Valkyrie
by Charis
This character is dedicated to Sesso(AMZ), whose readings in Norse mythology alerted me to the meaning of Gotterdamerung, and to Dr. D., the player most likely to go 3@30 even without finding a Gotter!

Class: Rogue
Tag: None

Introduction

The Valkyrie, in Norse mythology, are special virgin warriors chosen by Odin. Their name means "Choosers of the Slain." They seek to earn his respect by preparing to fight beside him in the final battle at Ragarok, known as Gotterdamerung. The challenge they face is tremendous, and their life is hard. These Valkyries would wield helmet and spear in battle, and were bitter enemies of giants and wolves.

Rules

There are two phases to the life of the Valkyrie, the quest for Gotterdamerung and the quest for Ragnarok. During their initial quest, they are naive virgins who lack the experience to benefit from what they learn, and take no points from leveling up. Once the Gotter is found, all points may be assigned. Note they may use elixirs and shrines as these are blessings which do not require experience.

Items

Armor
The Valkyrie were rumored to wear outfits which gave off dazzling lights, which presumably gave rise to the Northern Lights. The Valkyrie class may thus wield the Rainbow Cloak or Sparkling Mail, or Armor of Light/Radiance (any prefix). Before her Gotter transformation, or until one of these is found, sturdy leather armor (of Ages, +str, or Aut) may be worn (including Studded Leather).

Helms
A helm of some sort must be worn at all times (no crowns). The ultimate helm for the Valkyrie is the Gotterdamerung (see more below).

Shields
Only a buckler may be used in the early life of the Valkyrie.

Weapons
Only a bow and a spear may be used.

OK, Diablo has no spears. :) Use your imagination, treating the Claymore and Two-Handed (not Great) Sword as short and long spears. A foil (sabre) and pole spear (War Staff) may also be used as thrusting weapons.

Enchantments
Any item may be used as long as it is not of giants or of wolves.

Uniques
Among the unique weapons, the Bonesaw, Falcon's Talon, Doombringer, Ice Shank, Inferno, Shadowhawk, Grandfather, Light Sabre, and StormSpire alone may be used.

There are two other weapons which, if found by the Valkyrie, may be used: Schaefer's Hammer and Thundercall, which would be seen as blessings straight from Thor.

Spells

Their magic is extremely limited, using only heal, heal other, town portal, guardian, phase, teleport, golem, and stone curse. Note that Valkyrie do not use Mana shield.

Quests

1) Quest for Gotterdamerung
This is the entire focal point of the early life of the Valkyrie. She must find the Gotter herself (not receive it as a gift). It must be identified and worn once found (and able to wear). Until then, no bow larger than a composite may be used, no great helm may be worn. (Note: Gotterdamerung is a Norse word meaning 'The End of Joy', or 'Twilight of the Gods', an Armageddon like event where the Norse gods themselves are likely to die.)

2) "Gotterdanke" The Blessing of the Gods
An amazing transformation occurs when the Gotterdamerung is found. The Valkyrie has an insight giving greater sense of her destiny, the ability to learn all spells (except MS), and with the assignment of stat-points, a new source of power and vitality that she has never known before. She may also use a shield smaller than a Kite shield along with her 'spear'. In the game following the finding of Gotterdamerung, an assault on Diablo must be undertaken. Note: if the Valkyrie is powerful enough to attempt killing Diablo, she may make an attempt in the game the Gotter is found, to wear it unidentified and go after Diablo (who she must slay solo).

3) Quest for Ragnarok
Once the powerful Gotterdamerung is found neither she nor her enemies will rest until one of them lies dead. Ragnarok is the final battle against Diablo on Hell difficulty.

Notes

i) Both the initial killing of Diablo (first dot) and the battle of Ragnarok must be faced solo, or with other Valkyrie. Coop play is encouraged at any other time.

ii) The Gotter is an ilvl=21 item, which may be dropped by any mlvl 21 monster, a unique boss of a mlvl 17 monster (ie Brokenstorm(9), Blackstorm(10), The Flayer(10), and any boss on dlvl 11 or deeper), or found in a barrel/chest on dlvl 11 or greater. Thus lvl 11 (and 13 for easy entrance) are the best places to look.

Just what are the odds? Let's say you kill a boss, approx 1 in 50 of getting a great helm drop, then 1 in 6 it will be unique (and hence Gotter), for 1 in 300. About half the time (roughly) you would get it from a boss, and sometimes more than 1 boss/lvl, so it should take on the order of 100 trips to lvl 11 or deeper in order to get a Gotter. Doing say 3 such lvls per game, it should take around 40 games to find. Hooking up with a good coop partner would help alot. (The Valkyrie must be the one to ID the Gotter to validate its genuineness.)

iii) How to survive lower lvls? Seek out items that add resists and strength if you use a two handed weapon, or perfection items if you want to use a shield or bow. Large +hp items will also be of great help. Stealth is one option, or high +magic/+mana items and stone curse is another. 'Adders' can be wielded temporarily, even if not allowed for combat, to learn spells.

iv) Any Valkyrie who can go golden 3@30 is destined to be among the very greatest in the Hall of Valhalla.

v) Norse Amazon tribes exist, which undertake the Amazon training and quests. They may opt to add +1 vit each lvl up, would do defender with a two-handed spear, warrior with a one handed spear (long sword) and buckler, avenger with wooden spear (maul), and huntress with a bow. They may not proceed in the Heroine rank until the Gotterdamerung is found. Stealth Hunt would be done with a bow or spear, the final title sought would likely be Golden Queen of Ragnarok, Guardian, Spellbinder, Hunt Priestess.