The Great War

Lore & Background

The war began when Zarkon betrayed Alfor and launched a surprise attack on Altea, escalating into open warfare across multiple star systems. Both sides utilized advanced weaponry, but the Alteans held an edge with their mastery of energy technology and the legendary Voltron Lions, which were originally built as weapons to fight the Galra Empire after Zarkon's betrayal. However, Zarkon's ruthless tactics and willingness to sacrifice his own soldiers turned the tide in critical sectors. As the fighting intensified, the moral lines blurred. The Galra viewed the Alteans as arrogant oppressors, while the Alteans saw the Galra as an existential threat to peace. The war ended with the destruction of Altea and the death of King Alfor, who had scattered the Lions across the universe before the final battle, not during the destruction itself. The aftermath left deep scars on galactic society. Many worlds were depopulated or conquered, leading to a dark age where information was suppressed by the Galra Empire. The history of this war became fragmented, passed down through oral traditions and hidden data crystals rather than official records.

In Their Own Story

Smoke billowed from the hull of the battered Altean cruiser as it drifted near the edge of the nebula. Inside the command deck, King Alfor watched the tactical display fade into static. The Galra fleet had retreated, but at a terrible cost. He turned to his advisor, Coran, whose armor was scorched black. "We cannot win this by their rules," Alfor whispered, gripping the railing of the bridge. "If we continue, there will be nothing left to protect." Coran nodded silently, knowing that survival now meant disappearing into the stars rather than holding ground. The war had changed them all.

Reader's Guide

Before the conflict, the Altean Empire thrived with advanced technology and the Voltron Lions serving as guardians. Tensions rose between King Alfor and Emperor Zarkon over resources and ideology, eventually sparking open hostilities across the galaxy. The war consumed entire star systems, forcing the Galra to adopt aggressive expansionism while the Alteans relied on their superior engineering. As battles raged, the Lions were weaponized for combat rather than defense, marking a dark turning point in their history. Many heroes fell, including close allies of Alfor who became legends among the surviving populations. The conflict ultimately weakened both factions significantly, leaving power vacuums that allowed other threats to emerge later. Following the cessation of major hostilities, the Alteans scattered into hiding to escape Galra persecution, while Zarkon consolidated his rule over conquered territories. This era established the Blades of Marmora as resistance fighters dedicated to ending tyranny. Today, historians study this period to understand the origins of the current Paladins' mission and the lingering scars on galactic civilization.

Did You Know?

• The conflict indirectly set the stage for the later formation of the Blade of Marmora, but the Blade itself was founded by Galra rebels opposing Zarkon's corruption during his reign, not as a direct result of the Great W
• Many Altean colonies were abandoned during the war to avoid detection by Galra patrols.
• Emperor Zarkon lost a significant portion of his original fleet during the initial campaigns.
• The Voltron Lions were originally built as weapons to fight the Galra Empire, not as a force for peace and exploration.