Hakaru of Tian Xia's page

Hakaru was born in far-away Tian Xia. Marked from birth with black fur, he grew up being told that a great destiny awaited him. His powers over shape would dwarf his kin and he developed a natural talent for deceptive magic. Even among his kitsune people, he excelled at being a trickster. He worked to master not only social deception, but also found that this easily led to small acts of theft. With a great destiny ahead of him, this was easy for him to justify – he only stole from those with excess money and who would not miss the objects. Plus, he had to master his skills so there was no real harm….

As adulthood, the next step of his destiny was made clear to him. He had the honor of participating in “The Great Lie” – an ancient kitsune ritual whereby a young adult leaves his community and his land to imitate and live as another race. Like all those before him, his location was determined at random from the Great Map kept in possession of the elders. Blindfolded, Hakaru dropped his finger onto the map and saw where fate was taking him – Korvosa…?

The young kitsune was given the requisite one week of preparation. He left with head held high, showing to his family and elders the self-confidence they expected. Yet, for the first time he felt fear. For the next decade he would live among strangers, becoming them and studying their ways. When he finished, however, he would return a hero. And the neighboring villages were getting boring….

It took him 9 months of travel to arrive at the island city. He walked through the gates as a human much like those around him. He found work doing menial tasks at one of local gambling halls. His quick wits and charming smile kept him out of trouble. Along with his deft hands, they also led to a steady stream of “tips.” For 6 months the young kitsune enjoyed this work, yet there was a superficial quality to it. He was there, in Korvosa, but he existed with no real identity. What talent did it take to dupe drunken gamblers? Fate brought a new patron to the hall at almost the same time. The man seemed different than the regulars, and Hakaru saw that though he ordered as many drinks as the man next to him he never drank them. Despite Hakaru’s friendly banter the man revealed little about himself, even giving an obviously fake name – Lem. Hakaru began to shadow Lem, intrigued by his oddity. He found that the man tread in the most dangerous areas of the city. Soon, the kitsune learned he was in the employ of a local crimelord – Gaedran Lamm.

On a night like many others, Hakaru was shadowing the man, allowing his curiosity to best his sense of caution. This night was different than the others not only because of the full moon, but because it was the last night that Lem breathed. Hakaru saw the man meet at his regular “drop in” point, but unlike the normal joking affair and exchanging of cash & goods there was a palpable tension. Lem was quickly surrounded and beaten mercilessly. His assailants walked away casually sure that Lem had died and they were right. After moments of strained hiding Hakaru crept forward and saw that it was true. He didn’t mourn the passing of Lem and inspiration struck him – perhaps he could live AS Lem! They would surely stop searching for a dead man and Hakaru knew where he lived. He could pick up the pieces of his life and see far he could take it.

Once more his curiosity drove him forward and he went to the man’s apartment in Shingles of Old Korvosa. Excitement drove his steps and he was there quickly. Thoughts of his new life eroded his senses even as they caused his shape to mimic Lem’s exactly. Had he not been distracted he would have heard the rummaging. Hakaru walked in and stumbled upon the same 5 assailants. Though confused as to how Lem could not only survive but walk through the door they gave no pause for questions. They set upon him, beating and stabbing him. They were not successful in their second murder. Unlike the abandoned alley, this overcrowded section of the city quickly brought nosy eyes. The murderers threw Lem/Hakaru into the Narrows and dashed away, this time the water would do what they could not. Had Hakaru been a human this would have worked. But the kistune merely changed his form and swam away into the night.

Despite almost dying, Hakaru was giddy with excitement – he had imitated a man so well he was almost murdered for it! Still, he had to accept this was no longer a game. There was evil in the city and instead of amusing himself with petty theft at their expense perhaps he had to find out more….

Once again Hakaru remade himself, but this time he did so with caution and planning. He was hired as an initiate in the Korvosan Guard. This gave him exposure to the criminal element and also gave him access to most places in the city. As a guard member, his free time was as a guard-for-hire at high society parties in the Heights. From whispers and eavesdropping Hakaru found that again and again things came back to Gaedran Lamm.

Day-to-day: Hakaru spends his days working as part of the Korvosan Guard. This gives him access to most parts of the city. He also has ingratiated himself as a favored guard-for-hire for social events. His smile and pleasant demeanor gave him access to the ill-gotten aristocracy. At each event he find time to make sure there is at last one small item of value to take as his tip. Just large enough to be worthwhile, but small enough that surely it would be beneath them to file a complaint.

Hakaru has a strong self of self-confidence. He knows he is charming and enjoys social interaction/manipulation. However, he is not arrogant and though he may be self-serving (with his theft in particular) he has a strong interest in doing what is good and right. He is light-hearted when times are dark and optimistic that things will work out.