Order of Voln

The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
(Redirected from Path to Enlightenment)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Order of Voln - edit
Documentation
Voln, the Great Spirit
The History of the Order of Voln
Mechanics
Favor Undead
Scripts
Voln armor
Symbols
1. Recognition 2. Blessing
3. Thought 4. Diminishment
5. Courage 6. Protection
7. Submission 8. Kai's Strike
9. Holiness 10. Recall
11. Sleep 12. Transcendence
13. Mana 14. Sight
15. Retribution 16. Supremacy
17. Restoration 18. Need
19. Renewal 20. Disruption
21. Kai's Smite 22. Turning
23. Preservation 24. Dreams
25. Return 26. Seeking

The Order of Voln is a society devoted to the release of undead from the torment they endure on Elanthia.

History

Main article: The History of the Order of Voln

Joining

To join the Order of Voln, an adventurer must first receive an invitation. This invitation may be extended to any adventurer, level 3 or higher, by the grizzled old warrior in Wehnimer's Landing, the robed erithian monk in Ta'Vaalor, or by a Master (Rank 26 member) in the Order. Masters can extend an invitation with the command INVITE <NAME>.

Once invited, prospective members must travel to an Order of Voln monastery, stow the items in their hands, and enter the pool of water. While relaxing in the pool, the prospective member will receive a series of messages. Once the message "you have been cleansed of all worldly pollutions" has been received, they will then be permitted to enter the monastery proper.

Upon entering the monastery, prospective members must visit the Grandmaster. He will welcome and instruct the individual on the Order's mission, a bit of history and the responsibilities of membership.

Finally, the Grandmaster will direct the prospective member to recite an oath to the Great Spirit Voln:

"I pledge to aid and succor the Great Spirit Voln in his mission on Elanthia."

Upon correctly repeating this oath the character will then receive another welcome from the Grandmaster and additional instructions on how to proceed. The new member may then begin their journey along the Path to Enlightenment by visiting the first monk on the path.

Note: You cannot join the Order of Voln if you are currently a member of another society, such as the Council of Light or the Guardians of Sunfist.

Advancement

Members receive a new usable symbol for each rank gained in the Order of Voln. To advance in rank, one must earn a certain amount of favor (see section below), visit a monk on the Path to Enlightenment, and then complete a task. To check if one has enough favor to obtain the next rank, one can either visit a monk on the Path or enter the vision room and PRAY.

If in River's Rest and eligible to step, one can visit the Voln Outpost and ask the monk present about "travel" and a free chronomage orb will be given for travel to Wehnimer's Landing (return trip included).

The first rank and Symbol of Recognition are given without any task or favor requirement. The favor requirement increases for each additional step.

Using symbols costs favor but does not slow down advancement, only the amount of favor cumulatively earned matters.

Favor

Main article: Favor

Favor is the currency of the Order of Voln used to both advance to a higher rank or power its symbols. It is bestowed upon members by the Pantheon of Liabo Arkati and is gained by freeing (killing) undead or witnessing their release from their accursed plight.

When a member of the Order of Voln bears witness to the release of an undead creature, that member receives favor.

You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the <UNDEAD'S> body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens. 

A Master (rank 26 member) of the Order of Voln can also use the globe in the Master's hall to obtain favor if he or she does not currently have any. One must KNEEL (verb), TOUCH (verb), and KISS (verb) the globe to obtain this favor. This grants about half a revolution (approximately 500 units) of favor and consumes one deed.

Favor can be viewed with the Resource verb.

The globe can also be used to view a master's available favor. By TOUCHing this globe, a Voln Master will receive a reading, measured in revolutions, of his/her approximate available favor. Each count or revolution represents 1000 favor. A member whose favor exceeds 2,147,483,647 units will receive messaging indicating that the number of revolutions is too many to count.

Symbols

Members of the Order of Voln gain access to one new symbol per rank. Master's of the Order have access to a total of 26 symbols. Symbols are similar to spells but are powered by favor instead of mana. The favor cost to activate symbols increases with a character's level. However, the amount of favor gained from releasing an undead also increases with level.

