Editing Manfred "Manny" Kaltenbach (section)

== Background ==
Born in the slums of Altdorf, the Kaltenbach children were orphaned early as their father "disappeared" after accruing considerable gambling debts and their mother died of plague soon after. Forced to live by their wits, the two youngest children took to petty theft and extortion, and running errands for neighborhood gangs. The eldest, Tomas, found gainful employment in the Sigmarite church-- cleaning the vestry and performing odd jobs for the priests, and eventually joining the clergy as an Initiate. Manfred and his sister Elsa stayed on the opposite side of the law, excelling in leg-breaking and larceny respectively. Manfred joined a series of gangs over the years, but now operates independently, though he maintains cordial relations with with several underworld figures (and more than a few bitter enemies). He keeps his alliances temporary, but worries that he may have to throw in with one organization or another soon.

Manfred gives little thought to the nature of his work, and seems to enjoy it for the most part. His main activities, apart from his job, include, drinking, whoring, gambling, and suchlike, though lately he's developed an interest in theatre. It started when Manfred was assigned to put the fear of Sigmar into a recalcitrant debtor. The man attended a play that evening (The Maiden's Farewell), and Manfred, shadowing him, bought a ticket himself, the better to observe his target.

That evening, he fell in love. All thoughts of brutality left him as the leading lady took the stage. He had happened to attend the night Marguerite Devareaux made her Altforf debut. He was so taken with her beauty, grace, and effortless charm that he almost lost his target after the show. Later, after breaking the man's thumb and relieving him of his silver snuffbox, he wandered the streets in a daze. This has been going on for three months now. In all that time, he has never missed a performance. He has yet to make any direct overtures-- feeling that, for now at least, she is best worshiped from afar. Still, he fantasizes of one day becoming a "proper gentleman" and worthy of the fair Marguerite.

Poor bastard.