Lucantusk

Lucantusk

"They seem like they're real friendly, almost cuddly even, but get one mad and you'll regret it!"- Corkoris, half-elf bard, nursing a wicked bruise given him by an angry lucantusk.

"Great wrestlers, greater advisors, really wise!"-Marexaris, jovian barbarian, after a match and subsequent drink with a lucantusk.

"They understand the value of nature, the reverence that should be shown the wild places. They are our spiritual cousins and we are honored to share much of the same ground. A lucantusk is always welcome among our heard."-Det Brushfader, centaur cleric, on who his people are closest with.

"They say a lucantusk never forgets. I suppose they mean elephants but I don't see much difference!"-Velazora Shorthorns the Fair, piper bard, in her classic book Witticisms on all Sentient, and not so Sentient, Life

Lucantusks are a stoic elephantfolk that are common to the southern Apian continent and the Great Plains. Additionally, the woolly lucantusk, a northern subspecies, is found in both the northern and southern ice regions. Lucantusks are a proud people, with long memories and longer grudges. Once slighted, they can become cold and unpleasant but an ally of one earns a very powerful and noble friend for life. A family people, lucantusks try to remain in small collectives of related families during their nomadic existence or within the cities some call home.

Appearance: Lucantusks are an unmistakable people that greatly resemble bipedal elephants. They are massive, standing between eight and nine feet tall and easily weighing five hundred pounds or more. They are heavy on their feet, moving with a ponderous purpose that ensures no energy is wasted on frivolous walking. Their ears are large, compared to their small, dark eyes. Like their distant elephant cousins they have a dexterous trunk, large tusks and a small tail. The trunk is nimble enough to serve as a third hand for any task that doesn't require a great deal of dexterity and most lucantusks use their trunk to life objects, steady heavy loads or eat. A few truly nimble lucantusks can even write with it by grasping a quill in the trunk. Their tusks range from quite long to rather short, though regardless of length, are lovingly maintained. Some even place golden or silver caps upon the ends as a fashion statement. They do have regular teeth however. Their skin is wrinkled and grey, though the sub-race of woolly lucantusk has hides covered in shabby brown or gray fur. Lucantusk's dress in simple clothes that are well maintained and sturdily built. They adore bright colors however and these simple tunics, robes and dresses are always of the brightest, most gaudy color that can be found. Most avoid tattoos or piercings but it isn't unheard of to find a lucantusk who has them. What is universally rejected among the lucantusk are shoes, which their thick feet do not require and, given the unusual structure of the foot, simply tend to be more trouble than they are worth.

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History: The lucantusks believe that their existence is traced back to one of the Animal Lords of the outer plane known as the Beastlands, powerful beings more like demi-gods than mortals. According to the lucantusks the Elephant Lord looked down on Apia and noticed how poorly many of the mind flayer's human slaves, were doing under the yoke of bondage. They were physically weak, quick to anger and lacked the foresight and wisdom to know when to be patient and when to fight. He wished these poor humans were more like the elephants he cared for; if they were elephants they would be able to protect themselves. And so, after one particularly dark day for the human slaves of one beholder tyrant who occupied a small kingdom on the Great Plains, the slaves found themselves transformed into elephantfolk. Thanks to the strength of their new bodies and the stoicism of their spirits, the newly created lucantusks broke the shackles of their slavery and escaped onto the plains. There they dwelt in harmony with nature, enjoying their new lives and bodies. In time they forgot their former lives as humans, though not their patron the Elephant Lord, who led to their freedom. Whether this account is true or not, lucantusks were discovered by rebels loyal to Latrell during the great uprising. Already they had built the mighty city, "Freedom's Trumpet," and were practicing druidic arts. Lucantusk warriors and druids were happily living in the city or roaming around the plains, yet, despite their peaceful nature, the lucantusk people could not stand by and watch the suffering of other mortal races. Sure, they hadn't been enslaved but many others had. Enough was enough. Lucantusk warriors proved incredibly effective in battle while lucantusk druids and wizards lobbed spells to great effect in many battles. After the beholders were ultimately defeated the lucantusks returned to their home city, outposts and nomadic wanderings. A few families went north, adapting via magic into the woolly lucantusk. Others went into the southern plains where they thrived. Today, lucantusks remain mostly settled in their own affairs, not prone to spending much time in the outside world or with outside folk. They are a peaceful, reclusive race and are happy that way.

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Geography: The largest collection of lucantusks are found on the Great Plains, where their largest city "Freedom's Trumpet" is located. They also have smaller villages in the region, as well as some wandering nomadic tribes. Tribes of nomadic lucantusk, as well as small villages are also found in the southern plains. Woolly lucantusk can be found in the Great Sheet region and Druz, where most are nomadic.

