Gust of Opportunity 2: The Hakima of Serra Damata

“So these folks are in charge then, they're going to tell us what to do? One of them is going to be the big boss?”

Ricardo and Dulranna were walking together through a mountainous forest, in single file as the trail was narrow. It was getting towards sunset, and the dappled light flickered over their faces.

“I keep telling you, all of us have a responsibility here. We are all hakima, and we’re all of equal standing.”

“Right, sure thing.” The trail opened up into a clearing with a crackling campfire and three tents being set up.

Several Freeborn busied themselves with tending the fire, getting ready for supper andtightening guy ropes, while three sat in the circle of the campfire upon logs set up as benches. One of the three saw them approach and got to his feet, an arm raised in greeting. He was clad all in rich purples, which complemented the shining purple scales on his brow. His eyes lit up with a lively jollity, and the voice that called out to them was rich, like hot caramel poured over gravel.

“Ricardo i Riqueza, Hakima of the Gleaming Delves. Dulranna i Erigo, Hakima of Blood and Bough. I am Ghanem i Erigo, Hakima of Mountain and Mist! Please join us, so we can discuss the coming Festival to be prepared for the great and good of Anvil!”

The two newcomers joined the rest of the group. Ricardo tried his best to ignore Dulranna whispering “big boss, big boss, big boss” to herself in an increasingly frenetic rhythm as they approached.

Overview

The hakima of Serra Damata have been tasked with finding a successor to the Kurhaz family for the stewardship of Kurhaz Keep. Located at the mouth of a narrow and winding pass through the mountains of Kahraman and into Liathaven, Kurhaz Keep is of strategic value to the Empire, and it is a hub for the local area. It is vital that the family that takes it over manages it well, for both the security and prosperity of the territory. Five hakima have been tasked with finding the castle's next stewards. They have announced a Festival of Finding to fulfil their contract, inviting the heroes of the Empire to the environs of

the Castle to help them to determine who should rule. During the Festival, the hakima will bestow tokens on those who impress them, through their knowledge, deeds, or passion for Freeborn culture.

There are five hakima titles in the Serra Damata, and many of them have been handed down from magician to magician over the years. While each new hakima brings their own personality to the role, there are certain expectations that the local populace has from these hakima as their advisors and guides in magic, virtue and Freeborn national culture.

Hakima of the Red Pact

Ahrazzan i Guerra is an old and battle-scarred changeling and a Summer magician, not afraid to get their hands dirty in a fight themselves. In their youth, Ahrazzan roamed the Empire far and wide, looking for opportunities where they could prove themselves. They are the first Hakima of the Red Pact, and it is said that they have close links with Summer heralds, perhaps with Eternals hemselves, that the Red Pact was first struck by a young Ahrazzan on a farflung battlefield somewhere, when all hope was gone and only the might of Summer could help them prevail.

Their chief concern in the Serra Damata in the years since the Kurhaz family kept active rule has been the security of the region, and they are often heard railing against the banditry and incursions by the Lasambrians in the absence of a strong custodian in the Keep. The Smiling Sword kohan cohort are associated with Ahrazzan but have also incurred their ire in recent times, as the Hakima of the Red Pact finds the cohort's commitment to the Freeborn nation to be lacking at times. Then again, it can be hard to meet Ahrazzan’s high standards.

They will be most impressed by those who show martial prowess, an appreciation of Summer magic, and an aptitude for excelling in games and challenges of all sorts. Hakima of Mountain and Mist

Ghanem i Erigo is the epitome of a mysterious naga Night magician, never straightforward but never boring either. While he was born here in the Serra Damata, in his wilder days, not so long ago, he roamed far and wide, up to Varushka and down to Urizen, learning all sorts of delicious secrets and becoming well-known particularly among dramaturgical circles as a courageous and ambitious actor and Night ritualist.

