The Sun Realm, once a radiant beacon of hope and prosperity, was founded and ruled by the majestic Solar Drakes, also known as the Greater Phoenix. These celestial beings were not only embodiments of the sun's pure and eternal flame but were also the architects of one of the most influential and powerful realms in the history of the world. Their reign was marked by a golden age of enlightenment, prosperity, and unmatched mastery over solar magic, all of which they bestowed upon the Solir, the Sun Elves, whom they created in the divine image of their creator, The Sun.
During the mid to late centuries of the Second Age, known as the Twilight of Creation, the Sun Realm was thrust into a catastrophic conflict that threatened to undo the fabric of reality itself. The Revenant Titans, born from the depths of the cosmos and having consumed stars and planets alike, descended upon the world. These titans were the cosmic spawn of Unknown, an ancient and malevolent force of primordial chaos. The most fearsome of these titans was known only as the "Eyes of Stars", a being of untold power and the greatest of Azhorra'tha's spawn.
The Solar Drakes, led by their mightiest champions, took up arms to defend the world against this cosmic threat. The war that ensued was apocalyptic, with entire landscapes being incinerated by the solar flames of the Greater Phoenixes and celestial conflagrations lighting up the skies. The very essence of the Sun Realm was harnessed as a weapon in this desperate struggle, with the Solar Drakes channeling the raw power of the sun into their magic and their fierce battles.
Despite their immense power, the Solar Drakes could not fully defeat the Eyes of Stars. The titanic battles scarred the world, and the Solar Drakes, in a final, desperate act, combined their strength with the other Dragon Realms—Aethir (The Air Realm), Terran (The Earth Realm), and Atlan (The Sea Realm)—to scatter the essence of the Eyes of Stars across the world. This act did not destroy the titan but fragmented its essence into countless lesser beings, giving rise to many of the monstrous titan-spawn that dwell in the hidden recesses of the world. Among these were the World Eater Serpent, The Great Serpent, and other powerful entities that would plague the world in the ages to come.
In the aftermath of the war, the Solar Drakes sought to rebuild and preserve the light they had fought so valiantly to protect. Drawing upon the divine essence of the sun, they used their mastery of Sun-Rifting to create the Solir, the Sun Elves. These beings were sculpted to embody the radiance and power of their creators, inheriting a deep connection to solar magic and the divine light.
The Solir flourished under the guidance of the Solar Drakes, establishing the grand civilization of Itela, which spanned the continents of Tolria and Osira. Itela became a center of learning, culture, and magic, with the Sun Elves constructing magnificent cities of white-golden architecture that gleamed like the sun itself. They erected grand temples and academies dedicated to the study of solar magic and the pursuit of cosmic knowledge, and their society became a beacon of enlightenment and artistic achievement.
However, the very virtues that had allowed the Solir to flourish—pride, ambition, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge—eventually became their undoing. As their power and influence grew, so too did their vanity. Believing themselves to be the true heirs of the sun, the Solir began to resent the remaining Solar Drakes, viewing them as relics of a bygone age that were no longer necessary for their advancement.
In an act of hubris, the Solir rose up against the Solar Drakes, using their own Sun-Rifting magic to strip them of their elemental essence. This rebellion was swift and brutal, with the Solir casting out the Greater Phoenixes to the far reaches of the known world. The once-majestic Solar Drakes were reduced to the vile and malevolent Red Dragons seen today, their hearts consumed by the bitterness of their betrayal. The only surviving Greater Phoenix that yet roams the skies of the 5th age is Ember, whom still fiercely defends the Unknown with its life.
The Solar Drakes' fall marked the beginning of the end for the Solir's golden age. Without the guidance and protection of their creators, the empire of Solir began to decline, eventually leading to the rise of Malekith, who would bring about the desolation of the Sun Realm and the near-total destruction of Itela.
Today, the Sun Realm is a stark reminder of its former glory, with its history preserved in the remnants of Itela and the enduring spirit of the Solir who strive to reclaim their lost heritage. The once-lush landscapes of the Sun Realm have been scorched to ash, and the grandeur of Itela has crumbled into ruins. Yet, the realm's intrinsic connection to the celestial forces remains intact, holding the promise of rebirth for those who dare to dream of restoration.
The legacy of the Sun Realm and the civilization of Itela continue to inspire and haunt the inhabitants of Osira. The Solir, despite their fall from grace, remain one of the most influential species in the world, their magic and culture a testament to the cyclical nature of destruction and renewal that defines the world.
The Sun Realm, once ruled by the majestic Solar Drakes, stands as both a warning and a beacon. It is a realm where the light of the sun still holds sway, though its radiance is tempered by the shadows of the past. The Solir continue to seek redemption and restoration, their journey emblematic of the broader struggle between light and darkness, creation and destruction, that defines the history of the world. The Sun Realm's story is one of triumph and tragedy, of power and loss, but ultimately of the enduring hope that the light of the sun will once again shine upon a world reborn.