Hi, Trailblazers! In today’s article we’ll cover factions – where the Astral Express, Herta Space Station, and Xianzhou Alliance belong to – and how do they tie together in world of Honkai Star Rail.
This material was originally created by Blade’s Coming, make sure to check out their other work.
Mortals with the same objective gather together to practice their understanding of Aeons and the Paths form factions. Many Aeons are unreachable, but the factions are close to us. There are hundreds of factions in the galaxy surrounding the Aeons, which all have the power of interastral travelling. (After Akivili trailblazed the galaxy, people became aware of the existence of different worlds, hence more and more attempted to perform interastral travels with the power of Aeons).
Faction Categories
Trailblaze
The Nameless – Trailblaze
Those that followed the Trailblaze Aeon in the exploration of the universe, were a group of brave and curious astral explorers. The Nameless care little about fame and glory, and even after the fall of Akivili, some Nameless are still on the Path of Trailblaze
P.S.: As we know there are two types of Nameless: One who enjoys the mystique of the unknown, and another that enjoys planned trailblazing of the universe
Astral Express — Trailblaze
A tool created by the Aeon of Trailblaze Akivili that travels the rail between stars across many worlds (it is said to have more than just one vehicle). The core of the Express is Akivili’s heart, which provides the power for the Astral Express to cross worlds
- Conductor: Pom-Pom
- Navigator: Himeko
- Passengers:
- Welt Yang: Even if this is a different Welt from HI3, he’s a pretty good copy of him in this parallel universe
- Hosting a Stellaron: MC
- Has a mysterious past: Dan Heng
- Mysterious crystal: March 7th + 9
Neutral Factions
Herta Space Station
Originally a Curio and Relic storage place, Herta allowed her followers to participate in the management and research process which turned it into a research base.
Herta did not spend a dime in the construction process, all funding came from Asta. Herta lost interest once the construction was completed.
- Founder: Herta
- Lead Researcher: Asta (a girl from a wealthy family and corporation related to the IPC)
- The Five Research Departments:
- [Ecology] Full Department Name: Herta Ecology Department
- [Geopolitics] Full Department Name: Herta Galactic Geopolitics Department
- [Mysticism] Full Department Name: Herta Mysticism Department
- [Geography] Full Department Name: Herta Galactic Geography Department
- [Implement Arts] Full Department Name: Herta Implement Arts Department
The Paths Factions
Destruction, Hunt, Erudition, Harmony, Nihility, Preservation, Abundance
Antimatter Legion — Destruction
Legion subservient to the Aeon Nanook, Emanators used to destroy the universe. They often appear alongside the Stellaron as a legion of the most vicious and evil creations in the galaxy that vowed to eradicate all civilization and life, utilizing the Warforge to recast and fuse remnants of fallen warriors and Leviathans.
Galaxy Rangers — Hunt
A voluntarily formed righteous group that believes the goodness and justice of the universe must be served through the actions of individuals.
After breeding enmity with Dr. Primitive, member 64 of the Genius Society, the group was never heard from again.
Xianzhou Alliance — Hunt
Xianzhou Alliance
Ancient Alliance was formed by many intelligent species that drive the Xianzhou ships and cleanses the Abominations of Abundance in the universe.
Six Flagships
- Luofu: Consumed the cursed fruit of immortality
- Yaoqing: Possesses the Longevity Pill of Cruelty
- Fanghu, Zhuming, Xuling, Yuque
[There should be a total of nine Xianzhou ships, among which the Cangcheng ship was destroyed]
Six Commissions of Luofu
- Cloud Knights:
The Cloud Knights are the military of the six ships responsible for the security of the Xianzhou citizens, as well as shouldering the duty of wiping out Abominations of Abundance
Each Xianzhou ship has a general commanding the army, with a marshal overseeing all generals (It is said the marshal of the Cloud Knights is Hua).
- Divination Commission:
Commission in charge of information and intel divination. Their main duty is to predict the future with the “jade abacus”, process and preserve information, chart ship course, and strategize
- Sky-Faring Commission:
Commerce, transportation, diplomacy… all these different departments have been consolidated into one.
- Alchemy Commission:
In charge of the biology and medical research on the Xianzhou ship and has apothecaries set up in all the delves offering medical service
- Artisanship Commission:
In charge of equipment maintenance and the manufacturing of weapons, ships, and artificial intelligence
- Realm-Keeping Commission:
The Realm-Keeping Commission is Xianzhou ship’s general administration organization responsible for population statistics, resource allocation, ecological management, calendar, etc. Among them, there are many scholars who specialize in sociology, ecology and other academic studies.
Genius Society — Erudition
Granted personal audience from Nous, these people favoured by the Aeon Nous (84 currently) make up the most exceptional geniuses and brain power in the universe. They have different individual circumstances, some even make a living by working at fruit stalls.
Intelligentsia Guild — Erudition
With Erudition as their main driving force, the Intelligentsia Guild studies and researches tirelessly. Compared to typical researchers, they come off as more of a commercial group, heavily sponsored by the IPC.
The Family — Harmony
The residents of the worlds that have received Xipe’s blessings. They sing endlessly about their Aeon’s generosity and believe that the universe will eventually become a single harmonious entity.
