Factions

In Vain, there are several different factions you can control, join or fight against. Factions have Leaders, Noble Families, Generals, Councillors and Unique Combat Units. Each faction is distinguished by a different style of army; some have excellent infantry, others excellent archers or cavalry, or a combination of these units. Furthermore, every faction has their strengths and weaknesses in the Campaign Map, for example some may be stronger militarily while others may be more competent at producing and trading resources. Factionless Heroes controlled by players may join existing Factions or build their own from scratch.

There are three types of factions in Vain:

## Major Factions

*The main factions of the world, they tend to have several cities and outposts across the world, and will likely be the primary factions you interact with during gameplay.*

### **State of Elysium**

Mainly consisting of immigrants from Earth, Elysium is ruled by a cruel cabal of nobles, chaired by an evil yet extremely charismatic Tyrant (who prefers the humble title of Governor by the way). Elysians value wealth and power above all else. They are the most technologically advanced human faction and perhaps the most powerful faction in the world of Vain. For this reason they openly opposed by the vast majority of the human factions. They are closely allied to most of the alien factions of Vain, who also have bad relations with the rest of the humans.

### **Kingdom of Atlantis**

Atlanteans were one of the first factions that set foot on Vain. They were the most technologically advanced of all the human races, but under the wise rule of King Ampherion, they used their power for good, unlike what their compatriots did back in earth, before the Cataclysm. For a few hundred years all the humans of Vain were united under the Atlantean Banner. It was an era of peace and prosperity. Then, the aliens landed in the planet, and manipulated the human kingdoms, eventually leading them to dissolve their alliance and start fighting with each other. Atlantis takes pride in having the most Civilized culture of all human kingdoms while at the same time having one of the most feared militaries of the world. The Kingdom of Atlantis is currently in decline after the constant warring with Selenians, but they still manage to maintain their former glory.

### **Kingdom of Selenia**

After a failed revolt against the Atlantean King, his Nephew, Lykon, was banished from Atlantis along with his family and what remained from his army. They settled in the North and eventually formed a kingdom of their own. Selenians despite the fact that they hail from Atlanteans, despise everything about them and their culture. They broke the Sacred Oath they gave back when they became Atlantean Citizens, to abstain from Sorcery. Their meddling with the dark arts cursed them permanently and even altered their blood and eye color from blue to purple. Selenians Nobles resort to wars to keep the eyes and ears of their citizens away from their fabled lives and scandals. They are the only Human faction who lacks a form of Cavalry but their infantry and crossbowmen are some of the best warriors of Vain. They sometimes even deploy shamans in battle, who give them increased endurance and durability.

### **Kingdom of Lydians**

Lydians, also known as the "Sandmen" are located in the southeastern deserts of Vain. Led by Queen Morvarid, a former slave who managed to make the former king love her so much that he let her manage his kingdom while he was campaigning against hostile factions. Eventually the King was killed under mysterious circumstances and there was no heir apparent, so the power was passed to her. Lydians are skilled Artisans and Merchants, but they are also very skilled in battle. They have one of the most versatile armies of Vain, being strong all around. Their Shock Cavalry rivals even the Centaurs in combat.

### **Kingdom of Cervuserians**

Cervuseria was originally part of the Kingdom of Yveron, but successfully fought a war for independence. Their origin is reflected in their troop types and choice of territory. The Cervuserian pikemen and crossbowmen were fielded in mountainous terrain to defeat the Cavalrymen of Yveron, as they lacked cavalry and thus relied on pike and crossbow to prevail over the Horsemen. Eventually Yveron was defeated and Cervuserians claimed their territories and horses as well. Cervuserians while not the most technologically or economically advanced, are friendly people with a good reputation, making diplomacy their strong suit.

### **Confederation of Hrafnir**

The People of Hrafnir descent from Cervuserian People who were exiled to the barren north. Over the years, they adapted and thrived in the inhospitable conditions and forged their own confederation of tribal clans. The rest of the civilized world consider them savages, yet they are excellent craftsmen and blacksmiths, and recently they have started to evolve in the trading scene as well. Their workers are used to a rough way of life full of hardships, war is not a stranger to them. They can be used in combat as well. The Hrafnirian army consists of elite infantrymen and also has basic cavalry, but lacks in archers, as they shun this form of combat, considering archery a sport for cowards.

### **Eqnid Hive**

Eqnids also known as "Hivers" are an alien race of thin goofy looking Amphibianoids. No one knows their point of origin, many still speculate about where they came from. The most famous Theory is that they were brought over by the Zyrgahvians to work as slaves from them by another planet, yet somehow they escaped and formed their own society. They are ruled by the Queen, and her Princes. The Eqnids are excellent workers and specialize in robotics. While their crafts are not the most fancy looking, they are at least functioning. Their greatest joy in life ,other than caring for and protecting the Queen, is to sell their crafts to the rest of the world, in fact, some of them are so enthusiastic about it, that they are known to kidnap their "clients" and force them to buy their wares. Their Army is probably the weakest in Vain, but what they lack in power, they make up in numbers! They also don't

### **Galactic Federation of Yphrod**

Okreahns are aliens from planet Yphrod of the Andromeda Constellation. Back in the pre-cataclysmic days of Earth, they invaded it in an effort to conquer it for themselves and use Humans as a form of food. At that time, discord and chaos reigned among humans, so they did not meet much resistance. They almost succeeded in their plans, but the cataclysm wiped out their armies on earth. That was a massive blow for Yphrod, and ever since they never attempted to go anywhere close to Earth's solar system. Their advanced tracking systems discovered life on Vain, and water is so scarce here, that they don't have to fear about cataclysms. They decided to colonize Vain in an effort to capture humans and bring them back to their home planet. Okreahns are particularly tough and their units have the highest armor rating in vain, they are quick and lethal, but they are few in numbers.

