Duff Dunscirn
Appearance: At first glance, Duff comes across as a blustery business type without much polish. He is short and heavyset - more rounded and hunched than large and powerful. He walks with a shuffling limp, and always presents his left side forward, even when looking someone in the eye or offering a thick blunt hand to shake. His once bright red close-cropped curls are evenly dusted with grey, and his eyes are almost more shadow than color. He appears to be a man in his late forties, on the verge of a stress-induced heart-attack.
Duff is never seen without a heavy, custom-tailored three-piece business suit. He wears expensive men's jewellery (watch, jewelled ring with the family crest), and bright red power ties.
Background: Duff Dunscirn first appeared in Glasgow in the 1850's, moving quickly to take control of his family's assets, and cooperating with the Prince in the face of economic warfare waged from London. He has a reputation for dealing as honestly as the Giovanni allow (Cirillo Giovanni happily takes credit for more onerous measures exercised against more recalcitrant "deadbeats,") and a willingness to find a way to strike a bargain. It is rumored that he is one of the financial wizards who keeps the Dunscirn out of the papers and in the pockets of moguls everywhere.
In Glasgow, he is the Giovanni most likely to be encountered in Elysium, and many of the residents come to him first when they have a financial problem. He is ready with a loan, but none are willing to get in further than they can afford - the Giovanni are his collections department.
Demeanor: Duff is an adept of the art of formal politeness. He speaks smoothly, and is always willing to deal, even if doing so means enduring a long series of meetings with less pleasant sorts. In pressure situations (usually provoked by his elder, Cirillo), he begins breathing heavily and stammering, and sometimes a sheen of red sweat is apparent.
For all of his politeness, Duff is capable of using every trick to his advantage. Dinner meetings with recalcitrant clients can be horrifying experiences. A hard edge becomes apparent when he believes he has the upper hand against someone who has mocked his appearance or seen him sweat. He and the Nosferatu neonate, Francach, had a brief contest in monstrousness. Tales of Duff's overwhelming victory still entertain when Elysium gets slow.
Mortal associates: Duff's most obvious "accessory" is his "cousin," Matilda Dunscirn. At first glance, she is a particularly short redhead with all the right curves, in spades. She is always seen wearing black or red one-piece dresses that seem one ill-considered movement away from an R rating. Her platform stiletto heels seem to make that movement likely. A glance at her face (many males never get that far) usually comes as a shock: her underdeveloped features are typical of a pre-teen, and consistent with her breathy voice and childish mannerisms. She usually totters after her Uncle, acting as a combination of personal secretary, gofer and executive perk. She has filled this role for at least the past three decades.
