Returned Albrecht
written by LemmingofGlory
many thanks for the input from Grarrrg, Xandar/Greystaff, and Charis

Class: Necromancer
Tag: None

Storyline

Diablo had been vanquished by a great Hero. The twisted form of the Lord of Terror collapsed into itself allowing the Hero to see the host body. The hero pitied the host as he proceeded to remove the soulstone from the skull. The skull of Albrecht.

Albrecht at this time was not dead, and he watched the Hero extract the soulstone from his skull. The young prince exerted his last bit of energy and tried to warn the Hero about the power of the soulstone, but he was too weak and all that was heard was a groan. Albrecht turned away so not to watch the Hero ram the soulstone into his own skull.

The body of the young prince was left on the floor of Hell after the Hero of Tristram had beaten Diablo into submission and taken the soulstone. The Hero did not think to exorcise the corpse of Terror's host. This was a grievous error for he failed to realize the extent Diablo's twisted power and that it had left the corpse of Albrecht corrupted. Not long after the Hero had exited Hell, Albrecht's flesh and bodily organs melted away. The skeleton of Albrecht lay in wait. Albrecht knew that any who tried to contain Diablo would fail... he knew that the Hero's life was already wasted.

It was when the Hero left to the East and Diablo's power had begun to grow and taint the world again that Albrecht rose from his long wait. Albrecht had learned much from brushing with a Prime Evil, some things mortals should never have to learn. Albrecht learned that he, Terror's former host, could not properly die... or at least not while Diablo still had power in the mortal world. He also learned that he was immortal as long as his father's curse remained unbroken. But that was not all that Albrecht learned.

Albrecht had sensed fear in the Lord of Terror. Fear that he'd be sent back to Hell. Why should the Lord of Terror fear anything, least of all his own domain, Hell?. It mattered not, but the prince knew that if Diablo feared it, it must be possible to banish Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal back to Hell. Should the opportunity ever arise, Albrecht decided that he would be ready to do this deed. And now was the time. Opportunity knocked; there was no time to wait. The prince felt that he was invincible for if he could not die, no Prime Evil could stop him.

Late one night, before the larger demons took Tristram, the skeletal Albrecht broke into the home of one of the residents of Tristram. The occupant was terrified, but terror soon ebbed away. Albrecht had slain the poor soul. The skin was stripped from the corpse and body discarded. Albrecht vaguely regretted the act, but his plan was clear. He sought out the witch Adria.

Adria had anticipated Albrecht's arrival for she had already packed up most of her belongings and left. Her shack and cauldron were all that remained. This infuriated the undead prince, but he remained focused and found what he sought. Using some old incantations, Albrecht bound the stolen skin to his skeletal form. Due to the size, his bones had to elongate so that he would look somewhat human again. The result was that he looked thin and unhealthy, but it didn't matter. Frail and cursed, Albrecht left Tristram and traveled east.

Role

When King Leoric was slain by his most trusted guardsman, he brought down a curse upon himself, his guards, and his son. This curse combined with the corruption of Diablo keeps Albrecht safe from death by cursing him with undeath. With father slain and his kingdom in ruins, Albrecht has but one goal: To be free of the mortal realm. To do this, he'd need to slay the Prime Evil Diablo and break his father's curse.

Like his father before him, Albrecht is cursed to live as one of the living dead. Fortunately, Albrecht has more of his humanity than the Skeleton King had. Both being pawns of Diablo, they developed similar traits and skills. The difference being that Albrecht's goal is his own, whereas Leoric's was controlled by the Lord of Terror.

Rules

Albrecht must have something on his head in order to interact with townspeople. Failure to wear even a simple cap results in the display of a sunken spot of flesh in the middle of Albrecht's forehead... a hole that was made by a soulstone. Failure to wear a head covering when speaking to townspeople results in that NPC shunning Albrecht for the remainder of that game. (The NPC is banned until a new game is started. For this reason it is a good idea to keep extra headgear in your stash in case you die and need to buy something before you return for your corpse.)

Cain may not, will not, and can not be saved. The Horadrim know too much. Should Cain guess that Albrecht is Albrecht, he may secretly inform the other townspeople and have Albrecht exorcised. In addition, Cain will be saved from Tristram by the rogues. You do NOT rescue him. In later acts, he may not be visited even for identification. The only time that you may speak with Cain is for the Golden Bird quest in Act 3, but even then you may not accept or pay for item identification. Also, when visiting Cain, something MUST be worn on your head or else you will be exorcised. (Exorcism by Townspeople: Lost all items currently in stash... including quest items. But don't worry in multiplayer, other players can't tip off townies and make them exorcise you.)

When visiting Cain for the Golden Bird quest, you must buy and wear the mask that Ormus offers. If Ormus is not currently offering a mask, shop until he does. This mask is a magical relic and will positively prevent Cain from seeing through your disguise.

The Town of Tristram was once King Leoric's seat of power. It is now a wasteland. Albrecht should make at least one pilgrimage to Tristram and kill everything there in remembrance of his father.

Mercenaries

In D2, no mercenaries may be hired.

In D2X, however, Albrecht may hire an Iron Wolf. He kills the sorcerer and makes him into an elite Skeleton Mage. The mercenary must at all times be equipped with a Bone Helm and Bone Shield. If it wears armor, the armor must have a Skull (any type) socketed within it, unless it is the unique Plate Mail Boneflesh. It may not be equipped with a sword.

Albrecht is royalty and self-serving. He would never himself be a mercenary to any hero. Therefore, mercenaries cannot play by Returned Albrecht rules.

