Member of the Order of the Black Blades (5e Background)
Member of the Order of the Black Blades[edit]
"Iron alone is not enough. Our flesh is marked, our souls are judged, and our faith guides us."
The Order of the Black Blades is a military and religious organization dedicated to hunting mages, dragon and controlling arcane forces. Rejecting all forms of magic and enchanted artifacts, they compensate with strict martial discipline and a sacred rite that sets them apart from any ordinary warrior: the Consecration of the Sacred Blood. (For more lore on their story, everything will be put at the bottom of this page)
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| Badge of the Order |
Skill Proficiencies: Two of your choice from: Arcana, Religion and Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: You can choose any tool. If you don't want to take one, you can choose an additional skill.
Languages: Draconic
Equipment: Your starting equipment is in silver (any piece you chose when creating your character), Handcuffs, longue vue, common outfit, order member outfit (refined clothing) and 15 GP
Feature: Spellbreaker[edit]
You are able to break a target's spell. Any attack you make against a target gives disadvantage on their attack rolls or advantage on the target's spell resistance roll.
Alternate Feature: Spell Connoisseur (Reserved for the Scourge of Mages)[edit]
You can identify a spell in your Mage's Bane Eye. You make a DC 10 Arcana check + the spell's level. If you succeed, you know what the spell is, how long it has been cast, and will be able to identify the caster of that spell if they are within the range of your Mage's Bane Eye.
Alternate Feature 2: Member of the Order[edit]
As a member of the order, you command respect from those who know your order. You and your fellow (non-mage) adventurers can expect to receive free healing at a temple, shrine, or other location, though you are responsible for providing all material components needed for spells. Those who share your order will help you (but only you) and provide a modest lifestyle.
You may also have connections and information with your order, as well as missions. Each mission is paid.
Finally, if you arrive at a location of your order, you will be fed and housed like anyone of your rank in the order.
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I know plenty of inspiring and frightening stories from my military experience that prove relevant in many combat situations. |
| 2 | I idolize a particular hero of my order, and constantly refer to his deeds and example. |
| 3 | Every time I arrive in a new place, I become infatuated with the local rumors about mages and my order. |
| 4 | I am always calm, no matter the situation. I don't raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the most upright and are not of my order are often the ones with the most to hide. |
| 6 | I judge people by their actions, not their words. |
| 7 | I live for the thrill of the hunt. |
| 8 | I have spent so much time in my temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
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| 1 | Power. I hope to one day reach the top of the hierarchy of my order (Loyal). |
| 2 | Tradition. Ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and respected (Loyal). |
| 3 | Goodness. Our destiny is to give our lives in defense of others (Good). |
| 4 | Destiny. Nothing and no one can divert me from my destiny (All alignment). |
| 5 | Domination. I am a predator, and magic users are my prey (Evil). |
| 6 | Fanaticism. Even if my blood, my family, my friends, or my companions are dear to me, I would not hesitate to kill them for my order. (Chaotic or Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
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| 1 | My order is my life. |
| 2 | I seek an ancient relic of my order that was lost long ago. I would die to retrieve it. |
| 3 | I will never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered nor the enemies who inflicted it on us. |
| 4 | I owe my life to the member of the order who took me in when my parents died. |
| 5 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| 6 | I would sacrifice myself body and soul for my order. |
| d6 | Flaw |
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| 1 | I judge others harshly, partly because I am even harsher on myself. |
| 2 | I have too much trust in those who wield power within the hierarchy of my order. |
| 3 | I am suspicious of spell casters and expect the worst from them. |
| 4 | My hatred for my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | It takes me a while to trust people. |
| 6 | I follow orders, even if I think they are wrong. |
Lore : L'Ordre des Lames Noires – Ceux qui ont bu le Sang Sacré[edit]
"Iron alone is not enough. Our flesh is marked, our souls are judged, and our faith guides us."
The Order of the Black Blades is a military and religious organization dedicated to hunting mages, dragon and controlling arcane forces. Rejecting all forms of magic and enchanted artifacts, they compensate with strict martial discipline and a sacred rite that sets them apart from any ordinary warrior: the Consecration of the Sacred Blood.
