Eladrin “The Immortal”

Emperor Eladrin Regine, Defender of the Feylands of Elendor, Iolas Holimion-Galanodel (a.k.a. "The Immortal")

"As his creator, his friend, entered the portal; Iolas wept a single tear and grimaced. The crown rested bittersweetly on his head. How, even in betrayal, could he still wish to belong in Corellon's court? As the portal Iolas felt his old life leave him behind. Gone was his Generalship and his status in Avandor - everything he once stood for; fought for was now locked away from him and seemingly forever lost. It was in that moment that Iolas decided to set aside his old name and with it his past. He would be Iolas no longer. The life of Eladrin Regine had begun..." The Biography of Our Immortal Father - Umas Gillanus

Eladrin "The Immortal" Regine, First of his name, Defender of the Feylands of Elendor is the first and only ruler of The Eladrin Empire. Before becoming the monarch of the Elven settlers within Elendor he served as a General in the armies of the The Alliance of Courts during the War for the Heavens. Devotion to the Emperor and his family by the subjects of the Eladrin Empire is seen by outsiders as "Fanatical" due to the national warcry and greeting/farewell "Immortal is his Reign".

Early Life

Eladrin was born Iolas Holimion-Galanodel. The Holimion-Galanodel family was a noble family residing in Arvandor the High Forest in the court of Corellon Larethain - creator god of the Tel-quessir. His family worked as the proxy rulers of a vast tract of the High Forest, with his father essentially achieving a demi-god like status through his duty. Unlike many proxy gods, Iolas' father took his duty very seriously which is why they were chosen to become the Lords of the Feylands of Elendor when the job arose. His father took the mantle of Lord of the Feylands some 1000 years before the Celestial armies of Elysium waged their war on the plane and was essentially Corelleon's voice on the plane of Elendor - meaning that Iolas grew up in the lap of luxury. During this time of his youth, Iolas' father sent him to Corelleon's court directly to study the arts of both warfare and statecraft so that he in turn may serve his god in future.

Iolas & Alloralla

During his time in Corellon's court, Iolas met his future wife Queen Alloralla. Alloralla too was of noble lineage, being of the Siannodel (Moonbrook) family and at the time was a handmaiden to Angharradh, consort to Corellon. They spent 300 Elendor years romancing in the light of the Summer Court, a time oft reminisced by Iolas today. Iolas and Alloralla would go on to have four children together.

Generalship & War for the Heavens

In his millennial year, Iolas' skill as a strategist and in the martial ways saw him rise to the rank of General of the High Forest - at title of which only 12 entities held. he was the fifteenth Eladrin to hold such a rank and the third in his bloodline. He was then returned to his fathers court, to act as military advisor to the Feylands of Elendor. Except for dealing with small demon incursions on the forest, his skills would not be tested for another 700 years. Upon the outbreak of the War for the Heavens, Iolas was recalled in order to lead one of the Hosts of Arvandor should the need arise for Corellon to invade the plane of Elendor in force; much like his Celestial contemporaries were. Iolas' host were sent to fight a demonic horde invading the woodland realms under the Demon Lord Vulcarik, Consort of Chains. Vulcarik was soundly defeated elevating Iolas to heroic stature within The Alliance of Courts . He was then made overall commander of Fey alliance forces on the plane of Elendor should they venture further than their woodland dominion. Iolas thrived in his new position, eager for the day that he could lead his army to victory and assert rightful fey dominion over the plane of Elendor. A time, that would only exist in dreams; for the armies of the alliance would never venture forth in conquest. The next time Iolas would fight would be in the closing throws of the War of the Heavens, during The Battle of Banishment.

Battle of the Banishment

Corellon, after being approached by the Hero themselves, assumed direct control of Alliance Forces on Elendor, returning Iolas to his potion at the head of a host. Upset but compliant, Iolas accepted his demotion stating he would be "Honored to finally fight alongside The Protector himself". The Fey Alliance armies then marched from their woodland realm for the last time beneath Corellon's banner to the site of battle. From across the field Iolas saw the fabled Hero that was "freeing" those indentured on Elendor and remarked that "This Hero does not stand like someone the ballads would sing eternal praise to, yet the masses treat them as such". The fighting that ensued was brutal yet Iolas would stand unscathed on the victorious side, Glaive bloodied with the lives of many foes.

