Hokimai

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Hokimai is a tall, bald man who has undergone a remarkable transformation from his former slovenly appearance. Where he once carried himself with a perpetual slouch and bloodshot eyes, he now stands with genuine confidence and purpose, his posture reflecting the warrior he has become. His physique has hardened through constant training and the demands of Vaitafe life, and his eyes now carry the steady gaze of someone who has found his calling. He often incorporates elements of Vaitafe warrior aesthetics into his appearance, honoring his adopted people.

His trollblood regeneration abilities remain his most remarkable physical trait, allowing him to heal from moderate wounds in seconds and potentially fatal injuries in minutes. More recently, he has begun to adopt subtle Vaitafe markings and decorations, though he wears them with respectful understanding that he is honored to be part of their community rather than claiming to be Vaitafe himself. His hands, once soft from avoiding hard work, now bear the calluses of a warrior who trains daily.

Growing up in Eber as the son of a stonemason, Reggie was always the tallest kid in his group but never the bravest, learning early that making people laugh was easier than facing his fears directly. He learned his father's trade with half-hearted interest while dreaming of adventure, specifically the kind that happened in stories where heroes never seemed truly afraid. When he convinced his friends Peter and Thomas to become adventurers, Reggie imagined himself becoming a legendary hero through sheer bravado and luck, but reality proved far harsher than the tales he loved.

Each failed adventure chipped away at his pretense of courage until he retreated into quarry work and guard duty, masking his anxiety with an ever-present flask and loud boasts about adventures that never happened. He developed an uncanny ability to be on break whenever something serious happened, though he was always ready to celebrate after others resolved dangerous situations. His greatest fear was not death in battle but that his friends might discover his cowardice and think less of him, so he maintained his facade through alcohol and careful avoidance of actual danger.

In early 1302, an Eldritch Horror dominated Reggie's mind and used him to spy on Goodberry for Oraeus, a violation that culminated in the entity attempting to kill a scout who discovered the deception. When Aelindra witnessed the attack, the entity abandoned Reggie's body and escaped, leaving him broken and hospitalized for two weeks. This traumatic experience, while devastating, became the first catalyst for change as Reggie realized how little control he had over his own life while living in a haze of alcohol and self-doubt.

When his best friend Peter began seriously dating Iris Panelli in late 1302, Reggie found himself with unexpected free time and a choice between drowning in loneliness or making genuine change. He approached Karthos about the new Paladin Guild, swore off alcohol, and threw himself into training with desperate determination. He took double shifts on guard duty and spent every spare moment in practice, using exhaustion to quiet the doubts that whispered he would inevitably fail and return to his old ways.

During King Xaneborr's birthday tournament, Reggie discovered his trollblood regeneration abilities in spectacular fashion, shocking everyone including himself as his wounds healed in real time during combat. His training and determination carried him to second place despite his surprise at this revelation, earning him newfound respect from the community. However, this external recognition only highlighted his continued internal struggle with understanding the spiritual aspects of paladin training, particularly the elusive concept of faith that seemed to come naturally to others.

Everything changed when Reggie met Moerangi, the fierce Vaitafe warrior woman whose grief and rage had transformed her into something barely contained by her human form. She tried to kill him repeatedly, testing his resolve and his regenerative abilities in ways that would have broken lesser men, but Reggie kept coming back with stubborn persistence that eventually earned her grudging respect. His trollblood regeneration meant he could withstand her fury without dying, while his genuine desire to understand her pain rather than judge it slowly wore down her defenses. What began as violent encounters gradually transformed into grudging respect, then unexpected friendship, and finally into something neither of them had expected to feel again after their respective traumas.

In Moerangi's fierce conviction about tribe and vengeance, Reggie finally understood what faith meant, not theological concepts or divine mandates, but the absolute commitment to love, family, and tribe that the Vaitafe held sacred. Their relationship deepened through shared nights and mutual understanding, and when Moerangi discovered she was carrying his child, Reggie experienced a moment of clarity about his purpose that years of paladin training had never provided. After the Heaven's Chosen liberated Oraeus from the Eldritch menace that had destroyed both Vaitafe and Ahorangi, Karthos led the surviving Vaitafe to rebuild on Ahorangi's former lands, and Reggie made the choice to follow, leaving behind his old life in Goodberry to be with Moerangi and their unborn child.

