Araxepharoi
The Araxepharoi are a breakaway group of Geon who have abandoned the pacifistic way of life common to many of their peoples as a reaction to the incredible violence that was perpetuated upon the environment and the people of their home, the Shardscape realm of Orochtha. Established under the leadership of the Tourmaline Geon, who represent the largest population of Geon who never ascribed to pacifism, the group works to ensure that the people of Orochtha are never exploited or savaged to the degree that they were during the time of the Orochthan Wealth Wars. Indeed, owing to their longevity, most Araxepharoi active today experienced the horrors of the Wealth Wars firsthand.
Not counting the Tourmaline Geon who make up the majority of their number, the Amethyst Geon are the most numerous, followed by the Quartz Geon, and the Corundum Geon. Testament to the movement's reach, even Hecatolite and Flourite Geon, considered the most radically pacifistic of the Geon, have joined the cause.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
While the Tourmaline Geon joined the fray against the outsiders from the onset of the Wealth Wars, other Geon elected to hunker down in their subterranean homes, hoping for the turmoil to pass them over. Many individuals, however, especially younger Geon, were dissatisfied with the elders' chosen course. In the Amethyst Labyrinth, particularly, the matter became so contentious that displeasure from the youth nearly boiled over into open revolt.
Most Geon who would become Araxepharoi were of the opinion that pacifism was perfectly reasonable when conflicts were petty and driven by minor religious differences, flaws that the Geon had always criticized their surface-dwelling cousins for, but that it was dishonorable to hide and cower when the threat became existential. Unable to stand by and watch as the wealth, lands, and lives of Orochtha were trampled by outsiders, Geon from all over the realm rebelled against their kin and joined the fray. Many, unaccustomed to war, died or were relegated to support roles, but most were happy just to contribute to the effort.
At the end of the war, some were happy to lay down their weapons and return to a life of pacifism. Others, who would eventually come to be known as the Araxepharoi, held on to their weapons. They volunteered to be trained as part of Orochtha's standing army, and have worked tirelessly since then to ensure that even far-flung villages knew how to defend their homes, even if only to stall until reinforcements arrived. They are, more than most, determined to ensure that the horrors of the Wealth Wars never again come to pass.
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