Paladins

(The contents of this page are NOT common knowledge)  

"If you refuse to seek repentance in this life, then I pray you seek it in the next."

— Paladin, The Paladin

 

History

Introduction

When the daunting yellow sun hung in the bright blue sky the Divine Son saw it fit to grant those of similar minds with his blessings, holding his sword out to fend off evil that stalked the countless souls occupying the mortal realm. Some mortals looked upon this divine being in reverence and earned his blessings. In this they were tasked with defending the Prime Materia and its denizens from chaotic and evil forces that would disturb it.   Arpathos, a Gravican legionary, was the first-ever to found a Paladin order. He slowly gathered others across the continent who believed in his God, each blessed with the ability to sense and stamp out chaos. Though these first Paladins, as they came to be known, were ruthless in the enforcing of their oaths and of their mission. These Paladins were both adored and ridiculed for their deeds.   One of the Cult bested him in single combat and died in a blaze of chaos!   The Paladins existed throughout many years as paragons of justice and honor in the world, often finding members of their path as wandering heroes, as well as well sought-after priests. Some bore ill will towards the Paladins openly, but these were ignored for the sake of their duty. With numerous agents of chaos speak of, their future was predictable for what would certainly be centuries.   Though it was the Viscera Cult, Warlocks serving The Tyrant, who changed the course of the Paladins path. Arpathos lead his Paladins against the Cult and faced off against their leader himself, defeating him but dying in the process. In the aftermath, his order broke apart, each with their own ideas and paths.   We could no longer decide on the depths of our duty.   Drifting across the Old World, these Paladins founded the more prevalent Orders known today and have stood the test of time for countless centuries. It is now, in the days of modern times, that these Paladins continue to show themselves once more. Their faith continued, they seek to restore their once-great order.

Divines

There are many divines who create Paladins who posess their will and powers.   The Divine Son   Qhethys   Ralios   Vilias   Gandhor   Aphion   Treida   Phalsarm   Dreidam   Belador   Sephradoir   Fey Monarch  

Forging a Connection

Paladins, as these servants are called, are created through a ritual performed by others who practice the same Mortal Art. A Paladin who has advanced to full mastery of their craft may call upon their Divine's power in a place of worship, casting such upon the student and causing them to slip away into a deep rest lasting for upwards of days. During this time the student will undergo a set of visions and dreams, some more prominent while others slip into obscurity. These will all bring tales of the divine they intend on serving, stories of ancient conflicts and struggles that have all been witnessed by them. In sharing these visions, the student will gain an understanding of their cause, and they will awaken as their body has learned to cope with the holy energy pulsing through them.

• A Paladin gains their connection via another Paladin performing a Connection Ritual on them, requiring the one who performed it to have an accepted Teacher Application.
  
• A Paladin gains an innate knowledge on the cause promoted by the divine as they are connected, as well as an intense urge to uphold such.
  

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Mechanics

Favor

Energy for casting spells is calculated for Paladins in the form of “Favor,” a term dictating a Paladin’s devotion to their divine. While most users of the Mortal Arts must perform certain rites and trials in order to gain Favor, up to a maximum of eight, Paladins automatically gain one for every IRL Day that passes. Rather than performing actions to gain Favor, they instead must refrain from actions that would drain their powers from them. This is given in the form of Laws that must be upheld by any who hold her divine strength:
  The Divine Son   Qhethys   Ralios   Vilias   Gandhor   Aphion   Powerful Celestials   Fey Monarch   For a Paladin to break any of the Laws of their divine mentioned above results in catastrophe for the Paladin in question; instantly losing any Favor they hold, and losing the ability to retain any of it. They are rendered incapable of casting their magic, and must either atone or let their connection slip away. To regain their Mortal Arts, they would have to declare the sins they committed to two Paladins each holding a TA, who must collectively forgive them. In doing so, the one who committed a crime then enters a state of meditation and prayer, where they atone directly to the Divine Son before regaining their gifts.  

Pact

A Paladin who seeks to further the connection between them and their Divine may perform the Pact of Order, a devout path which almost the most virtuous of Paladins attempt. Those who take this deal will find that the Favor they have will instead recharge at a rate of 2 Favor per IRL day.   To make this deal, a Paladin must swear a specific oath to live by that remains in line with their previous Laws. Paladins offer up this oath to their Divine to further their power. These must be offered at a shrine or directly to them.

