The events of the Honkai: Star Rail 2.4 and 2.5 saw Borisin sneak attack the Xianzhou Luofu to free their Warlord, Hoolay, from the Shackling Prison. This story focuses mainly on the war between the Borisins and their relatives, the Foxians. However, it is about the centuries-old war between the Xianzhou Alliance and Borisin's main faction: The Denizens of Abundance.
The Denizens of Abundance are long-lived species that follow the Aeon Yaoshi, which include:
- Borisin: These canine-humanoid species share a common ancestor with the Foxians and they both lived on the planet Verdantia. Yaoshi is said to have created the Red Spring in Verdantia, and those who drank it gained immortality. This blessing also causes the increase of the population inside, leading to its downfall. The survivors fled the planet, and eventually the Borisin became famous for defeating other civilizations with their strength and great knowledge of biotechnology.
- Wingweavers: These are feathered species that once lived in Muldrasil. Already an enemy of Honkai: Star RailThe Xianzhou since the latter has not received immortality. Many of the natives from the Alliance were killed by them.
- Houyhnhnm: These centaur-like species have four toes and two arms. They made a pact with the Borisin and were recently enslaved by the Antimatter Legion.
- Heliobi: These are forms of pure formless energy. Their origins are unknown, and while the Xianzhou classify them as Denizens of Abundance, their party affiliation is unclear. They have long been enemies of the Alliance, as they often try to take and drain human bodies.
The conflict between the treasure protectors and the Xianzhou Alliance
The Denizens' dedication to their path makes them natural enemies for the Xianzhou, whose goal is to eradicate the “dangers of Abundance”. In order to understand this conflict, one must know the history of the Alliance, who were formerly followers of the Path of Plenty.
The history of Xianzhou and abundance
Centuries ago, the Xianzhou Alliance sought the elixir of immortality and obtained it from Yaoshi, through the Ambrosial Arbor that the Aeon planted on Luofu. However, they found that the long life they had sought and enjoyed now was cursed, as the oldest citizen of Xianzhou became “Mara-Struck”. This condition causes a person of the long-lived species to slowly lose their mind and grow painful bodies, transforming them into hostile creatures.
Immortality also caused an increase in Xianzhou's population, which was poorly managed and led to civil war. The ship was also attacked by outsiders who wanted immortality for themselves. Tired of the bloodshed and civil unrest, Reignbow Arbiter Lan, one of the Alliance's fiercest heroes, rose up against Abundance's control of Xianzhou.
The Denizens of Abundance Wars
Not everyone supported Lan's dissent. However, the Alliance soon called for their help as the Wingweavers began advancing towards the Xianzhou airship. The hero made a deal with Emperor Flint of the Heliobi, who was imprisoned in the Shackling Prison, to use his powers. Together they fired arrows that destroyed the Ambrosial Arbor and the attacking Wingweaver army in one shot. The force of this attack was so strong that it destroyed all the ships in the Xianzhou fleet. Lan and Emperor Flint later ascended to godhood and became the Aeon of The Hunt.
After the events of the First World War, the Alliance swore allegiance to Lan. Their mission to destroy the Denizens of Abundance led to two more major battles. The latter killed hundreds of thousands of Xianzhou pilots. It had been almost thirty years since the third war, and Borisin's attack seemed likely to trigger the next one.