Luakini believes in the old gods of the Bayanihan Spirit and he obeys the kapu at all times. Although strange to outsiders, these sacred laws have purpose: most of the time, they respect and maintain a delicate balance with nature. Other times, they're geared to avoid corrupting mana and other matters of mysticism. By honoring nature through observation of kapu, Luakuni knows he honors the gods who created the earth. Mankind was born to live in harmony and take care of the Aina.
While Luakuni respects that every culture has its own ways of doing things, he strongly believes that everyone must respect everyone else's cultures. Unfortunately, the ha'ole Christians and scientists never respected the beliefs and ways of the kanakahana. They witnessed the bloody luakuni and took it as an affront to their god -- but the temples weren't built for Jesus. They were built for the gods of the Bayanihan! The ha'oles brought their beliefs to the Aina and forced the old ways into virtual extinction. Such greedy barbarians! Only natives, kahuna and moe'uhane'na (Sleepers) alike, who follow the old ways deserve to live in Hawai'i and all other islands of the Aina! White Man should go back to the mainland, he feels -- a sentiment all Kopa Loei echo.
But perhaps the few who maintain the traditions will get to see their wish someday in the not-too-distant future. Luakuni knows the Kopa Loei are the torch-bearers for this crusade. And with their potent Arts, which only the ali'i priests and their assistants (such as Wayfarers), they might be able to effect this destiny. And it's up to Wayfarers like him to help reidentify Polynesia. Luakuni knows he can help by finding ancient dragon lines and forgotten Dragon Nests -- the art of kuhi kuhi pu'one.
Of course, as a priest of sorts, Luakuni observes the ways to channel mana (Quintessence) for a variety of elemental spells. Prayers and recital of mele (oral traditions, chants, and histories) humble the kahuna before the gods and gain their approval and favor. Thus, Luakuni knows he strains their favor when he uses and violates kapuhuna (vulgar magick -- Paradox). And although it would not be vulgar per se, Luakuni would never take the privilege and responsibility of the high priests and "make mana". Of course, he's permitted to locate and tap into dragon lines: as a Wayfarer, that's his role. And he sometimes does so for wikilele (teleportation) and other quickened methods of travel. But for more primal Arts, Luakuni tends to gather the gods' attention by offering pieces of nature that he wishes to emulate. Of course, these bits of the world must be gathered in accordance to kapu. He would never pluck a feather from a bird's body for ho'o-piopio (summoning Forces), but a feather that has fallen to the ground or sea is game!
Kealanui (Correspondence) is the Art that Luakuni practices the most. As a Wayfarer, it is imperative that never close his mind to the environment. By remaining open to the true and full landscape of the world, Luakuni can visit all of it at a masterful pace. The technique of wikilele -- teleportation -- falls under this magick's purview. However, Luakuni prefers to see the world for himself, and uses that trick only when absolutely necessary. To aid in this preternatural navigation, Luakuni carries a map carved into the heart of a hollowed gourd. A handy aid he's carried since Awakening, this gourd map was a prized guide for his ancestors and entire lineage for centuries. The antique is unique to his Correspondence, but it is not necessary anymore.
The Art of Ke'kai'huna (Forces) boils down to the motion of the planet. The earth dances, too, and life on the face of Aina emulates this primal rhythm. By appealing to the heavens, Luakuni can join his conscious needs with the planet's beat. Of course, it is kapu to artificially alter the earth-dance. The dance cannot be stopped or begun anew, for it is continuous and must remain so. The rhythm can be slowed or hastened, however. In other words, Luakuni can never generate Forces from "nothingness", only manipulate energies already in existence. While some kahuna might enact ho'o-piopio through a dance of their own, this is quite impractical for a Wayfarer who spends most of his time on a small raft at sea. Instead, he appeals directly to the gods by offering them a piece of the world that fell from the dance. To the god of the sea and wind, Lono, he offers a feather from the god's favorite bird, the albatross. Certain of his ho'o-piopio enough to risk offending Lono, Luakuni does not need to offer an albatross feather up to the heavens and let it fly free into the wind, carrying his humble wish to the god's ears.