Self-Annihilator — Nihility
There is little information on the Self-Annihilators, only bits and pieces here in conversations.
Device IX — Nihility
A dark network in the Galaxy, whose existence is still unconfirmed.
Doctors of Chaos — Nihility
Ponderers who inadvertently encountered the Nihility. They attempt to resist the meaningless destiny and try to prove to the Aeon that there is meaning behind the existence of all things.
Interastral Peace Corporation — Preservation
The Interastral Peace Corporation originated as a support team to assist Qlipoth in building his Celestial Comet Wall. They worship the Preservation Qlipoth and have since become the largest economic entity in the Galaxy.
Founder: Louis Fleming, Dongfang Qixing
Achievements: The building materials accumulated after nearly eight hundred Amber Eras by the corporation have filled up every planet around the Aeon, and the numbers are still going up.
The Architects — Preservation
the worshippers of the Aeon of Preservation, Qlipoth. They followed in Qlipoth’s footsteps to construct walls to protect their home planets. They believe the actions of their Aeon foretell an upcoming calamity that will bring an end to the galaxy.
Representative Faction: Belobog
Denizens of Abundance — Abundance
The chosen who have received the Abundance’s blessings. They revel in the joy brought about by their undying bodies and praise Yaoshi for their kindness and grace. (In the eyes of Xianzhou they are all immortal abominations).
Elixir Seekers — Abundance
Far-flung travellers in pursuit of immortality. They search for the location of the Aeon Yaoshi in the ocean of stars.
[Existing] Factions
Stellaron Hunters
An organization that travels between worlds and collects Stellarons. It is unclear which Aeon grants them their power.
Currently, there are five known Stellaron Hunters:
- Leader: Elio, called Destiny’s Slave, has the ability/curse to foresee future possibilities.
- Kafka: Used hypnosis to set up Trailblazer to absorb the Stellaron.
- Silver Wolf: A genius hacker, she sees the universe as a massive immersive simulation game and has fun with it. She’s mastered the skill known as “aether editing,” which can be used to tamper with the data of reality.
- Blade: A swordsman who abandoned his body to become a blade. He pledges loyalty to Destiny’s Slave and possesses a terrifying self-healing ability.
- Sam: Unknown
The Riddlers — Enigmata
While the History Fictionologists are dedicated to the mystification of history, the Riddlers are devoted to undermining the clarity of languages. They deconstruct texts, create metaphors, alter word order, and tamper with definitions so as to disorganize the initially precise languages.
History Fictionologists — Enigmata
Masked Fools — Elation
Aeon Aha’s fanatic worshippers, hedonists that would do anything in pursuit of Abundance.
Mourning Actors — Elation
Those who firmly resist the path of Elation. They advocate for abstinence and penance to dilute the temptation of elation. Their powers come from blessings of the Aeon of Elation, Aha.
The Arbitrators — Equilibrium
The Arbitrators: Enacts the orders from Aeon HooH, pursuing the “zero-sum” of the universe. They are mistaken as Gods in many worlds.
Mirror Holders — Beauty
Wanderers who have witnessed the beauty of different worlds. To revive the Aeon of Beauty, they collect their relics that were scattered across the Universe.
Omen Vanguards — Finality
Those who believe that Terminus represents the end of the universe. They are dedicated to drawing prophecies from Terminus’ obscure words.
Creed Exequy — Finality
Worshipers of the Aeon Terminus. They await their once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
The Cremators — Remembrance
So far we only know one name of the Cremators.
Garden of Recollection — Remembrance
Collectors of precious memories from across the universe. They freely travel between worlds and try to find memories that can please their Aeon.
As the messengers of Remembrance, the physical form was let go and they travel the universe as memes, searching for the most precious memories for Fuli among the ocean of stars.
[Disintegration] Factions
The Swarm — Propagation
Tayzzyronth, also known as the Imperator Insectorum, commenced an infinite duplication, bringing horrors of The Swarm upon the world. Tayzzyronth, Tayzzyronths rather, fluttered across the worlds until their advances were halted by Destruction.
Knights of Beauty — Beauty
People who fervently praise the beauty of the Aeon, Idrila. The skilful warriors among them formed the Knights of Beauty, which fell apart upon Idrila’s disappearance.
The Beyond The Sky Choir — Order
Beyond The Sky Choir: Beyond the Sky Choir lost their faith when Ena the Order was absorbed by Xipe, the Aeon of Harmony. The once solemn, orderly resonance was also muted, leaving the stars silent.
How to Decipher the Relationship Between Aeons and Factions?
First of all, for mortals to completely decipher the wills of an Aeon is neigh impossible, just as it is difficult for an ant to understand the stars.
However, even if the mortals have the wrong idea of an Aeon, so long as there are enough of them sharing the same idea, this idea will become a consensus, and the “wrongness” becomes a common understanding. As groups attract each other, factions naturally form.
No matter the size of the faction, they all believe that the creed that they share within the faction is the absolute representation of Aeon’s will. However, most Aeons care little about mortal schemes; some occasionally enjoy the futility of it all.
What’s on people’s mind