The favor required to activate a symbol is character level-based. For example, the favor cost for one use of symbol of courage for a level 20 member is 29 units and increases to 218 units for a level 100 character. Although there is nearly a 7 fold increase in cost, this is offset by a higher percentage of favor gained by the 100 level character. A level 20 character releasing a level 20 creature will receive (20 ÷ 15) * 20 = 27 units of favor. A level 100 character releasing a level 100 undead receives (100 ÷ 15) * 100 = 667 units of favor.

The relative cost column, in the table below, can be used to compare one symbol's cost to another. For example, Symbol of Return's favor cost is approximately 10x the cost of Symbol of Courage. Actual cost will vary based upon the character's level.

Symbol Table

Note: Each symbol has a dedicated page with more detailed information.

Rank Symbol
Name
Arkati Thumbnail Description Relative
Cost Factor
Cost at
Lev 20
Cost at
Lev 40
Cost at
Lev 100
Type
1
Symbol of Recognition
Tonis
Identifies other members of the Order and any undead present. No favor cost.
None
None
None
None
Utility
2
Symbol of Blessing
Eonak
Bless weapons, including magical metal/enchanted weapons, and other combat gear used to strike undead. Enchant bonus bless is limited to member's (Voln rank * 2). Eg., Rank 10 member can bless maximum +20 (4x) enchanted gear. 0.4x/2x
12 non-magic/58 magic
30 non-magic/146 magic
87 non-magic/435 magic
Utility
3
Symbol of Thought
Oleani
Transmit thought message to all members within range.
Fixed
Min 1
Max 83
Min 1
Max 83
Min 1
Max 83
Utility
4
Symbol of Diminishment
Cholen
Temporarily reduces a targeted undead creature's DS, TD, and CMAN defense by -1 per rank with a maximum penalty of -26. Uses the standard success resolution system.
3x
86
219
653
Attack
5
Symbol of Courage
Jastev
Increases member's Attack Strength +1 per rank (Max bonus +26). Duration of 10 seconds per rank (stackable). Fear based attack protection.
1x
29
73
218
Offense/Defense
6
Symbol of Protection
Imaera
Increases member's Defensive Strength +1 per rank (Max bonus +26). Duration of 20 seconds per rank. Protection also adds a TD boost of 1/2 total ranks. (Max bonus +13) (stackable).
1x
29
73
218
Defense
7
Symbol of Submission
Charl
Forces undead to offensive stance and lowers DS -1 per rank. Uses the standard success resolution system.
3x
86
219
653
Attack
8
Kai's Strike
Kai
Allows unarmed combat attacks to damage undead creatures without the normal requirement of blessed gear. This is a passive ability and has no favor cost.
None
None
None
None
Utility
9
Symbol of Holiness
Phoen
Direct damage attack against undead using the standard success resolution system.
3x
86
219
653
Attack
10
Symbol of Recall
Lorminstra
Restores spells after death. Must be invoked while dead. No benefit if member voluntarily departs.
4x
115
292
870
Utility
11
Symbol of Sleep
Ronan
Targeted or mass disabling attack used against both undead and living creatures. Uses the standard success resolution system. Player friendly.
