Volkath

**The Black Apostate**

*"Light is fleeting, Darkness is forever"*

**Volkath** is the 91st Hero in Arena of Valor, classified as a Warrior-Assassin hybrid. He is the Lord of Lokheim and the demons, whose mount and blade strike terror into the hearts of his enemies.

## Profile

* Date of Birth: November 22
* Place of Birth: Unknown
* Height: 215 cm
* Age: 1000+

## Story

"What is the meaning of life without freedom?"

At the peak of Mt. Orphean, a young boy with golden hair and crimson eyes asked his teacher. The teacher put down his book sand smiled, "True freedom is not to do whatever you want; it is to be able to refuse what you do not want to do."

The boy smiled and his eyes shone with mischief. "Can I refuse you then, Master Edras?"

"I'm afraid not, Volkath. You are talented, but you have much to learn before the Holy Light will accept you." Edras tried to bring the conversation back on course. Volkath was intelligent, but too willful, too insistent on doing things his own way to accept the teachings of the Holy Light. Volkath shrugged and did not press the issue, but the smugness on his face was apparent. He did not notice the three girls sitting in front sneaking peeks back at him, Edras' three favorite students, Marja, Kahlii, Ilumia, who would become the Three Maidens of Veda. Nor did he know that one of them would become his lover, another his fervent supporter, and the last his mortal enemy.

Also sneaking a peek at Volkath was Veera, sitting in a corner, her timid eyes filled with worry. Indeed, the seemingly innocuous debate had caught the attention of all the other students - with the exception of Maloch, who was always on Volkath's side, rain or shine. Past, present, future - whatever path he chose, Volkath always had a loyal group of followers who walked with him, for he was as generous to his friends as he was merciless to his enemies.

Edras sensed the threat posed by Volkath's charisma, but still he tried to bring Volkath back to the light, until finally Volkath put an end to the link between master and student.

In the great battle that pitted gods against demons Edras fell, and Volkath turned to the abyss. By his side were Veera and Maloch, the first to join Volkath in his rebellion, and Kahlii, one of the Three Maidens of Veda. Conspicuously missing, however, was Volkath's lover Marja, another of the Three Maidens."Would you come with me if I truly turned against the Holy Light?" Volkath asked Marja before he took the final step.

"I will cut off your head and hang it at the top of the temple, to show the world what happens to traitors." Marja had wavered between her teacher and her lover, but the call of duty was strong, and eventually she declined Volkath's invitation.

"Choice is both a right and a duty, my love. You will understand, in time." Volkath whispered in her ear, "There is no safety in the margin between light and darkness. There is only storm and fury, even if it has yet to rear its head. This is my parting gift for you. You will need it, when the storm comes..."As he spoke, he lifted Marja's chin and kissed her, a kiss so long that Marja felt out of breath. It was as though she lost something, and gained something at the same time.

Volkath did not tell Marja that he had gifted her a part of his soul, with which he broke the hold that the Holy Light had on her, and planted the seeds for her transformation. Infinitely patient and confident, he was certain that the woman who he loved would one day accept his ideals, and return to his embrace, to walk again with him side by side. When the Holy Light was tarnished, Lokheim welcomed their new lord. Volkath correctly predicted the political machinations in Veda after Edras' death, with Ilumia banishing Marja. His parting gift for Marja would help her break the shackles of light, and reunite them in the abyss. What Volkath did not count on was that his invasion of Athanor would become his own downfall. With the help of the World Tree, Tel’Annas fell Volkath with a single arrow, sending the Lokheim forces routing back to the abyss. When Marja escaped from prison she was greeted not by her lover with open arms, but a cold, grey tombstone. Marja's fury was terrible. Seeking vengeance on Afata, she sent innumerable Shadow Worms against Afafa, leaving vast areas of lifeless, barren wastelands in their wake. For a hundred years afterwards the forces of Afata never stepped out of their territory, fearful of the threat that Marja posed.

