Luko

Luko can be battled in the Shrine of Ages with the Water Bracelet. He is a NPC in Riza Rivertown.

Luko is another being from the Sibawa tribe in the northern mountains (like Suwö), and he runs Luko's Inn with his partner Pina. The inn's swinging sign has a capital "R" on it, with some rumors saying it means "refreshment" and others saying it stands for both "Riza" and "Rivertown." Luko hasn't said if either of those guesses are correct, choosing instead to listen and smile when asked what the "R" means.

He makes Dí, admitting to overcooking it to stretch his resources since trouble is brewing between the riverfolk in Riza and Balance and the Raina tribes that live in the river.

Luko also seems to spent some time dabbling in the art of healing. He's able to heal the effects of Dust poison from a Bruja's dagger as well as bandage injuries sustained when Rebel Raina attacked during the Swampland Expedition (April 2020). It was written in Nabia's journal that, while she spoke to Elder Bavata, "The Sibawense was still outside, tagging in for the elder and helping his partner Pina with patch up. For such a huge being he had a deft touch."

## Lore

Luko is a load-bearing cornerstone in Riza (his partner Pina is the other cornerstone). Beyond the brewing and inn keeping experiences his tavern calls for, he's also there to lend an ear, if that's what a person wishes. While he's on good terms with everyone around him, he has stronger relationships with Pina, Captain Caigava, and of course, Suwö, whom he calls family. After talking with the Raina elders, I heard he's been keeping communications flowing between the two groups, and smoothing ruffled feathers. "When presented with options, take the one that helps. And keep your temper when you can."

## Quests

* Shrine of Ages quest: Water Ways (1/2) (1)
* Shrine of Ages quest: Water Ways (2/2) (6)

## 2020 Love Festival

During the Love Festival of 2020, Luko sent Suwö a letter, which was in the news report on February 16th, 2020.

*Suwö-malgas,*

*Another year, another Love Festival. Heh, when we first came to the Valley, we had no idea how much pink an' red an' love they would add to our Galkala Festival.*

*I'm hopin' you open your letter this year, you stubborn boulder. Been hearin' thing 'bout you; good things. You're back to protectin' again, helpin' this Dusted land heal, findin' new friends to be 'round. Keep 'em close an' forgive their faults; good friends are hard to find.*

*I'm proud of you, Suwö. An' your family would be too.*

*Stop by the Inn an' we'll share a Dí.*

*Luko-ibvka*

## Random Facts

It's never mentioned exactly how Luko and Pina are partners, so the relationship is currently open to interpretation.

When Luko says that he overcooks his Dí, he also says that Suwö was the one who taught him that trick.

To answer Caigava's question of if Luko and Suwö are related, Suwö quips "Only through vices" and Luko doesn't correct him. However, after reading Luko's love letter, it looks as if this is the truth.

## Relationships

Suwö - Luko comes across as older brother, or uncle figure, though neither he nor Suwö has mentioned their age. However, they've most certainly been friends for a long while, "decades" according to a statement from Luko, and the bond between them is strong, as evidenced by the concern displayed in the letter from Luko.

Pina - The two of them work effortlessly together, whether it's running the Inn or scrambling to help heal beings around them. The story of who they met isn't known, but with how the two of them look out for each other, it's most likely a riveting story.

Caigava - She's the riverboat captain Luko ropes into taking everyone north, and she makes a point of saying that she's only known Luko for weeks. His counterpoint, that they've been wonderful weeks, doesn't sit well with her.

## Memorable Quotes

"...oh Suwö, you've got the snow mountain's luck, even now."

"Ha! Leave it to a Sibawense to sleep at a time of war."

"In the midst of all this darkness, news and friends like this deserve to be celebrated."

"I'm proud of you, Suwö. An' your family would be too."

"They are friends, Caigava. You remember what friends are, right? I've known Suwö for decades."

## Historical Images

Luko's image was changed in August 2022, when he entered the Shrine.