Editing Patron (section)

== Lore ==
The Patrons are [[Outer Planes|extraplanar]]<ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_80.mp3|transcription=The orders of The Amber Hand and Sapphire Flame have long provided safeguards insuring that The Patrons remain on their home plane. But have the people we trusted to be wardens of The Patrons secretly been planning a coup?}}</ref> gods<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Wraith|file=Wraith match start krill wraith convo03 04.mp3|transcription=Now let's summon a god.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Calico|file=Calico select 06.mp3|transcription=What better way to show off my product than to kill a god?}}</ref> who petition heroes to participate in a ritual. Each Patron must form a covenant with 6 Heroes in hopes of being summoned to walk amongst them.<ref name=":1">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Amber Hand|file=Patron male match win 05.mp3|transcription=Finally, I can walk amongst you, and give you your reward.}}</ref> In order for the ritual to be completed, the enemy Patron must be destroyed.

Once the ritual is completed, the Patrons can grant one wish to each hero who helped summon them.<ref>[[The Binding of Oathkeeper|''The Binding of Oathkeeper'']] - [https://youtu.be/nn_C9nQ_Ri0?si=HPiD-NYhX4-d35sn&t=1269 Chapter 5B]</ref> However, they have limitations, such as being unable to bring [[Grey Talon|Grey Talon's]] deceased family back to life.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Sapphire Flame|file=Patron female ally orion start 10.mp3|transcription=Even I do not have the power to bring back your family. But I can make the ones responsible pay! Summon me.}}</ref> They also may require a sacrifice in exchange for the wish. The specifics of the Patron's powers and their limitations are unclear.

The Patrons have telepathic powers and can read the thoughts and desires of the heroes (with the exception of [[Warden]]<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Amber Hand|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_01.mp3|transcription=Warden, you are inscrutable.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Amber Hand|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_03.mp3|transcription=Warden, how long do you think you can hide your heart from me?}}</ref>), as well as communicate with them during the ritual. They use this knowledge to manipulate the heroes to do their bidding.

This is the first time in history that humanity has been able to make contact with the Patrons.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_18.mp3|transcription=Could today be the day where humanity makes contact with.. The Patron? Only time will tell.}}</ref> Such rituals used to be impossible, as well as forbidden, before the [[Maelstrom|second Maelstrom]].<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_79.mp3|transcription=For decades, contact with The Patrons has not only been impossible, but forbidden. But with the Maelstrom upon us that may change!}}</ref> The orders of the Amber Hand and the Sapphire Flame were supposed to safeguard humanity from the Patrons, but recently have changed their objectives.<ref name=":0" />[[File:Patron_VisualNovel_Art.png|thumb|A Patron looming over humans]]
There are other Patrons besides the Amber Hand and the Sapphire Flame, but they haven't yet made contact with humanity.<ref>2024-09-28 - [[Yoshi]]; Deadlock Discord - ''"There are more than two Patrons, but so far only two are trying to enter our world"''</ref>

[[The Binding of Oathkeeper|''The Binding of Oathkeeper's'']] multiple endings shows potential wishes granted by the Patrons:

* An answer to one of [[Abrams]]' questions regarding the Tome;
* Binding [[Oathkeeper]] back to the Tome and allowing [[Lady Geist]] to stay young;
* The sacrifice of [[Minor characters|Johann Jr.]] in exchange for 200 years of Oathkeeper's complete obedience to Lady Geist;
* The self-sacrifice of Lady Geist in exchange for banishing Oathkeeper from Earth;
* Safely removing Oathkeeper from Geist, but making her return to the natural age she had before their pact.