Order of Voln

The Order of Voln is a society devoted to the freeing of undead from the torment they endure on Elanthia. Freeing the undead garners the members of the Order favor. The order was established in 4045 by Manor Lord Fasthr K'Tafali in the region surrounding the Kannalan city of Kedshold. According to loresong, Voln, himself appeared before K'Tafali and instructed K'Tafali and his men in the symbols of the order.

The Order first truly came to the attention of historians with the appearance of the Horned Cabal in the southern region of the Turamzzyrian Empire. Uniquely situated to deal with the menace of the undead, the Order flourished from this time period, playing increasingly important roles in the various engagements with the Horned Cabal over the last century and a half. This has included the Battle of Tyllan and the Battle of Skyreach.

Joining the Order of Voln

The following explains the procedure for obtaining membership in the Order of Voln.

• First, a membership invitation to join the Order must be received. This invitation may be extended to any player's character, level 3 or higher, by either a town NPC, eg., the grizzled old warrior in Wehnimer's Landing or by a Master (Rank 26 member) in the Order of Voln. Masters can accomplish this with the INVITE (verb) using the syntax: Invite <Name>.
• Second, once invited, prospective members need to cleanse themselves of all worldly pollutions. This is accomplished by first going to an Order of Voln monastery, stowing the items in their hands, and then entering the water pool. 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, the character will then be permitted to enter the monastery proper.
• Third, 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 reponsibilities of membership.
• Finally, the Grandmaster will offer membership which will necessitate repeating an Oath to the Great Spirit Voln.

Membership Oath

"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.

Favor

When a character helps defeat an undead or merely witnesses another character kill an undead, that character gains favor. Favor is a bank of points used to power symbols and advance in the Order of Voln.

Discrete favor values are not displayed in-game; however, there are some ways to measure favor. One currently accepted measure of favor is based on the amount of favor granted by killing a single level 1 undead by oneself. This is called a unit of favor.

The favor gained from killing (or witnessing the kill of) an undead increases with creature level. Except for level 1, the units of favor gained will be less than the creature's level. For example, a level 10 creature is approximately 9 units of favor, not 10 units.

A Master (rank 26 member) of the Order of Voln can view his or her favor in an arbitrary measure called spins by visiting the globe in the Master's hall. A spin is approximately 250 units of favor.

Gaining ranks and obtaining symbols

One receives a new symbol for each rank one receives in the Order of Voln. To advance in rank, one must obtain a certain amount of favor, 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 to enlightenment or enter the vision room and PRAY (verb).

The first rank and Symbol of Recognition are given without any task or favor requirement.

Each subsequent rank requires an amount of favor equal to the following:

• Favor required = roundUp((Rank - 1)/3)*600 units of favor

For example, to obtain the 23rd rank, one must first gather

roundUp((23 - 1)/3)*600 = roundUp(22/3)*600 = 8*600 = 4800 units of favor

Order of Voln 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.

The relative cost column can be used to compare one symbol's cost to another. For example, Symbol of Return's favor cost is 10x Symbol of Courage but the actual cost will vary with the character's level.

The favor required to activate a symbol is creature level-based. For example, the favor cost for one use of symbol of courage for a level 25 member is 23. Releasing any combination of undead creatures greater than level 1, whose combined levels total 23, will be sufficient to power the symbol. It could be one level 23 zombie or two level 10 werebears + one level 3 greater ghoul etc.

Favor Cost Formula for Levels 40 to 100

Favor Cost = (27 × RCF) + [(Character Level - 40) × (RCF/10)]

• RCF is the symbol's relative cost factor (see table below for RCF values).

• To calculate the favor cost of any symbol, simply replace RCF with the numerical value listed in the table.

• Character level is the level of the character activating the symbol.

Characters, other than L25 and L35, who are within that range will need to estimate their costs. Obviously, sub-level 25 characters will have a lower cost but currently there is insufficient data to determine the formula. A different increment is used for sub-level 40 characters, perhaps more than one, but the break points are unknown.

27 is the favor cost for Sym of Courage at Level 40. This is the baseline value for level 40 to 100 calculations and has an arbitrary value of RCF 1. Symbol of Return has an RCF of 10. In relative cost terms, the favor required for one use of Symbol of Return (RCF 10) is ten times Symbol of Courage. The RCF values are consistent across ALL levels.

Sample Calculations

• Level 40, Sym of Return (RCF 10)

(27 × 10) + [(40 - 40) × (10 ÷ 10)] = 270 favor

• Level 100, Sym of Return (RCF 10)

(27 × 10) + [(100 - 40) × (10 ÷ 10)] = 330 favor

• Level 70, Sym of Sight (RCF 3)

(27 × 3) + [(70 - 40) × (3 ÷ 10)] = 90 favor

• Level 85, Sym of Transcendence (RCF 6)

(27 × 6) + [(85 - 40) × (6 ÷ 10)] = 189 favor

Symbol Table

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

Rank	Symbol Name	Arkati	Thumbnail Description	Relative Favor Cost	Cost at Lev 25	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.	.4x/2x	9 non-magic/46 magic	11 non-magic/54 magic	13 non-magic/66 magic	Utility
3	Symbol of Thought	Oleani	Transmit thought message to all members within range.	1.33x	Max 31	Max 36	Max 44	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	69	81	99	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	23	27	33	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	23	27	33	Defense
7	Symbol of Submission	Charl	Forces undead to offensive stance and lowers DS -1 per rank. Uses the standard success resolution system.	3x	69	81	99	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	69	81	99	Attack
10	Symbol of Recall	Lorminstra	Restores spells after death. Must be invoked while dead. No benefit if member voluntarily departs.	3x	69	81	99	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.	2x	Base 46 Max 230	Base 54 Max 270	Base 66 Max 330	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	138	162	198	Defense
13	Symbol of Mana	Koar	Restores 50 mana. Initially, no deed cost. 3 minute cooldown period.	3x	69	81	99	Utility
14	Symbol of Sight	Tonis	Locate other members of the Order within range.	3x	69	81	99	Utility
15	Symbol of Retribution	Eonak	Direct attack against undead when member is deceased. When used while living will reactively flare if struck by an undead creature. Uses the standard success resolution system.	3x	69	81	99	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	115	136	165	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	92	108	132	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	92	108	132	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	115	136	165	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).	3x	Base 69	Base 81	Base 99	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.	3x	Base 69 Max 345	Base 81 Max 405	Base 99 Max 495	Attack
23	Symbol of Preservation	Lorminstra	Self Lifekeep. Can also be used on other characters.	6x	138	162	198	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	138	162	198	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	230	270	330	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

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

• Access to a scrying-type effect centered on a few rooms via the tapestry (in Wehnimer's Landing)

• Access to teleportation centered on a few rooms via the tapestry (in Wehnimer's Landing)

• Access to a favor-measuring globe* The ability to trade a deed for favor via the globe

Meditation Chamber Visions

By praying in the monastery meditation chamber members will receive a vision indicating the percentage of favor they have acquired toward completion of the step. Visions are in 10% increments.

Prayer messaging:

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 gives a different set of visions. (not a complete list)

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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.

• 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."

• 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."

• 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.

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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.

• 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.

See Also

• Voln review saved post authored by GM Coase dated 7/4/12
• Old Voln symbols list

External links

Gemstone IV Order of Voln for Dummies

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