Tag Archives: Champions of Battle

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

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #033

Keyanna stopped walking and thought for a bit to correct herself, “Well, Building is a thing.  It’s just not an official Talent Set, more of a side skill.”

AD7 stopped just as she reached Keyanna trying to think of a good reason her favorite Talent Set would disband.  None came to mind.  Building was never the strongest of Talent Sets.  It was mostly used to surprise opponents with tricky gadgets or aid those that lacked fighting skill.  AD7 enjoyed planning her machines and seeing what she could do with the gadgets.

She only used what she built to create wonderful cities and tower style defenses.  Of course, the only real limit was what the Builder knew how to build.  With eyes wide and mouth open she couldn’t believe what she had just learned.  Her Talent Set, what she used to define herself for all her life was no more, “But… Why?”

Keyanna stood at the entrance to the Talent Square and scratched her head awkwardly looking at the mossy ground.  She wanted to think of a good answer other than the obvious reason AD7 was famous, or infamous.  She finally gave up and spoke her way around the issue, “I’m not really sure exactly what happened.  I wasn’t around.  I do remember something about it causing problems.”

AD7 listened intently and thought.  Unsafe?  That was possible if someone abused machines, it would cause problems.  Regardless of what she thought of her favorite Talent Set, it was gone now.  She had to choose another one or come up with something close to it.

“All the old designs were destroyed,” Keyanna continued, “only a few plans have survived.”  She glanced at AD7 and started walking.

AD7 followed Keyanna suddenly realizing why she was so important to Pure in Sanity.  She was the only one that still had plans for the old style machines.  Granted, they were buried somewhere in her mind, but she used them before they were never really forgetten.

The two ladies looked into the Talent Square and its restless activity as they passed.  There were a few targets made of wood in the center of the square.  Most were broken, burning or otherwise destroyed.  Champions continued to strike at their remains though.  Other Champions sparred in the open field.

There were two sparring Champions that seemed out of place.  While lacking none of the fighter’s spirit, they were far less talented than others.  Their clumsy attacks and awkward movements made AD7 giggle a bit.  She could only imagine herself as one of them when she started training.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted you before,” Keyanna said beginning to meander towards the equipment sellers, “We really are happy that the two of you decided to help us.  But we’ll have to act fast to get your friend out of Rubin’s Trail.”

AD7 followed Keyanna taking the hint of their next destination.  The two of us, she thought.  AD7’s mind went back to the hanger entrance.  Was she talking about that guy?  He was kind enough but something about the way he looked at her was just plain creepy.  “No.  It’s perfectly fine.”  The way AD7 spoke said more than her words could have.  She was quite happy to be away from Cyd.

“I thought so,” Keyanna smiled as she spoke.  Looking at AD7’s clothes and the fact that she had no possessions, Keyanna decided to start with the basics, “We’ll need some good equipment for you.”

AD7 followed Keyanna’s gaze to her clothes.  She was still wearing the simple brown shirt and pants from the Rejuvenation Center.  She picked that particular shirt for the fitting dark humorous message.  The words “I Live Again” were printed in bold letters on the front while “Why is everyone older” was printed on the back.

The clothes did their job well enough, but she’d need a bit more if she was going to survive an adventure, “Sure, where are we going?”

#1 – Awakening #32 – Awakening #34