Light Affliction

Overview

Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)

Companions touched by the Light Affliction embody the power of illumination, truth, and unwavering clarity. They thrive in environments where their radiance can flourish, offering protection, guidance, and inspiration. Their connection to light grants them powerful abilities, but it also requires balance, as their brilliance comes with inherent vulnerabilities.

Core Traits

Regardless of their level, all Light Afflicted Companions share the following characteristics:

• Light Shard Dependency: Companions with this Affliction must consume Light Shards to stabilize their Affliction. These shards are pastel yellow and shaped like stars, naturally appearing in environments bathed in sunlight, such as beaches, open fields, or mountaintops. Shards can also manifest in areas with a clear view of the sky, and Companions may absorb ambient shards by basking in natural light sources such as sunlight or moonlight.
• Luminous Markings: Delicate glowing patterns, resembling constellations or sunbursts, develop across their body. These markings pulse faintly in response to their emotions and intensify when their abilities are active.
• Iridescent Gaze: When channeling light energy, their eyes take on a prismatic quality, shimmering with shifting hues that inspire awe and reflect their radiant power.
• Affinity for Illumination: Light Afflicted Companions gain strength and rejuvenation in sunny or moonlit environments, enhancing their physical and magical abilities.
  • Shadow Weakness: Prolonged exposure to darkness diminishes their energy and focus, weakening their abilities.
• Radiant Presence: Their aura exudes calm authority, inspiring honesty and courage in those around them. This presence often fosters trust and cooperation.
  • Truth’s Demand: Their unyielding commitment to honesty can provoke discomfort or resistance in those who have something to hide.
• Resilient and Focused: Light Afflicted Companions excel in environments that demand clarity and decisiveness, often acting as strategic leaders in challenging scenarios.
• Purging Light: Their abilities naturally dispel magical obfuscations, illusions, or darkness, making them effective in unraveling deception and revealing hidden truths.

Why pick a Light Afflicted Companion?

Light Afflicted Companions stand out for their ability to inspire and protect, offering clarity and illumination in both literal and metaphorical darkness. Their Affliction provides a unique blend of utility, thematic flavor, and versatility, making them an ideal choice for players who enjoy companions with unwavering resolve and radiant aesthetics.

What Makes Light Afflicted Companions Unique?

• Illumination Mastery: Light Afflicted Companions wield radiant energy to reveal hidden truths, dispel deception, and inspire clarity. Their abilities make them invaluable in both combat and exploration, offering flexibility in a variety of scenarios.
• Aura of Guidance: Their natural radiance fosters trust and cooperation, inspiring those around them to act with honesty and courage. They excel in unifying groups and leading through challenging situations.
• Natural Purifiers: Their light naturally dispels illusions, magical darkness, and corrupting influences, giving them a distinct advantage in unraveling mysteries or cleansing hostile environments.
• Clarity-Focused Themes: Light Afflicted Companions embody unwavering truth and brilliance, creating rich opportunities for narratives centered on morality, leadership, and the pursuit of understanding.

Is a Light Afflicted Companion Right for You?

If you’re looking for a Companion that embodies radiant aesthetics, thrives in environments of light, and offers opportunities for dynamic and morally complex narratives, a Light Afflicted Companion may be the perfect choice.

Bonding Process Suggestion

Out of character, you will need to purchase your character's Companions through the Bonding form, or receive them for free with an in-character post. In character, this is a possible method a character might use to bond with a Light Afflicted Companions; it is not mandatory to follow this exact process though, so if you have another idea please feel free!

Initial Contact:

• Light Afflicted Companions are often found in environments where light is stark and revealing, such as atop barren ridges, in sun-scorched clearings, or on reflective, shimmering shores.
• They are drawn not just to physical light, but to situations and places where truths are laid bare.
• Initially, the Companion may manifest as a stark, almost blinding light from a distance. As they gauge the sincerity and courage of those around them, they might choose to approach, their presence commanding and intense.

