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Queen of Arethane |
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To truely understand Ilithrial, it must be stated that at the time of her birth little was known about the Shadow Elves. In fact, most considered them to be fairy tales used to scare small children. The Shadow Elves did everything they could to foster this belief. Because they were an offshoot of the Grey Elves, they easily hid themselves, pretending to be just ordinary Grey Elves, scoffing at the mere mention of the Shadow Elf threat, all the while building up their strength and infiltrating the government of the Elves. Kaerathal Arcelduin, then King of Arethane, took Jairdren Kardimal as an advisor. The Kardimal House, appearing to the eyes of the elves as the perfect Grey Elven House, was skilled in warfare, powerful in magic, and reverent in the ways of the Seldarine. They were also Shadow Elves. Jairdren, the speaker of House Kardimal, was a very charismatic elf, skilled in many arts, and evil to the core. He was a warrior without peer and a highly accomplished Mage. To all appearances, he had become very close friends with the king, and when he was taken on as the chief advisor to the king, no one was surprised. Jairdren was also many other things. In addition to being a wizard, he was a necromancer of incredible skill and a Shadow Mage. He worshipped the Demon Lord Jubelex. He held the position of chief advisor for several years, "advising" his king into doing things that began causing rebellion. In reality, the king had been dead for several years, and Jairdren, through his necromantic arts, had kept the king animated and under his control, effectively ruling the kingdom. Eventually, the true nature of the king was discovered, and all-out rebellion and war broke out. Due to the time it took to discover the truth about the Shadow Elves and that they had been allowed to build up their strength without hindrance, the Shadow War was swift and decisive. The Shadow Elves won. The members of the royal house were either all killed or driven deep into hiding, and Arethane was ruled by King Jairdren Kardimal for 57 years, making the Queen his cook. The child Ithirial knew nothing of her life before, as it was washed from her memory.
Styphon tasked Rhysanus with the mission to overthrow the Shadow Elves and restore the elves to Grey Elf rule, as well as the establishment of Dragonwright and the worship of Styphon as the principal god of the elves. Not long after killing his first wife, Rhysanus met Silvarae, a Silver Dragon in Elven form. It was love at first sight. Rhysanus, by now having gained enough power and magical knowledge, was able to transform himself into a Dragon and then took Silvarae to be his bride. Not knowing two major things: first, Silvarae was in thrall to Styphon, and second, that in the ancient past this meeting and marriage had been foreseen, and that a series of events would unfold, changing the destinies of all Elves. Rhysanus, up until this time, was a very devout worshiper and quite evil. He had already conquered several realms in his own right and was, as mentioned, an extremely powerful mage and warrior. When his lands were merged with Arethane by his God, he proceeded to do just as commanded, and in short order, removed the Shadow Elves from Arethane. As the only surviving member of the royal house that could be found was a mere child, and Rhysanus was able to draw the Kingsword of the elves, he was accepted as King of the elves of Arethane.
Growing up in the regal splendor of the palace, Ilthirial's childhood was defined by the opulence that surrounded her. Her mother, now dedicated to the culinary arts as the head cook for Rhysanus, chose to shield her daughter from the painful truths of their lineage. The decision was rooted in a mother's protective instinct, a desire to spare Ilthirial from the haunting echoes of her father's fate. The shadows that clung to her father, Kaerathal Arcelduin's legacy, were deemed too perilous for a young and innocent soul, and Rhysanus agreed.
In this protected environment, Ilthirial's days were filled with the richness of courtly life, the vibrant colors of elven culture, and the echoes of a heritage she remained blissfully unaware of. The palace, a sanctuary of privilege, sought to cocoon her from the complexities of politics and vendettas that had marred her family's past. The warmth of her mother's care and the camaraderie she shared with the Duchess Lady Galadriel added layers of comfort to her existence.
Yet, amidst the decadence and elegance, Ilthirial felt a calling that diverged from the well-trodden path of culinary pursuits that her mother had envisaged for her. Her aspirations reached beyond the confines of the palace kitchens, whispering to her of a different destiny. The ancestral blood that coursed through her veins, unbeknownst to her, stirred with a legacy that beckoned her toward uncharted territories, far beyond the aromatic kitchens and regal banquets.
Thus, in the heart of luxury and secrecy, Ilthirial's journey began, guided by a silent heritage and an innate yearning for something more, setting the stage for a destiny that would unravel with each passing revelation. She spoke several times to Lady Galadriel and eventually pledged as a novice in the Seldarine. She worked part-time at Silverthorn's Inn where the Drow Sleanra taught her the Drow sign language and the combat Arts. She also learned many colourful phrases in as many languages as she could, a sort of hobby of her's, but Rhysanus cast a permanent tongues spell on herand effectively ruined that. It was also during this time she met her first husband, Valiss, a Drow renegade, and very soon after learned of her true heritage. They were given charge of a baby and quickly had one of their own. The older of the two kids, Yurian, grew to apprenticeship age within the space of a couple of years, and they sent him to the church of Larini for training as a paladin. As for the younger, they named her after Ilthirial's mother, Sheridril, to appease her after their eloping. In the intervening years, Ilthirial studied wizardry under Rhysanus and was eventually given the lands of Atlanysse to govern. Shortly before she left for Atlanysse, Rhysanus married his third wife, an elven princess of the principality of Lorien, named Gwenneth. Ilthirial also went on the occasional mission for the king. Two years after Ilthirial's departure, Gwenneth was assassinated.
During one of the missions Rhysanus gave to Valiss and Ilthirial, Valiss was killed in combat with a dragon. Ilthirial was distraught, and Rhysanus, now again a widower, was lonely. So, Rhysanus had Ilthirial move her and her daughter into the palace, where she now studies magic with Rhysanus' adopted daughter Shae`estra.
Over time, a deepening connection between Ilthirial and Rhysanus culminated in marriage, intertwining their lives further within the intricate tapestry of elven nobility and magical pursuits. Together they have two children, Rheyn and Keelin.