Faction: The Chain Breakers

Liberators of Valoria

Motto: "We shatter the chains of tyranny, be they forged in steel or magic."

Origins

The Chain Breakers emerged during the aftermath of the War of the Five Kings, a time when Valoria’s kingdoms were fragile and mistrustful. While the kingdoms united against the Abyssal invasion, this unity came at a cost. Ordinary people—farmers, laborers, and lesser nobles—were conscripted into armies, taxed into poverty, and often treated as expendable resources. When the kingdoms returned to uneasy peace, these individuals saw little improvement in their lives.

The group began as a shadowy network of assassins led by an enigmatic figure known only as The Unbroken, whose true identity remains a mystery. The Unbroken’s charisma and ruthless strategies have united a diverse array of operatives under the banner of revolution, driven by the belief that the Five Kingdoms perpetuate tyranny. The Unbroken argued that the Five Kingdoms were no better than the Abyssal invaders, as they continued to oppress their people through exploitation, magic, and martial law. His message of liberation resonated deeply, and his rebellion grew into a network of like-minded individuals.

Beliefs and Goals

Anti-Magic Hypocrisy:

• While the Chain Breakers publicly denounce the unchecked use of magic, they have turned to harnessing magical artifacts and weapons to achieve their goals. Their mantra is "Fight fire with fire." To them, using magic to dismantle magical hierarchies is a necessary evil.
• They seek to control and repurpose powerful magical artifacts, using them as tools of revolution and symbols of their defiance against the kingdoms.

Freedom for the Common Folk:

• They see themselves as liberators, striving to overthrow the hierarchical systems of Valoria. The Chain Breakers aim to dismantle the Five Kingdoms’ rule, which they perceive as inherently corrupt.

Rejection of Unity:

They view the fragile peace between the Five Kingdoms as a facade, maintained at the expense of the people. They seek to disrupt this unity, exposing the kingdoms’ weaknesses to spark a revolution.

Structure and Leadership

• The Unbroken: The Chain Breakers’ elusive and mysterious leader, The Unbroken’s true name and origins are unknown. Operatives claim The Unbroken wields a stolen magical artifact with the power to suppress and manipulate magic, solidifying their dominance over both allies and enemies.
• The Iron Chain: A group of regional leaders who manage operations across Valoria. Each has a unique backstory tied to their hatred of the kingdoms or magic. Members of the council are often gifted magical artifacts recovered or stolen during their campaigns.

Methods

Artifact Seizures:

• The Chain Breakers target ancient ruins, vaults, and magical academies to steal artifacts they can weaponize. Their operatives specialize in infiltration and sabotage.
• They repurpose these artifacts to undermine magical hierarchies, using them in assassinations, large-scale sabotage, or even mass uprisings.

Assassinations and Sabotage:

• They specialize in targeted strikes against nobles, mages, and leaders who they see as oppressors. Magical artifacts are often used for these tasks, from enchanted blades to illusionary devices.

Propaganda:

• They use fear and discontent to sow discord. Through leaflets, whispers in taverns, and secret gatherings, they rally people to their cause. Artifacts such as enchanted illusion stones are used to create lifelike recordings of their messages.

Recurring Role in the Campaign

Enemies with a Moral Dilemma:

The Chain Breakers blur the lines between heroism and villainy. While their methods are violent and extreme, their motivations often resonate with the oppressed, making them sympathetic to some.

The players may struggle to decide whether to oppose them outright or find a way to reform their methods.

Artifact Conflicts:

Many magical items the players encounter may have ties to the Chain Breakers. They could be stolen, repurposed, or targeted by the faction for recovery.

For example, the Eye of the Veil may have been on their list of sought-after artifacts before falling into the hands of assassins.

Faction Evolution:

As the campaign progresses, the Chain Breakers could fracture into different factions—some more radical, others seeking peaceful reform—creating opportunities for alliances, betrayals, or deeper conflicts.

Current Relevance

The Chain Breakers orchestrated the failed assassination attempt on Queen Isabella using the Eye of the Veil, a powerful artifact that allowed them to manipulate perception and reality. Their goal was to destabilize Solandris and eliminate its figurehead to ignite widespread rebellion. Despite their beliefs in opposing magical tyranny, they saw the Eye as a means to achieve their revolutionary goals.

In their view, Queen Isabella’s use of magical institutions like Arcanis perpetuates the dominance of the elite. By controlling the Eye, they aimed to weaponize its power against the Five Kingdoms, breaking their hold over Valoria.

Their ultimate dream is to create a world free of hierarchical control—a land where no kingdom, no mage, and no artifact wields dominance over the people. They envision a society where power is decentralized, and individuals govern themselves, unshackled from the chains of history's oppressors.

Chain Breakers Operatives