Jal, your mistaken about something...
The Abbai aren't pacifists, they are reluctant to take life. If they were pacifists they would not have an armed anything.
The Abbai fight defensive battles. But, much like some portions of the US today, they seen a threat that is so severe they believe no quarter can be given. Any means necessary to end the threat of a race willing to destroy entire civilizations must be used. If the drahk are willing to destroy one race that opposed their former masters, what is to stop them from doing it to all the races of the army of light.
When you consider what an utter failure the defensive measures taken at earth itself were (despite the destruction of the cloud) I can easily see where the Abbai have taken the regretable but necessary step of declaring an entire race anathema to life, to be extinguished at all costs.
Idealists are like that in a lot of ways (religious or otherwise). They think in extreme cases. If the Abbai go to war against a foe who stands for the destruction (with the demonstrated ability to accomplish their task) of everything you believe in...total war is the only answer.
Ripple