Valor

Valor is a reservoir of mystical energy that trained warriors build up within themselves, and which they use to power their Techniques. Every Technique you use expends Valor, unless you have access to an enchanted item or other effect that allows you to ignore the Valor cost of a Technique.

• The maximum amount of Valor you can hold at once is referred to as your Valor Pool. You can never hold more points of Valor than this amount; any points that you regain in excess of this amount are lost.
• When you take the Warrior ability, you gain a Valor Pool of 2. You cannot gain or use Valor if you do not have this Ability.
• You can increase the size of your Valor Pool by taking levels of the Battlemaster and/or Heroism Abilities, Attuning to a magic item such as a Champion’s Hand, drinking an alchemical elixir such as a Centurion Elixir, or having a ritual such as Rise, Oh Blessed Heart performed on you.
• You spend Valor each time you use a Technique; most Techniques cost 1 Valor, but the Crushing Blow and Dauntless Spirit Techniques each cost 2 Mana to use.
• Your Valor Pool is fully refreshed when you wake up in the morning and when you spend at least 15 minutes within an area of holy ground created by the Hallow ritual.
• You can actively restore points of Valor by drinking potions like a Stamina Potion or having the Ancient Skald’s Uplifting Verse ritual performed on you.

The Nature Of Valor

“Valor” as a form of mystical energy is just one name for it; the same energy is also called ki, stamina, heroism, and a number of other things depending on which culture or scholar you ask about it. Whatever it is called, it is a naturally-occurring energy, growing within someone who has devoted themselves to developing their body’s physical capabilities and martial skill. Once it reaches a sufficient level, warriors can begin training to use this force, expending it to enhance their blows with deadly levels of power or to recover from what would otherwise be mortal or crippling wounds.

The existence of Valor and the Techniques that it fuels throughout the mortal peoples and in many of the beasts and monsters of the world has created a significant leveling effect within societies and militaries across the Continent. While some might be less physically blessed by their blood and nature, it’s unwise to take any warrior lightly — it doesn’t matter how large or small they are, if they can use Valor to cripple of kill someone with a single strike of a sword regardless of their size.