### **Interstellar Protectorate of Zyrgahv**

The Zyrgahvians are the smartest and meanest but also the most frail of all the alien species of Vain. Hailing from the Serpens constellation, they have used their massive brainpower to form colonies in almost every planet from Serpens to Cygnus. They are particularly interested in mining the mineral wealth of the planets they colonize, Vain not being an exception. However, they are also very keen on enslaving humans to force them mine for them, as their elongated and weak bodies are not suited for manual labor. They have telepathetic abilities making them very dangerous in the battlefield, but they are also the most fragile of all the races of Vain. In fact, most of the time, they prefer to avoid combat and manipulate their way to victory.

## Minor Factions

*Minor Factions have fewer cities and outposts than Main Factions. Each one of them has unique gameplay mechanics that differentiate them from the Major Factions in some way or another.*

### United Rebel Cities

Originally proud citizens of Orion and other big towns of the Elysian State, these outcasts and renegades eventually grew weary of the insane level of Propaganda exerted upon them by the Nobles. After the first few abandoned the Metropolises of Lancaster, force fields were activated, trapping the rest of the populace inside Elysium. From this point, only dead people were thrown out of the towns, and many actually feigned death to escape. Quickly small cities were created in the great desert, the only place Elysians had a hard time tracking them, because of the ray-beam rains and intense sandstorms. Ruled by Sheriffs, the Rebels are constantly on the move to avoid Elysian Troopers, and rely heavily on Guerilla Warfare to win fights. They are also well equipped with an array of tools and hacking devices to utilize against Elysians.

### Centaur Chiefdom

Centaurs, half men, half horses make for frightening enemies in the battlefield. Their flexibility and archery skills led them to adopt devastating hit and run tactics against their opponents. Their bodies and their primitive technological level prevent them from being able to accomplish certain tasks, so they have to resort to stealing what they can't craft. They are infamous raiders and pillagers, and as a result their relationships with most of the factions are not the best. Their societies are very tribal and traditional and they are certainly not the kindest bunch.

### Firewolf Syndicate

Led by an Ex-Elysian Commander, Duke Warwick who grew sick and tired of hunting rebels and freedom fighters, and suppressing common folks who dared speak against the State, he gathered the best of the best fighters and formed the Firewolves Syndicate which operated in the heart of Orion right under the nose of the Governor himself. Eventually, after years of internal acts of sabotage they discovered a glitch in the force field that could be exploited and used it to escape Orion. Ever since they operate in various locations of Vain in an effort to organize a full scale revolution on Lancaster's State and free the people trapped in Elysium.

### Ulgryan Chiefdom

Ulgryans are an alien race from Mars, unleashed in Vain from Zyrgahvians to wreak havoc and distract the humans, while they would try to accomplish their own evil agendas. They are the most physically fit of all the races in Vain, but they are not particularly good at crafting armor from themselves, nor do they have any skills in ranged warfare making them susceptible to ranged attacks. They are considered to be barbarians by most of the races. They are particularly good at sieges as their unmatched strength allows them to hurl heavy boulders to their enemies. Needless to say that their relationships with humans suffer as they have a nasty reputation as raiders and pillagers.

## Non Playable Factions

*While technically factions, these are not playable by players. Some are hostile, and others are passive and have no care in the world for what you're doing. Some of them can even be hired to fight or work for you!*

### Drifters

**Drifters** wander the vast land of Vain. Players are able to talk to and possibly hire some of them. Not your typical faction, as they have no territory or allegiance to any entity (although some of them may have been former faction members).

### Psychos

Psychos are former slaves from Rebirth who managed to escape. They are mentally deranged from what they have experienced in the labor camps. They enjoy warfare and will never say no to Embers. They are the cheapest mercenaries around, but also the most likely to bail out if things go south.

### Merchants Guild

The **Merchants** **Guild** is an allegedly neutral faction that deal primarily with commerce between towns. They're based in the United Rebel Cities, and are integral to their economy. That said, they use their status to gain access to many other factions throughout the world, even the enemies of the United Rebel Cities such as Elysians.

### Machinists

**The Machinists** are adventurers dedicated to scouring the ancient ruins of the world in search of lost technologies and artifacts. They generally work for Scientists, supplying them with the materials they need for their research.

### Viper Gang

The Viper Gang is infamous for supply chain raids and many other shapes and forms of crime. They may be willing to work as Mercenaries.

### Space Pirates

The **Space Pirates** is a guild of thieves, fences and smugglers with secret bases in most of the majors cities of Vain.

### Ryu Ronins

Ryu Ronins are a group of Heavily Armored Mercenaries who try to revive the lost forms of Asiatic warfare.

### Reapers

Reapers are a group of intermixed alien Races who try to enslave humans, especially Nobles and bring them back to their home planets where they can throw them in arenas for their entertainment. They have bad relations with all humans and are willing to work as mercenaries for Aliens.

### Vigilante Legion

The Soldiers of the Vigilante Legion are battle hardened headhunters who antagonize all alien races, as they claim that they only bring chaos in Vain. They spend their days hunting down Aliens and wanted people, but they occasionally may be willing to work as mercenaries

### Slavers

**Slavers** are people looking to profit by capturing and selling escaped Slaves. They can often be found in areas which escaped slaves frequent. Solo Characters should be careful near them, as they will occasionally attack innocents in order to make a quick buck selling them into slavery.