Handmaiden of Zerae
by Warlocke

Class: Amazon
Tag: HZ

Introduction

Unlike the Southern Amazons, the Amazons of the East do not submit themselves to trials to determine their status within the tribe. Instead, each babe is tested at birth to determine what caste it will enter. The most fortunate of these children are found to be touched by the Goddess Zerae, and are raised in a secluded, religious environment and taught to uphold Her laws.

Items

Armor & Shields
Zerae imposes no restrictions on the type of armor a Handmaiden may wear, provided the armor pleases Her. (Additional restrictions in Affixes)

Gems
Some Handmaidens believe that Topaz gems are a bit of Zerae's essence fallen to Sanctuary, while some believe them to be demonic creations bent on corrupting the Handmaiden away from Zerae. If a Handmaiden chooses to use gems, she may never use Rubies or Sapphires, and Topaz gems are greatly preferred.

Weapons
Zerae's Handmaidens are most commonly seen wielding Spears and Javelins, although the occasional Bow has been spotted. Handmaidens will never use Crossbows, as they distance her from Zerae's touch. (Additional restrictions outlined in Skills)

Enchantments
Being a mercurial Goddess, Zera is fast to anger as well as to take action. This tendency is found in Her Handmaidens as well. Affixes that increase speed (Fast/er/est Hit Recovery/Attack Rate/Blocking/Walk-Run) are highly valued, so much so that a Handmaiden will not wear any armor which has no (or a lesser) bonus on it, even if it affords more defense.

Lightning damage and Light Radius are also highly valued, as they are believed to be Her blessings. "+Amazon Skills" is not inherently believed to be Hers, but if it is found on an item with an affix that is preferred, it is believed to be a gift from Zerae, and must be worn.

However, affixes related to Hefaetrus or Karcheus (Fire/Cold damage, +Fire Skills, etc) can never be used, unless they are found with a preferred affix, in which case the Handmaiden has Zerae's blessing to use the item. The Handmaiden may use all Resistances (including "-Poison Duration", but not "Half Freeze Duration"), although Lightning Resistance is greatly preferred.

Skills

Zerae is the Goddess of Lightning and Vengeance, and as such is a mercurial being. Handmaidens have a particular affinity for the Lightning skills, and may never use the Fire or Cold skills (as those skills are the domain of Hefaetrus and Karcheus). Additionally, a Handmaiden may never use a non-Lightning skill that is of a higher Slvl than her lowest-Slvl Lightning skill.

Example
If the Handmaiden's lowest-Slvl Lightning skill was Lightning Fury at Slvl 2, then she may not use any non-Lightning skill (Fend, Jab, Impale, Strafe, Decoy, etc) that was higher than Slvl 1.

This means that while a Handmaiden may use the Bow, she may only use the non-elemental Bow skills if they are of lower Slvl than all of her Lightning Spear/Javelin skills, and she may never use the Fire or Cold Bow skills.