not torment Kade. He didn't lie awake at night wondering how he might catch Adula's heart. Neither did he dream up outlandish plots to destroy Menas. No, Kade wished the two the very best and never pursued the girl he loved. Of course she preferred Menas, Kade thought. This was perfectly natural in his mind. After all, even then he could only charitably be called stoic, and self-sacrifice was a virtue his parents had instilled in him thoroughly. Kade was perfectly prepared to sacrifice his own happiness for that of his friends.

At was at this point that the most significant night of young Kade's life took place. The setting: the shop where Adula had only recently started working as a menial assistant. Now, the shop's owner was a mean old beast. Moderately wealthy, he had gotten the idea that he could get away with most anything. That was not to be the case this night. This night both Menas and Kade had promised to pick up Adula after work. Kade was late and intentionally so. He wanted to give the two some time alone. What greeted him when he arrived at the shop was, in order of increasing dread: an Adula in tears, a Menas covered in blood, and the shopkeeper's very still body. After much cajoling a shell shocked Menas explained, still clutching a knife, that he had arrived at the store to find the shopkeeper trying to force himself onto Adula. He could recall grabbing the knife and the shopkeeper lunging at him, but after this everything went just a little bit white. Adula was in no state to add to the story, but it seemed perfectly obvious to all what had happened. It was also obvious what this would look like to the rest of the world: murder. However, to Kade's mind the trio's next action also couldn't be any more obvious. He would take the fall. To a dumbfounded audience he explained that if Menas and Adula were to have any future together they would have to flee Belheim. He, on the other hand, would admit to the murder of the shopkeeper to ensure their escape.
It took much convincing before the pair left. A whole lot of screaming and tears and promises of eternal friendship, but in the end Menas and Adula left Belhaim in secret, whilst Kade turned himself in. Their escape was helped by the general chaos the news of a murder in the small town generated. The authorities were unsure what to think of the young murderer; they could find no motive for the crime, and the perpetrator was very unhelpful, refusing to speak of his actions despite readily admitting his guilt. In the end Kade was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was very sorry to see his parents so distraught at these events, but took solace in the knowledge that if they only knew why they would understand, if not approve, this deed. After all, it was only because of their upbringing that he was capable of this sacrifice.

Prison was not easy for Kade. The penitentiary he was sent to was home to genuine murderers, and he learned early on that he would have to learn to defend himself if he wanted to see his parents again. Fortunately, he was not entirely defenseless. He armed himself with the tall build genetics had given him, the iron will his parents had installed into him, and, with nothing else available, his fists. 10 years later Kade emerged from prison with an unintended prize: a body honed for, and marked by, brawling. His return to Belhaim was not an easy one. That the townspeople would be suspicious and even hateful of him was to be expected, but the news that both his parents had died during his incarceration was lamentable indeed. Although not at the forefront of his mind, it was also regrettable that they had died without leaving him anything; since he was an outlaw at their time of death and their only relative, the state saw fit to seize everything upon the Killoughs deaths. It is at this point of his life that we find Kade. Bankrupt, he ekes a meager living doing whatever odd-jobs Belhaim will offer him whilst squatting in his parents' old home. He hopes that his luck will turn around, of course. But ask him if he would do anything differently and he'll tell you 'no', without hesitation. Because Kade Killough did what's right, damn it.