"Marja, my love. Who could have thought that the parting gift I left for you would become the key to my resurrection?"

A chance encounter awakened the piece of soul that Volkath had left in Marja, completing their reunion, if only in spirit - in the literal sense of the word.

"Oh, my love, my love!" Marja gazed longingly at Volkath's almost fully transparent apparition. "How I have longed to burn every last branch and leaf of the accursed World Tree, and wring the neck of the elven queen with my own two hands!"

Volkath's spirit extended its arms and embraced Marja with ethereal arms. "Look how beautiful and powerful you have become, free from the bondage of the light! Once you were merely a puppet of the light; now you have found yourself, and where you truly belong."

Even without physical form, even as a mere fragment, a shadow of its former self, the presence of Volkath's spirit was overwhelming.

"The false light shall be dispelled, and the freedom of darkness shall reign. Then I shall take your hand, and together we shall stand above all!"

## Skills

Recast while there is at least 1 Dark Mark on the target to charge, dealing physical damage equal to 400/450/500/550/600/650 (+110% bonus of AD) + 16% of lost HP.
If marked target is killed by this ability, the cooldown is reset immediately.
Use the ability again to knock back nearby enemies, dealing 300/450/600 (+160% of bonus AD) physical damage and transforming Volkath into his Doom Lord form for 3.5 seconds. While in Doom Lord form, Volkath gains 80% attack speed, 30% movement speed, and cannot be killed. 25% of his max HP is restored when he exits Doom Lord form.
**Dark Might**: While in Overload, Volkath gains 1 Dark Might whenever his normal attacks hit an enemy hero, up to a maximum of 3 stacks. Each stack of Dark Might extends the duration of Doom Lord by 0.5 sec.

## Hero Guide

▪ Jungle is the most suitable lane for Volkath. The resources from wildings can be used to maximize his already huge damage output, and ensuring that Ultima is always ready. Slayer Lane is a good choice provided that your enemy has a low healthpool as Volkath's Execution-Death Sweep can cripple any hero in early game, however if the enemy has a tank Slayer Laner such as Arthur or Omen, it's recommended that you clear minions and gank the middle lane to avoid them at all costs.

▪ If you're up for a change, consider taking the Support position to pressure the enemy Support/Marksman duo. Volkath's damage is ample enough to discourage enemies, even tanks, from pressuring too high. Bide your time until you unlock his ultimate, and try to either get around enemy supports to take down their marksmen, or lead your team to a victorious tower dive.

▪ Try to join every team fights in early game to make the most out of your Ultima. Do not rush in from the front, instead try to look for a gap in enemy team formation, or strike from behind their ranks. Staying on the horse is key, and while doing so perform consecutive normal attacks to maximize your damage output. It is often recommended to have at least 16% life steal to prolong this state and soak hits for your team. Try to stay on the horse as long as you can, jump down only when you need invincibility to continue your pursuit. Once you have your invincibiliy, perform the Execution-Death Sweep combo. Enemy marksmen are your primary targets, so make sure that you land near them.

▪ Avoid enemy supports with crowd control abilities. They will stun you once you jump off your horse, or stun you and your horse both. Dying on your horse is commonly seen in inexperienced players. If there is difficulty determining when to jump down, consider buying Death Sickle or Uriel's Brand early.

 **Arcana:** 10x Onslaught/10x Reave/10x Skewer

## Trivia

* DDth Month YYYY — introduction of HERO.
* Volkath, Illumia, Marja, and Veera were all taught by the first God of Veda, Edras. In the end, Volkath betrayed and killed Edras, Marja was manipulated by Volkath, and Veera as well as Kahlii followed Volkath.
* Volkath is stronger than Edras, being able to kill him without being wounded.
* Volkath was a former Archon, like Marja and Veera. The trio changed their form after fleeing Veda.

## References

Coming Soon

Hyena#2302