Great War
The blood-soaked history that forced Disboard to trade swords for games.
The Great War refers to the era of devastating conflict that engulfed Disboard before the establishment of the Ten Pledges. During this time, all 16 races engaged in constant warfare for resources and dominance, with no rules or boundaries to limit destruction. This period ended only when Tet, the God of Play, intervened to challenge the leaders of all 16 races collectively.
- Participants
- All 16 Races vs. Tet
- Key Figure
- Tet (God of Play)
Lore & Background
Before games became the law, violence was the only language spoken on Disboard. All 16 races tore each other apart in a struggle for survival, leaving cities in ruins and populations decimated. This endless cycle of aggression threatened to wipe out all intelligent life until Tet, the God of Play, appeared. Recognizing that physical strength alone would not bring peace, Tet proposed a new system where disputes were settled through games rather than bloodshed. Tet challenged the leaders of all 16 races collectively, winning the contest and proving that strategy surpassed brute force. Following this victory, the Ten Pledges were established with the agreement of all races' leaders, creating a framework that explicitly banned all violence and war, including military forces. This historical shift transformed Disboard from a battlefield into a playground of high-stakes competition. However, the scars of this era remain visible in the ruins scattered across the world and the deep-seated prejudices between species.
In Their Own Story
The old Elf commander stood atop the crumbling tower, looking out over the valley where his father had died. There were no cannons firing now, only the soft hum of mana crystals powering the game tables below. He remembered the stories of the Great War—the smoke that choked the sky for years and the silence after a city fell. Now, when he lost a match, he did not bleed; he simply surrendered territory. It was safer, cleaner, yet the weight of history felt heavier than any sword.
Reader's Guide
The shadow of this ancient conflict looms over every strategy played in Disboard today. Because war was once the only language, games became the accepted substitute for violence, making stakes incredibly high. Nations maintain military forces not to invade, but as a deterrent against breaking the Ten Pledges. This history creates deep mistrust between races; Elves remember Dwarven aggression, and Dragonkin recall Birdmen raids from that chaotic time. Politically, the memory of total annihilation keeps the Six Races bound to Tet’s rules. Any suggestion of returning to physical combat is treated as heresy by the Church of El-Azra. Strategists study this era to understand why certain alliances formed or shattered before the Pledges were written in stone. The fear that the Ten Pledges could fail drives leaders to master games with lethal intensity, knowing a loss might mean losing territory or sovereignty without firing a single shot. Additionally, the mythology surrounding Tet’s arrival is used to justify current hierarchies. Humans, having lost the most during this chaotic era, are viewed as inferior by other races who survived better. This prejudice fuels modern discrimination and makes Sora and Shiro's rise even more significant in the grand scheme of Disboard history.
Did You Know?
- The Ten Pledges were established directly to prevent a recurrence of this era's violence.
- Tet defeated the leaders of all 16 races collectively in a single game to prove games could replace war.
- The Ten Pledges explicitly ban all violence and war, including military forces.
- Human civilization was nearly wiped out during the chaos preceding the Pledges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly was the Great War?
The Great War refers to a devastating historical era where the Six Races engaged in constant, unrestricted warfare for resources and dominance across Disboard. This period lasted until Tet intervened to stop the endless bloodshed that threatened to destroy the world entirely.
Who was responsible for ending the Great War?
The conflict concluded when Tet, the God of Games, challenged the leaders of each race to settle their disputes through competition rather than violence. By defeating them in games, Tet forced the warring factions to accept a new system of governance based on strategy.
What rules governed combat during this time?
During the Great War, there were no boundaries or laws limiting how much destruction could be inflicted upon opponents without restriction. It was a lawless period where physical force and weaponry determined survival before games became the standard for conflict resolution.
How did the Great War lead to the Ten Pledges?
The establishment of the Ten Pledges was the direct outcome of Tet's victory over the race leaders at the end of this era. These pledges legally banned traditional warfare and mandated that all future disagreements be settled exclusively through games.
Is the Great War still happening in the current timeline?
No, the Great War is a concluded historical event that shaped the modern laws of Disboard. Current society operates under the strict peace treaties signed after Tet's intervention, making open warfare impossible without breaking divine law.