Paladin - Erion's Vanguard
Holy warriors who carry the Spark of Light into battle against the darkness.
Paladin - Erion's Vanguard
Tank / Support Hybrid
When Anias fell, her son Erion inherited the Spark of Light-the first light ever created. He could not bear its burden alone. To those mortals who swore to defend Arcania, he granted fragments of this divine radiance. They became the Paladins: living shields against the darkness, bearers of hope in the Abyssal Age.
The Paladin Tradition
"I carry a fragment of the first light ever created. When I fall-and I will fall-that light will pass to another. We are not individuals. We are a chain of flame stretching back to Erion himself, and forward until the darkness is finally broken."
Aldric the Undying, First Paladin
Origin of the Vanguard
When Anias died in the Duskfall, her son Erion faced an impossible choice. His mother had given him the Spark of Light-the very first light she ever created, the essence of her being-with her dying breath. He could guard it alone, hoarding divine power while Arcania burned. Or he could share it.
Erion chose to share.
The first to receive a fragment was Aldric, a human knight who had defended Anias's temple against overwhelming odds. Though his body was broken and his soldiers dead, Aldric refused to flee. When Erion offered him a choice between peaceful death and eternal war, Aldric chose war.
That was two hundred years ago. Aldric still fights. He is called "the Undying" not because he cannot die, but because he will not stop. He is the template for all Paladins: mortals who choose duty over comfort, service over self, light over safety.
Philosophy of the Spark
Paladins believe the Spark of Light is not power to be wielded, but responsibility to be carried. Each fragment is a sacred trust from Erion, and through him, from Anias herself. To bear the Spark is to accept three oaths:
| Attribute | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Oath of Protection | Sacred Duty | Shield the innocent, even at cost of your life |
| The Oath of Truth | Sacred Duty | Speak no lies, break no promises |
| The Oath of Service | Sacred Duty | Your life belongs to Arcania, not yourself |
The Price of Breaking Faith
A Paladin who breaks their oaths does not simply lose power-they become Hollow. The Spark is extinguished, leaving an empty shell that feels nothing, wants nothing, hopes for nothing. The Hollow wander Arcania as tragic warnings: the light gives everything, and takes everything when betrayed.
Lore Connections
| Attribute | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | The Spark of Light | Fragments of the first light, granted by Erion |
| Divine Patron | Erion | Son of Anias and Marael, Last of the Gods |
| Sacred Site | Valoryn | Erion's stronghold, where the Spark burns brightest |
| Enemy | The Dominion | Alassa's forces seek to extinguish all light |
Regional Ties:
- Valoryn - The heart of Paladin training, where Erion himself occasionally appears
- Lumeria - Many Paladins pilgrimage here to honor Anias's memory
- All Homelands - Paladins serve wherever darkness threatens
Racial Affinities:
Luminar - Natural affinity; they are fragments of Anias's light, Paladins carry Erion's
Darkan - Many seek the Spark as redemption for their Titan heritage
Humans - Aldric was human; the order welcomes all who prove worthy
Lilin - Some Dream-daughters have embraced the Spark, blending dream and light
Class Relations
| Class | Relationship | How Paladins View Them |
|---|---|---|
| Cleric | Allied Siblings | Both serve the divine light through different paths. Clerics heal with Anias's essence; we fight with Erion's gift. Together, we are complete. |
| Warrior | Respectful Tension | We admire their discipline but question their rejection of divine aid. In the end, we fight the same enemy-and that is enough. |
| Mage | Cautious Alliance | The Anguish is dangerous, born of the very forces that threaten Arcania. But Mages have chosen to turn that power against our enemies. We trust their courage, if not their methods. |
| Ranger | Natural Complement | They connect to Anias's dreams; we carry her son's gift. Different aspects of the same divine legacy, united against darkness. |
Notable Figures
Aldric the Undying
The First Paladin. A human knight who received the first fragment of the Spark from Erion himself. Two hundred years later, he still leads the charge against the Dominion. Some say he has become more light than flesh-that when he finally falls, the original Spark will return to Erion. Others say he simply refuses to die until Alassa is defeated.
Vharun the Fallen Warden
Once the greatest Paladin of his generation, Vharun was captured by Alassa's forces and corrupted by the Anguish Stone. He now serves as one of her Five Generals, ruling the Dreadmar Frontier. Every Paladin knows his story: a reminder that even the brightest light can be extinguished, and that the enemy knows exactly how to break them.
High Commander Seris
Current leader of the Paladin Order in Valoryn. A Luminar who has served for three centuries, she coordinates the Vanguard's operations across all fronts. She is one of the few beings Aldric treats as an equal.
Playstyle
Paladins are the frontline of Arcania's defense. They absorb punishment, protect allies, and punish evil with holy vengeance.
Combat Flow
Engage → Taunt Enemies → Shield Bond Ally → Divine Strike → Judgment
Paladins excel as the frontline protector. Use Righteous Taunt to draw enemy attention, Shield Bond to protect your squishiest ally, then deal damage with Divine Strike and Judgment of Erion.