Building Trust:

• Engage in actions that demonstrate boldness and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, aligning with the Companion's essence of unflinching honesty and light.
• Display a readiness to face challenges head-on and a respect for the raw, unvarnished reality, resonating with the Companion's nature.
• The Companion will gradually reveal more of its true form and spend increasing amounts of time in your vicinity, a sign of growing respect and acknowledgement of your shared valor and integrity.

Deepening the Bond:

• The Companion will, at a point of mutual understanding and respect, choose to fully unveil its awe-inspiring form to you, a gesture of profound trust and acknowledgment.
• After this revelation, the Companion will vanish for a period of three days, during which time it seeks out a rare artifact known as a "Sunstone."
  • Sunstones are crystalline, radiant gems that glow with an inner light, resembling a miniature sun. They are warm to the touch and pulsate gently.
  • Upon its return, the Companion presents the Sunstone to its new partner. These stones are often set into amulets, rings, or other pieces of jewelry, symbolizing the bond between the bonded partner and their Light Afflicted Companion.

LIGHT AFFLICTED COMPANION LEVELING

Capabilities & Difficulties: Most Companions with this Affliction will follow the progression path outlined below, however, as long as you stay within the bounds of your Companion's current level and purchased talents, we allow for some flexibility in interpretation. The capabilities and difficulties are those that all Afflicted of the appropriate level may have access to -- not every Companion will be extremely proficient in every Capability, and not every Companion will be affected as badly, or in the same way, by a Difficulty.

Level 0 [0 Shards]

At Level 0, the Light Affliction manifests as an unrefined and uncontrolled connection to the essence of light. While it grants glimpses of its potential, the Affliction is both a blessing and a burden at this stage, offering moments of brilliance amid instability.

Capabilities:

• Radiant Flare: The Companion can release a burst of light to briefly dazzle and disorient enemies in close proximity. Though uncontrolled, this ability can provide a critical edge in dire moments.
• Luminous Vigil: The Companion’s bond allows their partner to sense faint pulses of light energy, offering intuitive guidance through shadowed or concealed environments, such as finding hidden doors or avoiding pitfalls.

Difficulties:

• Unstable Glow: The Companion’s luminescence can intensify unpredictably, risking exposure in stealth situations or startling allies.
• Light Sensitivity: The Companion’s attunement to light makes them susceptible to sensory overload in environments with intense or flashing illumination.
• Shadow Weakness: Prolonged absence from light sources leads to lethargy and diminished magical capacity, leaving the Companion vulnerable.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• The Companion’s eyes shimmer with a shifting spectrum of pastel hues, growing more vivid when their emotions run high.
• Their fur, scales, or skin carries a pearlescent sheen, creating a subtle halo effect under moonlight or sunlight.
• In moments of heightened emotion or stress, radiant patterns may ripple across their body, forming ephemeral constellations that fade quickly.

Level I [100 Shards]

At Level I, the Light Affliction evolves into a more controlled and versatile force, reflecting the Companion’s growing attunement to light energy. Their abilities gain greater stability and effectiveness, while their bond continues to deepen.

Capabilities:

• Illuminating Pulse: The Companion emits a controlled wave of light that briefly illuminates their surroundings, revealing hidden objects or creatures cloaked in shadow. This ability is particularly useful for uncovering traps or concealed threats.
• Refraction Shield: By manipulating light energy, the Companion creates a shimmering barrier that deflects minor attacks or reduces incoming damage for a short duration. This shield flickers and fades quickly, but its protection can be decisive in critical moments.
• Sense of Light: Their bond enhances their partner's ability to perceive faint glimmers of light that indicate opportunities or nearby dangers, even through obstacles or partial obstructions.
• Energizing Glow: When near the Companion, their partner feels rejuvenated, gaining a temporary boost to energy and focus as the light energy invigorates them subtly.

Difficulties:

• Fluctuating Control: While their abilities have improved, sudden bursts of uncontrolled light energy may still occur during moments of high stress, potentially hindering precision or startling allies.
• Increased Energy Dependency: The Companion’s reliance on natural light intensifies. Prolonged time spent in darkness now leads to faster declines in energy and the potency of their abilities.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Iridescent streaks may appear across their body, shifting in tone depending on the surrounding light.
• When activating abilities, a faint, prism-like aura may surround the Companion, refracting light in mesmerizing patterns.
• Their voice takes on a soft, melodic resonance that seems to echo faintly, especially when they are actively channeling light energy.

