Blake is a wheeler-dealer who runs a market stall in the Slums of The City. He has
actually a very good head for business and would be a successful merchant in most cities
were in not for the fact that 'successful' in the Slums means 'likely to be shaken-down any
minute'. In desperation after being threatened for protection money yet again Blake came
up with the inspired idea of hiring an even more ill-favoured mob than the thugs who were
threatening him. As this latest lot were new to The City he was able to do them a number
of favours which led to a longer term relationship (although he is still not sure what their
obesssion with dairy products is all about).
Blake has never married as he always saw himself as needing a certain station and a
certain amount of assets before he could court the kind of woman he wants for a wife. In the
meantime he knows a number of barmaids who are grateful for the company of a man with coin.
He now sees himself as on the up and feels his new associates not only offer protection
from criminal gangs but new and exciting business opportunities.
Blake has no ambitions to actually get out of the Slums because he likes the free-wheeling,
rules and regulations free trading environment. He just wants the security and respect that
would come from reaching the upper echelons of Slum society. He is also surprising himself
by beginning to be concerned about how his local neighbourhood is run and the lives of its
inhabitants.