Abilities
All Paladin abilities can be leveled from 1 to 10. Higher levels increase effectiveness and reduce cooldowns.
Divine Strike
Type: Single Target Attack
A holy-infused melee attack. The Paladin swings their weapon which glows briefly with golden light, dealing holy damage to a single enemy.
| Level | Damage | Mana | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 + (Physical Attack × 0.75) | 25 | 8s |
| 2 | 95 + (Physical Attack × 0.8) | 25 | 7.5s |
| 3 | 110 + (Physical Attack × 0.85) | 25 | 7s |
| 4 | 125 + (Physical Attack × 0.9) | 30 | 6.5s |
| 5 | 140 + (Physical Attack × 0.95) | 30 | 6s |
| 6 | 160 + (Physical Attack × 1.0) | 30 | 5.5s |
| 7 | 180 + (Physical Attack × 1.05) | 35 | 5s |
| 8 | 200 + (Physical Attack × 1.1) | 35 | 4.5s |
| 9 | 225 + (Physical Attack × 1.15) | 35 | 4s |
| 10 | 250 + (Physical Attack × 1.25) | 40 | 3s |
Righteous Taunt
Type: Aggro / Taunt
The Paladin shouts a challenge, forcing all nearby enemies to target them for a duration. A small shockwave effect appears around the Paladin when cast. Essential for protecting allies in group content.
| Level | Duration | Range | Mana | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3s | 8m | 30 | 20s |
| 2 | 3.5s | 8m | 30 | 19s |
| 3 | 4s | 9m | 35 | 18s |
| 4 | 4.5s | 9m | 35 | 17s |
| 5 | 5s | 10m | 40 | 16s |
| 6 | 5.5s | 10m | 40 | 15s |
| 7 | 6s | 11m | 45 | 14s |
| 8 | 6.5s | 11m | 45 | 13s |
| 9 | 7s | 12m | 50 | 12s |
| 10 | 8s | 12m | 50 | 10s |
Shield Bond
Type: Defensive / Support
The Paladin creates a defensive link with the nearest ally, sharing 50% of their Physical Defense with that ally. A faint golden line connects both characters while active. The Paladin keeps their full defense-both characters benefit.
| Level | Defense Shared | Duration | Mana | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50% of Phys Def | 6s | 35 | 25s |
| 2 | 50% of Phys Def | 7s | 35 | 24s |
| 3 | 50% of Phys Def | 8s | 40 | 23s |
| 4 | 50% of Phys Def | 9s | 40 | 22s |
| 5 | 50% of Phys Def | 10s | 45 | 20s |
| 6 | 50% of Phys Def | 11s | 45 | 18s |
| 7 | 50% of Phys Def | 12s | 50 | 16s |
| 8 | 50% of Phys Def | 13s | 50 | 14s |
| 9 | 50% of Phys Def | 14s | 55 | 12s |
| 10 | 50% of Phys Def | 15s | 55 | 10s |
Judgment of Erion (Ultimate)
Type: Area Attack / Ultimate
A pillar of light drops from above onto a target area, dealing heavy holy damage to all enemies within and stunning them.
| Level | Damage | Radius | Stun | Mana | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 400 + (Physical Attack × 1.5) + (Magic Attack × 0.5) | 8m | 1.5s | 100 | 180s |
| 2 | 480 + (Physical Attack × 1.65) + (Magic Attack × 0.55) | 8m | 1.5s | 100 | 170s |
| 3 | 560 + (Physical Attack × 1.8) + (Magic Attack × 0.6) | 9m | 1.5s | 100 | 160s |
| 4 | 650 + (Physical Attack × 1.95) + (Magic Attack × 0.65) | 9m | 1.8s | 100 | 150s |
| 5 | 750 + (Physical Attack × 2.1) + (Magic Attack × 0.7) | 10m | 1.8s | 100 | 140s |
| 6 | 860 + (Physical Attack × 2.25) + (Magic Attack × 0.75) | 10m | 2.0s | 100 | 130s |
| 7 | 980 + (Physical Attack × 2.4) + (Magic Attack × 0.8) | 11m | 2.0s | 100 | 120s |
| 8 | 1100 + (Physical Attack × 2.55) + (Magic Attack × 0.88) | 11m | 2.2s | 100 | 110s |
| 9 | 1250 + (Physical Attack × 2.7) + (Magic Attack × 0.95) | 12m | 2.2s | 100 | 100s |
| 10 | 1400 + (Physical Attack × 3.0) + (Magic Attack × 1.0) | 12m | 2.5s | 100 | 90s |
Starting Stats
| Attribute | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 14 | Divine might flows through you |
| Intelligence | 6 | Faith, not knowledge |
| Vitality | 14 | The light sustains your body |
| Agility | 8 | Steady, not swift |
| Spirit | 8 | Connection to the divine |
Base HP: 200 | Base Mana: 100