Hauku

“What is a life worth to kings? Or better yet, what is a life worth to you? No, do not insult me with your bartering, you knew the cost of a life when you entered this agreement.”

- Unknown Hauku Assassin.

To the Ancients, the Ruku were a success, the Shaiya a failure, but the Hauku were something in between. Where the Ruku were known for the skill of fighting on the battlefield, or in an arena, there was a need for something more, a shadow, something to slink and dive into the shadows. The Ancients saw potential in a creation that excelled at both assassination and spying. These new creatures were initially misshapen and deformed, hideous creatures, and were deemed a failure as a result, but those who survived were refined, saving them from the fate that had been passed down to the Shaiya.

The Hauku honed their skills under the heel of the ancients, learning from their Dumu cousins. Combat was taught by the Ruku, even if the Hauku were diminutive, and in turn, they learned the values of the Ruku and how they did not apply to the Hauku, as honour had no place in their line of work. From the Shaiya that had escaped, the Hauku learned to put their skills to use against their abusive masters, perhaps hastening the end for the Ancients.

The Hauku did not take their own lands, as the other Dumu did after their escape; instead, they saw opportunity in other lands, utilising their skills to infiltrate, offering them to those that had the coin, and secretly becoming the second citizens of major cities, retreating to the forgotten bowels of the underground layers of sewers and tunnels. The Hauku have honed their skills over time, seeing it as a tradition of their people and honoring it as one that has kept them alive. It is almost a religion, or so it may seem to some outsiders. Once a contract is made with one of the Hauku assassins and the price is agreed upon, it cannot be altered or revoked. Any that attempt to do so will find the services of the Hauku to be rather elusive, not only for themselves but for their families as well, having had their name written in some hidden record. And while this might be harmful for the bottom line, these families will almost always attempt to make amends for the error of one of their own and pay extremely well. Money does tend to sweeten the Hauku toward forgiveness. Of course, this is not to say that all Hauku are assassins, as some families may be more traditional than others, and while many have been trained, they have chosen to lead simple lives.

Appearance

A diminutive race, the Hauku stand barely taller than a Hauflin; however, their skin tones range from shades of brown to green, setting them apart. Their ears are also pointed, and their eyes are shades of brown to yellow. Their clothing is functional, usually made of flexible leather or sturdy cloth, and skirts and dresses are not very common for women. Their hair is black, often swept back and kept short.

140-160cm in height

Lifespan

40 to 50 years.

Religion & Beliefs

Amongst the Hauku, very few gods are actually worshipped, but the shadows around Hauku settlements always seem filled with glittering gold and silver coins as they make offerings to Khomdon. But there are no formal churches, rituals, or holy rites amongst their people.

Geography

While the Hauku can be found all over the world, the main congregation of their people appears to be situated within the southlands. The Hauku have made their homes in the underground layers of the largest cities in Albann, Iberia, and Thalach, settling in sewers and long forgotten underground structures that have been turned into cities and havens for the Hauku.

Society

Hauku tend to keep their families together, and often homes can be a cramped and rambling construction that has been added onto over the years. Each City of Hauku is run by a Chief, who is usually the head of some sort of gang or crime organisation. These Chiefs ensure that their people do not cause too much trouble, as their position below the ground is tolerated by leaders of cities, but any trouble can become problematic for citizens and also the bottom line. Opposite the Chief is the Keepers, every city has at least one, and it is the task of all Keepers to record and keep the names of those that have had a contract placed on them. This means that the Hauku have a lot of information on a lot of people, and while it may be implied, they will never use such information directly for leverage, instead letting people draw their own conclusions without saying anything.

Architecture

Because the Hauku have no homeland and instead live in the underbelly of other cultures' cities, Hauku dwellings are often made from scraps that float down into these underbellies. Over time, these scraps and shanty cities have become more refined, and those that visit are surprised to find a functioning society as well as a relatively clean city beneath the surface. As a result, the leaders of the cities above are pleased with their Hauku infestation because it keeps underground sewers and tunnels in good working order.

Wealth & Trade

The Hauku value coin immensely, and they put their skills to work as Assassins and thieves, as well as some being spies. Those that do not pay their dues to the Hauku are often blacklisted, unable to ever use the services of any Hauku again unless severe reparations are made to the Hauku. Though not all are inclined for such work, the leftovers of society that are washed beneath the surface of the city can be filled with a treasure trove of items. What is not used or repaired by the Hauku or traded between themselves is often resold by peddlers on the streets above in various states of repair, some might take care to present their goods well, even having taken time to repair them, others may not be as careful, sometimes selling dirty and broken goods if they can spin a good enough tale to make it seem worth far more than what it is.

Slavery

Very few Hauku actually keep slaves, as their homes are not designed with many of the larger races in mind, and enslaving their own is highly frowned upon. Instead, their criminal organisations that operate above ground often deal with a great deal of slave trade.

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