The Great War

Many factors, failings, and decisions led to the arrival of the Great War... 

Hierarchical shift from glyph bearers belonging to an esteemed social class, to a diffusion of magic among the classes (and the ensuing revolts across Europe therein) was a major contributor--though perhaps for all the right reasons. Indeed, though there were many belligerents at the outset, some say that the Great War ultimately came down to two sides: those who believed that only magi should rule society, and those who agreed that magick was not the sole privilege of a ruling class.

The 'Chamber of the Alban Lion', and the Silver Imperators, with King Raidel Cordwynn III center.

The Alban Empire originated with Terra Anglus (now known as England) and spread out across Europe, annexing the kingdoms of France and Spain. Upon acquiring Prussia and the provinces governed by the Central Church, the ambitions of the Albans escalated into total domination. Political instability and coups in Eastern Europe led to the assassination of one of Alban's Silver Imperators, a close confidant of his Majesty Raidel Cordwynne III. Enraged, and seeing the Empire's debts accruing, the Empire declared false pretences as casus belli for invading Austria and Poland. The Central Church, ruling from both Eden and Greece, were divided on which side to align.

A storm magi attacks a Panzervolk Anti-Mage Tank

Though the beginnings of the war saw different factions vying for control, eventually two sides emerged: The Free Alliance and the Imperials. Japan, which had already begun its colonial enterprises in Asia, saw its imperial family likewise divided in two, when a coup led by the Empress overthrew her detested brother, tossing the country into civil war and effectively dividing Japan between Free Alliance and Imperial. 

The Future Empress of Japan and her usurped brother, former Emperor.

Italy, a main theatre of war, saw great devastation (including the Mass Petrification at Val D'Ortia), as the Greek Central Church sided with the Imperials, and the Eden Church sided with the Free Alliance. Russia, eventually, turned on their Imperial allies and sided with the Free Alliance as well, when the Tsar's advisor was assassinated. The Russian royal family decided, wisely, to align with the Free Alliance (seizing upon the opportunity to expand their own power over Europe).

Remnants of the petrification tragedy at Vale D'Orcia that took Spike's parents.

Eventually, magical engineering created weapons of mass destruction, turned against the Imperials and bringing the war to a close. A truce was made and a reconstruction effort mandated for a Europe which saw many of Alban's colonies returned to their sovereign, autonomous statuses. The win was well timed, as Alban's secretive black ops efforts had begun uncovering ancient artefacts of enchantment, with plans to unleash them on their rivals. 

Treaties signed across the nations.

It was for this reason, and to prevent magical misuse, that the organization known as Aradia was formed...

Lobby of Aradia Headquarters