Conquest of the Horde

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bQNDTqiC2o[/youtube]

Blackdawn Monks:
“Many preach their vision of enlightenment. They speak of love, and health, and happiness. I am here to tell you the truth of the world. Anything good must be fought for. You must stand toe-to-toe with your demons and crush them. Only then will enlightenment be yours.”

When creating a Blackdawn Monk, there are four archetypes we have created for them to be played as. When playing by this template, remember, your character is no more powerful than a normal character. This is just a variant class selection that will be available within the Blackdawn forces.

These four archetypes are within the four classes, Warrior, Rogue, Mage and Priest. Each variant of Blackdawn Monks has different specialties but all of them seek the spiritual enlightenment that is believed may come to all people. Monks train in the arts of combat, but most of all, purity of body and soul. Traits that all Blackdawn monks share are that;
- Monks are trained in unarmed combat, as that of a martial art.
- Monks have a high stamina, fasting is something they do often as well as other practices in order to help them find inner peace.
- Monks are charitable and kind people, they fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves. They prefer peace over bloodshed any day.

But what makes each archetype of Blackdawn Monk different?
Warrior Class:
A monk using the warrior class is considered a warrior for all intents and purposes, but they tend to have higher senses and the like; considering they wear very little to no armor. Monks tend to never use shields or two handed weapons, except for polearms, spears and staves.
In combat warrior like monks focus on strong close combat ability, parrying and dodging attacks; they are fairly dull for anyone that seeks a flashy –sparkly spell- kind of character. These spiritual warriors seek enlightenment and peace among all living creatures.

Rogue Class:
A monk using the warrior class is considered a rogue for all intents and purposes, however they disdain the use of poison. Monks focus on improving themselves, finding enlightenment, using a chemical does not make them better, does not prove them any stronger. They are very similar to the warrior-monks, but weapon wise, a monk using the rogue class tends to use fist weapons, daggers and swords in their martial training.

Mage Class:
A monk using the mage class is not really a mage for all intents and purposes. In their intense training, they dabble in arcane, believing that it is part of enlightenment. They are not as tough as warriors, and do not have the spell casting capability of magi, they make up for this though by being versatile. Using staves and swords, mostly their own bodies, they resemble the combat style of a rune master for the most part. However, they do not learn runes, they learn how their body is a conduit for magic. Bringing fire, arcane, lightning, frost and more around them, these spiritual warriors are forces to be reckoned with.
Subtypes:
Acolyte of Balance-
“Balance is in all things, as you will soon learn. Be it flame, frost, light, or shadow-- each will bring us victory. Only together are they powerful--divided they will fail as certain as the sun will set."

An arcane monk studying balance dabbles in multiple arcane elements and masteries to assist them in combat. They have access to more domains and energy types, but their abilities tend to not be as potent as a more specialized acolyte.

Acolyte of the Sacred Flame-
“The Sacred Flame is the burning font of life, the spirit of passionate men and women. It is the roaring emotion in all men who feel love and hope. The raging inferno shall consume those who wish to snuff our hope out.”

Fire and fire alone, these acolytes understand the energy of the inferno is not only destructive. Fire is part of the natural order of things, and it is one of the weapons of the natural world and the arcane. They seek to enlighten themselves with the Sacred Flame. Abilities of these acolytes include immolation of their bodies, and moving flames around them while performing their martial arts.

Acolyte of Might-
“This world flows with magic-- the power embedded beneath the sea-floor, or hidden within a harsh desert. I speak of the ley-lines, a potent network of energy only the adept may wield. In order to defend this world, we must bring forth its own power-- we must harness the innate magic of Azeroth to crush any who oppose our sanctity."

Arcane might, the energy of magic. These warriors focus on arcane spells alone, with no elemental subtypes, they believe that this arcane study is strengthening of the mind. Their abilities include short distance blinks, generating arcane force to push and pull targets.

(More Acolyte types to come)

Priest Class:
A monk using the priest class is not really a priest for all intents and purposes. They use the magics of faith to strengthen themselves and; to hone their bodies and minds against the forces of evil. Whether the mastery of light or shadow, they find balance in themselves in their search for enlightenment.
Subtypes:
Acolyte of the Light-
“The Light shall not only save, it shall shatter the sinister machinations of evil. The Light shall not only heal, it shall halt the horrors of darkness. But it is the Light that shall love them even when their corrupt souls leave their decrepit forms.”

These priestly monks use positive energies to bring shining and burning light to their blows; as well as using it to heal comrades. An acolyte of the light must be able to touch a target he is attempting to heal or buff. And they may simply buff and heal themselves with chants while performing martial maneuvers.

Acolyte of the Shadow-
“You may judge me, you may believe me wretched, but when I stand against what you are too weak to face. I will do so loving you as my brother.”

These monks are far from evil, they simply seek balance in all things. They flay the minds of their enemies and sooth the minds of those they are talking too in order to stave off violence.

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Blackdawn Paladins:
“Though evil may lay its wretched hands on your shoulders; and hold you down. It is the virtues of enlightenment, the power in yourself that shall make you stand against all odds.”

