Brilliance (artefact)

Version 0.34: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

This article is about the artefact. For the potion effect, see potion of brilliance. For the monster-only spell, see Aura of Brilliance.

Soon after their fall, Yredelemnul attempted to twist holy energy into a dark mockery of itself, turning it against its progenitors and weakening it against undead and demons. They found out too late that such a complete perversion was uncontrollable; the foul flame they produced destabilised or destroyed everything it was infused into, except for several demonic test subjects and one stolen holy weapon. A lesser, and more stable, version of the dark energy proved more workable, and became Yredelemnul's umbra. This is that weapon: an eveningstar with its light long fled, despite its name, and a shadow that repulses those its light used to comfort...

the +1 eveningstar Brilliance

+1 eveningstar

Foul Flame brand (does an additional 75% damage to holy beings, 25% to unholy beings, and 50% to all others, post-AC)
3 tile umbra
Evil

Desirability

Despite its low enchantment and lack of many properties, Brilliance is one of the best options for one-handed Maces & Flails.

Most creatures are natural, plant, or non-living. To them, Foul Flame deals +50% damage - the best among brands, equivalent to speed. Even against undead and demonic creatures, the bonus is equivalent to flaming/freezing. It deals the most against holy creatures, although these are few and far between.

In addition to having a top-tier brand, the umbra penalizes opponent accuracy and eveningstar is a strong base type, making Brilliance competitive for all of a 3-rune game. In extended, due to the high amount of unholy enemies, a +9 weapon of flaming/freezing/holy wrath will be a better general option, but Brilliance is still a good swapout against holy enemies.

History

• In 0.32, Brilliance was restored with a new brand and flavour.
• Prior to 0.19, Brilliance was a +1 eveningstar of holy wrath, that gave +5 AC, +5 INT, rN+, Stealth- and a 3 tile halo. The halo effect was moved onto Eos.
• Prior to 0.15, this was a mace known as the mace of Brilliance. It had See invisible but only a -20 stealth penalty (pre-halo).