Factions of Arcania

The alliances, enemies, and independent powers that shape the war for Arcania's future.

"There are no neutrals in this war. Even those who refuse to fight have chosen a side-they simply don't know it yet."

  • General Kira Ironhand

The war that has consumed Arcania for two centuries has divided the world into factions. Some fight openly. Others work in shadow. All will determine whether the light survives or falls to eternal darkness.


The Grand Alliance

Grand Alliance Overview
AttributeValueDescription
LeaderErion, Last of the GodsSupreme Commander of the resistance
HeadquartersValorynThe central bastion of the free lands
MembersFour Races UnitedHumans, Luminar, Lilin, Darkan
GoalDefeat AlassaEnd the war, save Arcania

The Grand Alliance is the unified resistance against Alassa's Dominion. Founded in the early years of the Eclipse Arc, it represents the first time all four mortal races have fought together as true equals.

Leadership Council

MemberRoleRepresents
Erion ErionSupreme CommanderDivine authority, the Spark of Light
Marael MaraelWar StrategistCosmic knowledge (recent defector)
Kira General Kira IronhandGround Forces CommanderHumanity, Steel Covenant
Lilith Empress LilithIntelligence MasterThe Lilin, forest scouts and dream operations
Thorin High King Thorin StonefistLogistics CommanderThe Darkan, forge production
Aurelia High Seraph AureliaSpiritual AdvisorThe Luminar, morale and healing

Military Structure

The Alliance operates through a unified command:

Erion (Supreme Command)
    ├── Valoryn Defense Force (permanent garrison)
    ├── Dominion Campaign Forces (offensive operations)
    │   ├── Dreadmar Division
    │   ├── Mire Division
    │   ├── Stonegrave Division
    │   ├── Eclipse Division
    │   └── Hall Assault Force
    └── Homeland Defense Forces (racial militias)

Alliance Principles

  1. Unity Over Origin - Race does not determine worth; only actions matter
  2. Shared Sacrifice - Every homeland contributes; no race bears burden alone
  3. Hope Over Vengeance - Fight to save, not merely to destroy
  4. Honor the Fallen - Remember those who died so others might live

The Dominion

Dominion Overview
AttributeValueDescription
LeaderAlassa, Dread EmissaryWielder of the <AnguishStoneMention link={false}>Anguish Stone</AnguishStoneMention>
HeadquartersThrone of RuinThe fallen Eterna Citadel
ForcesAnguish Creatures + CorruptedMonsters and fallen mortals
GoalUnknownPerhaps even Alassa has forgotten

The Dominion is Alassa's empire of darkness, built from corrupted lands and creatures spawned by the Anguish Stone. It controls roughly 70% of Arcania's original territory.

The Five Generals

Each Dominion zone is ruled by a general bound to Alassa's will:

GeneralDomainOrigin
Vharun Vharun the Fallen WardenDreadmar FrontierCorrupted guardian spirit
Saelistra Saelistra the First CryMire of WhispersHealer consumed by grief
Kharagul Kharagul the BloodthirsterStonegrave ExpansePrimordial Anguish entity
Morgathis Morgathis, Hand of the TitanEclipse BarrensDark Titan avatar fragment
Cassian Cassian the HollowHall of FallenAlassa's former lover, emptied

Dominion Forces

The Anguish Stone creates and controls various creature types:

Dominion Creature Types
AttributeValueDescription
Shadow SpawnCommonBasic creatures formed from corrupted matter
Grief EchoesUncommonManifestations of accumulated sorrow
Titan FragmentsRarePieces of Dark Titan will given form
The CorruptedVariableFallen mortals transformed by the Stone
GeneralsUniqueThe five rulers of the Dominions

The Dark Titan's Influence

The Dominion is not simply Alassa's creation. The Anguish Stone connects her to the Dark Titan's lingering will. Some believe the Titan is slowly awakening through her-that the true enemy is not Alassa but something far older and more terrible.


The Restorationists

Restorationist Overview
AttributeValueDescription
LeaderUnknownHidden leadership structure
HeadquartersSecretCells operate independently
MembersPrimarily LuminarSome from other races
GoalResurrect AniasGather her scattered essence

The Restorationists are a secret faction within the Alliance who believe Anias can be truly restored-not just remembered, but resurrected. They seek to gather enough of her scattered essence to reform her divine body.

Beliefs

  • The Eternal Light is Anias's consciousness, distributed but intact
  • Lumeria's growing crystals prove she is slowly reforming
  • With enough faith and gathered essence, she could return
  • Her return would end the war instantly

Controversy

Heresy or Hope?

The orthodox Luminar church considers Restorationism heresy. They argue:

  • Anias chose her fate; mortals should not interfere
  • Resurrection might bring back something changed, corrupted
  • The focus should be on honoring her sacrifice, not undoing it

The Restorationists counter:

  • A mother would want to return to her children
  • The war proves her sacrifice wasn't enough
  • Only she can truly defeat Marael's darkness

The debate threatens to fracture Luminar unity at a critical time.


The Hollow

The Hollow Overview
AttributeValueDescription
LeaderNoneNo organization or purpose
LocationScatteredWander without destination
MembersFailed PaladinsThose who lost their light
StatusTragic NeutralNeither ally nor enemy

The Hollow are Paladins whose Spark was extinguished-warriors who broke their oath or succumbed to hatred. They wander Arcania as empty husks, neither alive nor dead, neither allied nor hostile.

Nature

  • Not Undead - They still breathe, eat, exist
  • Not Living - They feel nothing, want nothing, hope for nothing
  • Not Hostile - They attack only if threatened
  • Not Allied - They cannot be recruited or reasoned with

Origin

A Paladin becomes Hollow when:

  • They break their sacred oath
  • They succumb to hatred or vengeance
  • They lose faith in Erion's cause
  • Their Spark is forcibly extracted (rare, requires powerful magic)

Note

Clerics discovered they can potentially restore Hollow Paladins by reigniting the Eternal Light within them. This controversial practice has saved some, but others argue it violates natural law-that becoming Hollow is a consequence that should not be reversed.


Minor Factions

The Dream Weavers

Elite Lilin mages who specialize in nature magic and Dream Walking. They serve Empress Lilith directly and handle the Alliance's most delicate intelligence and magical operations.

The Forge Guilds

Darkan organizations that produce the Alliance's weapons and armor. Each guild jealously guards its techniques and competes for prestige.

The Steel Covenant

Not a faction per se, but a philosophy with organized adherents. Human warriors who reject magical dependency and train purely in mortal combat arts.

The Dreamguard Knights

Lilin who became Paladins, blending the Spark of Light with their ancient dream magic. They serve as bridges between the Luminar and Lilin, embodying both divine radiance and the First World's primal power.

The Dreamwalkers

Luminar Rangers who successfully connected to the First World despite their conscious-light nature. They explore the boundary between divine creation and primal dream.


Faction Relationships

Faction AFaction BRelationship
Grand AllianceDominionWar - total conflict
Grand AllianceRestorationistsComplicated - secret cells within Alliance
Grand AllianceHollowPity - avoid if possible, restore if able
Luminar OrthodoxRestorationistsHostile - theological enemies
LilinLuminarSisters - elder and younger children of Anias
DarkanAll RacesRespected - forge goods unite all