A quick intro to one of the major factions...

[b]The Brotherhood of Nations[/b]
After resurging against the Empire after the collapse of its leadership, the Brotherhood of Nations was quick to regain lost ground. Thanks to the slow retreat policy favored by the Brotherhood until that point, the Brotherhood still had significant power despite being pushed back, and when the armies of the Empire faltered, the Brotherhood struck, and struck well. Yet upon regaining their territory, the Brotherhood deemed itself unable to defeat the Empire if they were to force it into a united confrontation on the defensive. As such, they were content to watch, and allow it to turn upon itself as they kept it contained. And thus it did, with the Empire fallen, and only its name left to strike fear into enemies that needed no longer fear an existent power.
But with their foe extinguished and contained with itself, the Brotherhood had little to keep it united. Its purpose had been the use of united, but distinct powers against a common foe, but without a common foe, there was no need for unity. Nevertheless, all were wary, and no nation was willing to leave the Brotherhood without sufficient cause while the Empire still stood a chance of reuniting.
Now, a hundred and sixty years have past, and the Empire is only the more fractured now for time. The name that strikes terror into all who remember it bears little association now with that that remains, and the Brotherhood's vigil is turned inward on its neighbors. No longer inclined to keep their armies prepared to fight as one, the kingdoms of the Brotherhood maintain their ties only in light of advantages to their own lands, and sever them for the same reasons. War has taught them much of their allies...of their strengths and weaknesses, and what they have to gain by continuing to ally with them...or by conquering them instead.