The Three Betrayals and The Sundering

Iolas was betrayed thrice in the coming days following the battle. The first betrayal was by the Hero and "The Divine Confederacy" that stood with them. They argued at their Great Summit that Fey neutrality caused the suffering and death of many during the War for the Heavens; That if they had entered on the side of 'Good' earlier they could have saved many souls. It was a fact the Hero could not see go unpunished. Whist they were not stripped entirely of their following, the Fey deities would not be allowed to step foot on Elendor ever again - nor could any formal religions be organized in their name. The Second betrayal on Iolas was by Corellon himself. Corellon did not oppose the Hero's decree (as he has secretly harbored wishes to join the war sooner and saw this as an opportunity to punish those in the alliance to barred him from helping earlier) and simply agreed to abandon his followers on Elendor. An ultimatum was given to the Fey of Elendor, Leave and never return or stay and suffer in isolation - This is where Iolas was betrayed once more, by his own family. Iolas was heavily torn whether to stay or go, He was a high ranking official after all in Corellon's court and word was already brewing of a reignited conflict with Lolth and a Civil War within the Fey Alliance. But he had commitments to Elendor; He had made it his home - his children were born on this plane. He had sworn to be its defender back when his father first took office here - before he even stepped foot in Corellon's court. This however would no longer be his decision. In secret, Iolas' father spoke with Corellon who in turn decreed that Iolas would remain on Elendor as Defender of the Feylands, in whatever state they may remain. His father returned with Corellon to Arvandor leaving Iolas the soul leader of the realm. Before leaving Corellon placed a silver crown on Iolas' head and said to him "Lead them like the mortals lead. Be their King Iolas. In your Immortality, Guide them and Protect them." And with that it was done. The Sundering of Courts would commence and Iolas would be left on Elendor, unable to help. He took the regnal name Eladrin as a lasting link and a reminder to his Celestial past. He watched the Sundering unfold and his bitter resentment rise.

Coronation Early Reign

Iolas was Coronated on the 2nd of Deepfrost of the First Year P.S. The Coronation was attended by much of the leadership of the Fey Alliance with Corellon himself crowning the Emperor. The Ceremony itself was bittersweet. It is Chronicled in "The Biography of Our Immortal Father" to have been the 'True Beginning of the New Age' and paints an illustrious picture of the whole affair:

"The Light of the World beamed onto the surface of the Moon Pool; illuminating his eminence as he took to his knees before our creator. The many generals, leaders and god that make up the gallery also bowed, but to our Lord. Even the Three Moons of Maernthor (The Elven name for the Plane of Elendor) aligned themselves above the portal of Arvandor as if to herald his sovereignty. For this day, born anew in brisk air of the second day was our King Immortal." The Biography of Our Immortal Father - Umas Gillanus

Eladrin Regine, would lead his people to a large portion of forest untouched by the destruction of the War for the Heavens - founding the Eladrin Empire capital of Illenor around a Belegalad Tree (only five of which remain on Elendor following the War). In this period the Fey Kingdom or Eladrin's Kingdom as it was referred to by other outside successor states, remained isolated on the new continent of Longreech within it wooded west. The Fey eventually settled larger and larger areas, discovering two more Belegalad and founding cities around them. The Kingdom would remain on the isolationist path, settling and expanding only when the population had outgrown its portion of the forest, until the assassination's of Eladrin's daughter Soliyanna.