Level II [200 Shards]

At Level II, the Light Affliction evolves as the Companion gains increased control over their abilities. Their connection to light sharpens, granting them greater precision and intensity in their powers. This growth also fortifies their bond, enabling deeper synergy and shared resilience as they begin to act with unwavering focus against deception and obscurity.

Capabilities:

• Truth’s Glare: The Companion projects a beam of concentrated light that pierces illusions and reveals hidden enemies, magical disguises, or falsehoods in the area. This intense light can also briefly disorient opponents, creating tactical opportunities.
• Radiant Edge: The Companion channels light energy into their attacks, causing their claws, fangs, or other appendages to glow with searing intensity. These enhanced strikes cut through defenses and leave illuminating afterimages on the battlefield.
• Revealing Aura: The Companion emanates a field of subtle light energy that heightens emotional and physical clarity. Those within its radius feel drawn to honesty, and hidden truths may surface in tense situations.
• Light Infusion: Their bond strengthens, granting both heightened focus and enhanced reaction speed during critical moments. This synchronization allows for sharper decision-making and improved synergy in challenging encounters.

Difficulties:

• Blinding Intensity: As the Companion’s light-based abilities grow stronger, they risk overwhelming allies or themselves with their radiance if not carefully managed. Prolonged use can lead to temporary sensory overload or exhaustion.
• Luminous Fatigue: Drawing heavily on their connection to light energy increases their physical and mental strain. Overuse may result in lethargy, dimmed abilities, or temporary blindness.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Glowing patterns, reminiscent of constellations or sunbursts, may begin to appear on the Companion’s body, intensifying with heightened emotions or power usage.
• A faint, golden aura surrounds them at all times, growing more pronounced when they activate their abilities.
• Their voice takes on a crystalline resonance when channeling light energy, echoing like a distant bell or chime.
• Shadows near the Companion twist or flicker unnaturally, as if influenced by their radiant presence, creating an ethereal, unsettling effect.

Level III [300 Shards]

At Level III, the Light Affliction embodies a striking balance between power and control. The Companion’s abilities take on an intensified, tactical edge, demonstrating their growing mastery over light energy. Their bond strengthens further, creating an unshakable synergy that drives their pursuit of truth and clarity.

Capabilities:

• Purging Beam: The Companion channels a precise and searing ray of light, capable of dispelling magical effects like minor curses or illusions while dealing significant damage. The intensity of this ability makes it a potent tool for both combat and uncovering deceptions.
• Blazing Burst: The Companion releases an explosive wave of light energy, clearing magical darkness or other obstructive conditions in a wide radius. This burst momentarily blinds enemies, creating opportunities for strategic advantage.
• Radiant Synchrony: The Companion’s energy heightens their partner’s clarity, granting resilience against mental interference and illusions. This ensures sharper focus and unwavering determination in chaotic or deceptive scenarios.
• Shared Illumination: The bond enhances their partner’s ability to detect hidden truths and threats, providing an intuitive sense for concealed dangers or lies.

Difficulties:

• Energy Overload: The sheer intensity of their powers can overwhelm the Companion if overused, causing temporary depletion of their light-based abilities and physical exhaustion.
• Radiant Interference: The Companion’s growing power can inadvertently disrupt delicate situations, such as unintentionally dazzling allies or intensifying hostile reactions in enemies sensitive to light energy.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Patterns resembling glowing sunbursts or radiant fractals emerge on the Companion’s body during moments of heightened power, fading once their energy stabilizes.
• Their eyes emit a piercing, unwavering glow, making them appear both mesmerizing and intimidating.
• The air around them ripples with faint distortions, as if charged with light energy, giving a sense of intensity even when they are still.
• Small, radiant motes resembling falling stars occasionally flicker and drift around them, amplifying their ethereal presence.

