Luxa River
| Luxa River | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Amonkhet |
| Colors |
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| Part of | Oashra Valley, Naktamun, Shefet |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
The Luxa River is the source of life on Amonkhet, fertilizing the lush Oashra Valley around Naktamun and providing water to humanoids and animals alike.[1]
Description
The Luxa is a vibrant habitat for countless creatures, including many species of bird, fish, and frog. Crocodiles and hippootamuses can be a danger to boats and barges, but perhaps the most feared denizens of the river are the giant serpents known to lurk near its bottom. When roused to anger, they can sink fishing boats by the dozens and flood the shore. The God Trials were held in the gods' monuments: massive, awe-inspiring structures shaped like the gods' heads that lined the Luxa.
Some of Kefnet's viziers were responsible for calming the waters of the Luxa, keeping the current flow even and at the proper rate to move barges along without foundering them. These Water Wise as they were known, also oversaw the loading and unloading of the Luxa's barges, using water magic to fend off overly aggressive animals.[2]
The Fertile Holding
Along the lush banks of the Luxa, Rhonas has established an intricate training ground called the Fertile Holding (often simply the Holding). Part garden and part wildlife preserve, the Fertile Holding is designed for initiates to build strength, resilience, primal instincts, and essential survival skills. It recreates the dangers of the Trial of Strength, letting initiates prepare through direct experience.
At different points in a crop's training, Rhonas brings initiates into the Fertile Holding. On their first visit, they may only enter the outermost ring and must survive there for an hour before Rhonas leads them back to safety. As a group, they face creatures Rhonas deems weak — usually older, younger, or more docile herbivores — while equipped with a variety of weapons and light armor for basic protection.
By the final stage of training, initiates must reach the core of the Holding and endure alone in the dense forest for an entire month. This time, they enter without weapons, armor, or assistance. To stay alive, they must rely not only on their fighting abilities—though combat remains vital—but also on their skill at hunting, foraging, and finding water. The Holding teems with lethal creatures: crocodiles, hydras, snakes, lizards, predatory birds, hippopotami, giant insects, wurms, and other fearsome beasts all compete for food and territory.
Through this harsh trial, initiates awaken their survival instincts, refine their combat style, learn to craft weapons from whatever they can find, and learn to trust in their strength without the crutch of armor. In Rhonas's judgment, any initiate who cannot surpass the beasts of Amonkhet—without artificial protection or weapons—has no claim to the afterlife. Those who survive their final challenge complete their training inside the great hall within the Monument of Strength.[2]
History
In the Hour of Revelation, the Gate to the Afterlife opened, and Razaketh stood revealed before the population of Naktamun, much to their horror and dismay. At the demon's command, the Luxa turned to blood.[3] It became filled with stinking fish corpses and bubbling filth.
A hopeful sign followed the end of the New Phyrexian Invasion as the Luxa, fouled for so long, began to flow clear.[4] This was caused by the god Sab-Sunen, the new mother of the Luxa.[5]
Inspiration
The Luxa is based on the Egyptian river Nile.
In-game references
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References
- ↑ James Wyatt (July 5, 2017), "Plane Shift: Amonkhet", Wizards of the Coast (pdf)
- ↑ a b James Wyatt (July 2017) - The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Amonkhet, Viz Media.
- ↑ Alison Luhrs (June 7, 2017). "The Hour of Revelation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Miguel Lopez (December 10, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Aetherdrift, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Miguel Lopez (December 11, 2024). "Planeswalker's Guide to Aetherdrift, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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