Neutral factions are civilizations, countries, royal houses, or other factions that prefer to remain separate from the large-scale conflicts that may be occurring between other factions. Neutral factions may only have the appearance of neutrality, and may be covertly helping one side. If they are truly neutral, they may be involved in brokering peace talks, prisoner swaps, or other treaties or negotiations between the factions in conflict. Forces or individuals may attempt to bring a neutral faction into a conflict, either by appealing to their leaders directly, or by orchestrating events that force them to join.