Spellbreak Lore

The primary source for Spellbreak's Lore comes from Garrick's Journal and the on-going Chapters.

Spellbreak is set in a ravaged fantasy world filled with elemental magic. You assume the role of a Breaker, a magically gifted outcast who comes to the Hollow Lands to take as much power & loot as you can and get out.

History
Spellbreak is set in a region once known as the Highlands on the continent of Velnor, but now is known only as the Hollow Lands after an apocalyptic event called The Fracture. Breakers travel to the Hollow Lands to engage in various fights for power and treasure.

Garrick has documented a lot of important history related to the Highlands and what caused The Fracture in Garrick's Journal.

The Five Hand Alliance
The Five Hand Alliance was founded 200 years before The Fracture at the Verdon Estate by the "hands" of each of the five kingdoms:


 * Halcyon Kinship – Alad Fieldbrand, Hand of the People


 * Longwatch Protectorate – Gryff Lawkett, Hand of Defense


 * Dustpool Conglomerate – Verec Grandwell, Hand of Commerce


 * Banehelm Academy – Kanah Grimtree, Hand of Knowledge


 * Bogmore Collective – The Shadehand, Hand of Secrets

The founder and architect of this alliance was Alad Fieldbrand, the first Hand of the People. He was a warden of Fort Halcyon, where the seat of government was formed. The alliance was designed to prevent any one individual from ruling the Highlands as a tyrant. To achieve this, each Hand was given the responsibility of voting in matters that pertain to the entire region. Each Hand was also given individual responsibilities surrounding different aspects of the alliance, as can be derived from their titles. The kingdoms each have their own procedure and customs for electing a Hand. Typically the hand will also serve as the warden of the kingdom's capitol, with the Dustpool Conglomerate being a notable exception - they instead tend to vote for their kingdom's current wealthiest member. (Chapter 5, Highland History)

Not much is known about the times before the forging of the alliance aside from folktales of endless bloody feuds between the kingdoms. It is said to have been formed out of necessity to fight against a rising external threat that would eventually lead to the "Lost War" - a battle that took place in Dreadcurtain.

Through a change of tactics away from magic under the leadership of then commander Ora Fernfall, the Storm Guard swiftly arose victorious. This hostile ethos towards magic as a corrupting force originated from Lyre Venthim and the early Vowkeepers. They came to be lauded as a treatise on upholding order amidst chaos and strife in the Highlands. Soon thereafter they instated the Vow Mandate, outlawing the use of magic, and established the Vowguard to enforce it.

Prior to the Vow Mandate magic was widespread in society, and curiously the alliance never formally recognized the Vowkeepers.

The Tideseers
Chapter 1 revealed the existence an ancient order of scholars known as the Tideseers, likely of Banehelm origin. (Garrick, book 2, page 179)

According to Quincy's investigations, the order was studying the Spellstorm and its Spelltides from inside the famous Aegis Towers.

A Scavenger Hunt clue mentions them collecting and studying old magical relics. However, the exact nature of their work is still a mystery.

It can be inferred from yet another clue that the map location "Forgotten Cloister" was once their home.

Furthermore, it tells us that the home had been maintained for generations by a long lineage of groundskeepers, up until The Fracture came and consumed the last heir.

A final clue mentions how scraps of knowledge remain in their headmaster's office.

The Fracture
The Fracture is an apocalyptic event which took place one year ago. It changed the face of the Highlands forever, erupting the ground into giant chasms and bringing with it a furious Spellstorm. The Highlands became not just uninhabitable but lethal to its former denizens, including all animal life, however not plant life.

During Chapter 1 the Order of the Vowbreakers learn that powerful arcane magic from these chasms are what has been fueling the Spellstorm. Later in Chapter 2 they discover shards of the mythical Vital Stone of Gyle lining up along The Fracture.

In the final week of Chapter 2, the mysterious Chronolith artifact was used to project a hologram of the past and discover the true cause of The Fracture. A Vowkeeper apprentice working in Banehelm named Shaina is seen tampering with the Vital Stone of Gyle, before it violently explodes in an outburst of arcane energy. Her Journal was later found in Hope's End.

However, a Vowguard soldier's report from Week 8 of Chapter 2 suggests her actions were not in line with their intentions. The report outlines that she was placed under suspicion for having knowledge of the stone despite limited authorization.

Unbeknownst to The Five Hand Alliance at the time, following the mysterious assassination of the Hand of Commerce, a narrative was spread that Breakers were to blame for everything. This allowed the Vowkeepers to rise to power, with the Mandate Patriarch Ferec Snowlash being granted emergency powers to deal with the cataclysm as well as the looming threat of Vowbreakers.

The Fracture caused a region of the Longwatch Protectorate's homeland in the southwestern part of the continent, known as Stormeave Plateau, to break off from Velnor. Only the fortress-city of Longwatch residing on it remained unscathed, where a majority of the Highlands' human refugees took shelter.