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Personality: Lucantusks are patient people, defined by their wisdom and peace. A lucantusk considers every option, weighs every possibility before acting. Ration action is not in their nature. They adore reading and music, and most lucantusk keep a small library that they value above all else. Knowledge is the most important commodity they possess as they give little value to gold or silver and are blessed with incredibly reliable memories. They believe in mutual cooperation as each member of their tribe or city performs some function to which they are suited. A deeply spiritual people, the lucantusk are vegetarian and agrarian; they venerate the spirits of nature and trust in the wisdom of their ancestors. Each chief is supported by tribal elders, whose wisdom is greatly considered before any decision is made. Lucantusks tend to be incredibly stubborn and set in their ways, they do not change quickly and their long memories ensure that they do not easily forgive slights. Despite their peaceful, passive nature, lucantusk's can prove to be incredibly dangerous when riled up and their tempers are legendary. Some mistake their slow pace for laziness but, in truth, the elephant-people simply lack grace and thus conserve their energy until it is most needed.

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Society: Lucantusk's put great value on families. Indeed, the building blocks of any lucantusk city or nomadic tribe are individual family units. Lucantusks mate for life, with elaborate rituals and rites that make up courtship. Children are expected of every lucantusk couple, and they are schooled in ancient literature, basic self-defense and an understanding of the spiritual world. Age and wisdom are the defining traits among the tribes and, while the alpha bull will be the largest male he will always take advice from the council of elders whose wisdom is respected above all. Lucantusk tribes are a meritocracy, the bull and elders call the shots, but they are chosen from a list of the most capable candidates. Tribal nomads and "city" lucantusks do not have any issues with one another but often do not mix. Urban and tribal groups will intermarry and individual lucantusks will be taken in by a more appropriate group if they have emotions that separate them from their community. This is considered well and good among the lucantusk as it ensures harmony among the group. Their cities are open to outsiders but only those who will obey their rather strict codes of harmony. Lucantusks despise chaos and disorder and will go to any lengths to ensure peace and goodwill among their communities. They abhor liars and tricksters, neither are welcome in their number and, because of their stringent codes and records, lucantusks are typically quite good at ensuring that neither are among them for long.

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Religion: Lucantusks praise Bromis and the Green Lord before other gods. The Elephant Lord, as their spiritual forefather, is also treated as a god. Numerous minor spirits of nature also earn their place as token gods or guardians of the lucantusk people.

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Alignment: Most lucantusks are neutral good. They are a simple, but proud people, with a strictly defined and maintained code of ethics. Those who change tend to shift towards law rather than chaos. Evil lucantusks aren't unheard of but most are deeply damaged individuals.

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Relations: Lucantusks tend to get along fairly well with most races, notably the centaurs, which are ancient allies of the lucantusk. Wood elves, forest gnomes, tabaxi, porcine, leonin and thri-kreen are common sights among the lucantusk. The only races they seem to have real animosity towards are grey orcs and gnolls, both of which fight with the lucantusk for territory and hunting grounds. Gnolls in particular typically elicit rage in the lucantusk though individuals can be found among both races willing to make peace. "A gnoll's smile is always hollow," is a common lucantusk saying reminding the elephantfolk not to trust a deal that seems too good to be true.

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Language: Lucantusk speak lucantusk and common, some also speak sylvan.

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Adventurers: Many young lucantusk seek out opportunities to learn great knowledge, explore and see as much of the world as they can. Some feel the need to discover great natural wonders and don't know why. Some are exiles, or individual nomads, either lone survivors of clans or exiles whose actions have somehow alienate the normally peaceful lucantusk.

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Names: Male and female lucantusk have names that sound much like the call of an elephant, surnames are less than common among them and are almost never used. Occasionally, descriptors may serve in that place if one is require. Example male names: Goodrul, Eldrom, Goj, Egul, Gotem, Ekol, Oontozh, Kij, Degoj, Svogov;

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Example female names: Jovey, Jhilu, Jutin, Vafye, Zinyiy, Kidoj, Divaj, Lyunyul, Votrur, Sesmo

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Traits: Lucantusk traits are described below +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, -4 Dexterity. Lucantusks are tough and wise but they lack any grace associate with other species

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Medium

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20 Foot Speed (Note, this speed is not affected by heavy armor)

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Powerful Build (As a goliath)

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Trunk. You can grasp things with your trunk, and you can use it as a snorkel. lt 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 the following simple tasks: lift, drop, hold, push, or pull an object or a creature; open or close a door or a container; grapple someone; or make an unarmed strike. Your DM might allow other simple tasks to be added to that list of options.

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+2 Natural Armor +2 Perception, Survival and one knowledge of the PC's Choice.

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