Allayi

To survive the horrors of the Dust Wars, the **Allayi** scattered themselves to the cold places of Auriga. Now that the Guardians have awakened they are coming together, hoping to save Auriga and rebuild the life they once had. To sustain and extend their cities, the Allayi must use the Auriga Pearls , a resource that only spawns on the map in winter. Thankfully, they can also perfectly predict winters. They automatically adapt their abilities and appearance when winter arrives.

## Lore

*When the Endless first came to Auriga they did not find an empty planet, but one teeming with life - some of it intelligent.*

*The Guardians, caretakers of the planet, were one sentient species; another were their helpers and comrades, the Allayi.*

*The Allayi were broken and scattered by the Endless, and for centuries they have survived on the fringes of existence. Handing their traditions and stories down in the form of a religious text, the Epistles, and a book of prayer, the Euchologion, they have been waiting in the snows and the shadows until Auriga once again needs them. And it seems that this time has come...*

*The Allayi are a people so closely aligned to Auriga that their very nature changes as the Dark Seasons occur. While they are friendly and defensive in summer, when the harsh winters arrive they become aggressive and dangerous, reflecting the madness of the planet. They are tied so closely to Auriga's fate that even their bodies alter to match the evolution of these extreme seasons.*

*Growing strong once again the Allayi have returned, prepared to defend and preserve Mother Auriga with all their grim strength.*

## Faction Specialties

### Shifting

A primary feature of the Allayi is that all of their units posses the Shifting Nature capacity, which enables them to take on a Light and Dark form. In Light form, units gain a boost to Defense and Health Regen, while in Dark form they gain a boost to Attack and Movement. Each unit - including heroes - also has a unique capacity that has a similar effect; focus on defense in Light form, and offense in Dark form.

Whether an Allayi unit is in Light or Dark form is largely decided by the seasons; normally they are in Light form in summer, and Dark in winter. However, it is possible to temporarily override this by spending a small amount of Pearls after unlocking the Shapeshifters blessing.

## Unique Technologies

  Focus:  |  Exploitation

  **Effects:**
+20%  when activating a Luxury Booster for each other active Luxury Booster

  Focus:  |  Influence

  **Effects:**
+3 Influence  per collected pearl cluster on empire

  Focus:  |  Military

  **Effects:**
Immunity to winter penalties

### Unique Blessings

Since Blessings are very similar to technology but acquired through different means, and the Allayi are the only faction with unique blessings, they have been listed here as well.

  Focus:  |  Shifting

  **Effects**
Can spend Pearls  to change form for the current turn

  Focus:  |  Pearls

  **Effects**
-20% Blessing Pearl cost  on Empire

## Heroes

Note: *Base Attributes* reflect the unit's attributes before bonuses from equipment or capacities.

All Allayi heroes are able to wield Longbows, Crossbows, and Shields as weapons.

## Faction Quest

*After centuries in hiding, it is time to rebuild the Allayi civilization. You must preserve your world and your goddess, Mother Auriga, and unlock the mystery of Her enigmatic Pearls that burst forth in the Dark Season. The destinies of your nation and your planet are intertwined; let us hope that you can save them both...*

 "...When Auriga brings forth her fruit in winter it will be a sign that once again our time has come..."
The Epistle, page 4

So the burden, and the glory, fall to me.
We have taken the return of the Guardians as a signal; from the forests and the mountains we come together to rebuild our culture. In my hands sits the waxed and oiled leather pouch, black with age, that contains the Epistle of Vros Grayspire and the Euchologion, the ways of prayer.
Through all the Silent Years we have guarded these scrolls, handing them down from father to son, waiting for the moment when we could once again serve our role as sentinels of Mother Auriga. We are together except for the flying Skyfin, a symbol of our power and freedom. With its strength we can reclaim our place by her side.
 Summary
 Your people are converging after centuries in the wilderness. You lack only the Skyfin, a powerful ally and totem of your people. With its help, and the potent Pearls , you hope to save Mother Auriga from disaster.
2. Build the Altar of Auriga. You will need to gather enough Pearls  by searching Ruins, or by collecting them when the Dark Season brings them to the surface.
 Reward
2. Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 "...And when She beheld the Light and the Veil, Auriga brought us forth, the Chosen, who lived within both worlds and changed between them, and She called us the Allayi ..."

