Ihaka Nikau
Appearance and Equipment
* High tapered black hair, brown eyes, tan skin, 5'10", burly build, big round cheeks.
* When not in his Ghost Mail, usually clad in simple, durable clothes, often preferring just shortpants and sandals.
* Armed with a taiaha Requiem weapon, a long fighting staff with a striking blade of sharpened wood on the primary end and a metal spearpoint on the other.
Skills and Abilities
Mourner: Learning from his fellow Mourners (though with much more yet to learn), Haka has gained a level of proficiency in combating the Revenants, though he is by no means a master of martial prowess. The wood of which most of his Requiem weapon is made possesses a supernatural durability.
Mourner Armor: The spirit of Nikau, Ihaka's father, inhabits his Ghost Mail. Aside from the typical enhanced speed and strength one might expect in the suit of a Mourner, Haka has noticed that, sometimes, a faint warm light will emit from his armor when it is dark and he needs it most.
Farmer and Deckhand: Prior to his life as a Mourner, Haka gained much experience tending to his family's gardens and of sailing. Skills of very niche utility in his present occupation, of course.
Personality and Characteristics
Major
* Personable to a high degree, and acts as though he is everyone's friend. Dislikes conflict between people, and strives for harmony.
* A team player through and through. Finds disloyalty to be incomprehensible.
* Simple and direct with his speech, but ever in a way that is meant to be genial and clear.
* Unsubtle, and a bit boisterous. One can always hear him coming, that's for sure.
* Humble, and likes to give credit to others and to speak little of himself when praise is going round.
Minor
+ Likes to greet people with big hugs.
+ Gained the nickname of "Buoy" from fellow sailors of the Arai Sea, namely because, if the ship ever went down, they would "grab onto his big ass first."
+ Though few of the words of the Māom language survived the journey of time to his family's knowing, one certainly has for Haka: Paompa!, meaning esteemed friend, or one regarded as a brother or sister. He uses it liberally.
+ Doesn't like being alone, or moments of deep silence that suggest solitude. Loneliness is a chief fear, among a few others.
+ Has a favorite blanket. He made it himself, and it's kept him warm on many a chilly night.
Biography and Lore
"Why do you go?"
His papa, Nikau, said to him, "I go because my father went, and his father before him. Our roots are deep in Obelus, Haka. Our ancestor fathers sailed here many centuries ago. Our people are beyond the sea, but our home is here. And so I go."
Yearning. Longing. "Will I go too, Papa?"
And at this Nikau placed his hands upon his son's small shoulders. "You will never have to. I go so that you and your Mama will see the dawn through this gloom."
Words Ihaka would then always remember:
"Now smile."
* * * * *
His papa, Nikau, said to him, "I go because my father went, and his father before him. Our roots are deep in Obelus, Haka. Our ancestor fathers sailed here many centuries ago. Our people are beyond the sea, but our home is here. And so I go."
Yearning. Longing. "Will I go too, Papa?"
And at this Nikau placed his hands upon his son's small shoulders. "You will never have to. I go so that you and your Mama will see the dawn through this gloom."
Words Ihaka would then always remember:
"Now smile."
* * * * *
Nikau spent much time upon the isle of Phorasmos. He was greatly respected, not just among the small community of Mao'ilani heritage in the mainland coastal town of Majule, but as well among his fellow Mourners. And though he wished not for Haka to become a Mourner himself, to face the great dangers of Phorasmos, Haka nonetheless idolized the deeds of his father—even if there were more of them born of his own young imagination than were told to him by mouth. Indeed, Nikau's duty seldom allowed for him to return to Majule. Haka wished dearly for more time with his Papa, and cherished what scarce days they were rejoined. Yet Haka kept busy. As the eldest sibling, he throughout his childhood helped his Mama in all things, not the least of which was taking care of his brothers and sisters.
When Haka came of age he took to sailing, becoming a deckhand for a number of different vessels which frequented the waters between Majule and Parumora, the dreaded Arai Sea. What better way to be closer to his Papa, if even by just a little? Here aboard the ships and at port calls, Haka and his fellow soldiers would occasionally pass the time with friendly wrestling matches and wooden weapon sparring. Haka's first experiences with martial pursuits. Portents of what was to come. Yet life was good, and there was no reason not to smile.
Then came the Day of Days.
Nikau met Haka at Parumora in a manner most surprising. Though Haka was as always delighted to see his Papa, there was something in his countenance this time: it was the look of an anxious soldier on the eve of a pivotal battle, a mixture of dreadful anticipation and resolute determination, with a ray of hope binding both. Nikau said that a great incursion into Obelus would happen soon, many Mourners banding together into a force never before seen. Something had been found, he said. He did not say what, despite Haka's pressing. His parting words: "I promised you the dawn. You will see it." And with that, he left among a mighty troop of warriors clad in Ghost Mail.
It was the last time Haka would see his Papa alive, for the Day of Days would be remembered as a terrible disaster, a crushing loss—among some, even a fruitless and foolish endeavor.
Of the many who departed, only a handful of Mourners, battle-weathered, returned to Parumora. Among them was a Mourner Haka knew to be a good friend of his Papa's. In his hands he cradled a spirit vessel. He could not bear to look Haka in the eyes, and all he could say was this: "I'm sorry. I...I tried."
Haka received the vessel and held it close to his chest. Now smile, Papa had said, long ago.
But that day Haka could not.
That day was the day Haka would become a Mourner. And he would go, go into the heart of Phorasmos and fight, go like his father, and his father before him.
References
To Wake in the Night
Forty Fathoms Deep