Loxias

Loxias was an infamous and powerful Dark wizard who lived during the eighteenth century. He is known for being one of the historical owners of the Elder Wand, which he obtained by murdering its previous master, Barnabas Deverill. Loxias's reign with the wand was marked by his self-proclaimed slogan, “My wand is my birthright,” and his eventual demise is shrouded in mystery, with multiple individuals claiming responsibility for his death. His story is recounted by Albus Dumbledore in his notes within The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Little is known about Loxias's early life. He rose to prominence in the wizarding world when he located and killed the eighteenth-century wizard Barnabas Deverill to claim ownership of the Elder Wand. After taking the wand, Loxias proudly used the title “slayer of Deverill” to boast of his conquest. During his ownership, Loxias used the wand to great effect, solidifying his reputation as a fearsome Dark wizard. His followers and contemporary accounts referred to the wand by the names Deathstick and Wand of Destiny. The end of Loxias's life is uncertain, as Albus Dumbledore notes that his death is “shrouded in mystery.” Numerous conflicting reports exist regarding who finally defeated him.

• Loxias's own mother claimed that she was the one who killed him.
• A wizard named Arcus also claimed to be his killer.
• Another wizard, Livius, likewise insisted that he had defeated Loxias.

While it is unknown which of these claims, if any, is true, Dumbledore notes that the Elder Wand next surfaced in the possession of either Arcus or Livius, leaving the true circumstances of Loxias's defeat unresolved.

The canonical texts provide no description of Loxias's physical appearance. Based on his actions, Loxias was a ruthless, arrogant, and power-hungry individual. His willingness to murder Barnabas Deverill for the Elder Wand demonstrates his extreme ambition and lack of morality. His adoption of the title “slayer of Deverill” and the slogan “My wand is my birthright” suggest a boastful and entitled personality, believing his power gave him the right to possess such a formidable weapon.

• Dark Arts: As an “infamous Dark wizard”, Loxias was highly proficient in the Dark Arts.
• Dueling: Loxias was a highly capable duelist, powerful enough to defeat and kill Barnabas Deverill, who was himself a warlock of considerable notoriety and a master of the Elder Wand.
• Wandlore: While he did not create the wand, Loxias's successful conquest and use of the Elder Wand show a practical understanding of its core principle: that mastery must be won from its previous owner.

• Elder Wand: Loxias's most significant possession was the Elder Wand, one of the three Deathly Hallows. He took the wand by force and wielded it until his death. During his time, the wand was also known as the Deathstick and the Wand of Destiny.

• Family: Loxias had an antagonistic relationship with his own mother, who claimed to have killed him. This suggests a deeply dysfunctional and possibly violent family dynamic.
• Enemies: Loxias had several known enemies.
  1. Barnabas Deverill: The previous owner of the Elder Wand, whom Loxias murdered.
  2. Arcus: A rival wizard who claimed to have defeated Loxias and was a subsequent possessor of the wand.
  3. Livius: Another rival who also claimed to have defeated Loxias and may have possessed the wand after him.
• Followers: The text notes that Loxias had “followers” who helped perpetuate the fearsome legends surrounding the Elder Wand under its aliases, the Deathstick and the Wand of Destiny.

The name “Loxias” is a Greek epithet for the god Apollo, particularly in his capacity as the deity presiding over the Oracle at Delphi. The root word, loxos, means “ambiguous” or “oblique,” a reference to the cryptic and often difficult-to-interpret prophecies given by the oracle. This name may allude to the deep mystery and conflicting accounts surrounding Loxias's own death.

Loxias is not mentioned in the original seven *Harry Potter* novels. His entire history and connection to the Elder Wand are detailed in The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a supplementary book written by J.K. Rowling and published in 2008. The information comes specifically from the in-universe notes written by the character Albus Dumbledore.