Who founded the White Fan- ahem, Dire Talon, and why were they unsatisfied with Turtledove?
Founders:
- Castor Volk (lupine Beastkin from Albion’s slums)
- Zoya Makarova (lizard Quimera tactician from Pandosia)
- Daimon Reyes (disillusioned human rights lawyer)
- Nia Solara (half-orc journalist turned propagandist)
Why they left Turtledove:
The Turtledove Foundation was deeply rooted in peaceful reform: lobbying, civil protests, legal challenges. While it made symbolic gains, it fundamentally underestimated the economic and military stranglehold of the Kawasaki Zaibatsu and their puppet governments. For the founders of Dire Talon, Turtledove’s reliance on diplomacy and moral appeals amounted to passive complicity — "begging for scraps from the masters' table."
They believed that the system could not be reformed from within and that waiting for "approval" from global institutions was a betrayal to those already suffering and dying. So, to achieve true liberation, the entire power structure must dismantled, violently if necessary. Thus, the Dire Talon was born as a militant insurgency designed to fight fire with fire, with no illusions about mercy or forgiveness from the ruling class.
Who founded Crimson Brigade and why?
Founder:
- Castor Volk, one of the original Dire Talon founders.
During Operation Pale Wake (2105), a Kawasaki Zaibatsu convoy was targeted. Zoya Makarova refused to attack it when she learned it carried unarmed civilians and forced laborers. Castor, on the other hand, viewed any infrastructure, anyone wearing the Zaibatsu insignia — even forced laborers — as "tainted."
His philosophy: "If they wear the mark, they burn."
For Castor, the war was no longer about strategic liberation. It became about pure vengeance and purification — eliminating all collaborators and passive bystanders. With that, the Crimson Brigade split off, representing the most nihilistic, scorched-earth philosophy within the demihuman resistance.
Now, how do they recruit? What kind of people were able to join each organization, and what would they do if they joined the wrong one? Do some of them want to leave, but feel compelled to stay?
Dire Talon
Recruitment Methods:
- Underground networks in demihuman ghettos and refugee sectors.
- Propaganda, leaked documentaries of Kawasaki Zaibatsu atrocities.
- One-on-one recruitment via trusted handlers in urban safe-houses.
Who joins:
- Disillusioned demihumans who lost families and careers to the Kawasaki Zaibatsu.
- Ex-soldiers or security contractors are tired of serving corrupt states.
- Hackers, sabotage engineers, idealists radicalized by brutal crackdowns.
What happens if they joined "the wrong one":
If someone joins the Talon but proves too soft (refusing to harm critical infrastructure or sabotage), they are usually demoted to logistical support roles, propaganda, or smuggling. Deserters are rare — those who attempt to leave often do so under heavy surveillance, and the organization does not hesitate to "silence" potential leaks if they pose a threat.
Do some want to leave?
Yes. Some do. Many stay because they see no alternative, others because of loyalty to Eva Praxis personally, or guilt over comrades they feel they’d be abandoning.
Crimson Brigade
Recruitment Methods:
- Violent raids into demihuman slums, forcibly "converting" residents through intimidation.
- Propaganda emphasizing rage, vengeance, and "purity" of action.
- Cult-like indoctrination sessions in hidden strongholds.
Who joins:
- Deeply traumatized individuals who have lost everything and want to see the world burn.
- Those who believe all non-combatant or "passive" demihumans are traitors by inaction.
- Sadistic opportunists attracted to chaos and unchecked violence.
What happens if they joined "the wrong one":
Anyone expressing doubt or mercy is branded a traitor and executed, often publicly as an example. Escape is almost impossible once fully initiated.
Do some want to leave?
Yes, though far fewer admit it openly. Most are kept in line through fear, trauma bonds, or the belief they can’t return to normal society after what they’ve done.
Are they antagonistic to each other, and to what degree? Would the Talon help the Foundation against the Brigade, or would they look the other way out of spite?
Yes — but it’s complicated.
- The Dire Talon views the Crimson Brigade as an uncontrollable cancer that undermines the broader demihuman liberation movement. Their indiscriminate massacres make it harder to win civilian sympathy or gain international support.
- The Crimson Brigade considers Dire Talon weak, "compromised" by pragmatism, and traitorous for refusing to embrace total war.
In some cases, the Talon would help Turtledove against the Brigade — but reluctantly and selectively.
- The Talon despises the Turtledove Foundation’s passivity but recognizes that a massacre of peaceful protesters by the Crimson Brigade could further legitimize Zaibatsu propaganda.
- In such situations, Dire Talon may covertly sabotage Crimson Brigade plans to prevent mass civilian casualties, not out of compassion for Turtledove, but to protect the "narrative" and strategic viability of their own war.
Are there other factions involved; human-only, merchant, criminal, foreign, religious, or communal groups?
The Paramount Society, a human-only militia — funded by a secret alliance of aristocrats, oligarchs, and corporate magnates from across the globe.
Publicly, the Society presented itself as a "traditionalist guardianship network" — a so-called defense of "human heritage and purity." Behind closed doors, however, they were a virulent hate group devoted to enforcing human supremacy and reclaiming perceived "natural dominance" over demihumans and magical races.