In the Vaitafe tradition, Reggie and Moerangi were wed through the simple but profound act of sleeping together, a ritual that recognized their commitment to each other and to the tribe they would help rebuild. Though he is not Vaitafe by blood, Reggie has been accepted into the community through his devotion to Moerangi, his respect for their traditions, and his willingness to work tirelessly in rebuilding their settlement. In doing so, he accepted the new name of "Hokimai" which means "The Returning". He has found in the Vaitafe concept of tribe exactly what he had been searching for through paladin training, a faith grounded not in abstract theology but in the concrete reality of protecting and serving those he loves. His transformation from cowardly drunk to devoted husband, expectant father, and tribal protector represents a rebirth so complete that his old friends from Goodberry would barely recognize him.

The birth of his daughter, Hineroa, changed Reggie in ways even paladin training never had. From the moment she was placed in his arms, his priorities aligned with absolute clarity, there was nothing in this world he would not face, endure, or die for if it meant keeping her safe. To most of the tribe and outsiders alike, Reggie remains the familiar jokester, quick with a grin, a bad impression, or a self-deprecating quip. Around Moerangi, however, he is quieter and more grounded, fully aware of the weight they now carry together. It is only with Hineroa that both sides meet, as she delights in the ridiculous faces and exaggerated antics he reserves just for her. In those moments, Reggie has found a balance he never thought possible, strength without bravado, devotion without fear, and joy without apology.

Reggie's primary focus is helping to rebuild the Vaitafe settlement on Ahorangi's former lands, creating a safe and prosperous home where his child can grow up surrounded by the traditions and community that have given his life meaning. He works tirelessly on construction, defense, and whatever tasks need doing, driven by the knowledge that every stone laid and every wall raised contributes to his child's future. His vision extends beyond simple survival to creating a thriving community that honors Vaitafe traditions while building something new and lasting, a place where his child will know the security and belonging that he lacked for so many years of his life.

Though he is not Vaitafe by birth, Reggie is determined to prove himself worthy of the tribe that has accepted him through his marriage to Moerangi and his commitment to their community. He studies their traditions, participates in their ceremonies, and works to understand the cultural values that shape their worldview, always approaching with respect and humility rather than presumption. His goal is not to become Vaitafe himself, which he knows would be both impossible and disrespectful, but to be recognized as a valuable member of their community who contributes meaningfully to their collective wellbeing and who can teach his child to honor both sides of their heritage.

Reggie's greatest aspiration involves becoming the kind of father he wishes he had experienced growing up, someone who provides not just material support but genuine presence, encouragement, and unconditional love. He wants his child to grow up never doubting their worth or their place in the world, to have the confidence that comes from being truly seen and valued by their parents. This includes teaching them the lessons he learned the hard way about courage, persistence, and the importance of finding purpose beyond oneself, while also sharing the Vaitafe values of tribe, family, and honor that Moerangi embodies. His ultimate goal is that his child will never know the kind of self-doubt and fear that paralyzed him for so many years, but will instead grow up secure in the knowledge that they are loved and capable of facing whatever challenges life presents.

Having found his faith in the Vaitafe concept of tribe and the paladin ideal of service, Reggie now aspires to use his regenerative abilities and combat training to protect vulnerable members of his community from the kind of threats that once terrified him. His unique resilience means he can place himself in danger that would kill others, absorbing attacks and creating opportunities for his allies to strike or for innocents to escape. He envisions becoming a shield for his people, someone who stands between danger and those who need protection, finally embodying the hero he once pretended to be but now genuinely strives to become through daily dedication rather than empty boasts.

Southern Coalition (Roukura)

Paladin / Tribal Protector