THE PALADIN

The Median XL paladin class is an armour-clad heavyweight who can take a beating and return the favours with physical and elemental melee attacks and spells.

BACKGROUND OF THE MEDIAN XL PALADIN

After the fall of the Hand of Zakarum, the paladin orders disbanded one by one or were torn apart by internal conflicts. The weakening influence of the central Church in Kehjistan and the mysterious disappearance of the Que-Hegan only contributed to the chaos.

The faithful of the Light looked elsewhere for answers and banded together around the new prophets. From the ashes of the old orders, two sects with a radically different interpretation of the Akaran scriptures and diametrically opposite morals arose. Although many feared for a holy war, the leaders of the sects agreed to close their ranks and work together against the common foe unfettered by infighting and distrust.

The Covenant of the Golden Flame, led by a prophet who claims to receive instructions directly from the angel Auriel, preaches unity and brotherhood among the faithful of Zakarum and the destruction of those who work against the Church. By joining forces against the demonic legions, the armies of Man and Angel would be able to deliver the death blow to the Burning Hells.

The sinister Black Sun Cult, under the command of an avatar of the angel Imperius, sees mankind as inherently unstable and prone to fall to demonic temptation. For the High Heavens to win the Eternal War, its acolytes argue, humanity must be cleansed from Sanctuary.

Scholars believe that the schism between the two orders heralds an all out civil war in the High Heavens about the fate of Sanctuary. But all agree that whatever the outcome, it is in humanity’s best interest to banish all influence of the Burning Hells from Sanctuary...

BASE STATS

Strength : 25
Dexterity : 20
Vitality : 25 (75 life)
Energy : 15 (15 mana)

+30 life, +10 mana per level
Gains +3 life per point into vitality
Gains +2 mana per point into energy

PREFERRED WEAPONS

The holy warriors of the Covenant prefer heavy one-handed or two-handed crushing weapons to shatter the bones of their enemies. Only the Covenant’s champions can wield the order’s powerful maces and hammers, blessed in the holy waters of the Argentek for maximum impact.

Although a less common sight, some champions of the Church are seen wielding jousting lances. While lacking in speed, they enable the wielder to attack from a safe distance, avoiding most counterattacks.

The Black Sun Cult has less restrictive morals and is eager to do whatever it takes. Despite the corrupting influence of the arcane, the Cult’s warriors are trained in the use of magically charged channelling sceptres in melee and elemental combat.

PREFERRED ARMOUR

The Church is famous for its high quality shields, but many paladins eschew the use of a shield altogether. A true defender of the Light does not hide behind a shield, but challenges his enemies to strike first and then retaliates with decisive force.

The blackguards and shadowpriests of the Black Sun Cult on the other hand have no qualms about using a shield to protect themselves and their own interests and consider the two-handed combat style of the Covenant foolish and suicidal.

A distinctive feature of the paladin orders in battle are their full helms emblazoned with the order’s crest. The Covenant prefers the protection of the impenetrable steel hundsgugel helm, whereas the Cult goes for the intimidation factor of a large horned death’s head.

THE IRON CURTAIN

Although there is an uneasy peace between the two paladin orders, neither side has much love for the other and those who prefer to learn both doctrines would probably be treated as traitors and burned by the Covenant or flayed alive by the Cult.

You have to choose between holy and unholy skills. Neutral skills are allowed for both sides.

RESONANCE

Absolute conviction empowers absolutely. To the devout morninglord, every new day is a divine miracle. The first rays of the rising sun, the life-giving bonfire on a cold winter day, the light of a candle dispelling the nocturnal shadows. Zakarum's power is woven throughout the world, nourishing the morninglord's inner strength.

Holy caster paladins gain "Resonance" when standing near certain spells, which empowers their other spells.

