Creations & Characters: Dobrun, Healer of Selesnya
For this edition of Creations & Characters I wanted to share one of the more fun characters I've had a chance to play. This one was created for a Ravnica based mini-campaign that lasted roughly 5 sessions (the details of this story will be featured in a future post).
I had always wanted to try my hand at Cleric and when I saw that Loxodon were becoming a playable race it seemed like the perfect combination. For those of you unfamiliar with the Ravnica setting, this character was a member of the Selesnya Conclave, a group dedicated to bringing all of Ravnica into their peaceful collective under the worship of their god Mat'Selesnya. For those of you familiar with Magic: The Gathering, Ravnica is the White/Green guild so naturally Dobrun was a Nature Domain Cleric.
His character sheet can be found on D&D Beyond.
Healer Dobrun
Race: Loxodon
Class: Cleric - Nature Domain
Background: Selesnya Initiate
I lead a life of devotion.
Since my beginning, I have belonged to something greater than myself. Like my parents before me, I serve the Worldsoul, Mat'Selesnya, the very embodiment of the natural world. From an early age, the wonder of the blessed Worldsoul overwhelmed me with her glory, and the deep connection she offered get followers to the greater works around them, and I knew my calling was to lead others to the blessings of Mat'Selesnya and show them the wonders that await them within the Conclave.
For the first few decades of my life, I devoted myself entirely to spreading the word of Mat'Selesnya throughout Ravnica. I knew in my heart that nothing could be greater than bringing someone into the light of the Worldsoul and connecting them to a purpose greater than themselves... until I met Elyuja.
In my 75th year, during a pilgrimage to a distant vernadi, I met another young Loxodon. At first glance she was both extraordinary and intoxicating. She captivated my thoughts unlike any singular creature had ever done. My life belonged to the Conclave, I served a purpose greater than myself, so there could be no time for personal distractions... and yet she invaded my dreams like a benevolent spirit, haunting me in the most pleasant way.
By my 80th year we had entered into a marriage pact, blessed and sanctioned by the voda of my home community. By my 100th year we welcomed our son, Bayul.
Life, had never been better.
Life, had never been crueler.
Bayul was a strong lad, with an aptitude for martial prowess. The Conclave quickly realized his potential and he was enlisted into our military unit, meant to defend our beloved Conclave against the other guilds of Ravnica. He proved himself to be a true and loyal member of the Conclave, and when the time came to defend our sacred lands he answered that call with honor and pride.
He died on that battlefield right next to his honor and pride. He had just seen his 70th year. His final year. Barely even considered an adult by Loxodon standards.
Elyuja never recovered, not fully. Life, as it does, moved on, but the dark cloud that was Bayul's memory hung over us, always present. I struggled for some time, but eventually was able to rediscover my purpose and refocus my efforts into bringing the word of Mat'Selesnya to the world. After all, my personal grief pales in comparison to the purpose I serve.
Life, as I've learned, has a way of reminding you just how unforgiving it can be.
Elyuja, my dearest wife of 345 years, was struck down on her way home from the market one day. Vile cultists of the demon lord Rakdos, who left behind a calling card to claim responsibility for their wickedness, and for no reason other than spreading their sin and corruption, viciously assaulted my beloved. The things they did were unspeakable. When she was discovered, she was nearly unrecognizable... but I would know her anywhere. The curve of her body, the mark she bore on her left hand...
The beauty behind the one eye that remained, staring frozen in horror towards the unanswering heavens.
Around her neck she still wore the necklace I had given her on our first anniversary all those years ago, the only thing I was able to salvage from the monstrous scene.
We never found those responsible.
In the Conclave, we are all connected, part of something greater. No individual matters more than the greater good...
But Elyuja mattered... She, above all others, had mattered to me. It was in this moment I realized, she had mattered more to me than even the Conclave, and without her my life seemed hollow, like a dying tree who threatens to fall with the smallest breeze.
From that day, I distanced myself from those around me, slowly closing myself off from the rest of the Conclave. This did not go unnoticed. I could feel those around me talking, the whispers behind my back. My time with the Conclave would be short lived I feared since I no longer embodied the ideals I once professed to everyone who would listen.
After 3 years, the weight of it all became too much. I made my decision. I said my goodbyes to those I still had intact relationships with, and I set off to end my suffering at the place where I had first met my beloved Elyuja.
Life, as I have noticed, has a way of surprising you.
As I sat in the vibrant garden, listening to the sounds of nature that would be the last I would ever hear, I felt a small weight on my left hand. I glanced down to see a tiny white mouse who had climbed onto me, curled itself up, and was nibbling on a small fruit. As the mouse continued its meal, I watched it in fascination. Here was this tiny creature, whom despite all the horrors of the world, still felt safe enough to climb onto the hand of a lumbering giant for dinner. What gave this tiny creature the courage to live its life despite the dangers around it when I myself could not find the strength to go on?
At once, I felt ashamed. My weakness had not only led me to abandon my faith, but to betray the legacy of my wife and son by defiling their memory with the darkness I had allowed into my life. They would not want this for me, as I did not want their deaths for them. The natural world has an order, a pulse that beats in all living things, who am I to decide when one of those lives is snuffed out? Even if it is my own.
I took the mouse into my hands, placed him upon my shoulder, and headed for home to atone for my transgressions.
It's been 2 years since I met Chip in that garden. With his help, I have renewed my resolve and faith in the Worldsoul and the community of all living things. I have vowed to dedicate the remainder of my life, however long that is, to honoring the lives of my family and, if Mat'Selesnya please, will see them when my job is done.
