Dwarf Elephant

While they are mostly similar to other elephants, dwarf elephants do have a few distinguishing features. Their feet are almost hooflike, adapted toward the climbing of mountains. They are not as skilled climbers as mountain goats, but they are certainly better than other elephants on the rocky cliffs.

Dwarf elephants primarily live in the jungle around Koldubar, frequently moving between the slopes of the mountain to feed on the bamboo of the cloud forest and the fruits of the rainforest below. They spend most of their time on the mountain slopes however, feasting on the plentiful and rapidly growing bamboo before moving on to fresher pastures. They do not have defined territories, instead migrating throughout the jungles and mountains of their range.

Dwarf elephants are as smart as normal elephants, with some being even smarter. When areas of wild magic erupt in their jungle, the elephants remember and often adjust their migration routes to go into the edges of this zone, enough to absorb the latent mana but not enough to face the brunt of the storm. This enchantment gives the elephants random powers, from greater physical prowess to limited spellcasting ability to increased intelligence. They also share the herd mentality of other elephants, leading to vast herds wandering through the jungle in search of food.

The dwarves of Koldubar have domesticated these beasts, keeping them well fed from the gardens they grow on the slopes of their mountain. These beasts serve many uses around the hold, both inside and outside the mountain. They are strong and large, leading them to be useful pack animals. Dwarves load up goods to trade on the backs of their elephants then ship them out to wherever there are buyers. Valorport is the most common destination, due to it's status as a hub of business. The dwarves also load themselves on elephants, using them as slow but tireless mounts. They lack the speed of something like a horse, meaning that they aren't often used for long distance travel, but when decorated and painted they are quite the status symbol, and when armored in fine dwarven plates they can be devastating on the battlefield.

This utility has given them a special place in Koldubar society. The nation's crest is a stylized elephant wielding a hammer, and plenty of elephants decorate Koldubaran works. Once an elephant dies, it's body is treated with respect. Elephant leather will only be used with important creations, their ivory is reserved for only magical items, and their meat is only to be eaten by priests, royalty, and beastmasters.

While not sapient, dwarf elephants are intelligent beasts. They have a strong familial bond with their herd, they have shown basic problem solving skills, and some have even been seen grabbing large sticks with their trunks and swinging them like clubs. This intelligence has allowed the dwarves to train some of them to do tricks, like playing a drum by grabbing the drumstick in their trunk or painting people in a limited manner. Those who raise dwarf elephants have claimed deep bonds between themselves and the herds they raise, and druids who speak to the beasts can confirm that they speak fondly of those they trust.