Oaths

Those who swear to a Pact will instead recharge at a rate of 2 Favor per IRL day. In turn, they must abide by one of the following oaths:  

• The law is paramount. It is the mortar that holds the stones of civilization together, and it must be respected. Paladins may not break the laws of a city, nation or village they are in.

Useable by: The Divine Son, Vilias

 

• A Paladin must not lie or cheat. Their word is their promise.

Useable by: The Divine Son, Qhethys, Ralios

 

• A Paladin must treat others with fairness and let their honorable deeds be an example to them. They must do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.

Useable by: The Divine Son, Qhethys

 

• A Paladin must be responsible for their actions and their consequences, protect those entrusted to their care, and obey those who have just authority over them.

Useable by: The Divine Son, Qhethys, Ralios, Vilias, Gandhor,

 

• If a Paladin’s foes wreak ruin on the world, it is because they failed to stop them. They must help those harmed by their misdeeds.

Useable by: All

  Powerful Celestials   Fey Monarch   To break the oath chosen above results in the same result as breaking one of the their laws.  

Paladin Aura

A Paladin’s aura radiates from their body, seeming almost like light but instead of pushing away darkness a Paladin aura radiates energy that touches the things around it. The aura is stifling and gives the feeling of being intimidated by a serious father, as well as makes supernatural creatures uncomfortable and passively increases the courage of those around them but not by a very large margin.   This aura can be enabled and disabled at their will but most ask they keep it on unless in some sort of official proceedings. Paladins are immune to each other's aura.
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The Four Ranks

To judge the progression of a Truthseeking Paladin, four Ranks are given in accordance with the base magic rules. Basic, Adept, Expert, and Master spellcasters. A Truthseeker must abide by their Rank for a minimum of Two Months, allowing them to become a Master Truthseeker at six. Each Rank achieved grants the Spellcaster access to a new list of abilities:   Basic Paladin |Deific Smite, Castle
Adept Paladin |Detect Evil or Good, Deific Spear
Expert Paladin |Hallow, Shout
Master Paladin |Command, Exalted
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Truths

Spells

Truths are the spells that lay in a Paladin’s Arsenal, centered around the use of fighting and combative techniques.

[ Deific Smite ]

Rank: 1 |   Description: The most basic and symbolic of Truths a Paladin may utilize, this allows them to imbue their weapon with light of their divine. The weapon is hastily covered in an affect befitting their faith, and will carry more force behind its strikes.  

Attacks with the weapon are slightly stronger than normal and carry additional damage against specific beings or affects depending on the divine worshipped:

The Divine Son: Cover their weapon in deific light and do increased damage to Death Knights (any undead), Lycanthropes and Voudr (and by extension Nachzehrer). Burning the flesh and bones of these on contact, and slowing healing.

Qhethys and Ralios: Ignite their weapon in light or fire. Increased damage against Darkspawn. Burning the flesh and bones of these on contact, and slowing healing.

Vilias: Cover their weapon in swirling water.

Gandhor: Cover their weapon in rock.

Aphion: Cover their weapon in swirling wind.

Powerful Celestials: Cover their weapon in an affect of their Celestial and do increased damage to Demons and Blooded.

Fey Monarch: Cover their weapon in an affect of the Fey Monarch and do a certain affect.

Paladins may use this to forcefully purge souls that inhabit objects or creatures via Witch Magics.

On a hit or block, the target will suffer the weapon attack’s normal effects, and the Paladin can cause an one effect below for 1 Favor:

• Branding: A Paladin's blow on block or hit places a brand on a being/object, allowing them to keep track of those invisible. The brand lasts for 3 rounds.
• Staggering: On a hit, a Paladin’s weapon knocks or places a foe in a kneeling position. Being hit or blocking while in a kneeling position places them prone.
• Delayed: On a hit, a Paladin’s weapon delay's a person's turn in the initative order,a s their mind and body are shaken.
• Stunning: Add the effect of a target's muscles locking up on hit, preventing offensive actions on a hit for 1 round.

Redlines:

• This spell ends when the weapon leaves the Paladin’s hands.

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[ Castle ]

Rank: 1 |   Description: By becoming a moving castle a Paladin can become immune to spells or effects that would impede their movement while increasing defense and lowering movement. A translucent affect fitting their divine of worship envelops them.

• This spell can only be cast on the Paladin themselves, once this is done a Paladin’s body and their libs cannot be moved without their consent and cannot be stunned, but can still sustain damage.