Longwatch also became home to the secret Order of the Vowbreakers led by Thadius Vanderun. The player is introduced to their commander Avira Emberdane during the tutorial, in which they engage in combat training and learn to travel to the Hollow Lands via portals, also known as Storm Hatches.

World
The story in Spellbreak takes place on a planet called Primdal, with one moon in its orbit, Sipra.

However, the artifact Arcane Astrolabe as well as, alludes to the existence of a second moon:

"[...] they had to complete a ritual which could only be done on a night where both moons were visible."

Within the continent of Velnor exists the Highlands and presumably other regions that have yet to be revealed. During The Fracture a region called the Stormeave Plateau broke off from the continent. A specific topological quirk known as The Awning has protected it from the Spellstorm.

The overall geography of the Hollow Lands is still similar to when it was known as the Highlands, but the destruction caused by The Fracture has left enough changed that old maps are very inaccurate. As the Chapters progress, new gameplay elements are added to the Hollow Lands map as well.

New, relatively crude maps have been created by Breakers for their own use in navigating the Hollow Lands. See the Breaker's Map Artifact from Chapter 2  for a map easter egg.

Ferec Snowlash and the Vowkeepers have also acquired highly detailed maps through unknown methods.

Halcyon Kinship
The Kinship is the largest kingdom in the Highlands by far.

It stretches all the way from Ruby Grove in the east, to Edgewall Gate in the west, Gritfeld in the north, (formerly known as Charity Crossing) and Hymnwood in the south. (Highland History, Chapter 5)

We've learned through Quincy Poisewax's journal that Fort Halcyon was built and fortified by Stoneshapers.

The architectural style of the Highlands is a hybrid between Nordic and Japanese villages and castles. See Concept Art.

Heaven & The Underworld
While there's currently no concrete evidence of these mythical locations in the lore, Cosmetic Bundles such as the Heavenly Bundle & the Ascending Titan Bundle hint at their existence.

When combined with the Vowkeeper narrative that Vital Stone Magic corrupts the soul, as well as the several references Vowbreakers make to a "Goddess", divine realms appear to be all but certain.

Humans
The human race in Spellbreak is broadly divided into three factions:


 * Vowbreakers: Also known as Breakers, they have chosen to break the sacred vow of not practicing magic. Quintessential to this act of defiance is the use of Vital Stones.
 * Unlike the Keepers, Breakers are only loosely organized in a series of sub-factions due to the use of magic being outlawed. They often work at odds with one another.
 * Vowkeepers: Also known as Keepers, the Vowkeepers are a highly religious order that sticks to very specific set of rules established in the Vow Mandate.
 * They have taken a vow to never use magic in order to prevent the corruption of the soul that they believe accompanies it.
 * Vowguard: Also known as the Guard, were created by Lyre Venthim & Ora Fernfall in order to enforce the Vow Mandate.
 * They act as the strong-arm of the Keepers, although they are formally lead by The Hand of Defense, with their own internal hierarchy. They serve as both a policing force, monitoring and preventing the use of magic, and as a military force, defending the Highlands from both internal and external threats. The Guard itself is specially permitted to use certain kinds of magic, such as Gauntlet magic, in order to bring Breakers to justice.
 * Formerly known as the Storm Guard prior to Vowkeeper influence and the battle of the "Lost War". It can be assumed they were much more comfortable with magic use before the Vowkeepers rose to power. See this clue. The Storm Guard was originally tasked with protecting Aegis Spires / Towers, and keeping general order across the Highlands. (Garrick, book 2, page 181)

Armorers
The Armorers are suspected to be a foreign race who crafted elemental Gauntlets sold them to citizens of the Highlands before the border closing. It is rumored that one armorer still lives in hiding in Longwatch. (Garrick, book 4, page 85 & 110)

Prisma
The Prisma are a separate race from the humans, and while they were once good allies of the denizens of the Highlands, the border between their nations was closed by the Five Hand Alliance.

Garrick mentions how a ledger he found describes their former trade partnership, exchanging Brilstones & opalesce ore for magical Runes. Their capital city goes by the name Vidallah.

Currency & Trade
Before The Fracture, Dustpool Hold was the home of mining operations, and as a result became the center of trade and commerce in the Highlands.

Wealth in the Highlands was measured both in regular gold coins as well as the trade of valuable items such as magic-infused runestones, Opalesce, Magnalt, Brilstones, and Vital Stones.

The value of Brilstones varies with the quality and the cuts of the gems. The mines of Dustpool is the only known region to find Brilstones in the world.

They are said to be imbued with magical properties, and are the presumed source of a Gauntlet's power.

Additionally, alludes to how the Gauntlets may have been crafted by an unknown race of great armorers.

A Scavenger Hunt clue posted on February 26th, 2021, suggests that a drink called Glowblush Brandy was a very popular trading good in the region:

''“Brewed from the sap of ruby-red trees, Glowblush Brandy was always among the region’s most popular drinks. Before The Fracture, the beverage was produced in such volume that a sizable underground warehouse had to be constructed to store barrels of it. Find the entrance.”''

