In the heart of the Elvish nation of Eldoria, beneath the towering trees watered by pure shimmering streams, was born an Elf named Illyndra Starshadow. Her birth was marked by the “Enlightenining”, a celestial alignment that would shape her destiny.
Illyndra was raised at the hand of her father, Eloyen, a skilled blacksmith. She displayed an affinity for both combat and magic at a very young age, a “blessed” combination. Eloyen encouraged her development in the arcane and refined combat of the elves.
As the years passed, Illyndra’s training intensified. She spent countless hours honing her skills, her lithe frame becoming a vessel of deadly precision and her mind, a vessel for knowledge. With the aid of Eloyen, Illyndra infused his metal with her magic, creating armor that not only offered exceptional protection but also enhanced her natural attributes.
Fifty years into her training and Illyndra’s idyllic world was shattered one fateful night. Dark creatures known only as the Shadenmaw laid waste to the elven settlement. Their dark powers overwhelmed the defenders of Eldoria.
Illyndra fought valiantly, her enchanted armor reflecting the dark energy and shadow claws alike. Despite her efforts, the onslaught was relentless. Her father fell defending their home and she nearly lost her own life escaping into the canopy. Grief and rage surged through Illyndra’s heart. In a desperate bid, she unleashed a wave of magic that engulfed the remaining shadenmaw, creating a blinding explosion of light. When the brilliance subsided, the Shadenmaw were no more, but Illyndra had paid a heavy price.
Awakening amidst the ruins, Illyndra salvaged what she could of her father’s forge and his tools. As a tribute to their memories together, she named it “Enlightenyen.”
For years, Illyndra wandered the elven lands, seeking to expand her knowledge and discover what drove the Shadenmaw. She sought out reclusive sages and hidden libraries to uncover forgotten spells and ancient enchantments. Her travels took her to distant realms and through perilous adventures, shaping her into a formidable warrior and a skilled enchantress. Her knowledge of the Shadenmaw, still lacking and the creatures shrouded in mystery.
Eventually, Illyndra returned to Eldoria and set up Enlightenyen and began work, hoping the voice of those lost would speak to her. Here in Eldoria she toils, eager to speak with all travelers to tell her tale and hear their own in the hopes of a clue to the dark evil that stole her past.
These short “Story Starters” are background, NPC, adventure, or world ideas that I’ve jotted down and decided to share, or perhaps return to and expand some day when time permits.