Now that our altar has been founded, and our faith renewed, we shall begin to impose the will of Auriga. Though our cause is just and we are Her Chosen we will still remain humble; there is much to learn -- and with knowledge comes strength.
 Summary
 Auriga needs us; we must grow in power and wealth so that we can do what She requires of us. Faith alone is not enough; we must believe in our cause but also have the power to impose our will.
2. Produce X Influence  in one of your cities for X turns.
 Reward
2. Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 "...for all gifts from Auriga are precious things, and would not be offered if they were not of importance for the Chosen ..."

It has been generations since the Allayi have come together. When the Guardians were felled we fled; the weapons of the Profaners were too terrible, and their war ghouls the worst. But as all things evil they too have passed - though the damage they did was horrific. Now Auriga seeks us out to heal and protect her. Some whisper that she is dying, that the longer Dark Seasons are a sign of her end. Of The End. But I say that the Pearls, and the offerings we give to her, will help us both.
 Summary
 We had been lost and drifting for generations. Now that we are together we will show our strength; we shall make Her altar a beacon of wealth and wisdom.
 Reward

 "... for though we are great, and our hearts true, She cannot be saved by our efforts alone. All beings are both Her children and Her toil; all must rise up to heal Her wounds..."

Let the great and the small sing our praises!
Our hour has begun; from across Auriga the villages and towns of the lesser peoples have begun to heed our call - and feel the force of our purity. They beg us for more information, for our wisdom, for our very presence on their lands. Their awe and devotion is manifested in their practices, for they are saving the precious Pearls bestowed by Auriga so that we may collect them and use them for Her cause.
 Summary
 Word of our faith has begun to spread; some of the lesser peoples of Auriga seem to be willing to follow our path. We must find them, bring them into the glory of Her worship, and reap the benefits of our fidelity.
2. They are awed and delighted by our visit. Their leader has indicated you the ruins where we may find their stock. Search the localized ruins in [Region] to get the treasure.
3. Word spreads of other devotees. A [Minor Faction] tribe in [Region] wants to hear your words. Locate the region and talk to this village.
4. Next, in [Region], they ask only to stand in the presence of the Skyfin to become followers. Talk to the indicated village with a Skyfin unit of at least Level 3 (in Dark form).
 Reward
2. Orb Droplist picks 1
3. Low Prestige Droplist picks 1
4. Orb Droplist picks 1

 "... for though we are great, and our hearts true, She cannot be saved by our efforts alone. All beings are both Her children and Her toil; all must rise up to heal Her wounds..."

Let the great and the small sing our praises!
Our hour has begun; from across Auriga the villages and towns of the lesser peoples have begun to heed our call - and feel the force of our purity. They beg us for more information, for our wisdom, for our very presence on their lands. Their awe and devotion is manifested in their practices, for they are saving the precious Pearls bestowed by Auriga so that we may collect them and use them for Her cause.
 Summary
 Word of our faith has begun to spread; some of the lesser peoples of Auriga seem to be willing to follow our path. We must find them, bring them into the glory of Her worship, and reap the benefits of our fidelity.
2. They are awed and delighted by our visit. Their leader has indicated you the ruins where we may find their stock. Search the localized ruins in [Region] to get the treasure.
3. Word spreads of other devotees. A [Minor Faction] tribe in [Region] wants to hear your words. Locate the region and talk to this village.
4. Heresy rears its ugly head. Some [Minor Faction] renegades have stolen the Pearls . Find and defeat the army in [Region] in order to settle this affair.
 Reward
2. Orb Droplist picks 1
3. Low Prestige Droplist picks 1
4. Army Loot: 15 Pearls

 "...these places exist, and did so long before the Profaners came to defile them. In time of need they will still be places of hope, and power ..."

I believe that we now have the strength to do this. To find the old places where our ancestors and Grayspire lived and prayed. If we can bring our people there, we can reclaim the ancient places that meant so much to us -- and that were such targets of savagery for the Profaners and their war ghouls.
It is possible. It must be possible.
 Summary
 To undo the ancient damage to Mother Auriga we must find and use our ancient powers to heal her. We must bring the people to the places where our knowledge and our power lay so many years ago.
2. Pilgrims report strange activities in a place called [Region]. Find and search the indicated ruins in this Region with an Army that contains at least 1 Settler unit.
3. A trap! The savage war ghouls of the Profaners have been set loose from their crypt. These Scythers are pitiless and powerful; avoid them for X turns!
 Reward
2. Orb Droplist picks 1
3. Army Loot, Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 "...a strong will cannot act alone, it must be aided by strong hands and strong hearts... Even if our lifeblood is the cost, we will not give less than Our Mother gives..."

