Worldbuilding | The Ro'kita

Service to Faha is Hard to Shake

All firstborn children on the Islands of Kavana, regardless of biological sex, are trained as ro’kitas.

In Ga’nga’bi¹ culture one of the oldest practices is serving “Faha” or “Mother” through movement. Be it dance, sport (La ‘Bayo in particular, see book 5), or battle, the Ga’nga’bi believe high quality, high intensity activity is akin to worship. It is believed that over time this is what influenced their collective decision to draft all firstborn into military, and in their case primarily, naval service.

Ro’kita loosely translates to “who hunts” or “hunter” and it is one of the most prestigious titles one can have in all of Kavanian culture. Firstborn children are drafted and trained with the hopes of becoming a ro’kita but most do not meet the standard. Due to the geolocation, devotion to holding standards of excellence, and proclivity for sailing the Kavanian navy rose to prominence in Amashik. This may not have been possible without their signature warriors.

Trained in various forms of combat and schooled on the tenets of service a ro’kita carries themselves with an air of regality. They have a keen sense of justice and are quick to act in defense of those who they deem worthy of protection. That said, their reputation across Amashik is for things entirely different.

Navy For Hire

All across Amashik, from the Port of Imah to the coast of Grytbia, ro’kitas can be found easily. You’re likely to see one of the many flags of Kavana flying high above any major port city you can visit. While remaining largely neutral when it comes to matters of state, the Kavanian navy will accept missions from wealthy lords and ladies, kings and queens, and tribal leaders alike. Once a mission is accepted a specific team of ro’kitas is given an order to execute.

Bands of ro’kitas are embedded within larger companies at sea. This is a safety mechanism put in place in the event things don’t go the way they are intended. Often times these larger companies remain at port or even out to sea while the bands get to work. To illustrate just how these missions run let’s imagine the following scenario:

A band of 5 ro’kitas land on a secluded island. Their mission: capture a rogue prince alive and return him to his family.² Upon setting foot on land the 5 can choose to go their separate ways, break off into smaller groups, or hunt together as a collective. There are no rules here, a band of ro’kitas thrives off of competition. Each mission has a clearly stated bounty attached. If the group goes every man or woman for themselves, the individual who captures the prince gets the bounty to themselves. If they stick together, they split the purse 5 ways.

Due to the sensitive nature of the work that they do ro’kitas often do not set out to kill their targets, unless of course that is the client’s desire. Many arm themselves with axes, maces, spears, even short swords, but the most skilled among them use the sacred ya’rosa or “man catcher.” Those who do arm themselves with weapons that can kill do not shy away from using them, they just do so with intention to maim instead. The ya’rosa wielding ro’kitas do with what is effectively a quarterstaff what many would never with sword and shield.

10 Years to Life

While training begins when a firstborn can walk, talk, and follow simple commands, service doesn’t begin for a ro’kita until they are “of age.” As they approach their late teen years each trainee is tested. These tests can vary, but they are designed to test an individuals will to uphold the standard of service that will be required. Not all tests are physical, some can be mental, emotional, even spiritual. Whatever may stop a trainee from upholding their ‘ngi’a ‘kilo’, or obligation, was put to the test. Take one example often sighted:

“If a trainee is fearful of the open sea they must be shown their true potential to suffer through hardship. Only then will they realize what special gifts Mother has endowed them with.

Bind the individual’s hands and ankles. Attach a rope to the binding on their ankles and slowly lower them, head first, into the open sea. Have 4 or 5 others holding the opposite end of the rope to ensure they are not lost. Recite the 1st Tenet 3 times while they are submerged then instruct those holding the individual to hoist them out of the water.

Any thrashing, weeping, or begging is unacceptable. Repeat this until they are near death or satisfy the requirements of the test, which are simple: handle themselves with the dignity of one who hunts.”

-Translated from the journal of an unknown Kavanian Officer

Once service began one’s ‘ngi’a ‘kilo’ was no less than 10 years. Most stay on and continue on as members of the Kavanian navy; be it as officers, trainers, or even in the field as ro’kitas. Some do decide to move on, though very few last. A life of service to Mother is hard to shake.

1. The name of the ancient culture that the current Kavanians are descendent of. In the time before the separation it is written that Hlavin and Ga’nga’bi cultures were closely linked. Possibly sharing heritage.

2. If this sounds familiar it’s because these are the events alluding to Book 6.