Mages are forbidden, unless they renounce magic altogether.
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| Astral Dragon |
- The Ritual of the Chalice
- The Judgment of the Gods
Before fully joining the Order, each aspirant must undergo an initiation ordeal that forever marks their body and mind. This ritual, called the Consecration of the Sacred Blood, is considered a divine judgment.
- A single Astral Dragon has watched over the Order for centuries. It is considered a messenger of the gods, a pure creature that exists only to test mortals.
- During the ritual, aspirants must drink its sacred blood from a blessed golden chalice forged by the priests of the Order.
- The blood grants them no magical powers, but irreversibly alters their body and soul.
- Effects of the Ritual
- A Resilient and Devoted Body → Their flesh is strengthened, not by magic, but by a divinely ordained transformation. They become more resilient, able to survive wounds that would kill an ordinary man.
- Absolute Devotion → Their spirit is purified, making them incorruptible in the face of magical temptations. A member of the Order can never yield to the lure of witchcraft, nor agree to use it.
- The Ban on Profane Healing → Once marked by the ritual, non-divine healing spells no longer work on them. Only priests can heal them, thus reinforcing their dependence on faith.
- The Nightmares of Judgment → Every night, they relive the gaze of the Astral Dragon in dreams, a constant test of their faith. Those who doubt or waver descend into madness or mysteriously disappear.
Hierarchy of the Order[edit]
- The Adamantium Rank – The Inflexibles (Supreme Elite)
Title: Adamantium Generals
Only those who have survived decades of war against the mages attain this rank. They have drunk the blood of the Astral Dragon many times, strengthening their endurance and iron will. They feel neither fear nor doubt, and their authority is absolute.
Sub-rank: Dark Inquisitors → Those who monitor members of the Order and judge captured mages.
- The Mithral Rank – The Indomitable (Officers and Champions of the Order)
Title: Mithral Captains
Lead battalions and lead the hunt for mages. Proved their faith by surviving missions where magic was omnipresent.
Sub-Rank: Shadowblades → Assassins specializing in hunting down fugitive sorcerers.
- Cold Iron Rank – The Spellbreakers (Elite Troops)
Title: Cold Iron Knights
Their flesh has been marked by the ritual, and their resistance to pain is impressive. They are on the front lines against mages and magical creatures.
Sub-Rank: Arcane Hunters → Trackers capable of instinctively detecting traces of magic.
- Silver Rank – The First Blades (Recruits and Basic Soldiers)
Title: Silver Soldiers
New members who have survived the Consecration of the Sacred Blood, but have not yet proven their worth in combat.
Sub-Rank: Steel Squires → Aspirants in training, who have not yet drunk the dragon's blood.
Priests and Paladins: Only Worthy of Magic[edit]
Priests are the only fully accepted magic users, as their power comes from the gods.
Paladins are tolerated, but remain under surveillance.
Tactics and Equipment[edit]
Weapons and armor made of sacred metals → Adamantium, mithral, and cold iron to counter magic.
Fast and brutal combat → Kill a mage before they cast their spell.
Supernatural endurance → Thanks to the ritual, they can fight even when seriously wounded.
Unwavering faith → Their spirit rejects any attempt at corruption or illusion.
Philosophy of Order: Between Justice and Fanaticism[edit]
Evil or uncontrollable mages → Eliminated without mercy.
Neutral and disciplined mages → Monitored, but tolerated.
Priests and Clerics → Honored and protected.
Paladins → Accepted, but never fully integrated.
Tuh'Ur[edit]
The Tuh'Ur is a draconic word that announces the day of the order's final battle. On that day, the order will face hordes of chromatic dragons, mages, and numerous magical creatures.
It is said that when this battle takes place, the astral dragon itself will take part in the battle, and that during this battle, either magic will be stopped or the order will disappear.
No one knows much about this moment except for the astral dragon, and perhaps certain high-ranking officials.
Furthermore, in the order's great fortified city, a huge horn is placed. It is said that the day of the Tuh'Ur will be announced by this body. Furthermore, every member of the order who has drunk the astral dragon's blood will hear the call and return to the city for the final battle.
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