Bonders do not think of their monster as a pet or property it is "their" monster in the same way it is "their" best friend or "their" trusted life companion.Ī bonder named Winota told me how she lost her arm trying to kill the monster that she ended up bonding with! Now she and her companion travel Ikoria helping other bonders and monsters learn to fight side by side. (This is quite a shock to most!) Other bonders spend years living in the wild alongside their future companion before finally bonding with it. ![]() Some connect with their monster instantaneously on sight. Their connection to their monsters grants them wisdom and insight far beyond that of their city-dwelling counterparts.Įach bonder forms their eludha differently. I have met many bonders on my travels and learned much from them. A bond of this type is called an eludha, and it is much more than just a relationship of trust and friendship it is a mystical, enduring link that ties the spirits of a person and a monster together. Bonders are those special few humans who form magical connections with monsters. While most humans on Ikoria struggle against the way of their world, others embrace it. When it comes down to it, nothing on Ikoria stands up to a monster except another monster. ![]() Humans have learned the hard way that there is no "solution" to monster attacks, especially when the monster that is attacking you might mutate at a moment's notice. Human naturalists, sages, and hunters learn the behaviors of nearby monsters to best defend against them, or at least stay out of their way.ĭespite the humans' ingenuity and determination, Ikoria is not a world that can be tamed. Most sanctuaries I have visited employ both physical defenses (high walls, moats, spikes) and magical defenses (guardian wards, warning crystals). These communities range from small wilderness outposts to massive walled cities, and each employs a combination of techniques to ward off monster attacks. Humans on Ikoria are acutely aware that they're no match for monsters on a physical level, so most of them choose to live inside of protective sanctuaries. This is not an easy plane to scrape out an existence, and humans owe their resilience to a variety of strategies that have allowed them to elude extinction for generations. I tend not to care much for people, but anyone who manages to persist on Ikoria is deserving of some credit. Humans are the only so-called "civilized" species to have survived on Ikoria, occupying a precarious midpoint in its monstrous food chain. But if you underestimate them, take your safety for granted, or assume you've got the upper hand, they will not hesitate to prove you wrong. What's more, they're liable to mutate into something completely different right before your very eyes! If you tread carefully, observe from a distance, and expect the unexpected, these wonderous creatures will reveal their secrets to you. You may think you understand them at a glance, but each possesses power and beauty far beyond what you think you see. If you learn just one lesson from this guide, learn this: the monsters of Ikoria demand your respect. I don't think I've ever seen something so big move that fast! He seemed gentle at first, but one cry in the distance and he took off barreling toward it. I saw this big guy wandering around aimlessly the other day. Monsters are everywhere, and they are all amazing in different ways! ![]() Skysharks soar over herds of lumbering goriaks, winged foxes flit through crystalline forests, and brooding nightmare creatures emerge from the shadows to hunt the unsuspecting. Monsters here come in all shapes and sizes, from terrifying, city-stomping behemoths to clever little beasties small enough to perch on your shoulder. I have seen many fantastic creatures in my travels, but I assure you that no other plane in the multiverse compares to Ikoria. If you have already arrived on Ikoria, I recommend leaving or finding a safe spot before reading further: it is not a kind place to those who stand around idle and unaware. I trust you to explore and admire this beautiful world without meddling in its affairs. ![]() Here, I have recorded the lessons and observations I have collected during my travels on this plane. If you are reading this guide, it means that you seek the mysteries of Ikoria, as I once did.
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