Spellbreakers

## The Spellbreaker Order

The Spellbreakers are a relatively new unit in the Silvermoon Military, who first appeared as forces aiding Kael'thas Sunstrider during the Blood Elves strife after the Scourge Invasion of Quel'thalas. Spellbreakers are specialist units, trained to disrupt and counter magical spells and effects. They are a formidable force against forces who use magic due to their increased resistance to magic. In essence, they are specialized battlemages for the purpose of counteracting magical opposition.

Much of their martial arts and practices are bathed in secrecy and legend, and with out-of-character knowledge of similar forces in Suramar, the art of spellbreaking may have existed since as early as the time of the Kaldorei Empire prior to the Sundering. It’s unlikely that a specific point of origin will be determined for when this skillset was discovered or manufactured.
The Spellbreakers will refuse to train any new recruits until late into the future campaign in Pandaria, and what became of those Spellbreakers that remained with the mad prince Sunstrider remains a mystery. While active recruitment remains in pause, existing members reserve the right to take Initiates under their tutelage, although possessing the skill to meet the requirements is difficult.
Those that seek to join the order can come from all walks of Sin'dorei life, although those that join must know they may not enjoy the same political sway as a Magister or Blood Knight might at the top of the food chain. However, what they will enjoy, is the knowledge that they are part of an unspoken counterweight in Thalassian’s magically centered society. Though the Spellbreakers enjoy no political sway, the Magisterium is silently kept in check by their existence alone. Stories, whose details and veracity has been lost to history, depict Magebanes and Archbreakers cutting down Magisters who had become drunk and corrupt from overindulgence on the Arcane. They ensure that the influence of any single Magister will never rise to a point where they might feel comfortable enough to threaten the Regent - or, indeed, make a claim to the vacant throne.

For a Blood Elf to join the ranks of the legendary order, a long stretch of grueling drills and magical tests must be passed to discern the potential and capability of becoming a proper Spellbreaker.

## What is a Spellbreaker

A Spellbreaker is an anti-magic unit that is trained to disrupt and contort magical energies of their foes, be it from stealing a buff from an enemy, taking a negative buff and applying to a foe, taking control of an enemy summoned unit, driving through their foes with mana draining attacks, or commanding a phenomenal resistance to incoming hostile spells. The Spellbreaker is best described as a mix of an off-tank and a support role, dealing standard damage depending on the training of the Spellbreaker and able to take some hits, but likely not the best to have to lead the fight head on.

A Spellbreaker is iconic for their Glaive and Shield in which they attack their enemies with, donning heavily plated armor to stand in the front lines. While one might assume they are primarily a melee oriented troop, they are competent at all ranges, due to their specialized skills in anti-magic and martial prowess. Because the anti-magic capability is the defining feature of a Spellbreaker, they manifest in all forms, between specialized battlemages that operate at long-to medium range, to warriors who prefer to get up close and personal.

## Ranks

### **Initiate [I]:**

The starting rank is a Thalassian that has just joined the order and has not yet learned the art of Spellbreaking. They are currently learning and would be under the tutelage of either a Spellbreaker or Elite. They would likely have basic martial and magical skills, but next to no anti-magic abilities beyond whatever innate talent may be present.

### **Spellbreaker [I]:**

Once an Initiate has received enough training and experience, they become a full-fledged Spellbreaker. They are issued their glaive and shield and are formally assigned to a squad and are able to be sent into the fields of war. This is the rank and file, Spellbreaker. They have moderate anti-magic abilities and are mid-level battlemages. During special missions, a Spellbreaker may be able to command a **Squad** of 5 Spellbreakers for the duration of the operation. A Spellbreaker may train a single Initiate during active recruitment.

### **Elite [II]:**

A Spellbreaker that has shown promise and potential for leadership. Elites are also formidable, skilled combatants with better than average anti-magic abilities. This is the first officer rank that a Spellbreaker can achieve. Elites enjoy commanding over their **Section** of 10-15 Spellbreakers. Elites require sponsorship from another Elite or higher ranking Spellbreaker in order to be promoted to the role. An Elite may train a group of up to 5 initiates during active recruitment.

