I though the main characters that ended up forming D'Hara were the banished PeL rebels? Didn't they rebel in Shadovar, put one of their own on the throne, then had a failing out and split? I arrived in Shadovar only 2-3 days before the whole thing happened. I seem to recall I joined the realm at your suggestion.
I thought Shadovar itself was formed by PeL rebels? The rebels and old government really seemed to have a love/hate relationship, they really felt betrayed (the secessionists as much as the loyalists) when the whole thing blew over. I'd look it up the wiki, but the server's being !@#$ again.
We did indeed arrive at about the same time. I'm the only guy still there, though. I figure the wait paid off.