☼ Aebaku ☼
Played by: Skive
Faceclaim: Genera, Myr

Age: Unknown, presumably a young adult
Gender: Unknown
Weight and Height: 110 lbs, 5’2
Race: Ayndr Native, 'Hiruku' of the Somu Tribe

Appearance:

It’s difficult to properly discern what Aebaku looks like under their mask and their loose garb, but a few things can be observed. They possess tan skin which is covered in dark, geometric tattoos and their hair is short, wild, and stark white. They’re small, but appear to have a wiry, athletic build.

Aebaku’s facial features are obscured by a white mask, etched and painted with a design very similar to their tattoos. The most noticeable features of this mask are the long, rabbit ear-like obtrusions extending from the top, and the long, red ribbons which hang from the sides.

The Ayndr native wears the typical traveling garb of their tribe, loose and breathable fabrics and sashes comprised mostly in muted shades of white, blue, and red.

Curious features that one might notice is that Aebaku refuses to wear shoes, even in extreme climes, and that they are missing the little fingers off both hands— amputated— for reasons they refuse to discuss.

While the Somu people are very humanoid in appearance, one can only suspect that something strange lies behind those masks they wear...

Occupation: Vagabond

Personality: While their face may be obscured, Aebaku is surprisingly easy to read. They’re expressive in their actions and speak out their thoughts without hesitation. They’re good natured and curious, known for being exceedingly playful and adventurous. Their mischief knows no bounds, and they were known in their tribe for being an avid jokester and prankster, the elders calling them “deho suhgao”, which means ‘tiny monkey’ in the common tongue. They’re brave and know almost no fear, but are also cautious and careful when they need to be. Oftentimes their bravery and willingness to challenge others will lead them into sticky situations. Like a small, loud dog, Aebaku is guilty of thinking of themself as being bigger than they truly are.

Aebaku has few interests, since they spend much of their time trying to survive in dangerous environments. They enjoy adventuring, and their curious nature leads them to go where others may not, but they seldom have time to sit down and partake in hobbies.

Something curious that a few might notice is that they strongly dislike being touched, and may become hostile if someone touches them without their permission. Aebaku also holds no concept of time, and will eat, sleep, and travel whenever it suits them, with no regard to the time of day. On that note, they tend to sleep in odd places, usually somewhere high off the ground or beneath objects and furniture, as they are accustomed to resting in places that dangerous creatures may have a difficult time accessing.

Aebaku has virtually no manners and is rather primitive in their behavior, but they possess a strong sense of respect for others and has a basic grasp on morality— however obscure that sense of morality might be.

Background:
Aebaku does not like to discuss their childhood, but is always willing to tell others the ways of their people.

The Somu people are a small, peaceful tribe which travels Ayndr as humble nomads, but stays away from the Empire and most of the Free Tribes. They are humanoid in appearance, but all wear masks that fully obscure their features. They typically possess dark skin and light hair, and it’s a tradition to tattoo the tribe members head-to-toe in geometric patterns as soon as a child comes of age. They also forbid the use of footwear of any kind, as it is said that shoes sever the connection between a hiruku and the land in which they walk on.

Members of the Somu tribe are called such by others after their sun goddess, Somu, bringer of life and holy matron of light. The hiruku do not call their tribe by any name, but travelers have known them to be followers of their divine goddess, leading the hiruku to become better known as the people who worship Somu. They refer to themselves and other tribe members as hiruku, which is their ancient word for ‘people’ or ‘kin’, but outsiders would not find it appropriate to call them that.

When a hiruku child comes of age, they are given a name, a mask, and are tattooed by the tribe elder. As part of this ceremony, the child is suspended upside-down from the branch of a high tree while the tribe continues their travels. If the child manages free themself, they can rejoin the tribe when they catch up with the others. If the child cannot free themself, they die. A child that has freed themself but cannot find the tribe must travel in search of them. Many hiruku children who cannot find their family again either kill themselves or die in the wild, as the Somu people possess a pack mentality and few can survive on their own.

Aebaku is one of the children who lost the tribe, and has been searching for them for a few years. They’ve managed to survive on pure will and incredible luck, but is beginning to lose hope that they will ever be reunited with their family.

Skills and Weaknesses:
✓ Stealthy and agile, for hiding from beasts and those who mean ill will. A trained hiruku hunter could take down creatures twice their size without so much as a sound. While Aebaku is no trained hunter, they definitely boast some of the stealth they inherited from their parents, both of whom were great warriors.
✓ A strong will, the kind that keeps a person surviving against all the worst odds. Few can survive a harsh world on their own without incredible determination and bravery.

✗ It may be difficult to believe, but pinky fingers contribute to half a person's grip strength, and Aebaku is unfortunate enough to have had those vital appendages severed from their hands. Thus, they have an especially difficult time picking up heavy things and wielding certain weaponry. While they can get by with most basic tasks, it's never truly easy. 
✗ A wild temperament. Untamed, wild, primitive, and generally lacking modern manners and etiquette of any kind. Respect for others comes naturally, but Aebaku may come across as rude since they aren't knowledgeable to the unspoken rules of conversation and modern interaction. They are very similar to toddlers and young children in this sense. Forget about trying to get them to follow your rules, they only obey people who have earned their respect.

Gifts:

Vuriidu Teguuwa ^{[Primary Gift Level 1]}

Aebaku can manipulate their own blood and harness it as a potential weapon, using energy from the sun as a gift from Somu. They sever their skin, and the blood becomes versatile upon being hit by light, capable of being used in a similar manner to weak aquamancy. It isn't high damaging, and the more it is used, the more damaging it is to the user, but it is useful all the same. Aebaku will not be able to use this gift unless the blood is touched by sunlight, and the gift can only be used in small quantities as to avoid greater blood loss.

Tierimu ^{[Secondary Gift Level 1]}

A blade made of bone, Tierimu is a holy shiv granted to Aebaku by a priestess of Somu before their coming-of-age ceremony. While its original purpose was purely ceremonial, it is now used as a survival tool and a weapon. Light in weight and easy to grip, it is one of the first weapons Aebaku has encountered that they have been able to use efficiently. It is said that Tierimu is blessed by Somu, with a blade sharp enough to 'pierce the heavens', but while no one can attest to this legend, it is still incredibly sharp and rather useful in a variety of circumstances-- be it slicing fruit, severing binds, or piercing one's skin.

Statistics:
STR: C
AGI: A
END: B
PER: B