Haku "the Lucky"'s page

About Haku "the Lucky"

Haku, an aspiring half-elf bard, was perhaps the worst performer in Katapesh. At first he was somewhat of a novelty as people assumed he was just pretending to be the worst singer, dancer, and comedian around. The novelty wore off quickly, though, once others found out that he was truly as bad as he performed. The Pactmasters eventually asked him to leave as he would turn away potential customers wherever he performed.

While his performance was truly awful, he still had some semblance of magical talent and set out towards the wilderness of the Brazen Peaks to earn his fortune and pay for lessons. Without much talent for survival, he nearly succumbed to starvation on a nameless path within the famed mountains. His "luck" however changed when an enormous efreet and a small army of gnolls came upon his withering body.

"Master genie, you clearly wield great wisdom and power. Help this wretched bard with just one wish and I will serve you however I can", Haku pleaded. "Perform for me!", the efreet lord boomed. Haku rose and gave the most masterful performance of his life, an inspiring ballad of a foolish sorcerer who failed to trap a genie and paid a terrible price.

Upon completion, Haku looked up to see that most of the gnolls backed off. Holding their ears tightly, they yelped for the efreeti lord to flay "the miserable beast". As Haku resolved in the death to come, he was utterly shocked at the efreeti's command, "Come with me miserable little creature, and I will give you a wish."

Haku followed the efreet into his domain and stopped atop a pile of rock and bone. "Make your wish,' the efreeti lord commanded. Nervous and barely able to chatter out the words, Haku spoke, "I wish I were a famous bard among my people!" Haku opened his eyes in time to see the efreet's mightly sword cleaving him in two. As his soul began to depart his body, it was suddenly and powerfully drawn back. When Haku came to, he found himself in a new form. A most repulsive and hideous form. He was a gremlin pugwampi. "Whh .. why?" he growled loudly, suddenly realizing he was now mostly deaf. "Not even my wishcraft could make you a good singer. But, take heart, your performances will be legendary among your new people." And with a roaring, thunderous laughter, the efreet motioned to the guards, "get him far from here, to any den of his wretched kind."

Haku's "talent" fit well with the disgusting, twisted "humor" the pugwampi queen Popporokki and her clan delighted in. Haku performed day and night until he could scarcely joke or sing any longer. He found himself slipping far away mentally, almost to the point that goat poo with crayberries almost seemed like a tasty meal. One awful night, though, the tribe was attacked by a pack of hyena. One by one, they were pounced on and eaten, though Haku was able to use his magic to stay safe. With no family, and no longer quite sure if he was truly a half-elf or pugwampi, Haku set out for fame and fortune.