"The war to end all wars."
For as long as anyone could remember, there had always been some kind of war between the different realms. The fae and demon races were constantly at a disagreement, constantly at each other's throats. One individual, who claimed the alias of "Anonymous" but was later revealed to be Alec Iris, set about a goal to create a world of peace, to permanently remove any need for war between the races. To do this, he would create a single realm where all races could live under one government. In his mind, there would be no war if there was no division of the races in their respective realms. Opposition came from the idea that if he was to create a new realm, he would need to destroy all others. So, in a way, there would be nothing for them to return to later on. Alec's main opposition came from Erieda Davenport, Queen of the Seelie Fae and protector of Parkwood, who knew that Alec would attempt to take control of the town since it was the only known location where all the realm portals met. It was his intention to destroy the portals, and Erieda's duty to protect them stood in his way. Both sides of the war fought tirelessly with one another, but it was ultimately Alec who was victorious. His numbers were too great, his secret weapon too fatal. While he did not manage to destroy the realms, he did close the portals and restrict access entirely. After which he bound the fae race to remove all opposition and created a new realm: Isoa'ri.
Alec never had any intention of ruling over the new realm; power was not his goal. So, instead, when the new realm was created he handed over any and all authority to Victoria Montez, one of his most powerful and influential allies. Victoria quickly established herself as a tyrant figure in the new world, someone to be respected and followed out of fear rather than love. She formed a totalitarian system of government which would suit her own desires for complete control over Isoa'ri and its inhabitants, with Alexander Davenport (Erieda's husband and father of her children) as her right-hand man. In addition to introducing the enslavement of the fae races, she also set about introducing policies to execute those who once dared to oppose her. Some were personal grudges and others were simply because it made sense to eradicate all threats to her position. Those she could not kill, such as Erieda Davenport, she imprisoned. Anyone who wished to escape being executed or imprisoned fled the capital city to seek refuge in the vast world around it.
Alec may no longer be in a position of power in the new government, but being the creator of the realm means that he is now considered something of a god amongst the remaining population (excluding the fae, of course). However, shortly after the world was created, he fled with his lover, Sunday Montez (daughter of Victoria), to seek peace and quiet elsewhere, not wishing to remain in the city or under the watchful eye of Victoria, who would wish her own daughter dead.
Once known merely as a group of mercenaries, led by Alexander Davenport (otherwise known as the General), the Remei have received something of a promotion after faithfully serving not only Alec, but also Victoria. They are now the main fighting force of Victoria's army, and around 50% of its ranks are charged with guarding and disciplining the fae, since they are the only ones with such a high level of iron manipulation abilities; they're the only ones that can easily put them in their place, as while the fae are currently in a position of weakness, they could be powerful and dangerous if given the chance.
As soon as Victoria came into her power, the fae (currently with a population of around 200,000) were labelled as traitors and enemies of the new world as they had opposed the creation of the realm. Thought of as less then animals, they were forced into slavery. Most were used as a quick and effective way to build their capital city, and thereafter they were sold/purchased for the purposes of manual labour, prostitution and/or to be generally used as servants and housemaids. Kept in poor conditions and disciplined by those who manipulate iron (i.e. the Remei), the fae are now a weak race and pitied by most.
Erieda, being the powerful individual that she is (and equal in strength to Alec), was too much of a risk to join her followers into slavery. She had not managed to escape like some of her family and followers, and had remained bound in iron since being defeated by the joint forces of Alec and Alexander. Her husband - by this point - had established himself as an influential figure in Victoria's eyes and as such was allowed to make certain decisions, such as choosing to imprison Erieda as opposed to executing her or introducing her into slavery. She is still his wife, after all, and while the affectionate feelings they once shared have diminished considerably (on both sides) there is still love between them. And as such, instead of being publically executed, she was placed into what you might call a large cage, laced with enough iron to somewhat reduce mobility/lucidity whilst still keeping her alive.
Erieda Davenport has three children, two of which remain unreachable whilst the third's whereabouts are unknown. As far as Alex, Erieda and Victoria are aware, Simon died in the war. What nobody knows is that Simon escaped Victoria's reach and when he did so, he managed to take a small amount of fae with him, around 20 warriors and a handful of women and children. With the intention of retrieving his mother from her captivity, he wishes to form a rebellion under her leadership, so that they can claim Victoria's position of power and save the rest of the fae.
