The Kaynists caused massive losses to both sides of the Winter War, drafting up great populations of refugees and disaffected folk from out of the debris of conflict.

Most prominent among these groups were the Kaynists вЂ“ populist armies of laborers and peasants united in a spiritual revival based on the writings of the Asur philosopher Anaxagoras Kayne. Insurgencies and rebellions flourished during the Winter War as numerous lands defied the offers of both factions. The Accord promised freedom, common purpose, and a heroic return to the mythic and glorious elder days, while the Empire offered power, order, and the opportunities of a new industrial age. Dueling for territory and power, the Accord and the Third Empire spread across the lands, forcing every independent nation to choose one side or another in the vicious battle. With them came several human nations, as well as the bulk of the Delvers, the Verg and the Myaatu beastfolk of the northern Auroran Desert.ДЇollowing in the wake of the Liberation there was a new conflict which was known as the Winter War вЂ“ the first seed of the later Long War which would plague the continent for near a century after. In the west, the Ava seafolk of Lindath were primed to declare their succession from his new Vasileia, having been among the foremost supporters of Romasa at his promise of Lindathi independence as in the ancient days. In the name of order and stability, it was Kaishan RomasaвЂ™s command that all need submit to the new authority of his Prime Eternal Vasileia, forgetting the promises of sovereignty and drastic change heвЂ™d offered in exchange for a single-minded dedication to reconstruction. All were shocked when, at the victory of the rebellion, he declared the founding of a new Vasileia, and crowned himself as Kaishan. Romasa, in his ongoing mastery of numerous magical arts, and scarred from his service in the War, had changed from the young man he once was. Yet peace was not to follow, despite the victory of the Liberation.

To the Schismatics, the Empire had lost its way, and there was soon to come a great reckoning with the very powers of Heaven. The Asur вЂ“ the celestial-kin вЂ“ were an ancient race who had given rise to the religion of Ardentism, which has first been adopted by the Ava seafolk in the west, before becoming the theology of the First and Second Vasileias, evolving over time into the corrupt modern form of the Holy Imperial Church.

It was in the wastelands that he met a group of nomadic mystics вЂ“ the Ardentite Schismatics. Leon fled into the wilds, living as a wanderer and a mercenary, a raider and an outlaw, subsisting off of what talents for magic, combat, and persuasion he had gained from his noble upbringing. A young Kynaz by the name of Leon Isidore was driven into exile after his family and people were destroyed by the Trade Houses for their refusal to sacrifice precious resources which had been discovered on their lands. From a minor noble hold in the Imperial heartland, there came an unlooked-for salvation.

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