Level IV [400 Shards]

At Level IV, the Light Affliction achieves a refined balance of power and precision. The Companion’s abilities become significantly more versatile and potent, allowing for tactical applications that amplify their presence on the battlefield. Their bond now manifests as an unbreakable connection, heightening mutual resilience and unity.

Capabilities:

• Luminous Cascade: The Companion creates a radiant torrent of light that cascades outward in waves, overwhelming enemies with disorienting brilliance and clearing oppressive effects like fog or darkness. This ability is particularly effective in reclaiming control of chaotic situations.
• Judgment Halo: The Companion summons a ring of concentrated light energy that orbits around them, dealing continuous damage to nearby enemies while bolstering their own defensive capabilities. The halo can be intensified for brief periods, creating a burst of radiance to repel foes.
• Clarity Link: The bond strengthens to allow their partner enhanced resistance against deceptive or manipulative effects, such as illusions or charm-based energy. This clarity ensures focus even in the most chaotic encounters.
• Illuminated Resilience: Both the Companion and their partner gain improved recovery from debilitating conditions, such as blindness or confusion, reflecting the stabilizing power of their unified light energy.

Difficulties:

• Energy Overextension: The advanced nature of their abilities requires precise management. Overusing techniques like Judgment Halo or Luminous Cascade can drain their energy reserves rapidly, leaving them vulnerable.
• Radiant Magnetism: The Companion’s radiance now draws heightened attention from enemies, especially those that thrive in shadow or oppose light energy, increasing the risk of concentrated attacks.
• Synchronization Strain: Their bond’s intensity may occasionally cause a feedback loop during high-stress situations, momentarily destabilizing both the Companion and their partner’s focus.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Intricate, glowing patterns resembling celestial constellations now form across the Companion’s body when they are actively using abilities, creating an awe-inspiring presence.
• Their halo effect may manifest as a subtle ring of light around their head or body, even when no active abilities are in use.
• Their voice carries an authoritative resonance, like a commanding echo that compels attention and respect.
• Shadows near them dissolve into faint motes of light, creating an otherworldly ambiance that reinforces their unearthly power.

Level V [500 Shards]

At Level V, the Light Affliction ascends to a level of radiant dominance. The Companion wields their abilities with unmatched precision and intensity, transforming their connection to light into a force that can shape the battlefield. Their bond becomes a seamless flow of energy, amplifying their collective resilience and tactical prowess.

Capabilities:

• Prismatic Lattice: The Companion creates a vast, semi-transparent web of refracted light that can ensnare enemies or block incoming attacks. The lattice not only restricts movement but also scatters light to disorient opponents caught within its boundaries.
• Solar Surge: The Companion gathers and releases an overwhelming burst of light energy in a focused direction, incinerating illusions, shattering barriers, and forcing enemies into retreat. This surge leaves a lingering glow that impairs visibility in the affected area.
• Lightbound Unity: The bond channels a stabilizing force, allowing their partner to resist effects that disrupt focus, such as fear, confusion, or panic. This ability strengthens their partner’s resolve, ensuring clarity under pressure.
• Shared Luminescence: The Companion’s energy radiates outward, granting their partner increased vitality and temporary resistance to physical or energy-based harm. This effect persists as long as they remain in close proximity, reflecting their synchronized energy.

Difficulties:

• Overdrawn Reserves: The sheer scale of their abilities demands a significant energy cost. Overuse can result in prolonged recovery times, reducing the Companion’s effectiveness in extended engagements.
• Amplified Vulnerability: The Companion’s intense light energy attracts not only enemies but also environmental dangers, such as creatures or traps attuned to darkness or shadow.
• Blinding Aftermath: Abilities like Solar Surge can leave lingering light effects that obscure vision for allies if used without caution, creating potential complications in group scenarios.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Their entire form may shimmer with a refracted, prismatic glow, casting subtle rainbows around them even in neutral light.
• When channeling light energy, faint geometric patterns resembling intricate lattices or stained glass spread across their body, glowing brightly.
• Their voice takes on a resonant, almost choral quality, as if layered with harmonic tones.
• When in motion, trails of light linger briefly behind them, creating an ethereal, otherworldly effect that emphasizes their radiant presence.