Base 2x
Max 10x
Base 58
Max 286
Base 146
Max 728
Base 435
Max 2174
Attack
12
Symbol of Transcendence
Lumnis
For 30 seconds member will take damage as if in an incorporeal state. 3 minute cooldown period / 10 minutes if used in emergency.
6x
172
437
1305
Defense
13
Symbol of Mana
Koar
Restores 50 mana. Initially, no deed cost. 5 minute cooldown period.
3x
86
219
653
Utility
14
Symbol of Sight
Tonis
Locate other members of the Order within range.
3x
86
219
653
Utility
15
Symbol of Retribution
Eonak
Direct attack against undead when member is deceased. When used while living (self-cast version) will reactively flare if struck by an undead creature. Uses the standard success resolution system.
0.4x per attack
3x self-cast
12/86
30/219
87/653
Attack
16
Symbol of Supremacy
Oleani
Bonus of +1 per two Voln ranks to AS/CS,CMAN, UAF against undead creatures. Duration: 10 seconds per rank - (stackable).
5x
143
364
1087
Offense
17
Symbol of Restoration
Cholen
Returns up to half of a members health point loss. Minimum +10/Maximum +50 HP recovery per use.
4x
115
292
870
Utility
18
Symbol of Need
Jastev
Transmits an image of the member's location to all other members within range. Can be used while dead.
4x
115
292
870
Utility
19
Symbol of Renewal
Imaera
Immediately restores 1 Spirit Point per use to the member. Hard cooldown period of 2 minutes in which the symbol cannot be reactivated.
5x
143
364
1087
Utility
20
Symbol of Disruption
Charl
Casts an aura around user and group members. Any noncorporeal undead struck will sustain penalties to AS/DS,CS/TD,UDF, CMAN. Duration: 10 seconds per rank - (stackable).
Base 3x
Max ?
Base 86
Max ?
Base 219
Max ?
Base 653
Max ?
Attack
21
Kai's Smite
Kai
An unarmed combat attack, activated via the SMITE verb. Will temporarily pull a non-corporeal undead creature into corporealness. Will make corp undead more susceptible to damage. No favor cost.
None
None
None
None
Attack
22
Symbol of Turning
Phoen
Targeted or mass attack causing states similar to fear effects with possible instant death result. Uses the standard success resolution system.
Base 3x
Max 15x
Base 86
Max 429
Base 219
Max 1092
Base 653
Max 3261
Attack
23
Symbol of Preservation
Lorminstra
Lifekeep. Can be used whether living or dead, on yourself or on other characters.
6x
172
437
1305
Utility
24
Symbol of Dreams
Ronan
Member enters a sleep-state during which time there is increased recovery of health, mana, spirit and reduced stats from Death's Sting. You are able to speak while this is active, but whispers or thought net activities will awaken you.
6x
172
437
1305
Utility
25
Symbol of Return
Lumnis
Immediate Teleportation of member or member's group (certain areas will only allow individual transport) to the nearest Voln outpost.
10x
286
728
2174
Utility
26
Symbol of Seeking
Koar
Teleportation of member or member's group from a voln outpost to an undead hunting area within the general vicinity. No favor cost.
None
None
None
None
Utility