Items

Albrecht treasures swords and sometimes prefers swords that require two hands to swords that require one. He would undoubtably treasure finding his father's lost sword, The Patriarch. Another one of his father's favorite swords was called Soulflay. Albrecht will never wield the heavenly Azurewrath for it would have disastrous consequences to an undead such as himself. Albrecht will also not wield Shadowfang for it represents that which Albrecht hates.

After defeating Mephisto Albrecht is required to wear Bone Helms. From that point on only Bone Helms may be used. The only exceptions to this rule is if the Undead Crown is found or if a Gemmed Helm (any type of hat) which contains at least 1 Chipped/.../Perfect Skull is used. The Undead Crown, being his father's, is allowed to replace a Bone Helm. A Skull Helm (Gemmed Helm with 1 or more skulls in it) is Albrecht's personal "Undead Crown."

Nothing that is or sounds holy may be used. (Examples: "Of Light," "Of Radiance," "Angel's," "Consecrated," "Priest's.") Similar effects on rare, set, and unique items must also be avoided.

To better fit the role, Albrecht, like all skeletal beings, may use only Sword, Axe, and Bow/Crossbow class weapons. Mace class weapons may also be used.

Albrecht will NEVER use wands, save his starting wand which is a mini-scepter. It was a gift from his father.

Since Albrecht is royalty, he may wish to use scepters. Albrecht can corrupt (use) scepters with bonuses to individual Paladin skills, but scepters with +Pal Skill enchantments (such as "Priest's") are beyond his ability to corrupt.

Skills

The morbid and unholy power that Diablo instilled in Leoric is the same power within Albrecht. Albrecht may thus make use of the following skills:
Amplify Damage, Bone Armor, Raise Skeleton, Skeleton Mastery, Dim Vision, Weaken, Bone Wall, Raise Skeletal Mage, Terror, Bone Spear, Life Tap, Decrepify, Bone Prison, Summon Resist, Bone Spirit, Revive.

Skill usage is restricted by rank, but any may be learned at any time. (This lets you get the irritating skill button out of the way.)

Ranks

While Diablo's power grants Albrecht unholy power, not all of his skills may be utilized as they become available (in terms of having the appropriate clvl). Certain bosses must be destroyed before Albrecht may learn particular skills. No skill is required to be learned.

1) Wraith
Albrecht is unable to do anything at this stage except surround himself with an Armor of Bone and cause his enemies to take Amplified Damage. (Bone Armor & Amp Dmg allowed at start.) The townspeople ask him to cleanse the Den of Evil, yet this is not high priority so he might choose to do so, or he might not. Albrecht's real interest is in the Burial Grounds. Once Blood Raven is slain, Albrecht will be able to summon skeletal minions as Blood Raven's sway over the undead will have ended. (Kill Blood Raven to allow Raise Skeleton and Skeleton Mastery.)

2) Spectre
Albrecht is now informed that Tristram is in ruins and the one known as Deckard Cain is in peril. Albrecht believes the old man could be trouble, but he decides to travel to Tristram anyway. After a visit to Tristram, being sure to keep out of sight of Cain during the visit, Albrecht's power grows and he learns how to blind and weaken his enemies. (Clear Tristram to allow Dim Vision and Weaken.)

3) Poltergeist
Charsi requests that Albrecht bring back her Horadric Malus. While searching for it Albrecht encounters the Smith. He remembers back to when Diablo first summoned the Butcher who slew so many of his father's loyal subjects. He decides that this Smith must be destroyed, and the Demon Queen who summoned him must be slain as well. (Slaying the Smith and Andariel allows Bone Wall and Raise Skeletal Mage. One of these skills - your pick - may be learned after the Smith and the other after Andariel.)

4) Shade
Albrecht seeks out the Claw Viper Temple in the deserts of Lut Gholein. Once found, he shall dispose of Fangskin, a loyal follower of the Lord of Terror who fought at Tristram. Albrecht's next target is the crazed Summoner who must be stopped from bringing more demons under his sway. Finally, the Lord of Pain must be sent back to Hell. (Slaying Fangskin, the Summoner, and Duriel allows Bone Spear, Terror, and Life Tap. One of these skills - your pick - may be learned after each boss is slain.)

5) Knight of Darkness
After slaying two of the Seven Powers of Hell, Albrecht becomes a Knight of Darkness. His quest now takes him to Mephisto, Lord of Hatred and reigning King of the Undead. Yet before Albrecht may reach Mephisto, he must dispose of all High Council members (inclusive of the three inside of the Durance). His final target within striking distance, Albrecht viciously attacks Mephisto. But all is not done yet. Albrecht ventures into Hell in search of Hephasto the Armorer. (Slaying the High Council, Mephisto, and Hephasto allows the use of Bone Prison, Summon Resist, and Decrepify. One of these skills - your pick - may be learned after each target is destroyed.)

6) Lord of Chaos
Truly a foe to be reckoned with, Albrecht proceeds to knock on Terror's Sanctuary and deal him a deathblow. The slaying of Diablo brings him his final ability: Bone Spirit.
Classic D2 Only
Once you've maxed Skeleton Mastery, you may use Revive (1 initially; up to 5 after NM diff D; up to 10 after Hell Diff D). If Albrecht is later converted to D2X, you must do the following quest to enable Revive.

7) King of the Undead
(D2X Only)

Tyrael, wretched Angel that he is, has agreed to take you to Harrogath. He seems to see through your armor and while he does not say it directly, he drops subtle clues that destroying Baal may be your path to salvation from your cursed existence. It also helps that you have nothing better to do.

Destroy Baal, Lord of Destruction, and all of his minions (complete all quests) to use Revive. Only 1 Revive may be kept at any given time until you slay nightmare Baal, which enables up to 5 at a time. Hell Baal allows for 10 at a time.