Lakoi

The Lakoi

Region of Origin: The Carphasian region, Halmorian Eastern Coast

Physical Description: Slim build, Olive Skin Tones, Red to Dark Coloured Hair, unless dyed.

Stats:
+1 Dexterity
+1 Intelligence
-1 Wisdom
Bonus Feat: Lightning Reflexes +2 Reflex saving throws
Bonus Feat: Nimble Fingers +2 to Open Lock, Disable Device
Skill Focus: Balance +3 to Balance
Skilled +1 Bonus Skill Points Per Level
Favored Class: Any

Tips on Playing a Lakoi

• Most Lakoi became part of Erameran Humans within the past 80 years. There are some Lakoi from across the sea who have arrived more recently through trade and pirating.
• Lakoi have names drawn from multiple sources, including many seafaring cultures and Gypsy influences.
• Lakoi have Mediterranean colouring with red or dark hair that they like to dye different colors.
• Lakoi like tattoos and body piercing.
• Lakoi are known as being explorative, egalitarian, freedom loving, travelers and traders, superstitious and crafty.
• A large majority of Lakoi follow Lalaith, Niomae, or Lilianthe.
• Fate and Destiny are well known concepts within the Lakoi society.

Phrases that Define personality

“Roll the dice and test your luck.”
“When the sails blow to the east.”
“If you weren't born with such a defect you might realize a gift when it's offered.”
“I will gladly tell my tale, in exchange for a song....even a single coin can sing.”

Background

Lakoi and Halmorian Relations

Once believed to be docile by The Halmorian Empire, as they offered up little to no resistance when their lands were invaded, the Halmorians have since learned the meaning of passive resistance from the Lakoi. While the lush tropical islands the Lakoi call home seem to be an ideal location for a Halmorian Governor to rule, they soon regret taking the position. The Lakoi routinely pledge loyalty to their new governor, only to then simply ignore the fact that they exist. Taxes are not paid, uncommon laws are not followed, and commands are simply ignored. When confronted with this, the Lakoi admit to being terrible subjects, however they then go back to doing the exact same things again.

When a particularly enterprising governor attempts to quell this by bringing in troops, the Lakoi response is equally predictable. The Lakoi buckle down, offer no overt resistance, and become ideal citizens... until the governor can no longer justify the expense of having a Legion in his territory and sends them home. The Lakoi then go back to treating the governor like he doesn't exist.

It is important to note however, that these interposing governors often suffer some tragic boating or household accident, once the Legion troops have departed.

Little has been heard from the Carphasian Region in recent years, here in Eramere, until recently. Rumours speak of the Lakoi Free Raiders attacking many ships traveling from any direction but especially any Halmorians.

Free Raiders

While most Lakoi are perfectly happy with their passive resistance of the Halmorian occupation, a few take a more active roll. Usually younger, and more brash individuals spend at least a few years among the Free Raiders. As expert sailors the Lakoi have learned that they make excellent pirates, and have wreaked havoc on Halmorian shipping lanes.

The Free Raiders themselves are a loose association of Pirate captains that dedicate themselves to making the sailors of the Halmorian Empire miserable. They raid unprotected merchant vessels, and even military ones when they have them outnumbered. As a sort of joke, they often seize ships from their own lands, then revel in the current governor's confusion as they wind up back in his markets.

Since the discovery of Atalan the Free Raiders have become more prevalent, first raiding Silver Pieces Mercantile ships bound for Halmoria, and then playing a more disruptive roll later on. The Free Raiders attacked Halmorian Supply ships during the empire's war with Kalimvar just before the fracturing. Post fracturing, they continue to harass Halmorian trading efforts, particularly in Eramere.

Lakoi Society

Lakoi society before (and mostly unchanged after) the Halmorian invasion was a outwardly relaxed one. Most Lakoi are fisherman, or take up trades related to fishing, and the sea. Lakoi shipwrights are famous for building the fastest and most durable ships in the world.

Lakoi as a people are very communal, and family ties and lines are blurred in a polygamous society in which children are raised by the entire village, as opposed to just their birth parents. While the Lakoi are hard workers when they need to be they often spend much of their time in leisure, enjoying the natural paradise that they live upon. Before the Halmorian invasion they had no minted coins and traded mostly in favors and goods. The closest thing they had to a monetary system was the trading of pearls, which the Lakoi value above any jewel.

The Lakoi people are also known as great authors, both of the human spirit and other more adventurous themes. Lakoi plays are generally performed tongue in cheek, often taking stabs at Halmorian society or the current factions in power within Torica, though such is often with a bit of risk involved. Being such fans of pleasure, it also comes as no surprise that many great artists are Lakoi, some of which are recognized by other native races of Eramere to have true potential.

As for laws, there are few official ones; arguments are simply handled by the parties involved, or in extreme cases by a village elder. True outliers in society such as murderers or rapists are most often simply ostracized, which to the communal Lakoi is a fate worse then death. In more extreme cases the offender may find themselves marooned on an island with no supplies, or at the bottom of the sea with diving stones tied to their arms and legs.

