Fallen Paladin
Destroyers of the light. Champions of the battlefield, and the cause of shadows. They seek above all else to dominate.
In the realms of Altius, where the clash between light and darkness rages, there are those who have succumbed to the allure of forbidden power, forsaking their pasts and descending into darkness.
These individuals, known as fallen paladins, are infused with shadowed power, wielding the forces of death to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. These paladins are paragons of domination, wielding their divine gifts towards whatever ends they hold meaningful, for themselves.
Clad in wicked armor, their hearts burn with an unwavering dedication to their dark cause. No matter what paths they choose, they find themselves drawn towards the forbidden, and the forbidden drawn towards them.
Fallen Paladins are harbingers of doom, forever marked by their shadowed aura. Their armor symbolizes their powerful nature, blackened and twisted into ragged edges and dark colors. Their countenance, radiant with divine darkness, instills awe and fear, reflecting the shadows that have consumed their soul.
Their eyes gleam with twisted determination, cowing those who would even think to stop them.
The fallen paladin's abilities are a reflection of their dark glory. They wield shadow magic, drawing power from the potent emotions that drive them towards their goals. Their spells are infused with malevolence, capable of inflicting pain, sowing discord, and corrupting the souls of their enemies.
They manipulate shadows, cloaking themselves in invulnerable darkness to strike without risk of retaliation, and instill fear in the hearts of their foes.
Fallen Paladin Class Stats
Note that these stats are not specifically used in Eternity TTRPG. Instead, these representative stats are meant to provide an overall idea of how the class plays. Definitions are provided below which do directly align with the Eternity TTRPG system.
Attack: the overall ability of the class to deal damage and set the tempo in a battle.
Defense: the innate ability of the class to reduce damage and negative effects taken, both from physical and magical attacks.
Intuition: represents skills such as perception, stealth, or sixth-sense abilities to help them avoid otherwise unforeseeable harm.
Magic: the innate ability of the class to manipulate the very fabric of Altius and The Dream, turning those powers to their will.
Special: not all unique "powers" are magical in nature, and some classes have magic-like, "special" abilities.
Quickness: the overall speed, mobility, and initiative of the class.
Utility: the ability of the class to bolster allies, debilitate enemies, or provide useful effects in various out-of-combat situations.
Versatility:
the class' ability to adapt to any situation or environment, both in and out of combat.
Fallen Paladin Traits
| Trait | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Skill | +5 Intimidate |
| Knowledge | +5 Politics |
| Sword of Shadows | +1 Strike Bonus or +1Faith |
| Shield of Corruption | +2 Dodge and +1 Resilience |
| Blood Healing | +2 Will and +1 Resilience |
Fallen Paladin Spells and Abilities
The following fallen paladin spell and ability descriptions provide summaries of their actual in-game effects.
Blight (Magic)
If this Spell hits, you gain increased hit chance against the target. Additionally, it becomes easier to hit the target with ongoing “Desecration” damage, and when the target takes damage, you it becomes easier for you to cause healing from that damage, with “Life Eater.”
Blood Spiller (Magic)
After you cast this Spell on yourself, every time you attack an enemy, you have a chance to deal additional damage. You can choose to continually maintain this Spell.
Dark Hold (Magic)
If this Spell hits, the target is Dazed for 2turns.
Desecration (Magic)
Up to 3 enemies if this Spell hits, on every one of each affected enemies’ turns, they have a chance to take damage. You can choose to continually maintain this Spell as an aura, making it an Instant Action at the start of every Battle.
Dread March
This Ability can only be used when you drop to 0HP. Instant Action, heal some HP. This effect also Fatigues you, giving lowered Resilience, Dodge, and Will.
Life Eater (Magic)
After you cast this Spell on yourself, whenever a nearby enemy takes damage, you have a chance to heal one ally. You can choose to continually maintain this Spell.
Nihilism (Magic)
Up to 3 enemies, all affected targets have lowered hit chance against every target but you. Even if this Spell misses, all enemies you targeted also have minor increased hit chance against you.
Oathbreaker
If this attack hits, it deals shadow damage (deals additional damage to Light Aura Units). Also, if the target isn’t healed by the end of their next turn, they take additional damage.
Shadow Aura (Faith of Darkness)
Every turn, you have a chance to gain immunity to all damage and negative effects the next time you are attacked. Gaining immunity from this effect also Fatigues you, giving lowered Resilience, Dodge, and Will.
You also automatically detect Light Aura units within 100 yards and you are immune to shadow damage. Once this Ability is chosen it becomes a passive effect, always active, and cannot be dispelled.
Wicked Armor (Magic)
After this Spell has been cast, the target gains additional Will. When you cast this Spell on yourself, the Will gained is increased. You can choose to continually maintain this Spell.
Fallen Paladin Playstyle
When it comes to combat, the fallen paladin is a true force of both raw offensive and defensive power. It's an absolute blast when you get the experience of starting your first turn with a successful roll from "Shadow Aura," granting you immunity to the next attack against you, so you can charge into your enemies with reckless, dark abandon.
For maximum damage, you can combine uses of "Oathbreaker" with "Bloodspiller," which forces your enemies into using healing effects, or they'll take even more damage. "Desecration" is another way to chip away at multiple enemies at a time.
If you want to focus on protecting allies as a fallen paladin, "Dark Hold" lets you Daze enemies, while "Nihilism" works as a form of Taunt, so your allies are protected against enemy attacks.
Finally, "Blight" increases the effectiveness of all your attacks and abilities against one target, which improves your chance to heal from "Life Eater," as well, allowing you to sustain difficult fights for longer periods, as you and your allies receive ongoing healing. If things get desperate, you also have "Dread March" available as a last resort, to make sure you finish battles on top.
Fallen Paladin Lore
It is not only the fallen paladin’s magic that has been tainted. All of the fallen paladin’s combat prowess is a manifestation of their inner conflict.
They wield their weapons with a brutal efficiency, striking with a ferocity that belies their fallen nature. Their blows carry the weight of their shattered faith, leaving behind scars that may never heal.
Yet, despite their descent into darkness, fallen paladins still possess a flicker of a greater, noble purpose. They may have forsaken oaths and broken paths of former morality, but deep within their corrupted hearts, a glimmer of virtue remains.
In moments of clarity, they find themselves willing to align their own purposes with the needs of others. Of course, it is not for others that fallen paladins journey and adventure, but they do not always see others as merely tools or obstacles, and may help those in need when it suits them.
It is in these moments that fallen paladins have the potential to claim true fame, and find new purpose in their twisted existence.
Fallen paladins are often found in the darkest corners of the world, where the forces of evil hold sway. They are drawn to places of corruption, seeking to understand the depths of their own darkness, and perhaps find a way to both authentically be themselves, and yet also help those whom they care for.
Their presence is a constant reminder of the fine line between divine power and damnation, a rolemodel for those who would wield power without heed for its consequences.
In the world of Altius, where the struggle between light and darkness continues unabated, fallen paladins serve as a testament to the frailty of mortal souls. They are a reminder that even the most noble and powerful heroes can be defeated by these champions of darkness, and that the life of an adventurer is a path fraught with peril – both from monsters of the wild, and from dark forces within city walls.
Will the lights of Altius succumb to the shadows brought forth by these champions of darkness? Will fallen paladins crush the world in despair, laying claim to its realms as beacon of death and darkness? Only time will tell.