I lead a life of devotion. To my faith, to my community, to my best friend Chip, but above all to the memory of a family taken too soon.
I had always wanted to try my hand at Cleric and when I saw that Loxodon were becoming a playable race it seemed like the perfect combination. For those of you unfamiliar with the Ravnica setting, this character was a member of the Selesnya Conclave, a group dedicated to bringing all of Ravnica into their peaceful collective under the worship of their god Mat'Selesnya. For those of you familiar with Magic: The Gathering, Ravnica is the White/Green guild so naturally Dobrun was a Nature Domain Cleric.
His character sheet can be found on D&D Beyond.
Race: Loxodon
Class: Cleric - Nature Domain
Background: Selesnya Initiate
I lead a life of devotion.
Since my beginning, I have belonged to something greater than myself. Like my parents before me, I serve the Worldsoul, Mat'Selesnya, the very embodiment of the natural world. From an early age, the wonder of the blessed Worldsoul overwhelmed me with her glory, and the deep connection she offered get followers to the greater works around them, and I knew my calling was to lead others to the blessings of Mat'Selesnya and show them the wonders that await them within the Conclave.
For the first few decades of my life, I devoted myself entirely to spreading the word of Mat'Selesnya throughout Ravnica. I knew in my heart that nothing could be greater than bringing someone into the light of the Worldsoul and connecting them to a purpose greater than themselves... until I met Elyuja.
In my 75th year, during a pilgrimage to a distant vernadi, I met another young Loxodon. At first glance she was both extraordinary and intoxicating. She captivated my thoughts unlike any singular creature had ever done. My life belonged to the Conclave, I served a purpose greater than myself, so there could be no time for personal distractions... and yet she invaded my dreams like a benevolent spirit, haunting me in the most pleasant way.
By my 80th year we had entered into a marriage pact, blessed and sanctioned by the voda of my home community. By my 100th year we welcomed our son, Bayul.
Life, had never been better.
Life, had never been crueler.
Bayul was a strong lad, with an aptitude for martial prowess. The Conclave quickly realized his potential and he was enlisted into our military unit, meant to defend our beloved Conclave against the other guilds of Ravnica. He proved himself to be a true and loyal member of the Conclave, and when the time came to defend our sacred lands he answered that call with honor and pride.
He died on that battlefield right next to his honor and pride. He had just seen his 70th year. His final year. Barely even considered an adult by Loxodon standards.
Elyuja never recovered, not fully. Life, as it does, moved on, but the dark cloud that was Bayul's memory hung over us, always present. I struggled for some time, but eventually was able to rediscover my purpose and refocus my efforts into bringing the word of Mat'Selesnya to the world. After all, my personal grief pales in comparison to the purpose I serve.
Life, as I've learned, has a way of reminding you just how unforgiving it can be.
Elyuja, my dearest wife of 345 years, was struck down on her way home from the market one day. Vile cultists of the demon lord Rakdos, who left behind a calling card to claim responsibility for their wickedness, and for no reason other than spreading their sin and corruption, viciously assaulted my beloved. The things they did were unspeakable. When she was discovered, she was nearly unrecognizable... but I would know her anywhere. The curve of her body, the mark she bore on her left hand...
The beauty behind the one eye that remained, staring frozen in horror towards the unanswering heavens.
Around her neck she still wore the necklace I had given her on our first anniversary all those years ago, the only thing I was able to salvage from the monstrous scene.
We never found those responsible.
In the Conclave, we are all connected, part of something greater. No individual matters more than the greater good...
But Elyuja mattered... She, above all others, had mattered to me. It was in this moment I realized, she had mattered more to me than even the Conclave, and without her my life seemed hollow, like a dying tree who threatens to fall with the smallest breeze.
From that day, I distanced myself from those around me, slowly closing myself off from the rest of the Conclave. This did not go unnoticed. I could feel those around me talking, the whispers behind my back. My time with the Conclave would be short lived I feared since I no longer embodied the ideals I once professed to everyone who would listen.
After 3 years, the weight of it all became too much. I made my decision. I said my goodbyes to those I still had intact relationships with, and I set off to end my suffering at the place where I had first met my beloved Elyuja.
Life, as I have noticed, has a way of surprising you.
As I sat in the vibrant garden, listening to the sounds of nature that would be the last I would ever hear, I felt a small weight on my left hand. I glanced down to see a tiny white mouse who had climbed onto me, curled itself up, and was nibbling on a small fruit. As the mouse continued its meal, I watched it in fascination. Here was this tiny creature, whom despite all the horrors of the world, still felt safe enough to climb onto the hand of a lumbering giant for dinner. What gave this tiny creature the courage to live its life despite the dangers around it when I myself could not find the strength to go on?
At once, I felt ashamed. My weakness had not only led me to abandon my faith, but to betray the legacy of my wife and son by defiling their memory with the darkness I had allowed into my life. They would not want this for me, as I did not want their deaths for them. The natural world has an order, a pulse that beats in all living things, who am I to decide when one of those lives is snuffed out? Even if it is my own.
I took the mouse into my hands, placed him upon my shoulder, and headed for home to atone for my transgressions.
It's been 2 years since I met Chip in that garden. With his help, I have renewed my resolve and faith in the Worldsoul and the community of all living things. I have vowed to dedicate the remainder of my life, however long that is, to honoring the lives of my family and, if Mat'Selesnya please, will see them when my job is done.
I lead a life of devotion. To my faith, to my community, to my best friend Chip, but above all to the memory of a family taken too soon.
Comments
Post a Comment