Masters (rank 26 members) of the Order of Voln may enter the Master's hall which includes:

  • Access to teleportation centered on a few rooms via the tapestry (in Wehnimer's Landing)
  • Access to a favor-measuring globe and the ability to trade a deed for favor via the globe

Visions

By praying in the monastery meditation chambers in the Landing and Ta'Vaalor, at the Altar in the Ice Garden of Voln in Icemule Trace, or in the Aegis Shrine of Fasthr's Lance on Liabo Esplanade in Solhaven, members will receive a vision indicating the percentage of favor they have acquired toward completion of the step. Visions are in 10% increments. There is also a vision if you pray after receiving but before completing a task to step.

Wehnimer's Landing (Lich 18214), Icemule Trace (Lich 3369), Solhaven (Lich 13197), and Ta'Vaalor Visions

>PRAY
You kneel down and begin your prayers.

Followed (approximately 45 seconds) by one of the following eleven visions.

*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a flower that has not yet begun to open. (0 to <10%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a baby eagle barely hatched from its egg. (10 to <20%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a butterfly drying its wings on a leaf. (20 to <30%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of the headwaters of a mighty river. Here it has joined with several other streams and is growing quickly. (30 to <40%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a weaver on a loom, nearly half way in the creation of an intricate tapestry. (40 to <50%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a brief vision of twin bowls of wine. You reach out and empty the contents of one into the other filling it up. You have a sudden desire to fill up the empty bowl too. (50 to <60%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a hiker as he clears the peak of a hill and begins to descend the other side. (60 to <70%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a lute, finely crafted, but missing a third of its strings. (70 to <80%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a rainbow forming as a thunder storm begins to abate. (80 to <90%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a path as it winds its way through a forest and to the edge of a clear pool. You have a sudden desire to jump in but cannot. (90 to <100%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection you see a vision of a pool of clear water. You dive in and swim to the bottom where you find a gold coin engraved with the image of Voln. An overwhelming feeling makes you realize that you are indeed ready to take the next step along the Path to Enlightenment. (100%)

River's Rest Visions

Praying in the garden in River's Rest (Lich #18374, the room with the large wooden door in the east wall) gives a different set of visions.

*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a monastery built of riverstone and timber and a messenger running to approach the nearest monk.   The messenger exclaims, "A call has gone out from Nydds.  The Order is needed in the South!  Make fast your preparations to begin.  Lord Voln calls!" (0 to <10%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a Grandmaster walking before an assembly of monks outfitted for war and travel.  He blesses each monk separately before saying, "Now is the time to heed Lord Voln's call.  Go forth, do good, and know Torre awaits your return." (10 to <20%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a column of monks marching over a hill, under banners of blue and gold and black and white.  In the distance behind them, a great river stretches toward a brilliant shining sea and at its mouth, a turtle-egg shaped island. (20 to <30%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a company of dust-covered monks sitting around campfires.  Traveling equipment lies around them, and you hear talk of Selanthia and Tamzyrr.  One subdued voice says, "It's not too late to turn back." (30 to <40%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a single monk standing atop a hill at the edge of a road, gazing at a great stone city with a mountain peak looming behind it.  Merchant caravans pass her on the road, and another monk appears at her side saying, "The center of it all, and we must pass it, nearly halfway to Elstreth." (40 to <50%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a company of monks marching, surrounded by dry heat and hot dust.  Word passes up and down the column of Chastonia reached and Aldora not far ahead.  One monk quips, "Lets hope the next half of this journey has better rations than the last." (50 to <60%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a column of monks standing on the side of a road allowing caravans of merchants and refugees to pass them by.  Murmurs pass through the column of a battle at an Aldoran town known as Tyllan, and the monks gaze determinedly to the south. (60 to <70%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a band of monks silhouetted against the radiant sky at sunset, and beyond them, columns of black smoke rise from unseen sources.  A voice whispers softly, "It's begun, we are nearly there!" (70 to <80%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a company of monks marching quickly down a road.  Several pointing ahead, others slinging shields onto their arms, and some beginning to chant spells through ragged breaths of exertion.  Someone shouts, "Rally!  We're almost there!" (80 to <90%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of a great walled city and a host of undead moving swiftly towards it.  On the opposite side of the city, you see a column of monks under banners of blue and gold and black and white, racing to intercept the undead, their journey nearly complete. (90 to <100%)
*After a few moments of prayer and reflection, you see a vision of an undead host charging across a plain before the gates of a great walled city.  Directly before them stands a company of monks underneath flowing banners of blue and gold and black and white.  They gaze stoically toward the undead until a voice from high above upon the city wall shouts, "Are you Torre?  Have you arrived at last?"  Their eyes narrow with accompanying confident expressions, and a single monk quietly says, "Aye," which is followed by the crushing sound of metal upon metal. (100%)

Society Titles

As a member of the Order of Voln, characters will have access to post-name titles, dependent on which steps they have completed.

  • Steps 1–7: Postulate of the Order of Voln
  • Steps 8–13: Novitiate of the Order of Voln
  • Steps 14–17: Seminarian of the Order of Voln
  • Steps 18–26: Transitional Diaconate of the Order of Voln
  • Master: Master of the Order of Voln, Voln Master

Resigning

Approach the Grandmaster and say, "I resign from the Order". You will then be free to join another society.

See also

External links