Part I: Loxodon Origins – The Pachyderms of Ravnica
Our journey begins in the city-world of Ravnica, where loxodons lumber through bustling streets adorned with ornate stone archways – much of their own craftsmanship. Known as skilled masons, these elephant-folk are rare across the multiverse but thrive in Ravnica's guild culture.
Socially, loxodons trumpet cooperation, loyalty, and community. Matriarchs lead tightly knit family units while males often wander solitary lives. Though peaceable, loxodons rage if their kin suffer harm, like mother elephants defending calves.
Standing 7-8 feet tall, loxodons exhibit leathery skin, floppy ears, and curved tusks. Each tusk's markings detail their lineage. Loxodons live nearly 500 years but aren't considered adults until age 60, when deemed sufficiently wise. Their trunks act as a third arm and keen sense of smell.
Ravnican loxodons join guilds like the nature-loving Selesnya Conclave and lawmaking Azorius Senate. They also craft ornate stonework forming the world's infrastructure. Few sights inspire more awe than loxodons surveying their handiwork upon a battlement at sunset, trumpets sounding through the orange dusk.
Part II: Loxodon Abilities – Nature's Juggernauts
Physically formidable, loxodons gain +2 Constitution, boosting durability. With natural armor, they calculate AC as 12 + Constitution modifier. This facilitates dumping Dexterity for deadlier Strength or Charisma builds.
Their Powerful Build means counting as Large for lifting capacity. Giant's Might dynamically enlarges a loxodon up to Huge. Now imagine a ten-foot-tall loxodon grappling enemies in each fist like a bowling ball launched from a trebuchet!
A +1 Wisdom benefits divine spellcasting and perception. Advantage on smell-related checks enables tracking prey across many terrains. With Magic Initiate, a loxodon druid could pick up Find Familiar, gaining aerial scouting via owl.
But the trunk stands out most among loxodon traits. Used for simple tasks like manipulating objects, it also allows unarmed strikes and grappling while hands wield weapons. Combined with Powerful Build, it's the perfect grappling appendage.
Lastly, Loxodon Serenity grants advantage on saves against being charmed or frightened. This zen poise aptly reflects loxodons' stratified wisdom and stoic presence.
Part III: Classes and Backgrounds – Where Loxodons Thrive
Loxodons' strength and constitution synergize well with martial classes. For casters, focus wisdom first. Here are some recommended builds:
- Fighter – Rune Knight grapplers maximize Giant's Might and trunk. Maneuvers like Disarming Strike and Pushing Attack provide battlefield control.
- Barbarian – Frost giant's resilience complements durability. Zealot rages prevent death. Spirit Shield boosts mental saves.
- Ranger – Swarmkeepers manipulate battle positions using their swarm. Horizon Walkers teleport around the battlefield.
- Druid – Wildfire conjures a fire spirit ally. Stars augments dragon starry forms with dragon constellations.
- Cleric – Forge Domain boosts armor and weaponry. Protection guards injured allies. War leverages Spiritual Weapon.
- Monk – Long Death's Mastery of Death ability complements Loxodon toughness. Drunken Master and Open Hand maximize maneuverability.
Backgrounds should highlight the loxodon's ancient wisdom. Hermit, outlander, and sage fit thematically. Custom backgrounds like Ravnican guild members are options too.
The eloquent loxodon barrister arguing a high-stakes case uses their ancestral knowledge to outwit opponents. Mythic heroes rely on such wisdom when battling cosmic forces threatening the universe itself.
Part IV: Loxodons and Dragons
Few creatures inspire more awe than dragons. As apex magical predators, dragons epitomize the apex blending of wisdom and power loxodons embody. When these two mythic species intersect, legendary stories unfold.
Chromatic dragons' evil alignments often clash with righteous loxodons. A venerable bronze loxodon could have millennia-old insights on strategizing against nefarious red dragons. Such sagely advice empowers new generations of heroes.
By contrast, metallic dragons' noble goals might align with loxodons. Envision an ancient gold loxodon monk questing with a gold dragon to find redemption for an evil warlord ravaging the countryside. Their combined martial arts and breath weapons would be a sight to behold.
As natural druids, loxodons might convene with pseudodragon familiars or defend sacred groves where good dragons gather. A loxodon ranger could have a friendship with a brass dragon whose lair they help conceal in exchange for learning druidic secrets.
But chromatic dragons offer exciting story potential too. An arrogant blue dracolich could demolish the loxodon city, spurring a revenge crusade by the grieving community. Only through restoring its phylactery in a hallowed mausoleum can the loxodon finally heal.
The scenarios are endless. But treated respectfully, dragons can be valuable allies and founts of ancient knowledge, forging friendships that echo through the ages. Loxodons know such things often require looking past outward appearances and embracing universal wisdom.
Conclusion: March Forth Mighty Loxodons
We hope this guide has unveiled the remarkable potential of loxodon adventurers. Their distinctive abilities and rich cultural traditions already lend unique substance. When coupled with dragon interactions, the possibilities for amazing journeys multiply exponentially.
Each loxodon is an ancient soul bearing generations of accumulated knowledge. Play them with subtlety; underneath gruff exteriors often lie warm hearts and deep insights. Let curiosity and principle guide you. And may your footfalls shake the heavens!