Redlines:

• Resistant to slashing, piercing and bludgeoning damage.
• This lasts for 2 rounds.
• This spell takes one action to cast.

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[ Detect Evil or Good ]

Rank: 2 |   Description: A Paladin’s foes are numerous as there is no end to beings who would bring chaos to the Mortal Plane. A Paladin may pull forth power from their divine and sense creatures from other planes or their influence.

• This spell is cast on the Paladin themself and allows a Paladin to know if there is an eldritch, celestial, elemental, fey, demonic, Voudr ( and by extension Nachzehrer) or undead creature or influence within 10 blocks of them but not who or which specifically.
• Similarly, they know if there is a place or object within 10 of them that has been magically consecrated or desecrated.
• Creatures sealed in things counts as an influence.
• Demonic Corruption (or any corruption) counts as an influence.
• Boons or blessings counts as an influence.

Redlines:

• This spell counts as a free-action included in movement to cast.
• A Paladin does not know where the feeling of influence is coming from.

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[ Deific Spear ]

Rank: 2 |   Description: The second instance of a Paladin calling upon the power of their Divine. A Paladin may launch a projectile of their divine's energy towards a target.  

A Paladin conjures a crude projectile made from an outraised hand for 2 emotes and launches it on the third. The projectile travels up to 20 blocks a little faster than an arrow. The physical damage received from the spear is akin to a solid iron spear of Fine quality that burns.

The Divine Son: The Spear carries additional damage against Death Knights (any undead), Darkspawn, Lycanthropes and Voudr (and by extension Nachzehrer). Burning the flesh and bones of these on contact, and slowing healing.

Qhethys and Ralios: Launch a baseball sized projectile of light/fire. Darkspawn. Burning the flesh and bones of these on contact, and slowing healing.

Vilias: Launch a baseball sized projectile of swirling water.

Gandhor: Launch a baseball sized projectile of rock.

Aphion: Launch a baseball sized projectile of swirling wind.

Powerful Celestials: Launch a baseball sized projectile in an affect of their Celestial and do increased damage to Demons and Blooded.

Fey Monarch: Launch a baseball sized projectile in an affect of the Fey Monarch and do a certain affect.

Paladins may forcefully purge souls that inhabit objecs or creatures via Witch Magics.

Deific Spear can be augmented with additional effects for 1 Favor per effect. This effect must be mentioned within the casting emote.

• Branding Spear: A Paladin's blow on block or hit places a brand on a being/object, allowing them to keep track of those invisible. The brand lasts for 3 rounds.
• Stunning Spear: Add the effect of a target's muscles locking up on hit, preventing offensive actions on a hit for 1 round.
• Ranged Spear: Increase the range to 30 blocks.
• Staggering Spear: A Paladin’s spear knocks or places a foe in a kneeling position on block or hit. Being hit or blocking while in a kneeling position places them prone.

Redlines:

• A Paladin may emote firing an arrow of their divines energy instead of a spear for aesthetic purposes but must fire it on the third emote and still may add additional effects to it.
• This spell takes one action to cast.

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[ Hallow ]

Rank: 3 |   Description: A Paladin's ground is their own and they may ensure that those who are not worthy cannot stand upon it. By blessing the ground beneath their feet with the power of their divine a Paladin can temporarily create hallowed ground.

• A Paladin places their hand on the ground or touches it with their weapon to infuse the area around it with holy power. The area is 7x7 with the Paladin at the center. The affected area is subject to the following Effects:

• First, a Paladin may choose if Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Demons, Eldritch and/or Undead can enter the area or not. After choosing such they may decide if specific characters are allowed to enter or not (this could be based off of individuals or those who worship a specific deity or live in a certain place etc.).
• Second, they may bind an extra effect below to the area. When a creature that would be affected enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, it is affected.

• Daylight: Bright light fills the area, enough to push back magical darkness and to see clearly. Does not count as sunlight.
• Energy Protection: Affected creatures in the area have increased resistance to a type of damage. This could be Elemental, Deific etc. but cannot be bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing. The resistance will cause wounds produced by the damage to be lessened slightly. For example, being burned via fire will require 1 emote longer to occur, but the creature will still feel pain. A Paladin can designate whether the effect applies to all creatures, creatures that follow a specific deity or leader, or creatures of a specific sort.
• Silence: No sound can emanate from within the area, and no sound can reach into it.

