The Axe Master
by Belial

Class: Warrior
Tag: (A-NB)

Introduction

The Axe-Masters have a long history of the great Gotterdamerung. He was once the strongest and bravest axe master. The people now live by his word. Before he died of old age the great Gotterdamerung had written down all his thoughts and recommendations for being an axe master… this is the book that was once written 500 years ago. If you are willing to become one of the axe masters, read these rules and follow them.

Storyline

The axe masters have lived in semi-seclusion for many years now, with the loss of there great leader many were to saddened to keep fighting the satanic powers that dwell near Tristram. But I the now acting leader of the axe masters have broken out of my depression, I will revive this ancient tribe to it's rightful status of a helping, humble tribe. At the moment people will avoid us like we has sort of juju magic disease! We will be known once again, and we will rid Tristram of the evil that lurks below!

Getting In-Character

The axe masters are a very helpful group, what they do not need they will give away, what they need they will share, when someone is in trouble they will help. Basically try play your axe master with a hatred toward satanic beings (cheaters fall under this category) and be nice to fellow players, but really the attitude is up to you.

If you do want to play your axe master with a different attitude go for it, but I also realize some people don't even play there character with an specific attitude at all. The main thing in this variant is to have a fun yet challenging experience.

General Rules

Create a new warrior character and put (A-NB) behind the name. (The NB is to show that you are a new born.) As soon as you arrive in town for the first time go and sell your sword, shield, and club. You may use the money you have now to buy anything you want that does not conflict with the item rules.

At least 2 lvl up points must be added to str per lvl. No points may be added to magic at all. You have no use for that attribute.

You must use helm/armor with the highest AC regardless the prefix and suffix.

Items

Weapons
The only type of weapons the Axe Masters have learned to use effectively are axes. These weapons hold the greatest strength and will let the Axe Master deal much more damage than normal. This means no swords, shields, staves, bows, clubs, or any other type of weaponry; those weapons are for people of lesser power.

Armor
Any type of armor can we wielded by the Axe Master for the exception of cloaks and robes, these garments are for the wizards.

Helms
Any type of helm may be used¹², Axe Masters yearn to outfit themselves with the highest AC possible.

¹: Even crowns may be used, for they are just cheap imitations and not for royalty.
²: See below in the rules.

Jewelry
Any ring or amulet may be worn as long as the prefix and suffix are allowed.

Enchantment Bans
Certain prefixes and suffixes are not allowed by the Axe Masters council.

Angels, Arch-Angels, Bountiful, Brilliance, Light, Raven's, Serpent's, Dragon's, Drakes, Of The Mind, Radiance, Plentiful, Snakes, Spider's, Sorcery, or Wizardry.

Uniques

Any unique armor may be used except Nightscape, Wisdom's Wrap, Rainbow Cloak, and Naj's Light Plate. These cloaks were all crafted for wizards, not warriors. As for the Naj's Light Plate, it gives too many magical benefactions to the Axe Master; he has no need for such things.

Any unique axe may be wielded except the foul accursed Aguinara's Hatchet. This axe is a puny wizard like weapon that is a disgrace to all axes that the Axe Masters cherish.

Only the Overlords Helm, Gotterdamerung³, and the Fools Crest are to be used. The Royal Circlet is reserved for royalty (something you are not) and the Thinking Cap is a wizards' tool.

³: See quests

Any unique rings may be worn for the exception of The Ring of Regha, this ring takes from strength, and you cannot have your str decreased for it is something you need in the time of battle. You don't want to decrease this attribute.

Shrines

The Axe Masters still cannot put there trust into these purely magical shrines, only once an Axe Master has gained many years of experience may he touch shrines. You may use shrines once you have reached Clvl 20. But once the Axe Master has reached Clvl 25 he still may not use the Cauldrons or Goat Shrines, for these are the work of the devil.

Spells

Spells
No spells are allowed to be learned or used.

Scrolls
The only scrolls that may be used are Town Portal, Identify and Healing.

Quests

1) First Blood

This quest is for the new warriors of the tribe, it proves that they can forge for a weapon and destroy the strong enemies. You may start this quest when you have first started an axe-master. What you must do is this: First go to town, you must sell your sword shield and club. You may now buy anything you want (except an axe) with the money you earn. Head to the dungeon, once you are here you may not come back up to buy anything (you can heal at Pepin ) until you have completed these 2 tasks.
#1: Find an axe
#2: Clear dlvls 1 and 2 (including the butcher)

Once you have completed this quest you gain the title of Axe Trainee. Once you have achieved the title of Axe Trainee you may change the (A-NB) behind your name to a (A-T).

2) The Quest for Gotterdamerung

Gotterdamerung was once the great leader of the axe masters. He was a fair, noble ruler. The tribe liked him so much that they crafted a great helm for him and named it the Gotterdamerung. This helm was worn at all time by the leader and at his burial was to be buried with him in the deepest pit of hell. His body was to be put here so his spirit could go on fighting the satanic powers that lurked below.

If you wish you may embark on this great quest.¹ You must do the following: First find the great helm of Gotterdamerung and immediately go to town and restore it to it's full glory. (ID and repair) Once you have the helm in its rightful condition you now must clear the level of hell you found it on and the level below.² Once you have done this you may choose to either keep the great helm of Gotterdamerung or put it back in it's resting place.³ If you choose to keep the helm you must carry it with you at all times, but this great helm does not apply to the AC rule which would require its use at all times. So you may choose to wear it at your discretion.4 If you find more than 1 Gotterdamerung you may only keep 1.

¹: If you do not want to start this quest you don't have too, but if the Gotterdamerung is found buy you the quest is started automatically.
²: If you find the Gotterdamerung on 16 start a new game and clear lvl 13 with it on.
³: To put it back in it's resting place you must run down to lvl 15 and put in on the pentagram, no enemies may be killed on the way there and you must wear the helmet on the way there. Once you have put it on the pentagram, clear the level and kill Lazarus. Once this is done the Gotterdamerung will be in its final resting place.
4: This means you can wear it only melee levels if you want or not wear it at all, but you must keep it in your inv.

3) The Slaying

To prove your strength to the other tribe members you must embark on this quest after you have gained the title of Axe- Handler and reached Clvl 15. Once you embark on this quest you must obtain a basic small axe (you may buy or find, up to you) and proceed to the dungeon & catacombs with it. In the dungeons you must slay the Butcher and King Leoric with your axe. Once you have reached the catacombs you must slay at least 2 random bosses within.

Once you have picked up all the items that these demons have dropped, take them and put them in the Butcher's lair. You may not keep any of these items; they are considered evil and must be cleansed. Now close the Butcher's door and exit the game so that the items are destroyed. (This is best done alone so no one will stay in the game and take them.) Once you have completed this great quest you gain the grand title of Axe-Handler. You may now change the (A-T) behind your name to (A-H).

4) The Death Of A Satanic Power

Now the time has come my Axe-Handlers, it is time for you to take on the Lord of Darkness himself! You must defeat Diablo to prove your worth to us, once you have defeated the lord of terror you will gain true member ship to the tribe.

After you have kill Diablo on normal difficulty you will gain the sacred dot, and you also receive the title Axe-Master. You may replace the (A-T) behind your name with a (A-M). Yes it is true, you have become a member of the tribe, but that does not mean your journey is over! No you have a long ways to go after this. Remember this my tribesman, be humble. Do not put yourself before others and slay the demons that lay within the 2 switchside realms of nightmare and hell. Once you have completed all these quests they may be chosen to be re-done in the switchside realms.