Loxodon

Titanic Conquerors of the Goddess Melora. Ivory Giants who believe themselves to be the pinnacle of the Lotus Cycle. Primal beasts with a deep sense of family.

Origins

The Origins of the Loxodon Lineage have been carefully archived in the great libraries of Tuskor. Hundreds of retellings, each of which has been combed through, carefully litigated, and approved by the watchful eye of a Loxodonian Lord. Any discrepancy, any inaccuracy, or any false beat in their storied history was diligently removed. The great lords of Tuskor wanted to ensure the history of the Loxodonian people was well-recorded. This history, recorded in Tuskor, the capital of Zinshali, has been spread across Tetraverium. Any differing accounts are purchased by Zinshali and quickly altered to match a more accurate telling. There is nothing that the nation’s rulers value more than history.
The Loxodon people were born from the Lotus Cycle, where they quickly proved their genetic superiority. Their massive build allowed them to construct the grandest libraries and most magnificent temples. Their natural armor made them the greatest warriors, defending them against the most well-trained armies and the most devastating beasts. And their deft trunks helped them lift even the most inconvenient of objects. They were truly the perfect specimen; born of the Lotus Cycle as the final, perfect stage of reincarnation.
It was then, as most historians agree, that Melora herself spoke to the Loxodons. The first, and only, time Melroa ever spoke. She informed them that she was the one true god; all was her, and she was everything. The rival philosophy of Punarism was built on falsehoods and deceit; instead, it was the mighty Maranist Philosophy that reigned supreme. Melora needed a lineage of prophets to spread the truth; and she had selected the most noble, blessed, and attractive of her creations to do so. She asked them to spend their lives focused on spreading the word of Maranism rather than achieving enlightenment, and even exiting the Cycle if necessary. In return for their sacrifice, they should be honored as the exalted, noble creations they were by her followers. They were, after all, the pinnacle of the enlightenment cycle.
All Loxodon are innately aware of their own superiority. Any who deny this were clearly born with some sort of defect and/or are lying. They are the blessed, enlightened ones; and should be treated as such.

Description

The Loxodon of Tetraverium are immense, revered creatures. They traditionally stand at 7 to 8 feet tall, and between 300 and 400 pounds. They have a lifespan of roughly two hundred years. Loxodon have gray skin, with some having darker or lighter shades. Each has two great tusks, either sharply pointed or with blunt ends. They have huge elephant people, and otherwise have normal bodies. They have terrifying, scaly gray hands with four fingers. Their bodies are large and bulbous.

Socialization

Historians claim that the early Loxodon were drifters; there is evidence of tribes migrating across Selestia, settling the Revered Plateau, or finding homes on the Gray Isles. Modern Loxodon Historians would dispute this nomadic theory, claiming that the ancient Loxodons spent most of their times in prayer, channeling Melora’s will.
Thousands of years ago, the great society of Zindh Valley fell, and the Wild Ones disappeared from Tetraverium. While the cause of this has long been unknown, Loxodon historians have long claimed a Loxodon Invasion is responsible. This claim has long been disputed - Selestian historians argue it does not line up with migration patterns, while Loxodon historians point to their own role in the Lotus Cycle as evidence. Today, the Loxodon theory is widely accepted in modern Zinshali.
The nomadic or reverent lifestyle of Loxodons would come to an end with the rise of the Arzukan Empire; and with it, the rise of House Ivo. This lineage of Loxodon would define the Loxodon identity for the remainder of Tetraverium’s history. In the early days of the Empire, this family quickly asserted its place as the premiere quarry due to their stubbornness, powerful builds, and willingness to work as a family. The family-run operation would expand into a massive empire, and House Ivo would take a massive stake in the Arzukan Empire. Following a failed attempt to take power in the Empire, House Ivo would instead look east, and head to Zinshali. Using rallied forces and his families’ belief in the Lotus Cycle, Lord Caspian Ivo I would lead a successful invasion of the Exalted Wilds, taking the land for his own. It would be Lord Ivo who christened the land as Zinshali, and united the long-disparate Wilds under one flag for years to come.
House Ivo would grow to seize control of Zinshali, asserting the role of Loxodons as the highest stage of the Reincarnation Cycle in Maranism. The great Loxodonian family would build a great estate in the city Samsara, which they would rename Tuskor, and assert control over the nation. However, the story would take an ironic turn; despite the House’s success deriving from its family, House Ivo would turn on itself over the years. It would be consumed by backstabbing and violence, as many of its descendents left for distant shores, put off by the family politics. Today, the grand estate in Tuskor is often left empty, as few actual members of the Ivo family remain. Ironically, family is a very important virtue to Loxodon. They have a very keen sense of family in their genetics. Most Loxodon can physically feel when a close family member of theirs is in pain or dies. Despite how split apart the Ivo Family is today, the Estate still holds lavish funerals for each fallen family member. These funerals are rarely attended.

Living in Tetraverium

Most Loxodon today live in Zinshali, or close to the Exalted Wilds. Others find homes in the Arzukan Empire, the Letuma Region, the Tamor Tribes of Domufuerte, or the Gray Isles. All Loxodon bear the reputation of the Ivo family, due to the infamous nature of its story: the Loxodon family who took control of a nation and tore itself apart. Many Loxodon are racistly assumed to be “Ivos” upon being met.
House Ivo continues to rule Zinshali, which serves as a vassal state of the Holy Kingdom. The Loxodons make great efforts to lick the boots of Du’Varn, giving them a negative impression in the royal court.
It is difficult to escape the stigma of House Ivo in the Holy Kingdom, both for those outside it and for those in it. It is a constant struggle to prove oneself as an individual, despite the overpowering work that the Loxodonian Lords have done to alter the past, present, and future of their own kind to ensure their own success.

Subraces

There are no Loxodon Subraces.

Mechanics If you choose Loxodon as your species, you gain the following traits:

Ability Score Increase: You can increase one Ability Score by 2 and another Ability Score by 1. 
Size: Your size is Large.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Loxodon Serenity: You have advantage against being charmed or frightened.
Natural Armor: You have thick, leathery skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Trunk: You can grasp things with your trunk, and you can use it as a snorkel. It has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift a number of pounds equal to five times your Strength score. You can use it to do simple tasks, but it cannot wield a weapon, a shield, or components.
Keen Smell: Thanks to your sensitive trunk, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception), Wisdom (Survival), and Intelligence (Investigation) checks that involve smell.
Languages:  You can speak, read, and write Common and Loxodon.