Another important aspect to Luakuni's career, Aka'aina (Life) connects all living things to the breathing heartbeat of the land. Kahunas guide life to stay harmonious with nature, and it is considered kapu to create life or hasten or diminish it too quickly. Luakuni calls on the vicious power of ana'ana (attacking with Life magick, especially Rip the Man-Body) only as last resort, and then he undergoes intense purification rituals for the violation of that taboo. He prefers to enhance healing (lapa'au) or to protect himself from the rawness of the world's primal elements (such as when diving or walking across lava fields). Luakuni enacts these little miracles simply through well-learned earth-wisdom: herbalism. He gathers plants of medicinal values, grinding and preparing them as needed. In emergencies, he can effect the miracles simply with a blessing from the gods. Herbalism is not a needed focus. But it's far easier (and usually coincidental) to use his earth-wisdom to better the life around him and survive the often harsh environments of Aina.
In his duty of locating forgotten Nodes and ancient ley lines, Luakuni knows enough Mana (Prime) to begin his task of kuhi kuhi pu'uone. Although moe'uhane'na cannot see or even feel it, this primal energy (Quintessence) underlies all the world, living and non-living. It is the duty of the ali'i to channel the "free" mana and pool it as reservoirs, dispensing it as needed. But as a humble Wayfarer, Luakuni would not violate kapu by sapping the world of that energy even if he found reserves. Instead, he'd tell the high priests who would come and do it properly. Nevertheless, Luakuni needed to be able to find it, sense it, feel it, and if needed redirect it towards the ali'i. To appease the gods and reidentify his nature and responsibilities, Luakuni cannot enact Mana without prayer. And the prayers he offers take the form of mele: chants. For different kinds of Mana spells, Luakuni would offer various sorts of chants. For general rituals, he always begins with the common mele (histories) of his people. When seeking Nodes or other sources of raw mana, he would recite the kumili po: the Creation Story according to his people. Whenever affecting the energies of his own body, he would retell his socially vital kanaenae: geneology. And the most powerful spells, still beyond his power, would require him to sing the legendary tales, the moolelo. Since he is no high priest, Luakuni doesn't dare risk offending the gods by failing to present these oral traditions. Chanting meles is still necessary to this Art.
Avatar
The Bayanihan Spirit unites all kahuna for one great purpose: the reestablishment of the old ways and the system of careful kapu. Luakuni sees the Kopa Loei as having vital roles to play in this quest: it is their responsibility. While others set to protect and rebuild the ancient he'iau temples, Luakuni knows it's his task to explore beyond and find other sites. These places are important to the power of the Kopa Loei, he knows. In fact, he even supports the occasional necessity of human sacrifice at special temples for which he named himself: luakuni.
Every kahuna has his part to play in the grand scheme of things. Each is driven by their own personal aumakua totem (Avatar). Luakuni finds himself driven across the Aina by the god, Kamo-ho'ali'i, the great shark god. Kamo-ho'ali'i is the protector of Wayfarers like himself, but that doesn't mean the aumakua is benign! Luakuni is terrified of the god's alien face and dead eyes driving him onwards out of fear for his life. Luakuni feels that Kamo-ho'ali'i is angry with him and people and general for allowing the Aina to become so corrupted. Driven on by a "primitive" fear of the god's retribution, Luakuni pushes onward from island to island. Always does this Kopa Loei have a mind to future sights for temples or even Dragon Nests. In fact, it is likely with his talent and tenacity that he will find at least one forgotten Node for the Kopa Loei before the tides of time and fate claim his life.
Resonance
Dynamic (High Tides)
Luakuni always seems to just on the horizon, coming in from a long journey by sea. He always seems to bring hope for a new and brighter future. But when it comes to friendships and romances, he also seems a little risky. His inevitable departures wash away what was left behind, sweeping memories out to sea. Socially, Luakuni receives a +3 difficulty penalty when he's trying to maintain and improve long-term relations. People are just afraid he'll never return, so why bother getting close? But they're nevertheless excited when he does return. He receives a -3 difficulty bonus for return greetings after a journey away, regardless of the parting circumstances. He can't keep long-term relationships, but he finds it easy to rekindle acquaintances.
Mystickally, this Resonance reflects the labor of his wayfaring. Whenever he tries to "cheat" his Destiny of hard work's due by manipulating the water or winds to make traveling by boat faster or easier when the sea is already calm, the difficulties of such rolls are made at +1. But if the water is choppy and tempestuous, spells cast to ease his traveling are made at -1 difficulty in these situations.
