Vakno the Stonefoot

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Vakno is a stocky Halfling with a muscular build, his legs particularly well-developed from years of running long distances as a courier. His hair is dark and cropped short, though his beard is allowed to grow wild, often tied with small iron rings. Vakno's eyes are a sharp, stormy gray, reflecting a mixture of determination and humor. His skin is tanned from endless days of traveling in the sun, and he bears a few scars from encounters with highwaymen. Vakno wears simple but durable clothing—leather trousers reinforced with patches of metal along the shins and knees, a nod to his now-famous kicking technique. His boots are especially noteworthy, custom-made with weighted soles, giving his kicks their formidable power.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Vakno grew up in a small settlement on the outskirts of the Tatharian Empire, where his family made their living breeding mules and operating a courier service for those who needed reliable communication across the remote regions of the Empire. From an early age, Vakno was accustomed to the life of a courier—running messages and parcels across treacherous terrain, through forests, hills, and along winding river trails. He became known for his reliability, his legs carrying him swiftly over great distances with an endurance that seemed almost supernatural for a Halfling.
One fateful day, while delivering a package through the dense woods of the Empire’s northern reaches, Vakno encountered an old martial artist—a wandering figure known only as Zhizhi Laoshu. To Vakno's surprise, this wise master was not a person, but a mouse, Awakened and gifted with the ability to speak and immense martial prowess. Zhizhi claimed to have been a champion in an ancient Bellatorius and a victor of a Wushu Dasai in the distant land of Jiao. The tiny master was unlike anything Vakno had ever seen—a mouse with centuries of experience, a deep understanding of martial forms, and an unbroken spirit. He told Vakno stories of his past, of the powerful Icaghor who had first Awakened him, and of his travels across the world since.
Recognizing Vakno’s potential, Zhizhi offered to teach him the art of kicking—a technique that would turn Vakno’s already-strong legs into lethal weapons. The training was grueling, requiring Vakno to build his strength, balance, and speed under the watchful eye of the little master. Over the course of several months, Vakno learned the secrets of the kicking arts, adopting forms that allowed him to strike with incredible force and precision. His signature move, the "Stonefoot Strike," earned him his epithet, as his kicks could shatter wood, crack stone, and leave foes incapacitated with a single well-placed blow.
With his newfound skills, Vakno’s life took a different path. No longer just a courier, he became a protector of the roads he once traveled, using his abilities to fend off bandits and safeguard those who needed his help. Eventually, he was drawn to the Bellatorius Ferox Torneamentum, driven by a desire to prove himself and honor the teachings of Zhizhi Laoshu. Vakno’s participation in the competition showcased not only his strength but his cunning, using his size and agility to outmaneuver larger opponents, striking hard and fast where they least expected.

Morality & Philosophy

Vakno is cheerful and unassuming, with a ready smile and an easygoing demeanor that masks the formidable power behind his kicks. He has a sharp wit and a love of storytelling, often recounting the more humorous adventures of his courier days or sharing the odd and whimsical wisdom imparted by Zhizhi Laoshi. Though he is good-natured, Vakno has a fierce sense of justice, particularly when it comes to defending the underdog—he has no tolerance for bullies or those who abuse their power.
Vakno maintains a deep respect for Zhizhi Laoshu, often quoting his master’s teachings, though sometimes with a twist of his own humor. He is proud of his heritage as a courier, seeing it as a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Though he may not look like the typical warrior, Vakno knows the value of determination, and he fights to protect those who cannot protect themselves, much like he once ran messages to keep distant families connected. To Vakno, every kick he throws is a tribute to his past, his people, and the little mouse who taught him to fight with the strength of a stone beneath his feet.

Table of Contents

Species

Halfling

Ethnicity

Tathar

Aligned Organization

Raven's Accord

Other Affiliations

• Peregrines