We must be close to a great discovery -- why else would the Nemesis have disturbed our works? As the greatest weapon of the Profaner, it must be blocking our greatest sources of power. We need to destroy it once and for all, and forge ahead.
To remove the threat, to continue, is a challenge we cannot fail. To stop now would be not only to admit our own failure, but to condemn Mother Auriga to a lingering death. So we will build our hands and our hearts; strengthen our cities and our powers.
 Summary
 The appearance of the Nemesis army shows that we must be close to our goal of uncovering the secrets of the Profaners. It is still out there somewhere; we must prepare our cities for its unholy aggression.
2. Beware, the Nemesis has spawned again! It's now heading to the city of [City]. You must either avoid it for X turns or defeat it.
3. Fight their power with your power. Obtain a minimum of 8 Blessings in the Altar of Auriga screen.
 Reward
2. Army Loot, Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1
3. Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 "...a strong will cannot act alone, it must be aided by strong hands and strong hearts... if our lifeblood is the cost, we will not give less than Our Mother gives..."

A painful yet brilliant victory - and one that confirms our convictions. We must be close to a great discovery -- why else would the Nemesis have disturbed our works? As the greatest weapon of the Profaner, it must be blocking our greatest sources of power. And where there was one, more may follow...
We must be prepared for this threat if we are to continue; to stop now would be not only to admit our own failure, but to condemn Mother Auriga to a lingering death. So we will build our hands and our hearts; strengthen our cities and our powers.
 Summary
 The appearance of the Nemesis army shows that we must be close to our goal of uncovering the secrets of the Profaners. Though we destroyed it once, their foul factories may create more - we must prepare our cities.
2. Fight their power with your power. Obtain a minimum of 8 Blessings in the Altar of Auriga screen.
 Reward
2. Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 "...harvest Her Pearls where they rise... these are the gifts of Auriga to the Allayi, the Chosen, who will save Her from eternal winter..."

The Allayi look to me, and I have no answers. In the arcana of the Winter Tree, the Altar itself, it is indicated that the Pearls we so gleefully harvest are not a gift to the Chosen, but the last dying energies of Mother Auriga. In defiance of the wisdom of the Epistle!
Which is correct? Are they ours to take? Others will if we do not, and She does not reabsorb them if they are left to lie. What are these Pearls? Why do we have them?
I can only answer that these things exist, that they help us, and that even the grimmest sacrifice, if accepted with piety and love, is a blessing.
I hope...
 Summary
 The damage done by the Profaners is so grave that the Pearls of Auriga appear to be Her last drops of blood, not some blessed gift. We must hurry if we are to help Her; obtaining a weapon that will allow us to destroy the Nemesis is a first step...
2. Equip the new item on at least 1 Monk Unit and integrate that Unit into an Army on the map. Then wait until the Nemesis reappears on your territory...
3. The Nemesis is back, within the territories of your empire! For the last time, destroy the Nemesis that is targeting your armies and cities.
 Reward
2. Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1
3. Army Loot, Mad Fairies Droplist picks 1

 I can no longer quote the Epistle. Whatever winter it was, long ages ago, from which Vros Grayspire saved Her, it was not like this Dark Season. I do not have the heart to take up a pen and alter the sacred text, so I put it aside and face the future without it. Without prophecies, without promises, with only the hands and the hearts of the Allayi.
This much, at least, is clear: The Pearls are for us, meant to save us from whatever fate awaits Her. She would save Her children, Her Chosen, from the long winter that comes.
It has happened before -- the Long Sleep, the long Dark Season, and at the end Auriga rises anew. This is the best we can hope for; that we can bring Her to a state where She can sleep the sleep of restoration and flower again.
 Summary
 We have little choice but to fight on, preparing ourselves for the Dark Season that lies ahead. If we cannot save Mother Auriga, we can at least survive so that someone will remember Her.
 Reward

## Gallery

* The Allayi leader in the diplomacy screen