SKILLS

Name	Icon	Effect
RETALIATE		A defender of the Light never strikes the first blow, but it is his holy plight to defend himself and viciously strike back against those who seek to commit wrongs against him. Effect: melee attack that releases a shockwave when struck
HAMMERSTRIKE		The knight of the Golden Flame is the Light's judge, jury and executor on the mortal plane, bringing the hammer of justice down upon the spawn of hell. Effect: melee attack that hits an area and has a % to deal massive damage
MERKABAH		To the faithful, the Light is a soothing blessed glow. To the wicked, it is a burning eye of final judgement, searing their flesh and spirit and eradicating them from this world. Effect: when active, periodically deals magic damage in a radius
LIONHEART		The faithful of Zakarum need not fear evil, for the Light is with them. A paladin of the Church never runs and never retreats until justice has been carried out. Effect: increases damage and defence but slows running speed
COLOSSEUM		Sanctifying the ground on which he chooses to make his stand, with the flame of Zakarum in his heart a single dragon knight can ward off an army. Effect: crash into target and raise an arena of fire that weakens enemies
SEARING GLOW		The Covenant crafts weapons and shields with carefully polished mirrors and lenses to focus the light of the sun onto an enemy, blasting the target with heat and holy force. Effect: damages and dazzles the target and nearby enemies
RING OF LIGHT		None shall pass! The initiate cleric raises a circle of holy fire to ward off evil. Those foolish enough to defy his authority are sent back to the Hells whence they came. Effect: creates a ring of holy fire
BRIMSTONE		Created to protect the sanctuaries of the Light, this warding rune is triggered by the presence of evil, immolating those who seek to harm the Covenant. Tremble in fear, witches and demons, the burning times are upon thee! Effect: magical ward at target area that explodes into holy fire
SUNSTORM		Most morninglords look down upon the flash and bang of the mage clans, preferring to work their miracles in silence. Still, the intimidation value of a storm of fiery swords cannot be underestimated. Effect: conjure a barrage of glowing swords at the nearest enemy
RISING DAWN		All good things come from above. The morning sun symbolises Zakarum's power, unfurling his heavenly fire in the sky to banish the beasts of darkness back to the black pits where they belong. Effect: slow moving sun damages enemies underneath with its rays
TERROR STRIKE		Not all of the Cult's miracles are divine. Even a novice blackguard knows how to empower his weapon with elemental force and launch a devastating strike while protecting himself with black metal armor from thin air. Effect: melee attack that empowers increases spell damage and defense
LEMURES		Zakarum is the beacon of all that is good and just. For those not among His faithful, all that awaits them after their fall from grace is the eternal darkness of the Void. Effect: melee attack that unleashes homing cold spirits
BLACK SLEEP		The initiate blackguard possesses the mind of an enemy with terrifying visions. The Black Sleep of Khalim Ma forces the victim to redeem itself by unwillingly aiding the cause of the Light. Effect: melee attack that converts enemy to fight evil
BLOOD THORNS		Prophet Akarat died for humanity's sins, and the blackguard of Zakarum is determined to make the heathen spawn of Hell die for theirs. Effect: melee attack that unleashes burning nails
HYMN		Singing this sinister chant to Zakarum, the paladin and his brothers are blessed for each drop of heathen blood spilled. Effect: party gains life on successful melee attacks
TAINTED BLOOD		The Cult's harsh food regime, mostly consisting of heathen flesh, prepares them for the reality of having to survive on dubious mushrooms and toxic spiders on the field. Effect: infects caster or target ally with healing poison
MIND FLAY		With a dark prayer, the adept shadowpriest unleashes a storm of divine fire and lightning to melt the faces of those who stand against the Cult. Effect: chaos energy beam that explodes on the target
SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION		The cleansing of this world is as an unstoppable rock that rolls down from Mount Zakarum to strike down the pagans with thunder and lightning, power and might. Effect: when active, nearby enemies randomly explode into gibs
SLAYER		He who rejects the authority of the Light will forever be haunted by nightmares of the Cult's creatures clawing at him and dragging him down into Hell to burn. Effect: shadow creature guards an area with unholy bolts
STORMLORD		Where the Covenant preaches modesty and humbleness before the Light and their fellow men, the Black Sun Cult believes that a warrior of Heaven has nothing to be ashamed of. Seize the power before the enemy does. Passive effect: bonus to all attributes
VESSEL OF JUDGEMENT		Even the most novice paladin walks with the power of Zakarum, his presence striking down the forces of Hell where they stand. Effect: automatically casts energy bolts at nearby enemies
RAPTURE		Free of earthly limits, the paladin reaches his full God-given potential, mowing down the enemies of the Light like an avenging whirlwind from heaven. Effect: temporarily increases all character speeds
LIGHT AND SHADOW		Meditation in his order’s martial temple strengthens the holy knight's aura of righteousness or hatred, empowering the physical ethereal manifestation of his resolve. Passive effect: improves your Vessel of Judgement based on alignment
SACRED ARMOR		Zakarum protects His faithful in times of need. With the subtle aid of His spirits, the paladin's enemies fumble and manage to strike only glancing blows. Effect: temporary invulnerability shield
SCOURGE		There is no justice like angry mob justice. The farmers and workers of Westmarch stand ready to aid in the battle against the unholy menace. Effect: summons zealous followers

UBERSKILLS

You may choose a single uberskill at character level 90.

Name	Icon	Effect
PLAGUE		The black death of Zakarum cleanses the land, consuming the pagan and godless and leaving only the honourable and faithful in its wake. Passive effect: adds poison to weapon attacks
SUPERBEAST		Giving himself over to the spirits of the Shadow, the paladin of the Cult slaughters his enemies in the throes of holy madness. Effect: turns caster into a shadowfiend, increasing all speeds
RESURRECT		The embrace of Zakarum represents love, compassion and forgiveness. Even those shown the Light after the most heinous crimes are granted a chance to redeem their wrongs by the grace of Zakarum. Effect: raises dead monsters to fight for you

INNATE SKILL

Paladins start with the following skill in their icon list.

Name	Icon	Effect
VINDICATE		Zakarum rewards those who fight selflessly for all that is good and just. It is said that the Light blesses his greatest champions with eternal life and the power to fight forever as a hero of justice. Curse effect: killing cursed foe heals party and increases damage