Alliances

**Alliances** are broad international entities that pursue similar goals. Alliances take many forms, though usually provide economic, political and – most importantly – military support amongst its members. The dawn of alliances came during the outbreak of the Fühlgartian Civil War in 1203 AW with the rise of the ruling Monarchists and opposing Republicans. With the subsequent Republican victory and Monarchist exile, the latter alliance more or less fell apart until its resurgence during the Great War.

Since the Great War, six alliances have formed that more or less dominate politics across most corners of Enselonde. Few countries have managed to stay wholly neutral, with many countries owing allegiance to one alliance or multiple, either openly or indirectly.

## Alliances of Enselonde

### The Monarchists

*Main Article: Monarchists*

The oldest of the six alliances, the Monarchists represent the old order of Enselonde. Monarchies have, for better or worse, largely acted as the standard across Enselonde's political landscape, yet the Fühlgartian Civil War sent a shockwave throughout the world. The status quo was swept aside by the rise of the Republic of Fühlgart.

From their humble origins as an exiled faction of Fühlgartian nobles, the Monarchists have grown into a global alliance fighting against republicanism every chance it has. Recent incursions during the Epilogue Wars have been significant, with the Monarchists reclaiming lost territory in Fühlgart, Wyrsia, and Toscov.

The Monarchist alliance is ruled over by the Monarchist Grand Council based in Zengyu. Erik I of Fühlgart presides over the council and often acts as the de facto leader of the alliance.

### The Republicans

*Main Article: Republicans*

Born from discontent with the Fühlgartian von Kalzberg monarchy and feudal society, the Republicans took the world by storm under their leader Jan Luftschwert and his Divine benefactor, the God of Storms, Syarus. The Republicans disregarded the Dishonourable Weapons doctrine common in Human societies, giving them a great technological advantage and igniting an arms race across Enselonde.

Throughout the Great War, the Republicans scored victory after victory across the world, rapidly growing into the largest of Enselonde's alliances. However, as their alliance grew, their ideology became increasingly muddled by apathy and pragmatism, leading to a broad coalition of countries and factions with all kinds of conflicting goals. When Jan Luftschwert died in 1228 AW, the result was predictable.

Fühlgart has fallen into yet another civil war as the Republicans lose territory on every front. A few select countries flourish amidst a sea of chaos, as the fabric of this delicate alliance unravels more and more with the day. Not everyone has given up on the Republican dream, however. A new generation of idealists, zealots, and – most important of all – soldiers have grown up underneath the purple banners of the Republicans. They would rather give their lives than submit to the old order like their ancestors.

The Republicans have largely been led by the Republic of Fühlgart and its Head of the Republic. This position is currently held by the militaristic Ulrich Luftschwert, younger brother of Jan Luftschwert and experienced general of the Great War. While he is well-respected by many, including his enemies, the breakdown of order because of the Second Fühlgartian Civil War has led to many Republican states acting autonomously.

### Enselonde Front for Democracy

*Main Article: Enselonde Front for Democracy*

The Enselonde Front for Democracy, commonly abbreviated as EFD, was born out of the same dream that led to the creation of the Republicans. Yet, as the people of Redwall looked at the oligarchy developing in Fühlgart, they decided on a different path. Amidst the height of the Republican Invasion of the Eastland, the Duchy of Redwall transformed into a constitutional monarchy under a new democratically elected government: the True Republic of Redwall. The people's spirited defence, saving Redwall from invasion, proved that their ideals could work.

Other critics of the half-hearted attitude of the Republicans soon joined suit, as the EFD grew by the day. Movements were propped up in nearly every corner of the world in a mind-boggling series of covert operations. While the EFD has few countries following its ideology, its patchwork alliance of militias and volunteers nevertheless make it a force to be reckoned with. For the EFD, the ends justify the means, and those who draw its followers' wrath often find themselves subjected to a string of sabotage, bombings, and assassinations.

The EFD is decentralised in nature, with no true leadership. However, for an example, guidance, or just moral support, its adherents often look to ground zero. Kainon Skeldowe, the current Protector of Redwall, has acted as a figurehead and icon of the larger movement. He has also, notably, funded many EFD groups abroad, making him the unofficial leader of the alliance to many.