### **Magehunter [III]:**

The first Senior Officer Rank for the Spellbreaker Order. The Magehunter has displayed strong leadership skills, as well as tactical intelligence. Beyond this, the Magehunter is a fearsome Spellbreaker with strong anti-magic capabilities and combat skills, usually through innate talent. The Magehunters rarely train Initiates, but those that do tend to produce Spellbreakers destined for greatness. The Magehunter is the preferred unit to carry out missions specifically against high-threat magic wielding targets. A Magehunter has direct control of a **Platoon** of 50 Spellbreakers, via direct commanding authority over a maximum of 3 Elites. A Magebane may train up to 15 during active recruitment.

### **Magebane [III]:**

A Magehunter who specializes in carrying out these missions and chooses to deny any future promotions to Archbreaker or beyond is relieved of training expectations, and is given the honorary title of Magebane. This is generally reserved for those with exceptional anti-magic capabilities and utility on the ground that far exceeds their strategic use as an Archbreaker. Magebanes are hand-chosen by the Praetor. A Magebane may command a **division** of 75 Spellbreakers on their missions or during active war, although will generally operate in smaller teams consisting of other Magehunters or Magebanes.

### **Archbreaker [III] - Progression Required:**

Archbreakers are the highest rank a Spellbreaker Player Character can achieve. They have a history of, over many years of service, exemplary tactical knowledge, as well as exceptional leadership skills. Archbreakers may, and usually do, wield even better abilities than those of Magehunters, but Archbreakers have generally grown venerable and will likely prefer to issue orders from the comfort of Silvermoon or a base of operations. An Archbreaker has control of a **Legion** of 100-150 Spellbreakers, via direct commanding authority over a maximum of 3 Magehunters. An Archbreaker is expected to oversee the training of up to 50 Initiates during active recruitment.

### **Praetor [X]:**

The Praetor is the supreme authority of the Spellbreakers, who directly reports to the Triumvirate and Regent Lord, Lor’themar Theron. This role is largely an organizational and bureaucratic one, handling rare promotions to Archbreaker and Magebane, as well as managing requisitions and the budget. Due to their working relationship with the highest levels of the Thalassian government, this rank is **not** attainable by player characters.

## Common Abilities

### **Quel’Thalas Spellbreakers:**

These Spellbreakers are the standard image of a Spellbreaker, having been trained and created by Kael'thas Sunstrider after the fall of Silvermoon to the Scourge and the rename to Blood Elves. Although it's not impossible for a Fel Elf, Quel'dorei, or any other iteration of Quel’thalas elf to become a Spellbreaker based on the training from Silvermoon, these are far more prominently Sin'dorei who are sworn to protect Quel'Thalas and the Sunwell.

#### **Common Abilities:**

**Sense Magic:** Much like a Demon Hunter does with their Spectral Sight, the Spellbreaker is well versed in recognizing an abundance of magic nearby. This does not mean that they can exactly pinpoint as well as a Demon Hunter can, but they are able to detect the presence of magic. This sense manifests in different ways depending on the spellbreaker, whether it be via a vague sixth sense, or actually being able to perceive magic with an existing sense (ie through smell).

**Spell Steal:** As previously mentioned, the Spellbreaker can steal buffs from their enemies and cast them upon themselves or their allies, as well as taking debuffs from themselves or allies and casting them onto their enemies.

**Control Magic:** The Spellbreaker is able to take control of all summoned units (spare elementals) and force them to fight among them.

**Feedback:** The Spellbreaker specializes in being an anti-magic unit, with such, it is trained to deplete its foes mana through each of its hits, forcing the mana to combust and deal damage to the enemy.

**Magic Dampening Field:** While using this, allies and the Spellbreaker take significantly less damage from hostile spells while within the range of the field (6ft-8ft field at the most).

**Enhanced Spell Resistance:** While not uncommonly heard that some of the Spellbreakers of old had commanded immunity to negative spells, many Spellbreakers have simply been trained to have enhanced spell resistance beyond that of a Magister or Warrior, this again makes the Spellbreaker a valuable asset when fighting against magic foes.

**Sun/Void(if Ren'Dorei) Slash:** Due to their deep connection to the Sunwell (or Void where applicable in the future) and their command on magic in melee, it's not uncommon for the Spellbreaker to incorporate fire or void magic into their physical attacks.

**Spell Nullification:** Particularly skilled Spellbreakers, generally Elites and above, are capable of nullifying magic entirely. This is limited to offensive spells with non-negligible travel times. This ability is often used less for its practicality as a defensive tactic, but as a shock & awe tactic against magical opponents. In order to become a Magebane, a spellbreaker *must* display competency in nullification.
**Standard**: These standard spells include actions such as Spell Reflections, Mana Burns, and overall anti-magic based abilities.