Grandmaster Kane

## Summary

Grandmaster Kane is a legendary monk and founder of Ado Vandor, the Lotus Sanctum.

   As a young adventurer, he traversed many lands seeking power and knowledge to test his might, though eventually his eagerness turned to a more paternal mindset. He lived quite a life of danger, having participated in many wars and saving the Forgotten Realms a few times, most of his experience detailed here.
Eventually he was granted land by the Lord of Tauriel, and he chose the land of Ado Vandor in the high mountains to the west, tucked away from the world. Here he established the grand secret monastery in which he sought to train and nurture the worlds greatest martial artists and pass down his knowledge.

## Appearance

Young Kane was a full of life bratty teenager that had a chiseled, skinny, toned body. He had a full head of long flowing hair and wore brand new clean pants that signified his inexperience, though he liked to always have clean clothing.

As he grew older, he held less and less attachment to his attire and began to concentrate more on the physical and metaphysical, sporting tattered clothing and cared more about the strength and comfortability than aesthetics of his clothing.

## Personality

In his youth, he was spunky, brash, and eager to test his skills in combat against other skilled fighters. As he matured, he spent more and more time trying to perfect his art, and with it came stillness and the calm of experience.

## Story

Not much is known about Grandmaster Kane as far as our story goes, as all that was revealed to us so far is that he was Equuleus's master and adoptive father, training her in martial arts and life. He was murdered by a student of his, having broken into a forbidden vault within the temple and stealing ancient knowledge that Kane tried to tuck away from the world.

He appeared in Equuleus's dream as part of a flashback, having remembered him to be training her on focusing her Ki.

After the events of the Durst Manor, Equuleus fell into deep sleep, astral projecting herself into the Ether, a spirit realm where she found Kane’s spirit residing. Here he explained he chose to mimic the location of Ado Vandor for this meeting because it is dear to both of them and much easier to digest as it’s her first time visiting here. He also tells her that he sensed a change in her ki which is why he decided to reveal himself at this time.

He takes her from the lotus sanctum and shows her the way to a cave behind the waterfalls. Not being powerful enough in the Ether, her body is bound by what physical limitations there are, and swims towards Kane, fighting against the raging current. It’s revealed by Kane that this is the Path of the Seekers, a cave that’s very spiritually charged where students go to find their unique talents. She’s told to go in and discover herself and when she does to return.

After she returns, she reveals the light green tendrils reached out to her, to which Kane reveals is the Life Force of the earth, and that it deemed her worthy as a vessel to channel its power over life. He demonstrates it’s abilities and extends his hand to her, upon taking it she awakens.

## Quotes

* *“Your mind wanders often, which is good. The mind cannot really rest or be still: it is either busy or non-existent. But a disciplined mind will lead you success. You must take that knowledge your mind soaks up as it wanders and utilize it, capture what you see and make it your own.”*

## Dialogue

In Equuleus's Point of View:

Equuleus, as you begin to rest, you close your eyes. You begin to hear a familiar sound, it’s the calming sounds of a gentle breeze and rushing water pouring lightly over mountain walls. You open your eyes. You’re a teenager again, and you’re back in Ado Vandor. You see the mountains that surround the monastery and the moss covered temples you trained at. It’s warm again, it feels nice to feel the warmth, as it’s the first time you felt the sun since you’ve been in Barovia. A speaks up:

*“Equuleus, focus!”*

Your gaze is brought to a muscular bald man with a large beard.

He wears a tattered cloth robe and a sash, with beads around his neck and waist. You recognize him as Grandmaster Kane, the man who founded this monastery and brought you here years before.

*“Your mind wanders often, which is good. The mind cannot really rest or be still: it is either busy or non-existent.”*

He smiles and beckons you to stand.

*“But a disciplined mind will lead you success. You must take that knowledge your mind soaks up as it wanders and utilize it, capture what you see and make it your own.”*

He puts a foot forward and a hand up, you recognize this as his hand to hand combat training stance.

*“In my travels, my mind wandered too, and in wandering it brought back to me ways to harness and channel my inner energy. Come, let me show you.”*

A glow emanates from his body, starting from his core and traveling to each limb, quickly engulfing his body. Eager, you rush forward and attack.

You open your eyes, and you’re back inside the crypt of the Durst Manor. You remember while training with Grandmaster Kane the basics of how to harness that light energy you now remember as Ki. You now have 4 ki points, and access to your 3 basic monk abilities that come with level 2, as well as an increased movement speed. - Session 5 dream sequence to level 2.

## Trivia

* Grandmaster Kane's Origin Story - Forgotten Realms wiki