Difference between revisions of "Order of Skybreakers"

== History ==▼

=== Ancient Skybreakers ===▼

The group that would become the Skybreakers began when the highspren, trying to imitate the [[honorblade]]s, granted men Surges.{{book ref|sa2|59}}{{book ref|sa2|4}} [[Ishar]], understanding the implication of men having Surges, forced them to accept laws and organization, becoming the Order of Skybreakers.{{epigraph ref|sa2|42}} Given the Skybreakers' dedication to the law, they likely had one of the easiest times accepting Ishar's rules. The Skybreakers pursued [[Nale]] as their patron. Nale initially refused to accept the patronage, believing the position to be annoying and vain. The Skybreakers operated for some unkown length of time without a patron [[Herald]] after his refusal. He finally accepted them after the disturbances in the [[Revv]] toparchy were quieted. He was the last Herald to accept their Order.{{epigraph ref|sa2|43}} ▼

The Skybreakers acted as the military police among the Radiants.{{wob ref|6054}} This role required separating innocent and guilty parties.{{epigraph ref|sa2|54}} Their considerable ability to do so was acknowledged by all, even those who did not like the Skybreakers.{{epigraph ref|sa2|55}} Despite being described as an almost divine skill,{{epigraph ref|sa2|55}} there was no magical cuase for it.{{wob ref|8208}} ▼

The ancient Skybreakers seem to have been involved in conflicts with other Orders frequently, especially the two Orders they share Surges with. The Skybreakers considered the Dustbringers to be on the edge morally and did not get along with them.{{wob ref|11988}} They also reportedly had some issues with the [[Windrunners]]. [[Highspren]] and, through them, the Skybreakers judge and dispense justice according to the letter of the law and what may make logical sense to them, while the Windrunners will disregard these laws or logic at their letter to do what is considered right.{{book ref|sa2|22}}{{book ref|sa2|59}} Debates ensued when Windrunners and Skybreakers tried to decide the fate of the guilty.{{epigraph ref|sa2|54}} These conflicts got significantly worse as the time of the Recreance approached.{{epigraph ref|sa3|64}} Some believed these and other conflicts caused the [[Sibling]] to retreat, but it was unrelated to the true cause.{{epigraph ref|sa3|70}} ▼

=== Era of Solitude ===▼

{{quote▼

| Led by the ancient Herald Nalan'Elin—often simply called Nale—the Skybreakers are the only order of Radiants that did not betray its oaths during the Recreance. They have maintained a continuous clandestine line from ancient days.▼

| [[Mraize]]'s letter to [[Shallan]]{{book ref|sa3|40}}▼

}}▼

The Skybreakers were also the only Order that did not partake in the [[Recreance]] and remained active in the following two millennia.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{epigraph ref|sa2|41}}{{book ref|sa3|40}}{{book ref|sa3|90}} It is mentioned by [[Mraize]] that [[Helaran Davar]] had been attempting to locate the Skybreakers, and that Nale had recruited him, although he was not worthy of a spren bond before he died.{{cite}}▼

The Order has a small fortress in [[Marabethia]] that overlooks the [[Purelake]].{{book ref|sa3|90}} Hopefuls are brought to the fortress for testing, and Squires and Masters reside there while training (unless they are away on a mission).{{book ref|sa3|90}}▼

Skybreakers usually wear the uniforms of local law enforcement wherever they travel, regardless of their own race or nationality.{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{book ref|sa3|98}}▼

== Abilities ==▼

; Surgebinding▼

The Skybreakers are able use the Surges of '''Gravitation''' and '''Division'''.▼

The full extent of their powers are so far unknown. They are able to use a [[Basic Lashing]] like the [[Order of Windrunners]], since they share the Gravitation Surge. They also have the Surge of Division, which allows them to destroy or degrade things around them.▼

; Other Skills▼

They reportedly had the ability (unrelated to their Surges) to divide the innocent from the guilty that was by some even considered to be an almost divine skill.{{book ref|sa2|55}} However, they do not have any supernatural abilities in determining a person's guilt,{{wob ref|8208}} so this appears to be some combination of mundane experience and exaggerations in folklore.▼