Official Road to Purgatory-Beta Forum

-Kelgarn, confirmed Beta-Account

Hey Guys and welcome back to the Profiles of Power

Today, I thought we would look at one of those who brought an old paradigm into the World of Mundus, the Light-sider. Mundus as a world is quite steeped in shades of grey, many more than fifty, with two Pantheons striving for dominance. Neither of them is what I would call sunshines and rainbows but at the same time, neither is what I would call evil. They just are what they are. Now, one group, the Crusade of Light, is going their own way, punishing wickedness and evil, whatever they define those as.

The one we are looking at is Howardlight, their leader. Let’s see what we can find out about him.

Race: looks human, but didn’t start in the human area, instead started with the Valkyries

Class: We’ve seen some glowing, shining magic but wear plate-armour. If not for the fact that there shouldn’t be such a thing as a Paladin on Mundus, wrong culture. But it looks like a Paladin, walks like a Paladin and smites like a Paladin, I guess that’s what I’ll call it.

So, Paladin

Titles: Unknown

Relevant Skills:

This one is using a Mace (or rather a Morningstar) instead of the Longsword (or Arming Sword) most people are using but as usual there is a weapon-skill involved, most likely the specialised one. Similarly, there is going to be a shield-mastery and an armour-mastery skill, unless something is very wrong.

But then it gets more interesting, with a sort of Light-, Holy-, or Radiant-Magic, not sure what it is called within Mundus or if it is only one skill. There seem to be multiple abilities that fit that bill, take a look what I mean:

shield.avi

A Figure, clad in solid Plate-Armour, wielding a spiked mace in one hand and a shield in the other, all made from polished metal, embossed with golden decorations, is standing in a line of similarly armed fighters. Coming towards them is a group of Undead, slowly shambling as low moans and groans are heard. The Undead outnumber the fighters by about three to one.

“Aegis of Light!” the figure shouts out, raising his shield towards the sky and from the shield, a golden light radiates outward, enveloping the fighters. The light only lasts for a second before disappearing from the shield, leaving a lingering glow on the fighters it had touched.

The zombies crash into the fighters and it seems as if their attacks slow down, just a bit, before hitting them, as if they are moving through liquid instead of air.

smite.avi

The same figure as in the first video is seen again, only this time he is alone, fighting a large, the size of a small horse, feline monster, trying to rip his face off with its claws. He uses his shield to absorb some of the pounces force, letting himself get pushed aside instead of trying to take the weight of the monster and getting knocked down. Stumbling, he turns, trying to keep the monster in his sight and takes a weak swing with his Morning Star, without leverage or weight behind it. But just before he hits, he calls out the words “Divine Strike!” and the moment his weapon makes contact, a flash of light bursts out and the massive cat gets knocked to the side, smashing heavily into a nearby tree.

radiance.avi

The scene seems to be a continuation of the first one, a group of warriors fighting the undead. Some undead carcasses are littering the ground but not a single fighter went down, until suddenly one of the undead gets a grip on a fighter’s shield, pulling him forward. The previously impervious line is broken and while some undead try to press into the gap, many more hands try to drag the fighter deeper into the milling mass of bodies and onto the ground where the armour can be cracked open like a tin-can.

“Radiance of Light!” calls the original figure, raising the Morning Star high, into the sky. The spikes on it start glowing and after a second, the glow is mirrored around the downed fighter, building until it explodes outwards, both from the Morning Star and the downed figure, burning away the undead. Moments later, the downed figure rises back up, as if nothing had happened, using the opening created by the explosion to get back into the armoured line.

-----

Now, as you can see he is able to use his magic quickly in a combat-situation and it also looks quite versatile.

In addition to those abilities, he is reported to be able to heal but there’s no video other than the last, in which there might be a healing-effect alongside the explosive light-effect, we just don’t know. Otherwise, the usual suspects like Athletics are likely and maybe a Leadership-skill, similar to those explained by Tobiuno.

What more have you seen from this Crusader and his character? Add your observations here, maybe we can learn more about this strange idea, a force of light in a world dominated by shades of grey.

Howardlight, confirmed Beta-Account

So, it is my turn now? Oh, well, let me help you out a little, with the question of my Race.

Valkar is not just a continent of Valkyries or maybe it would be better to say that not all Valkyries are the same. While we all start out with wings, the ability to fly is a little more restricted, coming only after completing a series of quests for one of the Temples, gaining the Blessing of Heimdal, Guardian of the Gods. Otherwise, you would have to lift your full weight with your wings, something nigh impossible without insane levels of attributes, mainly Strength and Agility. The Blessing allows you to fly with about a tenth of the required attributes.

But how does that relate to my character, you might ask? Well, you don’t have to go that way and I decided to follow another path and forego the ability to fly. Sure, it would be nifty but it’s just not for me. Instead, I dedicated myself to Tyr, God of War. The dedication made me into an Einherjar, taking my wings but instead giving me a multitude of other abilities.

Good Luck with the rest of your quest for knowledge.

Tobiuno, confirmed Beta-Account

I’m not sure if what he is using are spells, at least in the in-game. To me, it looks more like some of his skills have taken on an elemental slant, giving them additional attributes. I know that there are skills that have a similar base-line, Heavy Blow for his Divine Strike and Shieldwall for his Aegis of Light but their effects are purely physical. When looking at the videos you posted, there seems to be more to it than that.

Jeanyra, confirmed Beta-Account

Well, that would require us to make a definition of what counts as magic and what not. I mean, some of the martial abilities blur the line of what is normally possible without costing Astral Power while some of the magic skills just add a glow to a normal strike.

But I’d say that the abilities definitely break the normal laws of physics so I’d call them magic, just to have a classification.

Anyway, the Radiance of Light looks very similar to my own Fireblast, which instantly creates an explosion of fire at a targeted location. No healing effect, obviously, but otherwise it looks very similar. Who knows about restrictions, I know that my own Fireblast has some, especially if I want to cast it rapidly, but the rules might be different for his abilities.

Rachant, confirmed Beta-Account

I know that one of his Titles is Undead Hunter, which gives him and everyone in his vicinity a bonus to damage against Undead. I know, shocking effect but what do you expect? Generic title has generic effect.

-Hammasce, confirmed Beta-Account

I know of another title, or maybe role if it’s an official title recognised by the game as such but I think so. He is allowed to act as a legal prosecutor with limited powers to judge people on the spot,

Not certain on the procedure and limits of that authority he seems to be using it very sparingly, almost reluctant. Which is good because otherwise it would be a massive pain in the ass.

Tobiuno, confirmed Beta-Account

I have similar authority on the lands I govern for Duke Highever and can tell you, they come with significant caveats. I can’t say that it’s the same for him but I know that if I’m caught abusing those legal powers, I’ll get branded an outlaw and hunted down, everywhere within the Human Empire. That would mean I can’t access a whole continent, would most likely lose my class and get repeatedly killed until I essentially give up the Character.

So yeah, if someone gives you great power, it comes with even greater responsibility. I can understand why he is hesitant to use those perks, if they work in a similar way.

Howardlight, confirmed Beta-Account

Yes, the sword of Justice cuts both ways, there are similar penalties involved for me, just a little harsher. The standing I enjoy doesn’t come from a Lord or secular Power but from the Church and Tyr directly. I REALLY don’t want to know what would happen if His blessing is withdrawn.

Yuthos, confirmed Beta-Account

Tyr, as in the guy who gave you your Race-Change? Or advanced your Race? Most likely while crossing the first Divide? And who is likely the source of your Divine Magic?

Part of me really would like to see the punishment for abusing your rights.