The Guildwar is an ongoing rivalry and conflict between three factions of guilds with diverging political views and aesthetic tastes around Canath, whose rivalry and polarisation often delves into the absurd. It is mainly found in cities and larger towns, and is seen as unwelcome in the countryside and villages.
The Guildwar paused and seemed like it might be able to end during the War Over Haeven, but it got revitalised as it settled along different lines in terms of their stance on the Eternal Crusade.
There’s rarely more than two of the factions in each settlement in Canath. Ones allegiance is signalled with colours, symbols and a variety of other fashion statements. While the status is rarely that of outright battle, one is more likely to be jumped if one struts down the wrong street with the wrong symbols. One will certainly be given worse offers at the market if one’s faction doesn’t align with that of the seller.
The Guildwar also overlaps with the Canathi Caste System. If Caste Elders are of a city, they might very well be sympathetic to one faction over another, though they tend to at least be subtle about it to appear more detached and wise. Those who would like to rise in the ranks will likely face a tougher challenge if their Elder disagrees with their faction.
Being unaligned is often not enough to save one from the Guildwar, which is often seen as cowardice or a cover for spies. This, like much of the Guildwar, is similar to the Guild Culture of Philosophia.