Hakim

**Hakim** is a Swara.

## Biography

Mother groomed you to the sound of gunshots.

The poachers took whatever they wanted. Unlike the cloak birds and laughing dogs, you never ate the rot hunters left behind. Instead, you ran to catch the gazelle, your claws flinging dirt behind you.

When game grew scarce, your pride dispersed. The children had grown, and there was no room for sharing. Intrigued by men who wandered through your lands, you followed some home, expanding your territory into their yards, and finally into their lives.

The wardens were good men, and good to you as well.

At night, you earned your meals by tracking down poachers.

Finally, you caught one. His knife was quick, and if it hadn't been for a lucky break, you would have died. A warden took you home and bandaged your wounds. In time, you could run again.

Things changed after that. One night, a sangoma came to you. "Become a man," the witch woman said, and you did. "Walk with me," she commanded, and you followed.

The journey led on for many days past caverns of living bone and pits of liquid fire. Ascending into the sky, you both looked down on the lands you had roamed. "You are the walking secret, the barking night," she said. "Your legacy is watchfulness, and I name you Swara. If you trust me, I will teach." You did, and you learned.

Sometime later, you returned to the wardens as a young man looking for work. They hired you for odd jobs, and seemed pleased with how well you did.

Over time, you learned the poachers' ways as well as the protectors', and took up your old stalking task.

This time, you win the fights. Your kuasha taught you magic Gifts and fighting tricks. The warden cannot wage war on the poachers, but you are not a warden. You're a guardian of the night, and trespassers rarely live to see the dawn.

Once, you fled the poachers; now they run from you.

Thought the kuasha has long since gone, she left a spirit guide behind. In the meantime, you have many friends among the wardens. and you've learned how hard a task they have.

Mismanagement, corruption and the sheer  size of the preserve keep them ineffective.

You have no such problems, though. In the night, you visit poacher camps, leaving gory presents for survivors. The smart ones leave. The stubborn die.

Human ways seem odd to you, so watch before you act. You often make small mistakes that reveal your lack of experience, but catch on fast when there's someone to watch.

Cheetah form is much more comfortable, so prowl this way when you can. Embrace the night as a hunting partner. After all, it is.

**Equipment:** Radio, rifle, knife, tranquilizer darts, loincloth.

## Stats

**Breed:** Feline

**Pryio:** Daylight

**Tribe:** Swara

**Physical:** Strength 3, Dexterity (Nimble) 4, Stamina 3

**Social:** Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2

**Mental:** Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3

**Talents:** Alertness 2, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Dodge 2, Intimidation 2, Primal Urge 3

**Skills:** Animal Ken 2, Firearms 1, Melee 1, Repair 1, Stealth 3, Survival (Tracking) 4

**Knowledges:** Investigation 2, Law 1, Linguistics 1, Medicine 2

**Backgrounds:** Allies 3, Contacts 3

**Gifts:** Diamon Claws, Mark as Mine, Sense the Truth

**Rage:** 4

**Gnosis:** 6

**Willpower:** 3

## Quote

*You have killed without mercy. Expect none in return.*