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The Holy Talent Set

Of all the Talent Sets in the Champions of Battle universe, the Holy Talents are the most powerful.  This has led many an unwitting Adventurer to the monasteries seeking the power to crush opponents.  However, unpredictable and seemingly unending journeys await all who start the path of a Holy Warrior.

Relatively few who begin learning about the Holy Talents study long enough to learn a single skill from that set.  Most regret ever hearing about the Holy Talents as they are often side tracked while on quests.

Champions using the Holy Talents enjoy great boosts to whatever other talents they have chosen.  Stat increasing skills can be increased tenfold and last much longer.  Effects that last seconds can last minutes.  Effects that last hours can last days.  Attacks rarely miss even if the target turns invisible and the Holy Champions often get extra hints on how to complete quests.

However, the great power has a cost.  Any player using the Holy talents cannot in anyway take part in dishonorable actions.  Any holy buff on any character dissipates if they do so.  That means no stealing, no needless killing, no cheap shots, and no field burning or random acts of mayhem.  To some, these are the actions that make free roaming games fun but a Champion using the Holy Talents may suffer severe consequences if they take part.

Holy Warriors that commit too many dishonorable actions would be under attack by their own skills.  The Champion’s attacks become untrustworthy and often backfire.  What would have been a devastating hit to an opponent may heal them instead.  A spell that would have been a stat increase may instead set that stat near zero.  The Character may uncharacteristically fall during a chase or become clumsy while trying to be stealthy.

Another major downside to the Holy Talent Set is that the Champion must aid other players or NPCs.  A player that sees a Holy Talent user can ask for help with a difficult (or simple, or impossible) quest at any time.  If an NPC asks for help, the player will have to help them unless the Champion already has a priority quest.

NPCs knowingly take advantage of Champions and occasionally give quests with high risks and low rewards.  Most Champions can deny these requests but for a Holy Warrior, denying too many requests will start to count as dishonorable actions.  The Holy Talent user does not know the point where they have done too much harm or too little to help.  There is no status bar that says when the Holy abilities start to backfire.  The only meter is the outcome of an attack or buff.  Frightened by possible injury, the Champions usually take and finish every quest no matter where they lead.

In the stories, the Holy Talents were discovered alongside the Unholy Talents.  The two talent sets are relatively new with a large, completely unpredictable, duality themed story.  Both sets can be in use at the same time as they are not polar opposites like the names suggest.  Of course, the Unholy Beast becomes a much larger problem so the player has to be extra careful.

Holy Champions on their random quests interact with many more NPCs than the average player cares to look at.  Left with a great impression, the many touched citizens are often grateful enough to tell tales of a Holy Warrior long after the warrior has moved on.

Tales of their power reach the ears of new Adventurers that often want to pursue this power.

Characters known to use the Holy Talents:

Neely Yin, Hachiro Tai, Justice He

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #032

Catlin and Neely dashed through the back alleys of West Drop for a sign; any possible signs of struggles.  Catlin needed to search thoroughly but she knew they were running out of time.  If the city’s citizens were to be believed, Brisa was seen running with a young lady down these very alleys a few hours ago.

When there were fewer people around, Catlin searched more intently.  She knew the gankers attacked quickly and efficiently.  They would attack where they would not be seen, kill the target, and take what they wanted.  Catlin hoped that Brisa found a way to escape the trap and get away, but with Brisa’s perception the way it was, chances were slim.

Though Neely’s movements were aided by his new mech suit, Catlin often left him behind as they frantically searched each and every alleyway.  Catlin hoped to find Brisa whole and alive.  Soon, every bend became a dramatic event.  With every empty or otherwise used alleyway, Catlin praised that Brisa wasn’t found harmed yet was frustration that Brisa wasn’t found at all.

The pair had come to what seemed like another dead end.  They had searched the area’s set of back alleys with no trace of Brisa yet.  They were very near a populated area, a shopping complex.  There, they had turned to an alley they had barely seen with Catlin’s rushed pace.

About half an hour ago, they had gained the attention of a guard though he lagged far behind them both.  He was strangely unconvinced that Brisa had been taken this way even though every townsfolk up to this point had said otherwise.  They searched through the alley for evidence but found none of Brisa.

After a few minutes, the guard jogged around the corner.  They learned his name was Sasuke Si, a new recruit that apparently has not finished his endurance training.  Bent over and out of breath he barely managed to speak, “I think… we should go… to head… quarters… get more men… looking.”

