Mandira (Mahn-Day), and subsequently Aasha, are both underground colonies situated in western Alstalsia, long since kept under wraps from the public eye as they silently observed the world, toiling away just to survive all the while. Horrible beasts and rigorously trained soldiers were amassed for a singular purpose: to keep the peace of the world if none other stood to do so.
 
At the behest of the entity known as Krodh-Dil, Mandira was established in the Year 220 by the mercenary group, The Band of the Stag, quietly situated itself in the forsaken wilderness of the Alstalsian forests, where it would rest silently. Acting only for self-preservation and the expansion of their forces. Expeditions spearheaded by the ancient Lich, Yamraj Dhil--known to most only as the Devourer or Father--to Egywn to gather 'recruits' through skirmishes with the native tribes or fighting off their captors--the Wild Elves.
 
 
Doubling their efforts to oil the Mandiran machine, Yamraj had arranged with numerous contacts to acquire Mechanations for 'indeterminate labor' once production of their kind had seen tangible results in the years leading up to their total perfection. Being a member of Albedo made the process far easier, since getting around Karaten machinations one way or another was nothing new for them. As the years went on these Mechanations would grow in number and be granted near total freedom as insights into their psyche necessitated proper frames and treatment to ensure a long, if not indefinite, life.
 
A society was cultivated beneath the earth of Alstalsia, corralled by a Mechanation of Yamraj's own making- Sasaka. Several other Mechanations made by his daughter, Rachika Dhil, acted to organize specific factions within Mandira: Jijnasu, who led the Plaguebearers; Dharma yuddha karane-vala, who led the Steel Order; Puralekhapala, who led the Black Cats of Hate's Refuge; Dhokhebaza, who led the Black Hand; and Shikari, who led Mercy's Message.
 
All of these factions served a specific purpose: Doctors and researchers; Enforcers and engineers; Scavengers and esoteric scholars; Subterfuge and record keeping; Reconnaissance and exploration. Mandira's citizens would divide themselves initially among these five groups to find their individual purpose toward the ultimate goal of peace for all...even if the means by which some found themselves at Mandira's service were less than peaceful.
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The 'esoteric research' of the Black Cats also included the collaboration of Puralekhapala and Yamraj Dhi, on top of Puralekhapala's own research into the nature of the Grimalkin. It was Yamraj Dhil who, through experimentation into creating subservient beasts, gave birth to the first of many malformations: The Devourer, coined after his original moniker, and partially due to the rows of teeth that lined the chest of Yamraj's first gods-forsaken creation.
 
 
Yamraj was only able to make Devourers out of ordinary, human-like races through a magical parasite--his true first creation, if one wanted to be precise: the Sanguine Parasite. Engineered to disguise itself with Sylphid magic, then reshape its victim with Isesipian magic to better suit its endless hunger for Focus, often through blood--hence the name. Trials in Albedo had gotten the parasite far enough to begin live testing, a large reason why slaves were even necessary if Yamraj was to engineer his beasts.
 
 
These dark experiments took place in a laboratory deeper than the lowest portion that Mandira recognized, found down a tunnel dug deep into what would become the borderlands between Mandira and Aasha: The Depths. The laboratory would be later abandoned after many proof of concept trials had been performed, sealed off by Puralekhapala to prevent anything from escaping, and to forget the horrible things that transpired.
 
 
Of course, the question remained of what to do with beasts Yamraj had made. Intended to act as tools of his will, The Depths would act as a home for the plethora of creations at first, though knowing this would not suffice for long, work was made on the creation of what would come to be Aasha. The name meaning 'Sanctuary', an invention of Rachika to create a home for those the world did not desire. A home for Yamraj's creatures and Rachika's own.
 
 
The development of Aasha would be greatly assisted by a feud between Sasaka and Puralekhapala, demanding they control the Grimalkin population to curb the ever increasing need for rations due to rising birth rates. To address this, male Grimalkin were to be expelled to Aasha--though as far as most in Hate's Refuge knew, this was to their inevitable death. With the help of Rachika, the unwanted were safely relocated, along with a handful of females who had disguised themselves to remain with their loved ones. It would be these Grimalkin who would establish the small colony of Last Light.
 
 
Last Light would serve to harbor the 'normal' residents of Aasha, a sanctuary from the monstrosities meant to lurk nearby. Over time Aasha would harbor its own factions, legions led by powerful figures who came to appreciate Rachika's efforts to provide for those the world scorned: Lord Abraxis, who led The Annihilators; Lord Raksaka, who led The Death Knights; and Lady Valyerie Puralekhapala, who led The Sin Eaters. Far later in Aasha's lifespan would a fourth legion emerge, led by High Seer Arianne--The Sculptors.
 
 
Rather than any concise role given to each faction, all served their own purposes, yet acted in the best interest of their unified survival beneath Mandira and Sigrogana. Some sought justice, some sought chaos.
 
 
 
With the decline of Mandira acting within Egwyn's border and the rise of Aasha as an almost independent colony, a neutral embassy was established near the coast on Egwyn, known as Jigyaasa. Situated nearby an unpleasant forest and kept contact with natives to a bare minimum with security maintained by Mechanations and creatures of Aasha to limit the upkeep of those stationed there whilst discouraging attacks.
 
 
One very notable creature used in the defense of Jigyaasa is known only as the Wyvern Horror- the result of a Sanguine Parasite infesting a Wyvern, known to be among the greatest of Yamraj's tools and are often kept to roam Egwyn until they are needed.
 
 
To better support the interests of Aasha in Egwyn, the Egwyn Liberation Front was established by a Wyvern Horror of substantial intellect: Mizar. Still able to mostly conceal its form unlike most Wyvern Horrors. The ELF was to act as an open enemy to the Redrayders, and any other threats to the liberty of tribes within Egwyn in order to secure food and potential captives by countering attempted raiding.
 
 
Though recent times have proved these efforts to be in vain. A new approach would be necessary if the future were to be preserved indefinitely...
 
 
OOC Note: This is largely a summary of what Mandira and Aasha are, with a bit of new info in regards to the ELF. The documents I'll link further below detail everything I've wrote regarding people/things of interest within the two.
 
 
Writing all that down in one post would be a bit much, but hopefully this synopsis helps paint of picture of what Mandira and Aasha are.