The War of Ascension

The War of Ascension is the overarching conflict serving as the backdrop for the current events of El'Rakar. It is a global conflict that marks an immense shift in the power balance between nations and the relationships between the races, and will ultimately come to be seen as a universal "loss of innocence" as tradition and peace are deeply shaken by the forces of jealousy and greed.

Factions

The Traditionalists

A defensive faction seeking the preservation of peace and tradition by upholding the authority of the Dai'Moru.
An overwhelming majority of the Dai'Mohru are of this faction, and they are supported by the bulk of the Jakiri and Rakshaan, traditional vassals under their protection. Though the Sathath and Bontei are also long-standing vassals, only about half of the Bontei and an even smaller percentage of Sathath have remained in support of the Dai'Mohru. A sizable faction of Humans (some out of a true desire to support the Dai'Mohru and others out of a simple hatred for the Fayr and/or Sathaath) have elected to ally themselves with the Dai'Mohru, as have a small group of Green Fayr.
Enemies with the Golden Crown, the Alliance of Tooth and Claw, and the Great Horde, allies with the Scorned Men, neutral with the Union of Peldesh, the White Shields, and the Merchants Guild.

The Golden Crown

An aggressive faction seeking the ascendance of the Gold Fayr as the new dominant power.
An overwhelming majority of the Gold Fayr support this faction, supported (sometimes willingly and sometimes much more reluctantly) by large numbers of their Green and Black Fayr brethren. No other races are officially recognized as supporters of the faction due to the Gold Fayr's cultural disdain for all but pure-blooded Fayr (leaving out the "soiled" Gray Fayr), though there do exist small groups of Humans who support the faction anyway.
Enemies with the Traditionalists, the Scorned Men, the Alliance of Tooth and Claw, and the Great Horde, neutral with the Union of Peldesh, the White Shields, and the Merchants Guild.

The Scorned Men

An aggressive faction seeking the punishment of the oppressive Gold Fayr and the removal of them as the dominant power of their continent.
A majority of Humans support this faction as do a number of Gray Fayr, though the degree of welcomeness offered to the "crossbreeds" varies from place to place. Some Green and Black Fayr also desire to support the faction, but fear (both of retribution by the Gold Fayr and of a shift in target by the Humans) and the aforementioned variability of acceptance tends to keep their contributions small and easily retractible.
Enemies with the Golden Crown and the Great Horde, allies with the Traditionalists, neutral with the Alliance of Tooth and Claw, the Union of Peldesh, the White Shields, and the Merchants Guild.

The Alliance of Tooth and Claw

An aggressive faction of various Beasts rising up against their Dai'Mohru lords in search of equality (though this goal is a front, in actuality being a move by the Sathath in establishment of their own dominance.
An overwhelming majority of Sathath support this faction (though not all are aware of the true extent of their leaders' plans), and they have managed to garner support from a number of Jakiri, Rakshaan, and Kishkat, as well as a handful of Bontei and Taltat.
Enemies with the Traditionalists, the Golden Crown, and the Great Horde, neutral with the Scorned Men, the Union of Peldesh, the White Shields, and the Merchants Guild.

The Great Horde

An aggressive faction seeking to reduce the world to ashes and bring about the Arrival of the Gods.
Following the words of an ancient prophecy held sacred by their people, an overwhelming majority of Dorugal have given up their old lives to become warriors and bring Divine Glory to their leaders. A number of Kagal and Figal have also taken up arms, though not all by their own choice.
Enemies with all who are not part of the Horde.

The Union of Peldesh

A defensive faction standing against the tyranny of the Great Horde.
An overwhelming majority of Kagal and Figal support this faction, as well most people of other races living in Peldesh and the Dorugal who reject the Great Horde.
Enemies with the Great Horde, neutral with the Traditionalists, the Golden Crown, the Scorned Men, the Alliance of Tooth and Claw, the White Shields, and the Merchants Guild.

The White Shields

A neutral faction that seeks to bring peace and equality to El'Rakar, establishing safe havens across the land.
A great many Gray Fayr and a number of Humans support this faction, accompanied by a smattering of individuals of all races.
Neutral with everyone.

The Merchants Guild

A neutral guild (treated by many as a sort of faction) of traders that continue to indiscriminately peddle their goods (and sometimes information) to all nations and peoples.
Humans, Bontei, and Kagal make up the majority of the guild's membership, but there are individuals of all races within its ranks. Neutral with everyone but thieves.

The Conflict

Prelude

Upon the death of the Guardian of Gale, the search for his successor lead to the Naming of the first ever non-Dai'Mohru Guardian in history, a Gold Fayr.
The notion of the Dai'Mohru's inherent superiority as the gods' "Chosen People" seemed to be shattered overnight as the power-hungry Gold Fayr rallied their forces and declared war on the Dai'Mohru. Other races quickly followed suit and made their own moves, whether against the Dai'Mohru or a more close-to-home oppressor, and the people found themselves wrapped up in wars within wars.
Now there are but a scant few who remain untouched by war's hateful and selfish flames.

Conflict Type

War