At this the pair stared at each other and then at him, in awe.  They were astonished as his actions showed utter incompetence.  In the alley, there were blood stains, sword slashed walls, and many other signs of numerous struggles.  This may not have been where Brisa was lead, but it definitely was worth looking into.

Catlin’s eyes turned flame red though she asked calmly, “What do we have to look for?”

At almost the same time, Neely spoke up, “I think you should call this in.”

Taking in the sight of the bloody alleyway, Sasuke staggered back and had to agree.  He promptly left the alley and reached for his handheld.

Looking at the guard walk away, Catlin knew he would be of no help.  She searched deeper into the alley and found a locked door that she knew had to lead somewhere.  Waving Neely to her area, she asked, “Do you think this is the place?”

“This has to be the place,” he responded, “The rest stop guy clearly said there was a singular group of gankers.”  He reasoned further, “The townsfolk also said that the same lady had brought other people in this way.”

“And this is where they went,” Catlin reasoned.

Neely’s handheld buzzes.  He answers and finds Liana on the other end.  Apparently he and Catlin had lost track of time because it was nearing hour seventeen.  Jaquan wanted to leave for Bear Gate immediately.

Neely understood his rush, Jaquan had taken a big risk setting aside his pride for this opportunity.  However, looking at Catlin’s face Neely knew that she wanted to stay in West Drop and find Brisa.  “I’m sorry,” he said, “Could you go on without us?  We’ll catch up to you guys soon.”

“Alright, see you th…,” were Liana’s words as her image faded from his handheld.

#1 – Opportunity #31 – Opportunity #33

Sons of Sword: Tales of Glory – Lost and Found #029

Still sprinting, Metcalf had accepted her failure a few city blocks ago.  She would have to try to retrieve the microchip another day once things cooled down.  Infiltration would be more far difficult.  Master Fu loved to make her tests very realistic.

Metcalf would worry about getting back into the factory later.  Now it was time to rest and catch her breath.  She was far enough away to avoid problems.  The training-bots would probably have reset to their original positions by now.  She stopped running and settled for a good slow walk back to the extraction point.

Somewhere in this part of town, Master Fu waited in their techno-van.  Once Metcalf reached the point, Master Fu would probably drill her on focus and concentration techniques, again.  The review would continue until Metcalf finally got it right, then she would try to infiltrate the factory again.

The morning sky started to brighten slowly.  The Moss Hill business district looked rather nice in the morning hues.  In this smaller but well established city, there were fewer attention grabbing neon signs and more brick walls, painted concrete walls, and simple wooden banners.  The city looked rather plain on its own.  However, the slight reflection of the purple clouds and blue shaded sky had a simple charm as she looked down the street.

But, where was the van?

It had to be around here somewhere.  Metcalf had followed the main road the same road she used to get to the factory from the drop off point.  She was careful to check down all the streets since she was unfamiliar with this city.  As with most cities, the factory district streets were empty this time of day.  If there was a van down any of the streets, it was most likely Master Fu.

Finally having enough of searching, Metcalf looked up the van’s location on her handheld.  A hologram of the city appeared in the air above the metallic circle in her hand.  It was a bit harder to see outside, but she was certain that the van’s location was moving and was currently near the park.  Her escape vehicle was at the other side of town!

Pressing a few buttons on her handheld, Metcalf angrily called Master Fu, “Why are you by the park.”  Her voice was as calm as she could keep it.  However, she struggled to keep from yelling angrily.  Not only would that give away her position, it would be an outrageous breach of protocol and rank to speak that way to a Founder.

“Excuse me?  You never called for extraction,” was Master Fu’s response, “I’m not psychic.”

“Well I need it,” Metcalf turned her ear towards the factory’s commotion, “As fast as the bird dives.”

“I should get to you in a few minutes.”

She had already sprinted for a few minutes.  By now, Metcalf was a good distance away from the factory but could still see it through the buildings around her.  In her monocle, she magnified the sight of the factory to gather what had happened there within the last few minutes.

The factory security had become quite active.  Training-bots were leaving the warehouse in small attack squads with blasters and various melee weapons.  Other training-bots flew around searching the area in air bike patrols.  Apparently, they had already searched the factory’s immediate area.  They had fanned out and begun sweeping larger areas.  Master Fu must have really put a lot of thought into this test.

One of the sky patrols was dangerously close to Metcalf.  With a deep sigh she said, “I may not have that long.”

#1 – Lost and Found #28 – Lost and Found #30