Children of the Emperor

Iolas had four children, two of which were Verdant Born (Meaning they were born to the Ruler of the Empire whilst they were/are reigning):

• Soliyanna (Deceased) - Emperors first born and only child born on the plane of Arvandor. She was also the only child who displayed a majority genetic alignment of Celestial Eladrin and thus, genetically took after her father. Most argue that like the Emperor she would have been impervious to the effects of time. Was assassinated in an attack meant for the emperor
• Alya (Deceased) - Second Daughter of the Emperor, Died accidently as a child.
• Iolas (Deceased) - First Male child and first Verdant born. The Empires Crown prince was heralded as a hero and often embodied the full ideals of kingship. Was killed in combat during the Second Reanian-Eladrin war defending the walls of Noxodanis. The Prince took no wife and hand no heir.
• Celaena - Fourth Child and Third daughter of the Emperor; Current head of the Regine-Illmor Cadet Dynasty. She is the ruler of The Margrave of Tvethe - one of the empires most populous areas and which controls trade with the Dwarven Kingdoms. Currently her line is behind that of Solana "The Black" in terms of succession as she has 3 daughters and no male heir; thus making Solana's son heir in the rules of primogeniture. However; were Celaena to have a Son - he would become Eladrin's Heir and Crown Prince.

The Assassination of Soliyanna

In the year 249 P.S, on the 5th day of the 12th month, a caravan arrived - posing as Envoys of a new Kingdom arrived at the gates of the Capital. Unbeknownst to the Eladrin, the occupants of this caravan were not here to pay homage to the mighty Fey King; but there to murder him. They were radicals of a sect of King-That-Never-Was worshipers. Their gift of an illustrious cloak was crafted with a hidden enchantment that would erupt in flame when donned by those of fey blood. The would be assassins did not account for Eladrins refusal to wear the gift nor his regifting of it to his daughter, right before the court. His decision to not wear the cloak would forever plague Eladrin in years to come as the death of his pregnant daughter Soliyanna would partially be in his hands. Seeing their plan backfire, the would-be-assassins drew blades. Eladrin, hands blistering with burns from attempting to save Soliyanna, beat one of the Assassins' to death without a weapon - through sheer agony and force-of-will. The guards dispatched the others before anyone else from the Royal family could be hurt. As the din of battle drifted to silence, the tears of Eladrin and his family echoed the palace halls. Due to the power of the cloaks enchantment, healers could not save Soliyanna - but through traditional means of steel, Her child could survive her. Eladrin gave the word and the court physicians cut the babe from her mother. Solana “The Black” - future head of state and heir of the Eladrin Empire was born.

The Vengeance Wars

Following the attack, Eladrin vowed to destroy the followers of the King-That-Never-Was; this would be their last offense again him and his people. The Hero who punished them for simply wanting to live under their own majesty rather than the will of other. The Hero that banished his family & his creator. The hypocritical Hero would feel his wrath. Eladrin rode out at the head of the first organized army his nation had ever formed. The forces mustered comprised of veterans of the War of the Heavens, newblood elfkin who only new the Empire as their home and fey creatures alike. What they lacked in formal training they certainly made up for in leadership and strength of arms. Systematically Eladrin and his forces conquered the Reane and its petty kingdoms, burning all traces of Hero-worship in their wake. The Vengance Wars, although few in casualty for the Eladrin, is a heavily suppressed period of history. Within the Empire, little was known outside of the victories and battles fought honorably - The burnings of Temples and Villagers however are far less talked about. Veterans refuse to recall the actions out of shame. The Vengeance Wars ended in defeat; after 800 or so years of bloody conquest the Empire's borders returned to how they stood before the war - with the Reane now united, and their faith solidified. Eladrin had met his match for the first time in almost a century.

The First Reanian-Eladrin War

Eladrin found himself and his forces on the back foot, but was no fledgling to adversity. After having his numbers dwindled by a costly guerilla campaign within the Willowwoods of Seate; Eladrin retreated to Thyhemelle (Modern day Trexford) to muster a new Host whilst leaving General Jhaan Yllalar in charge of the remaining hosts fighting the retreat - Only a tenth of which would make it back to the staging area at Thyhemelle. Enraged at the sheer loss of life, Eladrin stripped General Jhaan Yllalar of his rank and barred those of his issue from obtaining a higher rank than second general. Eladrin took personal command of the new hosts just in time for the famed Massacre of the Marshes. Using the terrain he managed to organize a decent defense, using the bogs to tie down the enemy heavy infantry and cause mass casualty with arrow fire; However, the enemy superior numbers eventually took its costly tole. Both sides retreated from the battle, ending it in a stalemate.

