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Back at the beginning, the ‘Champions of Windemere’ were based around the elements.  It still holds true to some extent with many of their abilities being based around this idea.  It is even mentioned that the prophecy is so old that it was made during a time where such a theme was the norm.  Yet, I started seeing how there was something else to each character as I wrote the story.  There was a core virtue/emotion to each hero, which ends up being more important than people realize at first.  In fact, I started seeing how their abilities would be only as strong as this core.  I’m going to do some small explorations this week on the 5 active champions and this concept.  I can’t use the 6th champion because he/she hasn’t made a real appearance yet.

Luke Callindor is the easiest character to figure out because he’s pretty straightforward. This is also why I can use his post to explain the overall concept before the more detailed champions get a turn.  He is a reckless swordsman who will face every challenge to become a hero.  His core has always been his courage.  Even when outmatched, Luke refuses to back down even if he knows it’s smarter to do so.  This is especially true when someone is in trouble, which turns his bravery into a weapon.  His enemies can use this against him, but there is always that risk that he’ll do something dangerously unpredictable.  For example, his tactics in his first encounter with the Lich that nearly got him killed.

You might be wondering what this has to do with his powers.  Well, Luke is strongest when he’s brave.  His prowess, speed, and overall abilities increase when his courage is high, which is part of the champion prophecy.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a part that is known by the heroes and I’m still working on how they’re going to figure it out.  Anyway, the villains know this little fact and it is why there is a lot of mental warfare on the part of characters like Stephen and the Baron.  In regards to Luke, there is a push to make him doubt his own bravery and feel like he’s incapable of defending others.  This weakens him and increases the risk of failure and death.  Again, Luke is rather straightforward, but I’m not sure if he’s the easiest or hardest champion to derail.