Level VI [600 Shards]

At Level VI, the Light Affliction reaches its apex of precision and influence before specialization. The Companion's abilities extend their dominion of light beyond themselves, shaping the environment and granting clarity and resilience to those in their sphere. Their bond becomes an unbreakable conduit of truth and strength, further aligning their shared purpose.

Capabilities:

• Beacon of Revelation: The Companion summons an immense column of light in a targeted area, dispelling effects, exposing invisible or hidden enemies, and revealing all truths within its radius. The beacon lingers briefly, continuing to illuminate the area and hinder those reliant on deception or shadow.
• Radiant Scourge: Concentrating their light energy, the Companion releases a devastating wave that lashes out at all foes in its path. The scourge disrupts constructs, weakens illusions, and delivers punishing damage to enemies directly exposed to its intensity.
• Shield of Truth: The Companion forms a protective barrier around their partner, shielding them from physical and energy attacks while also dispelling illusions and mind-affecting effects that attempt to influence them. The shield strengthens the partner’s ability to focus and act decisively in critical moments.
• Illumination Network: The bond extends the Companion’s ability to spread light energy, allowing their partner to radiate a dim aura that grants allies in their vicinity heightened awareness of dangers, such as ambushes or traps.

Difficulties:

• Radiant Repercussions: The Companion’s overwhelming power risks backlash, such as temporary blindness or exhaustion, if abilities like Beacon of Revelation or Radiant Scourge are overused.
• Light’s Draw: Their presence becomes an undeniable focal point, drawing not only enemies but also environmental effects, such as energy storms or traps that respond to powerful energies.
• Barrier Strain: The Shield of Truth places a significant drain on the Companion’s reserves when active for prolonged periods, reducing their ability to sustain other abilities simultaneously.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Their body may glow with a golden-white light that intensifies when they use their powers, creating the impression of a living star.
• Patterns resembling radiant runes or scripture appear across their form, shifting and glowing as they channel energy.
• A faint hum of energy or ethereal choral whispers surrounds them, growing louder during moments of power exertion.
• The air around them distorts slightly, as if refracting light, giving their presence a surreal and almost divine quality.

Level VII [700 Shards]

At Level VII, the Light Affliction reaches its zenith of natural progression. The Companion’s mastery of radiant energy transforms them into an unparalleled force of illumination and clarity, capable of shaping their surroundings and empowering their allies. They gain the ability to summon a radiant familiar, an enduring manifestation of their bond and truth, and their connection to their partner becomes transcendental.

Capabilities:

• Radiant Familiar: The Companion manifests a luminous familiar, forged from pure light energy. The familiar takes a small but distinct form, such as a celestial fox, eagle, or another glowing entity, tailored to the player’s choice. It serves as an extension of the Companion, scouting, distracting enemies, or assisting in combat with radiant bursts. The familiar requires a steady energy connection to the Companion and will dissipate if they become too fatigued.
• Searing Expulsion: The Companion channels light into a powerful wave that radiates outward, banishing illusions, dispelling energy-based effects, and forcing enemies to retreat. The wave's intensity disrupts those who thrive in deception or shadow, leaving them disoriented and vulnerable.
• Unified Clarity: The Companion’s bond strengthens to such a degree that their partner becomes immune to confusion, fear, or illusion-based effects while near them. This synergy ensures unwavering focus in even the most chaotic situations.
• Illuminated Empowerment: The Companion’s energy extends through their bond, granting their partner brief bursts of enhanced strength, agility, or precision during critical moments. This power reflects their synchronized purpose and mutual resolve.