  Redlines:

• This spell takes 2 actions to cast and requires 3 Favor.
• Lasts for 4 rounds.
• Nachzehrer and Lycanthropes may enter this ground unless they are specifically told their character cannot enter.
• Some event creatures may force their way into a Hallow ground but will certainly suffer some sort of effect.

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[ Shout ]

Rank: 3 |   Description: A Paladin takes on the sources of evil and chaos ahead of all others, taking the pain and harm onto themselves. Paladins can shout at a target or select a few, startling them. Causing them to direct spells and/or attacks towards the Paladin or causing them to hesitate.

• This spell can be cast for an interruption action or a normal action and has a range of 50 blocks. The shout can affect up to 4 targets. distracting them. These targets are chosen by the Paladin at casting. Those affected must immediately emote whether the attack or spell is redirected towards the Paladin or delayed enough for their target to defend themselves or evade but not attack.
• The Paladin may sound like a predator of some kind.

Redlines:

• The Paladin does not require line of sight.
• The emote MUST be done in shout.
• Against animals or low intelligence creatures this serves as a form of “taunt”, drawing attention to them.

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[ Command ]

Rank: 4 |   Description: A powerful Truth a Paladin may access. As their gods are all facets of the God of Order they may command beings with varying degrees of success. This truth is not to be misused and one should remember the laws of a Paladin before they use it. A Paladin infuses their throat with the power of their faith and whether they can speak or not can command a creature to do one thing with one word.  

• A Paladin speaks a one-word command to a creature they can see within 20 blocks. The target must roll a 1d20 and receive a 19 or 20 to resist the command. If they do not, they follow the command immediately ( they emote the order, this does not disrupt turn order). The spell has no effect if they do not understand the Paladin’s language, or if their command is directly harmful to it. Examples of commands:

• Approach: The target does not dash but uses their block speed to move toward the Paladin by the shortest and most direct route, ending its turn if they move within 2 blocks of them. While moving they may use actions.
• Drop: The target drops whatever it is holding. They may continue to move as they like but must drop what they are holding and choose what is to be dropped.
• Flee: The target spends its turn moving away from the Paladin by the fastest available means. The target does not dash but uses their blockspeed. While moving they may use actions.
• Grovel: The target falls to their knees.
• Halt: The target doesn't move but may still take actions. A flying creature stays aloft, provided that it is able to do so. If it must move to stay aloft, it flies the minimum distance needed to remain in the air.

(( Use of this to do anything in the slightest sexual or romantic will lead to a permanent ban from our Services. ))   Redlines:

• This spell consumes five instances of a Paladin’s Favor, rather than one.
• Requires 2 emotes.
• A target cannot be commanded again for 4 rounds after being commanded.

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[ Exalted ]

Rank: 4 |   Description: The final Truth a Paladin may access, this allows them to channel the power of their divine throughout their body, enhancing their capabilities. They are hastily covered in light-reflecting their faith that fades slightly but remains around the Paladin as their eyes begin to glow. The Paladin surpasses many of their bodily limits as they become an exalted warrior of their faith.   On casting the Paladin immediately enters Exalted state. They may move their normal block speed regardless of armor, they are immune to fears and charms, they receive the positive effect of Castle Stone, their body and weapon have the effects of Deific Smite and they may cast Deific Spear for 0 favor cost. This lasts until they leave Exalted state.   The Paladin appears enveloped by mist that rises off of them in the color of their faith, that seemingly disappears after they leave the Exalted state. When the spell ends, a Paladin must rest in place, using no actions for 1 round.   Redlines:

• This spell consumes five instances of a Paladin’s Favor, rather than one.
• A Paladin may be in Exalted state for up to 3 Rounds but can leave earlier.

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The Paladin Orders and Sacred Sacraments

Paladins are not required to do so, but those who seek further understanding of the powers granted to them and the powers they serve often form into an Order. This allows for them to combine their Favor into one larger pool depending on how many join them, using their Truths collectively. This allows for certain Truths to spread their use to any other Paladinss within their respective Union. Deific Smites for instance, allows all Order Paladins to enchant each other’s weapons with the spell while within 6 blocks of each other. A Paladin may hand a Deific Spear to another Paladin of the same Order. Exalted can place another Paladin in Exalted state for 4 Favor instead of 5.   Lastly, a Paladin Order gains access to new abilities referred to as their Sacred Sacraments, provided the Order exists with at least three Paladins of Master Rank or higher. On casting any of these abilities, a total of three Favor must be spent from their now collective pool. None of these spells may be performed in the midst of combat, though may have adverse effects on it after the initial casting.

