Kuraeus is a bastard, and an orphan...a circumstance not at all uncommon in Port Kar. Abandoned as a young child, he was taken in by the caste of thieves, his potential seen in his acts to survive on a daily basis in such an unforgiving environment. Not wishing to be slain by members of the caste, and having no other place to go, he chose to accept their help. As such, the caste and Port Kar are all he knows.
He was trained by several mentors of the caste, a broad base of knowledge and skill in which to fall on. He has grown up, and continues to ply his craft, however, he is returning to this after some unpleasantness.
While working with others, a fellow of his caste who was jealous of his skill, betrayed him while on a job and allowed him to be caught and he was turned over to the arsenal. He was found guilty of thievery and spent two consecutive year sentences of hard labor on the wharves. Recently set free, he has a grudge to indulge himself in, and a way of life to settle back into.
He is not well-known in Kar, but he prefers this. He has a small network of contacts aside from the guild to make his life and job easier...fences, fixers, safehouses in which to hide or lay low in after a job has been completed.