Difficulties:

• Familiar Dependency: The radiant familiar, while powerful, drains the Companion’s energy continuously. If it is destroyed, the Companion may experience a temporary loss of focus or energy, requiring time to recover.
• Radiant Overload: Abilities like Searing Expulsion place significant strain on the Companion if used too frequently, potentially causing temporary blindness or exhaustion.
• Unyielding Light: The Companion’s overwhelming radiance may unintentionally impair visibility for allies in close proximity, particularly during intense combat.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• The radiant familiar glows with a constant, otherworldly light and may have patterns resembling celestial constellations or geometric runes across its form. Its movements leave behind faint trails of shimmering light.
• The Companion’s eyes now burn with a steady, piercing brilliance, making direct eye contact nearly impossible for most creatures.
• Their presence warps the air around them, creating subtle distortions that resemble heatwaves or shimmering glass.
• When they speak, their voice resonates like a harmonious choir, layered with reverberating tones that compel attention and respect.
• During moments of heightened power, the ground beneath them may faintly glow, creating the illusion of standing on a radiant, otherworldly plane.

Level VIII [800+ Shards]

At Level VIII, Companions ascend to their ultimate specialization, choosing one path that embodies their mastery over light and truth. These specializations define their role in the world, granting unparalleled abilities to illuminate, protect, and shape the destiny of those around them.

• Celestial Vanguard: These Companions wield the combined power of light and celestial energy to protect and guide their allies. They act as radiant protectors, creating zones of safety and illumination even in the darkest realms.
  • Example Powers: Summon celestial shields to deflect attacks, create protective sanctuaries, and guide others through dangerous or uncharted territories.
• Ethereal Arbiter: Masters of judgment and truth, these Companions use their light to reveal hidden lies and enforce fairness. They bring balance to chaos and ensure that justice is always served.
  • Example Powers: Reveal all hidden truths in a radius, create light bindings to restrain wrongdoers, and judge the intentions of others through radiant energy.
• Nova Architect: Specialists in explosive, high-intensity light energy, these Companions channel devastating bursts of power that reshape the battlefield. Their mastery over concentrated light energy ensures both destruction and clarity.
  • Example Powers: Unleash massive bursts of light to blind and damage enemies, shape radiant constructs for temporary cover or weapons, and shatter magical barriers with concentrated force.
• Dawnbringer: These Companions embody renewal and inspiration, using their light to uplift allies and rejuvenate their surroundings. They are symbols of hope and perseverance, bringing new beginnings wherever they go.
  • Example Powers: Heal allies with radiant energy, purge negative effects, and inspire courage through auras of dawn-like light.
• Truthkeeper: Dedicated to exposing deception, these Companions ensure that the light of truth is never dimmed. They excel at unraveling illusions, uncovering secrets, and breaking magical veils.
  • Example Powers: Pierce through any illusion or disguise, detect lies and hidden intentions, and destroy magical obfuscation in an area.
• Stellar Sentinel: These Companions draw upon the constellations, using starlight as both a weapon and a guide. They forge celestial maps and channel astral power to influence the flow of battle.
  • Example Powers: Call down beams of starlight to strike enemies, map astral pathways for navigation, and create constellations that empower allies.
• Aegis of Lumina: Focusing on defense and fortification, these Companions create barriers and shields of pure light that repel both physical and magical attacks. They become the ultimate protectors, ensuring the safety of their allies.
  • Example Powers: Forge impenetrable light barriers, reflect attacks back at enemies, and fortify allies with radiant armor.
• Lightweaver: These Companions are artisans of light, crafting intricate and functional structures from radiant energy. They create tools, bridges, and even dwellings, all imbued with their unique light energy.
  • Example Powers: Construct light-based tools and weapons, craft radiant pathways or shelters, and generate semi-permanent light structures.
• Harbinger of Luminosity: Specialists in influencing the emotions and morale of others, these Companions use their light to uplift allies or unnerve enemies. Their radiant presence changes the tide of battle through sheer inspiration.
  • Example Powers: Radiate auras that inspire allies or intimidate enemies, create zones of calm to neutralize fear, and amplify the morale of entire groups.
• Shadowlight Sage: Bridging the balance between light and darkness, these Companions use their mastery of both to uncover hidden truths in the shadows. They manipulate the interplay of shadow and light to gain unparalleled insight.

• Example Powers: Create shadow-infused light constructs, reveal hidden threats in darkness, and manipulate the environment by blending light and shadow.