[ Paladin Hold ]

Rank: 1 | Description: Paladin Hold is the first of the Sacred Sacraments available to a Paladin Order. This Truth is considered to be the most basic of all of their abilities, as the Paladins come together to channel their favor into the area, helping to create a home for their newfound Order.   Mechanics: By casting this over a normal area an Order may classify the area as a temple. A Paladin Order may only have one. By achieving a trial set out by a supporting divine with 6 Paladins within the Order, they may upgrade the temple into a sanctuary.   Temple: While within a temple or within 10 blocks, Paladins heal in half the time while resting.

If a member of the Order worships the Divine Son Warlocks and Witches are weakened by a tier within.

If a member of the Order worships Qhethys or Ralios Darkspawn cannot use [Return Unto Death], [Step Unto Darkness], [Rage Unto Sin] or [Plea Unto Lords] while within.

Paladin spells require 1 emote less while in the temple (1 emote spells can be casted with a Fast Action).

Sanctuary: Carries the effects of a temple. A sanctuary is achieved when 6 Paladins are within an Order and have completed a trial. The range of Sanctuary is 15 blocks instead of 10. If combat initiates within a Sanctuary and it does involves a Paladin, over half the Paladins present may invoke a large divine spear from above onto a target. This may be done once an Age.   Redlines:

• May not be performed in the midst of combat.
• Costs 3 Favor.
• An ET/LT must act as the DM for the performance of this spell.
• A “temple” is considered a building. A Sanctuary can be up to the size of a district/neighborhood but not an entire city.
• This may overlap with a Cleric’s Sanctuary but the effects against Warlocks, Witches and Darkspawn do not stack.

 

[ Rally of the Faithful ]

Rank: 3 | Description:In the midst of chaos it is the Paladin’s duty to stand as a pillar of order and hope. Paladins may channel their divine energy into one amongst their ranks to create a flag in their hand or on their back. When this divine flag is planted all of the Paladin’s allies feel their exhaustion fade and their fears pushed away.   Mechanics: For 4 Favor a group of Paladins in the same Order may conjure a flag within the possession of one of them. The flag has until (the number of Paladins that helped + 1) to plant the flag on the ground. Once it is planted it lasts for the same amount of emotes and its effects begin. All Paladins of the same Order and their allies feel no exhaustion. Any movement towards the banner has +1. Those within 4 blocks of the flag are immune to supernatural fear. Once the banner fades the effects of exhaustion return to the Paladins and their allies. For 5 Favor the flag or banner can be placed and then moved while carrying its effects.   Redlines:

• The flag has until the (# of Paladins that channeled + 1) to be placed. If not placed 1 Favor is expended.
• Once the banner is placed the effects are immediate and last until the # of Paladins that channeled + 1.
• The Paladins decide what an ally is. If even one Paladin considers someone to be an ally they are affected, a change in this status, while the spell is in effect, must make sense.
• While participants may not feel exhaustion they are still able to pass out from it.

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Summary

Paladins offer a range of divine spells, and a unique system of liturgies and rituals which offer to help delve into the holy damage dealer archetype of regular devout Truthseeekrs. Accomplishing such throughout their strict following of tenants, and oaths. In terms of general summarized redlines and other tidbits they go as follows:

• Aesthetic actions, done in good faith in which no parties are hurt, and done in a way which makes proper sense, are completely fine.
• Any spells that greatly affect the landscape, such as some Sacraments, require RO Consent if used on a region tile.
• By attaining Paladin magic, you are no longer able to gain any other magics. The only exception would be Feats which may be applicable to one’s race (E.q. Fel Flame/Golemancy).
• A Paladin must ensure to follow the proper guidelines outlined in the appropriate rank as for their physical form.
• You may not cast a spell without properly practicing and researching said spell through RP means, whether this be via lessons from a teacher or going out into the world to study how the mechanics of such spell could be easily executed.
• For the sake of moderation tracking, ease of access, and for one’s own benefit, it is highly suggested that the player keeps their persona’s Favor Value in their persona prefix.
• Attempts to maliciously and knowingly powergame, loophole, or generally provide a low standard of RP with this and any other magic may lead to one’s MA being revoked.