Itela was once the heart of The Sun Realm, an ancient and magnificent civilization of Solir (Sun Elves) that, according to legend, spread across the entirety of the Sun Realm. The empire was a beacon of enlightenment, magic, and unparalleled cultural achievements, with its influence spreading to the corners of the world. The ruins of Itela alone are testament to the heights achieved by the Solir, as they lay scattered across the Burned Woods, through The Barren Badlands, and deep into the vast expanse of The Sands of Serrakhan. These ruins serve as haunting reminders of a once-great empire that mysteriously fell into ruin, leaving behind only ash and desolation.
At the height of its power, Itela was a sprawling empire, its cities and temples gleaming under the eternal sunlight that bathed the Sun Realm. The Solir, created by the Solar Drakes (Greater Phoenixes) in the divine image of their creator, The Sun, were masters of solar magic (see: Sun-Rifting. Their society was built on the principles of harmony with the celestial forces, and their cities were renowned for their stunning white-golden architecture, which seemed to radiate with the light of the sun itself.
The civilization of Itela was not only a hub of artistic and magical achievements but also a center of learning and cosmic exploration. The Solir constructed grand academies and temples dedicated to the study of solar magic and the mysteries of the cosmos. They sought to understand the very fabric of reality, using their mastery of Sun-Rifting to manipulate the energies of the sun and the stars, allowing them to chart out the Continuum Crystal Cosmology with relative precision.
Itela's influence was vast, with its borders extending across much of the known world. The Solir were revered across Osira for their wisdom, power, and cultural contributions. Itela's civilization was said to be so advanced that it rivaled even the most powerful kingdoms and empires of the time.
However, despite its grandeur, the empire of Itela was not immune to the flaws of vanity, pride, and ambition that often accompany great power. The Solir, believing themselves to be the true heirs of the sun, grew increasingly resentful of their creators, the Solar Drakes. This resentment culminated in a rebellion against the Greater Phoenixes, during which the Solir used their own Sun-Rifting magic to strip the Solar Drakes of their elemental essence, transforming them into the vile and malevolent Red Dragons.
The rebellion marked the beginning of the end for Itela. With the Solar Drakes cast out and the Solir left to their own devices, the empire began to unravel. The rise of Malekith, a powerful and ambitious mage from Tolria, further accelerated the decline of Itela. Malekith's betrayal and subsequent desolation of the Sun Realm led to the near-total destruction of Itela, reducing its once-lush landscapes to ash and ruin.
The civilization of Itela, which had once been the pinnacle of enlightenment and power, was mysteriously destroyed, leaving behind only fragments of its former glory. The grand cities and temples of the Solir crumbled into dust, and the vast empire that had stretched across the Sun Realm was reduced to scattered ruins, buried beneath the sands of time.
Today, the ruins of Itela are scattered across the continent of Osira, serving as haunting reminders of the lost civilization. From the Burned Woods to The Badlands and deep into The Serrakhan Desert, explorers and adventurers have uncovered remnants of Itela's once-great empire. These ruins, though faded and crumbling, still bear traces of the white-golden architecture and the arcane symbols of the Solir's solar magic.
The Emris Adventuring Guild has made it a priority to discover more of Itela's secrets, hoping to piece together the history of the civilization and uncover the mysteries that led to its downfall. The guild's efforts have been met with both intrigue and peril, as the ancient ruins are often guarded by powerful remnants of the solar magic that once flowed through Itela.
Despite the devastation that befell Itela, its legacy endures in the enduring spirit of the Solir and the fragments of their civilization that have survived the ages. The ruins of Itela serve as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of power, ambition, and destruction, as well as the enduring hope that one day, the lost secrets of the Sun Realm may be uncovered, and the light of Itela may shine once more.