Update!
Things are going well, new build up:
https://rwhaling.itch.io/aeon-shifters
The big breakthrough was integrating a JS animation library, GSAP, and figuring out how to use it to control parameters on some of my shaders - that turned into the foundation for colorful special move effects and I have found the fun inner loop of the game. It definitely has turned out sillier, faster, and more arcade-y than I even expected, but I think it's also just more fun than any game I've made before, so I'll take it.
I cut the list of factions down to 6 - sorry, wyrms and slimes, you are no longer in the running to becoming archons of the new aeon - but really liking how the ones I have turned out, especially the griffons, who are basically just angry geese.
Integrating music and polishing a bit more tomorrow but happy with how things have turned out so far.