Emerald Shield
Emerald Shield is a spell that allows priests to shield targets from damage. Being a shield effect, Emerald Shield absorbs the damage: any attacks that are completely absorbed that way will show up as "Absorb" on the shielded target. Once the Emerald Shield is exhausted, it disappears. Any target can only be shielded by Emerald Shield once every thirty seconds.
The amount of damage absorbed depends on your magic. In addition, each level of Emerald Shield gives it a substantial bonus.
Obtaining Emerald Shield
Emerald Shield cannot be learned through the skill book, but instead has to be acquired through a chain of quests. Because of that, level 1 Emerald Shield requires no skill points to learn. Once a priest has learned Emerald Shield, they can use their skill points to upgrade it further.
The quest chain begins with the quest "The Monsters of Saliko Village" from Alexandra in Saliko Village (the follow-up quest teaches your character the "Analyse" ability). After completing that quest, talk to Luca (near Erik, also in Saliko Village) and accept "A Bouquet". Continuing that quest chain will eventually lead you to the East Caves and the Hollow Tree to obtain various charms that Akia can use to teach you Emerald Shield.
Notes
- Since Emerald Shield is instantaneous, it makes for a good emergency spell in case one of your group members would get knocked out before you are able to cast a health restoring spell such as Heal. However, its high mana cost means that it will drain you of your mana very quickly if used thoughtlessly.
- Emerald Shield can be used to protect against abilities whose effect depends on whether the attack connects. For example, Bash and Smite will have no effect if their damage is completely absorbed through a shield effect.
- Emerald Shield can be used to "extend" your targets health. For example, a priest with full health and an emerald shield can withstand an attack that would normally have knocked them out in one hit.
- The Charm of Ancient Protection adds a substantial heal to Emerald Shield, giving priests an instant health recovering spell once every 30 seconds per target.