It is said that Ghanem once tried to teach the mountains themselves to dance, and instead had to settle for bringing joy in art and music to the people of Serra Damata. The Festival of Finding was of course Ghanem's idea, ta

king a relatively dry clause in the contract concerning Kurhaz Keep and running with it. During his travels he has cultivated a wide and eclectic acquaintance as well, so the Festival is sure to be attended by all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. He will be most impressed by those who show creative flair and a love of the arts, and by those who nourish such inclinations in others, as well as by those who understand the value of a good secret or gossip from Anvil. He is a particular admirer of the former Archmage of Night Bella Vicente d'Apulian, though of course he was shocked by the recent revelations about her activities. Hakima of Seven Sorrows

Leandro i Riqueza is one of the most respected of the Serra Damata hakima, often sought after for guidance and never shy of giving advice. His grim draughir visage belies a fierce Pride and Ambition for the future of the region and its people. When the predations of the Lasambrians, the Jotun, bandits and other perils have knocked things down, Leandro has been there picking up the pieces, refusing to let fear take hold. This is the lesson that the Winter Realm teaches us, that we can survive, that we have what it takes. Or else we'll die.

Leandro claims to have been the last to see Feliciano i Kurhaz i Erigo alive, before he took that fateful trip to Free Landing, and was the one to persuade the old fellow to fill out the contract concerning Kurhaz Keep. He knows the importance of the Keep to the survival of the area, and thought the Kurhaz family had reached the end of their usefulness as custodians. The Hakima of Seven Sorrows will be most impressed by those who make pragmatic choices, and who value the lessons of the Winter Realm. Hakima of Blood and Bough

Dulranna i Erigo is extremely active and involved with the herbalists and farmers of the region, often showing up un-announced with sleeves rolled up when she feels there is vital work to be done. She is new in her position as hakima, and

like many briars she has little time for complication or pretense.

As a Spring magician, Dulranna knows the threat posed by nature unbridled, as well as valuing the wildness and beauty of the untamed places here in Kahraman. She is an enthusiastic practitioner of blood magic, unusually for a Freeborn hakima. She has wandered the trods of Kahraman with Navarri stridings

passing through the region, she has even stolen into Liathaven to tweak the noses of the Jotun and investigate the ruins of Redgate.

She will be most impressed by those who take daring choices, who are not squeamish about blood magic and Spring magic in general, and who lend aid to the farmers and herbalists of the Serra Damata. Hakima of the Gleaming Delves

Ricardo i Riqueza is well-regarded by the miners of the region for his sage advice on their operations, which he helps to bolster through his Day and Autumn magics.

He was born into the Gonzalo family of the Serra Damata, but apprenticed with the previous Hakima of the Gleaving Delves as a magician and eventually swore his loyalty to the Brass Coast as a whole, and to Kahraman in particular.

Ricardo is a prominent member of the local Golden Pyramid organisation, he is keen to promote the prosperity of local artisans and magicians. He will be most impressed by those who respect the value of the work of artisans and magicians,

and who lend aid to the miners of the region.

OC Note

As you might have guessed from the pictures above, the five hakima of the Serra Damata will be NPCs played by members of the Event Team. Players will likely only encounter them all together a couple of times over the event, the rest of the time the hakima will be showing up at times during the Festival looking for the player characters to do things for them, and meddling as hakima often do. We will also be running the event so a particular hakima might not always be available, but the other hakima can pass on messages or take notes of impressive actions for their colleagues.

The format of Castles and Contracts as an event will be similar to other smaller field LARPs that run in Ireland, with plots and quests and missions being thrown to the players to interact with. The hakima characters are there to help the players get involved, just bear in mind that the version of help they offer will vary wildly between characters!

Certain plots will be hinted at in the Gusts of Opportunity before the event, particularly if we want players to prepare things or bring things. Others will be surprises over the weekend. If you have any queries, please email us at castlesandcontracts@gmail.com, or ask in the Hearthfire Discord.