The Great war started with the Death of the Count of Ostbalin, a area of the Drachenreich bordering Transkoy. Since the count had no son a heir in the family had to be found. Conflict arose when the Vampire Lord Krystof von Strigor claimed the land since he was the great great uncle of the deceased. The Drachenreich, which since decades was at odds with the vampire lords of Transkoy saw this as a blatant attempt to steal land and send an ultimatum. Either the Transkoy retracted the Claim or there would be war.
The Vampires however had already forged alliances for such a time. The stubbornness of two countries to give up a piece of land let to war...

Their exists Magic, Dwarfs, elves, Orcs and other mystical creatures. Elves and Dwarfes are in no way as much in numbers as the humans, thanks to their low fertility. Dragons are more legends than anything else, since not many have seen one. Still there are some left.
Magic is a difficult thing to learn and master, only some humans and elves have the capability to do it, however if they show that talent they can create fantastic things. Creating weapons out of thin air, throwing fire or letting the stars rain down.
The technology level is that of the first world war, that means you might see a griffon get in a dogfight with a biplane.

The Drachenreich
(Grey on the Map)
Ruler: Kaiser Maximilian Hohenfels III

This colossal Empire is a collection of smaller fiefdoms, governed by the Kaiser who is elected from the smaller counts. The Drachenreich is nearly completely populated by humans and has a very strong policy against Elfs and Dwarfs, they have to pay much higher taxes, are prohibited from living in certain areas and are basically second class citizens.
The Drachenreich has an incredibly large army, famous for their discipline.

Transkoy
(Violet on the Map)
Ruler: Lord Krystof van Strigor

The old and powerful country of the Vampire Lords. Also called the Land of Night the region that is Transkoy is ruled since time immemorial by powerful undead. The complete aristocracy of the rural country are vampires, beautiful, but terrifyingly powerful creatures of the night. The rest of the populace is nearly completely human. In the past the vampire lords used undead legions to fight for them, but the undead are unable to wield rifles and use artillery and are easily stopped by barbwire and the like. In the great war most troops are human and the higher officers vampires. That being said Transkoy still uses undead to swarm the enemys trenches from time to time.

The Blue Mountains
(Light blue on the Map)
Ruler: King Darim Crownbearer

The last Dwarven Kingdom, but some say the greatest. Renown in the whole world for their Craftsmanship and warrior spirit the Dwarves are even in their small number a force to be reckoned with. Even though the use of artillery is the first real threat to their mountain cities the Dwarves are incredibly defensive. Some even say their acting King is to cautious.

The Republic of Reton
(Dark Red on the Map)
Ruler: Reton is ruled by a Merchant Council

Their is a saying that in the end all money finds it way to Reton and that is probably true. The small Republic is renown for its shipbuilders and merchants. But don't be fueled by their riches and guilds. There is a reason every side of the conflict wants to have Reton on his side.
The republican Navy. While on the ground they mostly deploy mercenary's, their navy is manned by true blood Retons. All races live and work in Reton and they are a remarkably pluralistic society.

Chante
(Orange on the Map)
Ruler: Supreme Major Charles Worsmith

Once ruled by an King, Chante is today under the strong lead of its military. Their Aristocracy got replaced with generals and admirals and every member of the military is a step above your average citizen. Because of Chante's border with the dwarven kingdom, many dwarfs live and work in Chante.
In modern times Chante is trying to strongly strengthen its relations with the Drachenreich, thus joining their side in the war.

Ulia
(Green on the map)
Ruler: Firstborn Alacal the Brilliant

The biggest Elven kingdom to ever exist. Ulia is ruled by as much by the king, or firstborn as they call it, as by its powerful aristocracy. In recent years Ulia lost its influence and might. While still home to the biggest University for sorcery and the mightiest elven wizards, Ulia is also a technological backwater trying to keep the old ways relevant and denying to destroy their forests for farmland and factories.
Three years before the war Alacal issued a decree, forbidding all man and dwarfs from entering his realm.