When creating a Blackdawn paladin, you need to remember, they still use the light; but follow the creeds of the Blackdawn. In order to have access to your powers, Blackdawn paladins must;
1. Never directly harm an innocent.
2. Never steal or cause misfortune to the innocent.
3. Never wish for war, pain, or misfortune to the innocent.
4. Never condone violence.
5. Never hate your enemy for they may still be saved.
6. The demon and the undead are forever damned.
7. Preserve life, never destroy it.
8. Zeal is never an excuse.
9. Faith without deeds is worthless.
10. Cowardice is no excuse for inaction.

Blackdawn paladins are paladins for all intents and purposes. However, Blackdawn paladins do not disdain the use of any weapon, poison, or secrecy to bring the end to the enemies of the greater good.

Subclass:
Blackdawn Cleric-
“My faith extends over the innocent, my love washes over my allies, my pity surges through my enemies.”

Clerics are the most courageous warriors of the light. Instead of focusing on combat ability, Clerics are paladins that focus more on their spellcasting ability, focusing on banishing demons, turning undead and most of all, shielding their allies from the curses of evil. They tend to not wear platemail, sticking to chain and scalemail; preferring shields and one handed weapons over great mauls and the like.

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Blackdawn Inquisitors:
“Only the cruel of heart have a reason to fear. Only the blackest souls worry of our presence. It is we who shall strike them a blow so hard, so painful, they shall remember us until the stars themselves are snuffed out.”

When creating a Blackdawn inquisitor, two classes may take the role, hunters and rogues. The goal of the inquisitor is to hunt down evil creatures and the agents of darkness. They learn skills that allow them to better track their vile foes and seek the weak spots in undead, demons and other evil creatures. Most of all however, inquisitors learn how to brace their minds and bodies against corruption, learning how to spot it in those around them, and in their compassion are those that seek to cure or stop corruption in all its forms.

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Blackdawn Apothecaries:
“My allies will be cured, their enemies shall be seared; and the innocent shielded by my iron hide, their oppressors and tormentors blown to pieces by the mercy of my gun.”

An apothecary of the Blackdawn is classed as a warrior almost universally. The reason being is that these apothecaries wear heavy armor and carry medical equipment with them. They use a spattering of technological and chemical skills in battle and when assisting anyone they meet. Apothecaries are known to use firearms, potions, and even to go as far as rotary blades. These strange warriors are some of the staunchest combatants one can have at their side.

The Gatekeeper- (One Slot)
“The Dark Portal is a scar on two worlds, a thing made for war, and even now we must use it for war. But only to stop this invasion, only to stop the oblivion descending upon us all. While I breath, this portal will remain in our hands.”

A prestigious title given to an elite combatant and trusted official, it is their sacred duty to defend and oversee operations at the Dark Portal. The Gatekeeper’s duties lead them to wage war on nearby threats to the great portal. They must also keep track of the comings and goings through the Dark Portal, making sure friendly troops and supplies make it through the Blasted Lands and into the Red World. The Gatekeeper also is a trusted advisor in battles over the other portals, the Legion wants to activate them again to supply themselves with more demonic troops.

The Gatekeeper has command over many of the operations around the Dark Portal, aiming to guide the Horde and Alliance on a better path while we combat this second incursion of the Legion. The Gatekeeper may have several Blackdawn at his side or Shattered Sun while he conducts business. It is him and his retinue that must keep vigilant, the Legion wants to reclaim that portal, The Blackdawn will not let that happen.

Bonuses-
The Gatekeeper receives +2 to their total health value
The Gatekeeper also receives the Signet of Vigilance. An enchanted ring that renders him immune to blinding/deafening/silence spells that are not cast by exceptional spell casters.
Most of all the Gatekeeper has more influence politically as the Blackdawn commander of that region.

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Blackdawn Centurion- (Unlimited Slots)

"We all aim to be enlightened; but it is we who shall in our own hone the skills of war, hone ourselves to it. For in order to have peace, we must fight for it, and when it comes. It is we, the Centurions that will be the first to fight evil when it rears its evil head again."

To be a Blackdawn Centurion, you have previously been an Apothecary, Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Inquisitor or some other mundane combatant. Centurions are the elite guard of the Blackdawn, they are the best soldiers, they are the men and women who have sworn to fight to their last breath.

The duty of every single Centurion is to bring victory to the greater good, even if they die. They believe the road to peace will be gorged with the blood of the martyred, Centurions are willing to be those martyrs. They will fight so others may live, they still stand against all odds to save their comrades. With skill alone, no magic in their style. Simple, harsh, and brutal skill.

Bonuses-
A Centurion gains +3 to their health total.
They also deal +1 damage with all critical hits.
Centurions all are respected soldiers of the Blackdawn, they are also armed in masterwork equipment. Every Centurion is given a magical weapon, this weapon is defined in their training. This weapon gives the wielder, +5 to hit with it, as well as dealing +1 more critical damage when scoring a critical.