Traditions & Holidays
Rosebloom Rumpus

When winter finally releases it’s icy grip on the land, lovers have traditionally given each other roses and rose themed presents to show their affection to each other.

These gifts could be a simple single rose, rose shaped jewelry, or bouquets larger than their lover’s head.

Towns all across the Highlands create sweet treats to keep their spirits up as winter comes to a close. Bakeries and confectionaries create elaborate creations.

Day of Remembrance

On this day, the people of Velnor traditionally honor their ancestors by guiding their spirits to the afterlife. Each kingdom has a different variation of the tradition.

Bogmore fills their rivers with boats carrying lanterns. Halcyon townsfolk light a candle in their windows. Longwatch shoots flaming arrows to light bonfires.

Banehelm keeps the candles in their libraries lit all night and reads passages about their ancestors. Dustpool burns incense of their departed one’s favorite scents.

But all share the common goal of beseeching the departed and asking for their blessings in the year to come.

Hymnwood Festival

When the leaves of the Hymnwood have grown, the music of the forest returns. The people sing loud, cheerful songs of triumph and merriment.

Towns are flooded with music, dancing, and beautiful flowers as everyone sets aside their troubles to celebrate.

The colorful costumes and playful masks of the festival celebrate the continuation of life in its many forms.

Songs
Stones of Power - Lyrics

Stones of Power hear my plea

but what is loss more than memory?

Stones of Power guide my hand

to restore a fractured land (x2)

Let your power be the spark

light the forge that has grown dark

We build the walls that tumble down

stones of a broken vow (x2)

Through summer gale and winter's frost we bear the priceless hate

We break the chains and break the vows

masters of our own fate

We the broken no shall vent

by the knowledge that we tent

Stones of Power guide my hand

to reclaim these hollow lands (x5)

Hollowed Eve Nursery Rhyme - Lyrics

Children who go out at night

Are wont to meet a ghastly fright

That which lurks within the dark

With hollow eyes and smile stark

Father cries and mother weeps

For children’s souls The Barren keeps

Elemental Magic
Elemental magic draws from the power of the world itself to manipulate the elements.

Specially crafted Gauntlets inlaid with Brilstones allow a user to attune to a specific element and wield it against their foes.

Breakers wield the elemental magic of Gauntlets when they scour the Hollow Lands for riches and artifacts in order to protect themselves from other Breakers.

6 days before launch, the official Spellbreak Twitter Account started posting mysterious pages from "The Journal of Quincy Poisewax", detailing each Gauntlet element.

Runic Magic
Runic magic involves activating the power of specially crafted runestones or runechips.

Amongst humans very little is known about runic magic, save perhaps by Garrick, a handful of Vowkeepers, and likely the Shadehand.

The Prisma presumably know a great deal about runic magic, considering their most significant export when trade was still open to the Highlands was runestones.

Runic magic seems to take a couple of major forms:


 * Scrolls that contain glyphs that alter a user's abilities
 * Runestones that channel runic magic
 * Runechips that serve simple tasks

Garrick has found several examples of runic magic in the vaults of the Vowkeepers as well as in the remains of the Hollow Lands.

Additionally, we hear about Garrick using an invisibility runechip himself during a pursuit.

Some Breakers use runic magic to augment their abilities while in the Hollow Lands and gain an edge over their opponents.

It is even said that some Breakers use runic magic to alter their appearance or taunt their foes.

Vital Stone Magic
During the tutorial, Avira informs us that Vital Stones are what keeps Breakers from being killed.

Vital Stones are incredibly powerful magical conduits that Breakers can attune to.

Once a Breaker has attuned to a Vital Stone, if they are ever injured severely enough to be killed, their body disintegrates and reconstitutes at the hidden location of their Vital Stone.

If a Breaker's Vital Stone is destroyed, they are as well. For this reason, the location of a Breaker's Vital Stone is their most closely guarded secret.

Vital Stones can also be used to extend a Breaker's lifespan far beyond what is normally achievable.

According to Vowkeeper doctrine, practicing Vital Stone magic is corrupting to one's soul, and it is believed that Vowbreakers' misuse of said magic caused The Fracture. (Garrick, book 4, page 186)

Controversially, Thadius Vanderun has claimed that Breakers are not the only users of Vital Stones. (Garrick, book 4, page 224)

Avira found evidence of an old research project taking place in Banehelm Academy, commissioned in secret by Ferec Snowlash.

According to Lyna Springflare's notes, they were trying to reconstitute the mythical Vital Stone of Gyle for some purpose. Avira believes this is proof that the Vowkeepers caused The Fracture. (Garrick, book 4, page 133)

Avira's Journal
At the start of each week of Chapter 1, the official Spellbreak Twitter Account posted journal entries signed by Avira Emberdane.

Chapter 2: The Fracture
Chapter 2 Story Summary - Please contribute

Wanted Posters
At the start of each week of Chapter 2, the official Spellbreak Twitter Account put up "wanted posters".

Chapter 3: The Wardens
Chapter 3 Story Summary - Please contribute