Heimin are Kuei-jin without a wu, loners and drifters through the courts of the Middle Kingdom. These isolated vampires are quite rare, given that the wu is a fundamental unit of kuei-jin society, and are often looked upon with contempt and distrust. The Five August Courts pioneered the practice of using heimin as messengers and intermediaries between themselves and the western Kindred, in exchange for ensuring the heimin safe passage through their territory. While some question the wisdom of entrusting such important duties to kuei-jin who are essentially vagabonds, the practice assimilates them into the court structure and ensures their loyalty in the absence of a wu.