Order of the Spell-Breakers

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by Archangel21

Entry in the 2006 Nexus Organizations Contest.

"Though they [the mages] sit back now, one day they will rise up and enslave us all! They have not forgotten that it was people like us who took three of their precious towers! They tried to punish us once before by throwing down a mountain on top of Paladine's favorite, but we survived without turning to them! Now, they sit back quietly and will lull us into a sense of security and then will strike, using their magic to enslave us! We must prepare ourselves for that, and I offer you hope! The Order of Spell-breakers have practiced ways to destroy these evil users of magic and we offer you a chance to join our Order!"
- Excerpt from Saldar Tameric's speech to the public of Palanthas.

History

The Order of the Spell-breakers was started by a rich Palanthas noble, Malik Caldar, around 50 AC. Malik's house sat parallel to the cursed Tower of High Sorcery. One day the man awoke and looked out his window. When he did he thought he saw someone standing in the window of the Tower. Immediately he believed the mages were gathering there and were going to try to take the world. Malik knew that without the clerics or Kingpriest the mages could be all-powerful. In an attempt to protect himself Malik gathered a group of individuals who hated mages; among the numbers were Knights of Solamnia, peasants, and it was even rumored that a few Knights of the Devine Hammer were present. This group of 30 individuals began to practice ways of combating the mages. Though no attack ever came, Malik continued to have these 'Spell-breakers' around, even as he lay on his deathbed. Malik died 84 AC, his wishes were that the Spell-breakers be disbanded and forgotten. Sadly, his wishes were never carried out.

An ex-knight named Ortho Uth Katas rallied the Spell-breakers around him and began to preach that the mages were an 'ultimate evil' and that it was not the Kingpriest nor the gods who brought down the Cataclysm. They had thrown the mountain down and because they killed Paladine's favored, the gods punished the world by leaving. The Spell-breakers readily grabbed hold of that idea and began to attack small groupings of mages. They were such a tight nit group that the mages could not fight back, because they could not find out who were members of the Spell-breakers or where they met.

The Spell-breakers stayed on the course until 356 AC. At that time a new leader was named, Ugoth Salik. Ugoth's hatred for mages caused him to do something that no previous leader would have agreed to. Ugoth began to allow renegade mages into the Order. He believed that this would make the force more powerful and that it was the Order of High Sorcery that was the major threat.

When magic began to wane during the Age of Mortals, the order rejoiced. Their longtime enemies were losing power, but so were they. As time had progressed the Order had come to rely more on magic and magical artifacts. Knowing their time was at an end, the Order was disbanded and the members went their separate ways, all of them thinking it was the last time they would meet.

Their respite was short-lived as a new magical threat began to rear its head; primal sorcery. When sorcery began to spread across the land, the order was reestablished, ready to face this new threat. They began to attack and hang the sorcerers, as a sign of warning to others, the hanged sorcerers had they hands and tongue cut off of their body.

As the War of Souls ended, the Order was in deep trouble as both sorcery and arcane magic returned to Krynn. In order to keep their numbers even with the magic users, the order became public. They now speak in public squares and have public headquarters.

Goals/Motivations

The current goal of the Order of Spell-breakers is to destroy the Order of High Sorcery, its members, and anyone who practices sorcery. The order believes that the mages and sorcerers are a threat to Krynn and will one day attempt to enslave the world and its entire populace.

Headquarters/Areas of Influence

In the current era, the Order of Spell-breakers have major headquarters in Palanthas, Haven, and Tarsis. Their influence can be felt across Ansalon with the exceptions of Blöde, Nalis Aren, Silvanesti, and Icereach.

Leadership/Organization

The current leader is Talor Septim, who took over the leadership position from his father.

The ranks of the Order of Spell-breakers are as follows:

Moon-breaker: Leader of the order. He oversees the whole guild and makes any major decisions. His location is always kept secret and never stays in one place for very long. The Moon-breaker picks one of his Tower-breakers to take his spot.

Tower-breaker: There are three Tower-breakers at any given time. They are the leaders of the major headquarters. Currently they are Saldar Tameric (leader of the Palanthas headquarters), Katie Vanorose (leader of the Haven headquarters), and Marez Lasteric (leader of the Tarsis headquarters). A new Tower-breaker is named by the Moon-breaker when the current Tower-breaker dies.

Wizard-breaker: Wizard-breakers are the elite members of the order. They are some of the most powerful members and often lead the Spell-breakers into battle and oversee operations.

Spell-breakers: The majority of people in the Order are Spell-breakers. They make up the army and workers of the order. After seven years of being a Spell-breaker you become a Wizard-breaker.

Associate: When you first enter the order you are an associate. You act just like an apprentice to your Spell-breaker. After two years of service as an associate you become a Spell-breaker.

Allies

The Order of Spell-breakers have no major allies.

Enemies

Enemies include the Order of High Sorcery, sorcerers, and recently the Knights of Solomnia.

Membership

In past years members hid their alliance. They went about their business as usual and only met with the other members when specifically contacted, or on a set day.

Now that the order has become public, the members are housed in the nearest Headquarters and show their alliance by wearing leather (or plate for wizard-breakers and above) armor that shows their rank. Every time the moons are gone fromm the sky, all members are required to meet unless otherwise specified.

Joining the Organization

In the past there was no specific way to find the Order of Spell-breakers. The only way you could join was if an existing member noticed you and petitioned your entry or if your family was part of the Order.

Recently joining has become much easier, all you have to do is go to the nearest headquarters, take a few tests, and you are in.

Costs and Benefits of Membership

The cost of being in the Order of Spell-breakers is 10% of your monetary income (If you make no money you are exempt from this tax). This is used to run the order and to buy and repair equipment. Also upon joining, you must make an oath that you are not affiliated with the Order of High Sorcery and will never be.

The benefits of being a member include the armor that comes with your rank, use of the headquarters, and use of the equipment that the order owns.

The headquarters all have housing rooms used for members who don't have homes of their own, or who are traveling through the city.

In order to borrow items from the order you must have permission from a Wizard-breaker, Tower-breaker, or Moon-breaker.

This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.