Since the Halmorian occupation, the Halmorians have tried to with varying degrees of failure to institute Halmorian law. These are most often ignored, and most crimes are handled internally with their Halmorian overseers never even knowing an infraction occurred.

Lakoi Religion

Before The Fracturing the Lakoi primarily worshiped the ocean aspect of Lilianthe; that worship quite naturally flowed over to Niomae when she emerged. Those who are more creative will often follow Lalaith as well.

The Lakoi are a deeply superstitious people, particularly the belief in Fate, Luck and Destiny. To them, every choice and action leads down a path that was pre-determined by higher powers watching over them. The Lakoi find signs in the clouds, ocean waves, placement of seawead on the shore, and pretty much everything else. Cats in particular play large rolls in Lakoi lives, as certain behaviors of these animals are seen as signs from the Overseers themselves. Particular woe to the ship captain that allows his cat to eat the ship's canary.

Lakoi in Eramere

While initially the Lakoi who moved to Atalan attempted to retain their air of non-compliance and non-aggression, but in such close quarters it became much more difficult. This led to much more open and often more violent rebellion against Halmorian rule. Thus, the Lakoi made up much of the criminal underbelly of Atalan.

After the fracturing the Lakoi found a similar lifestyle to their previous home on the island settlement of Torica. Much of Torica's population is Lakoi, and most of the people people who settle there have adopted a relaxed lifestyle.

Appearance

The appearance of the average Lakoi is tall, lean, and fit. Their complexion ranges from a soft olive to a dusky tan, and they have dark eyes and hair. Men and women wear their hair long, styled with wild braids and dyed vibrant colors using plant extracts. Tattoos and body piercings are common. Colorful clothing is worn by both sexes, and is often tight and revealing. Many adorn themselves with gaudy jewelry, and use perfumes and colognes made from wild herbs.

The Resani

In every stationary community (on the Carphasian Coast) there is one individual who all others look to as a symbolized leader. They are not in practice, any real leader of the people, as they do not or cannot make uncontested decisions for his/her people. However it is recognized that this persons intelligence, wisdom and experience qualifies them to be the voice of the community if the need arises, as a best amongst equals, so to speak. Since coming to Eramere and the fall of Atalan, some smaller groups have looked to certain elders for this guidance, bringing this old tradition back to their new home - though it seems not always successfully, as more than one person upon Torica now attempts to bear this title.

Lakoi Festivals

• The Storm Fire Festival, which occurs the eve of the full moon as the nights grow lighter and the days grow longer. A mating and courting ritual; a huge bonfire is lit, and dancing, alcohol, music, flirting and finally the selection of a sexual partner for the evening take place. Many babes are born the following winter as a result of this celebration, and many of those grow to be priests and priestesses. They are often known as Fireborn.

• The Stormwarding Festival commences on the first new moon of Spring. Its purpose was to give thanks to Lilianthe, the Mistress of Spring, in the hope that she will bless their fishing, ocean-going, hunting, commerce, and fertility, while avoiding the wild storms characteristic of The Lady when she is displeased. In recent days, this has expanded to include honouring both Lalaith and Niomae along with Lilianthe, as they have taken aspects once controlled by the Overseer of Spring. It runs from the night of the new moon through to the full moon, and it sees villages from all around the east coast of Halmoria gathering together - and now within Torica as well. The location of the following year's Festival is decided during a meeting of elders on the eve of the new moon.

• The Gathering Festival runs for a week long, and is the most competitive the Lakoi ever become. Hopeful bards travel to the festival to try out new songs, or spin new tales...the more outrageous, the better. Awards are given for the most talented musician, the best storyteller, and the singer with the most beautiful voice. The winners of these festivals once came together to compete during Autumn for the title of the best of the year in their chosen skill, but this is now held in the Summer in honour of Lalaith.

• The Havenmaking is more a market than a festival, where the Lakoi welcome people from all around. The market offers fortune telling, entertainment and stalls selling handcrafted jewelery, magnificent fabrics and lucky charms to draw in the superstitious visitor. The more skeptical would say that the crafty and lighthearted Lakoi have designed the Havenmaking primarily to relieve others of their coin and fatten their own coffers, a rumour arising from the more dubious nature of some of the fortune tellers, and the strangely ineffectual nature of most of charms purchased during this day.

• The Dice of Fate are what many see as a bar room distraction, the game of dice has become a past time for many Lakoi. Wither the specific bets are on odds or evens, highest number rolled, matching numbers or rolling a specific number the outcome is a matter of fate. It is less a matter of pride in skill, than boasting of ones superior luck.

• Lalaith's Delight was once was referred to as Lilianthe's Delight. In the early part of summer those that consider themselves an accomplished crafter of fine wine and drink congregate to determine who is truly the best. To this day a single winner has not been chosen that was not contested by the losers. More often than not the contest turns into an excuse to get absurdly drunk, and the so called winner announced the following day.

All of these festivals are practiced in Torica to this day.