Orb of LightHeroic Level

The Orb of Light appears to be a large and faintly glowing white pearl. When worn or wielded by a character capable of using a holy symbol as an implement, its surface shows the image of that character's deity.

The Orb of Light is a +2 holy symbol with the following properties and powers.

Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls

Critical: +2d6 radiant damage, or +2d10 radiant damage against undead creatures

Property

You can speak and understand Supernal and read the Supernal script.

Power ✦ Encounter (Standard Action)

You can use turn undead (cleric class feature).

Power ✦ Encounter (Standard Action)

You can use radiant smite (paladin 1).

Power (Implement) ✦ Daily (Standard Action)

You can make an attack against each undead creature within 10 squares, using Wisdom vs. Will. On a hit, pull the target 8 squares.

Goals of the Orb of Light

• Destroy the undead, which are abominations on the earth.
• Protect the living from the depredations of the undead.
• Defeat the plans of Orcus and his allies and servants.

Roleplaying the Orb of Light

The Orb of Light rarely speaks to its owner. Instead, it sends the possessor emotions and, on occasion, inspirational images. Before a particularly dangerous and difficult battle against the undead, it might help its wielder feel less afraid by revealing a brief vision of all the people whose lives will be saved if the monsters are vanquished.

Concordance

Transcendent (21 or higher)

"I am a just and good servant of life."The Orb grants its possessor great power against the undead, engendering a mighty champion of good.

Power ✦ Daily (Free Action)

When you hit an undead creature and deal radiant damage, that target is stunned until the end of its next turn.

Pleased (16-20)

"I am the scourge of the unliving, a protector of life and a champion of the divine and radiant forces of good."The Orb of Light knows it has found a worthy owner who is dedicated to purifying the world of foul undead horrors.

Property

You gain a +1 bonus to all defenses against undead creatures.

Power ✦ Encounter (Immediate Interrupt)

When an ally within 5 squares of you is hit by an attack. You can use shielding word (cleric 10), but only against attacks made by undead creatures.

Satisfied (12–15)

"I am a righteous protector of the living against the horrors of the walking dead."The owner has proved to be a heroic champion of the living, but the Orb of Light knows more is possible, and it urges the possessor onward to greatness.

Power ✦ Daily (Standard Action)

You can use searing light (cleric 7).

Normal (5–11)

"I must smite the undead horrors that walk the earth."The Orb is quietly watchful, providing its new owner with a comforting sense that protecting the living from the dead is a righteous and holy calling.

Unsatisfied (1–4)

"The Orb is disappointed in me."The Orb thinks its owner might be unsatisfactory, but is willing to yet abide a while. It communicates less readily with its possessor, but expresses great satisfaction when pleased.

Special: If an encounter includes undead enemies, you gain a -2 penalty to attacks that do not include an undead creature. This penalty applies whether you are using or even holding the Orb of Light.

Angered (0 or lower)

"The Orb considers me unworthy to bear it."The Orb urges its owner to find someone else worthy to carry it, even as it throws the possessor into confrontation with the undead. Eventually, the artifact vanishes.

Special: Once per day, at the start of an encounter including undead enemies, the Orb teleports you to a space within 10 squares that is adjacent to the greatest number of undead. This penalty applies whether you are using or even holding the Orb.

Moving On

"We have made the world a better place."One morning, the Orb is gone, replaced by a luminescent (but mundane) pearl worth 5,000 gp. The former owner gains a permanent +1 bonus to AC against attacks by undead creatures.If the owner failed the Orb, the next time the character lifts it, the artifact crumbles into coal, leaving permanent marks on the character's hand. The former owner takes a permanent -1 penalty to AC against attacks by undead creatures. The Orb reappears elsewhere in the world, ready to be claimed by another aspirant.

Published in Open Grave.