### Sapphire League

*Main Article: Sapphire League*

Founded by the legendary King Ilu, the Sapphire Empire was a political, economic, and military superpower that dominated the South for centuries. Its gradual decentralisation and eventual collapse in the late 10th century AW was a tragedy to many of its citizens. Dysfunctional and outdated as it was, the Sapphire Empire was a source of pride in much of the South, yet in no place was this more true than its birthplace: Sallant.

Emperor Muzai II of Sallant joined the Monarchists in exchange for their help in a war against Da'al Mon. When said war ended in high casualties and insignificant conquests, he broke his oaths and betrayed the Monarchists who had helped him, leaving them stranded and attacked in the Great Sand Sea. Before the bodies were cold, Muzai declared the creation of the Sapphire League.

The Sapphire League describes itself as an entity seeking to reclaim the legacy of the Sapphire Empire. In truth, it is more or less Sallant's sphere of influence in the South. While the Sapphire League went nowhere under Muzai II, a recent coup by his daughter, Princess Danakha, saw him and any other siblings that could pose a threat dethroned and executed. With the dust settling on her coup, the young empress has already proven herself determined and ruthless.

What the future has in store for the Sapphire League and its empress remains a mystery, yet some predict that Danakha could usher in an era of conquests to rival or even excede that of Ilu. The drums of war beat loudly in New Sallant, and neighbouring countries can't help but be wary.

### Emerald League

*Main Article: Emerald League*

Of all the alliances in Enselonde, none are as hastily thrown together and all-round disunited as the Emerald League. Born out of desperation during the Northeastern War, a theatre of the Great War that saw Fühlgart attack the tribal kingdoms to its northeast, the Emerald League consists of countries that often acted as enemies to each other. Yet, one common goal finally united them where diplomacy couldn't: the need for survival.

While supported by the Nytalyrian Empire and Lyxis the Blind, the success rate on the battlefield of the Emerald League has been abysmal. It lost the Northeastern War, Gurtrenn lost a large chunk of territory, the Second Union of Clans collapsed due to infighting, two Divines supporting the Emerald League died, and the Nytalyrian Crisis split the Empire into three warring statelets. Anyone would have been forgiven for thinking the Emerald League would have collapsed, and it would most likely have, were it not for the efforts of one man.

Enyon VI of the Green Skull Tribe traces his legacy back to Human Freemen who toppled the Freehold of Kainiya, fighting back against oppressors is in his blood. When the rest of the tribes were bickering, Enyon raided the Protectorate of Nordelver, freeing prisoners, securing goods, and scoring some victories against the Republicans. When all else had lost hope, he fought, eventually becoming the source of their hope.

Through some diplomatic masterstrokes, Enyon has kept the Emerald League together during its darkest time. With disputes settled and hatchets buried, the Third Union of Clans was founded, with him being elected as its monarch. Enyon VI & I now puts forth the call to arms, and the Emerald League follows. With weakness and chaos gripping Fühlgart, many expect that the Emerald League is mere months away from launching invasions into Nordelver, Ostland, Fühlgart, or even Nytalyria. The promise of loot is enough to keep most tribes in line if all else fails. Were the loot or the diplomatic talents of Enyon to ever run out, however, the Emerald League won't be long for this world.

### Grey Temple

*Main Article: Grey Temple*

Pre-dating the other alliances by centuries, the Grey Temple is a broad ideology of worshippers of the One. It primarily consists of the descendants of knights and theologians who survived the fall of the Kingdom of the One in 1013 AW. Most descendants lived in exile communities in Daletia, waiting for a day to return to the Marenbach Mountains and reclaim their holy city of Rosendorf. That chance came in 1222 AW.

Under their charismatic young leader, Gabriel Grossheim, a ragtag army of zealots marched into the weakened Republic of Marenbach and captured territory in the western half of the country. The capture of Rosendorf – with Monarchist assistance – led to the establishment of the Free City of Rosendorf, the de-facto leader of their cause to this day,

The Grey Temple has expanded opportunistically, spreading into old and new territory. Outside the Marenbach Mountains, Weckstein and Fühlgart have served as their primary base of operations, taking advantage of the Republican breakdown and chaos in these areas. The masses flock in droves to their banners, promising purpose, comfort, safety, and salvation under the One. From the Eastland to the Gemstone Islands, the word and followers of the One spread like wildfire, with religious movements being funded by a new dominant class of theologians.