Education of Solana & The Second Reanian-Eladrin War

The Emperor is and remains very fond of Solana, The only child of his firstborn that was assassinated. He tutored the girl himself, partially in love, partially in penance for his part in his own childs death. The Emperor brought Solana on campaign with him during the Second Reanian-Eladrin War and personally oversaw her training in both cultural and martial education. Eladrin was a harsh tutor; There are stories of Eladrin sending a teenage Solana into battle with only a butter knife as part of her training - Yet Solana seemed to excel. Two factors changed the Emperors attitude to training his grandchild however; The loss of his Son and Heir and the birth of his third daughter. During the conflict, Iolas II was struck by a Disintegrate spell whilst defending the walls of Noxodanis from Reanian attack. All that remained of the young prince was his finely crafted plate mail; his physical form now a grey dust carried from the battlements into the Bay of Gold by a southernly wind. Due to primogeniture, this now made Solana the heir apparent. Eladrin ordered her back to the capital away from conflict to continue her tutelage under the watch of court officials. 
The relationship of Eladrin and Solana soured moreso with the birth of Eladrin's fourth child Celaena Regine. Much of the Emperors affections once given to Solana in her youth now filled the heart of his daughter. Not only that but Celaena's line could jeopardize Solana's grip over the empire should there be a succession - After all, if her new aunt had a male child, males of her issue would be pushed further down the line of succession or removed entirely.

The Third Reanian-Eladrin War & Illness

In the years of the Third Reanian-Eladrin War, a great illness swept the land, and with it the health of Eladrin declined - The Immortal Ruler was beginning to look mortal. The illness at first presented like most cases of the epidemic of Shadow Lung , a violent cough and blood in the sputum. Eladrin demanded that all rumors of his condition be kept from the public and at first he refused to remove himself from royal duty and military command. But his health only deteriorated. Within the year Eladrin found himself bedridden and only able to breath with aid from gnomish machinery and spell craft.
 The mages of the Empire worked tirelessly with clerics to find a magical cure for the disease. It took the mages three luna cycles to find a cure, which although worked for a majority of the public, did not seem to cure the Emperor. It is theorized that the magic of either the disease or the spell cure reacts differently to the genetics of Celestial Eladrin. A curative spell or solution has yet to be discovered or crafted, meaning to this day The Emperor still suffers from the disease as well as around 1% of the Celestial Eladrin within the Empire. The Illness is widely considered to be to blame for the Eladrin Empires loss of the Third Conflict as it reduced the fighting strength of the Empire by around 2 thirds and the Emperors own weakness forced them to capitulate early.

Current State of the Emperor

The Emperor has now been living with his condition for a little over 200 years. For health purposes the Emperor removed himself from the empires capital and now resides mainly at The Waterfall Palace at Elhalorelion in safe sanctuary. The day to day running of the Empire lies in the hands Solana “The Black” - the current heir. The Emperor has at this moment in time essentially abdicated in all bar name due to his health. Today the Emperor still attends ceremonial events from time to time and when in public is seen with a walking stick. Most law making within the empire is also now out of the emperors hands and handled by the small council. Despite this, Eladrin still hold the only power to officially declare war for the Empire.

Species

Celestial Eladrin

Ethnicity

Eladrin

Date of Birth

13th of Amberseed

Year of Birth

7891 BS 9312 Years old

Gender

Male

Eyes

Heterochromia iridium: Dark Green & Dark Red

Hair

Long White Blonde

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale White

Height

5'10"

Weight

46kg

Ruled Locations

• The Brumal Palace

Eladrin Regine Family Crest by Alex Dunk