The story of Ithil Elen ...

[ 1 ] :   APPEARANCE.  Standing at a diminutive 4 ft, possessing a slender and frail frame. Her pale skin gives her an almost   ghoulish appearance,   accentuated by flowing white hair that cascades down to her waist. She is often clad in handmade clothing representing her tribe. Silver Tribe Sigils, resembling birthmarks, mark her collar, biceps, wrist, and an upside-down crescent moon on her forehead. Her eyes, resembling moonlight, hold a captivating gray-blue hue. She decorates herself with   Brightmoon tribal accessories   in her hair, and on her neck, and wrists. Small fangs complete her unique features.

[ 2 ] :   BIRTH.  Ithil Elen's birth takes place in the heart of the Emberwood forest, a magical and ancient land within the realm of   Tarsynium.   The Emberwood is a dense and enchanting forest, characterized by its towering trees with luminescent leaves that emit a soft, silvery glow, reminiscent of   moonlight.   The forest is known to be a sacred and mystical place, closely tied to the power of the moon and its influence on the world. Ithil's birth takes place in the tribe's sacred glade, a clearing surrounded by ancient trees. As she enters the world, the moon's soft light bathes her in an otherworldly glow, seemingly blessing her with a unique connection to the celestial realm. The day of Ithil's birth is marked by a rare celestial event —   a lunar eclipse.   The night sky is a breathtaking display of cosmic wonder as the moon's light is momentarily obscured by the passing shadow of the earth. This event is seen as a   significant omen   by the Brightmoon Tribe, and the birth of a child during such a time is believed to carry profound significance.[ 3 ] :  GOOD FORTUNE. The tribal elders and members gather around to witness the birth, whispering ancient incantations and prayers to the moon, seeking blessings and protection for the newborn child. Ithil's parents, especially her father, the Brightmoon priest, are filled with a mix of pride and uncertainty, knowing that their daughter will face great   expectations and challenges   as she grows within the tribe's tradition. The surrounding forest seems to come alive with magical energy during Ithil's birth, as if the spirits of nature are celebrating the arrival of this special child. As the eclipse passes, the moon's light returns, and the tribe takes it as a sign of good fortune and hope for Ithil's future.

[ 4 ] :   THE LIE.  A Lunar Sorcerer and the youngest daughter of the Brightmoon priest, is deeply dedicated to her tribe and their mission to protect the land. However, she carries a belief about herself : that she is   unloveable   and destined to be   alone  . This belief stems from growing up in her father's shadow, where she is the youngest, smallest, and considered an   oddity   in her tribe. However, her inherent goodness drives her to do her best and make a positive impact on the world around her.[ 5 ] :   PROTECTORS. Residing deep within the Emberwood and Ashwood forests outside of   Forest Hill and Ashview,   she draws her magical abilities from the moon's influence. As guardians and protectors of the surrounding lands, the Brightmoon Tribe uses their magic to maintain the delicate balance of nature and shield Tarsys from external threats emerging from the treacherous   Great Waste.  [ 6 ] :   THE WAR. During the Great Mage War, Ithil played a crucial role as a Lunar Sorcerer of the Brightmoon Tribe. As the youngest member of the tribe, she was still in the process of honing her magical abilities and learning the ancient arts of lunar sorcery. At the outset of the war, the tribe's main priority was to help protect Tarsys from the destructive powers of the mages. This   Arc of Radiance   served as a barrier, protecting Tarsys from the devastating impact of the mages' uncontrolled magic. It also amplified their combined abilities, creating a formidable force to defend against the mages' onslaught.

[ 7 ] :   FALLING SHORT  Despite their efforts, the war was fierce and prolonged, and many losses were endured. Ithil, being the youngest and least experienced among the sorcerers, struggled to fully grasp and control the immense power flowing through the Arc of Radiance. There were moments when her   uncertainty   and lack of confidence caused disruptions in the harmonious flow of magic, weakening the shield they were maintaining. These lapses in her magical prowess, though unintentional, had consequences. Some within the tribe questioned her readiness and suitability to be part of such a critical endeavor. Ithil, feeling a deep sense of responsibility for the mistakes she made during the war, began to   doubt   her abilities and internalized the belief that she was not good enough to truly contribute to the tribe's efforts.[ 8 ] :   MISSION IN MIND.   After the war, despite the eventual victory and the preservation of Tarsys, Ithil felt a profound need to prove herself to her tribe. She yearned for acceptance and validation from her elders and peers. This quest to prove herself became her   driving force   as she embarked on noble missions to create new homes and sanctuaries for creatures affected by the war's devastation. In doing so, she hoped to demonstrate her commitment to the Brightmoon Tribe and show that she could be a valuable asset in their ongoing efforts to protect nature and maintain balance in Tarsys.

[ 9 ] :   EARNING IT.  Ithil is driven by a desire to prove herself to her tribe after   “The Great Mage War”   . She sees her magical abilities as her only means of earning their acceptance and validation - Traveling through Tarsynium to create new homes for countless creatures in secluded areas away from violent mage. Ithil possesses wisdom beyond her apparent years. The Brightmoon Tribe ages differently from others, and as a result, her age remains a mystery thanks to this “Celestial Youthfulness”. However, her experiences and connection to the moon have endowed her with a deep understanding of the world and its intricate workings. Her careful and   perceptive nature   enables her to navigate the dangers and complexities of Tarsynium with grace and wisdom.[ 10 ] :   LESSON LEARNED.   Ithil embarks on a noble quest that takes her on a journey through Tarsynium. During her travels, she encounters various challenges and crosses individuals who   challenge her beliefs   and perspective. Through these interactions, she begins to question the lie she has held onto for so long: that she is unlovable. Gradually, Ithil's experiences and relationships teach her valuable lessons about self-acceptance and love. She starts to recognize her own worth beyond the expectations of her tribe. She learns that her value lies not only in her magical abilities but also in her compassion, wisdom, and the positive impact she can have on others.[ 11 ] :   GROWTH.  Ithil gradually sheds the shackles of the lie she once believed. She realizes that her   uniqueness and differences are sources of strength rather than weaknesses.   With each step of her journey, she becomes more confident, embracing her own identity and accepting herself fully. Now she is adorned with Brightmoon tribal accessories in her hair, around her neck, and on her wrists and arms, Ithil proudly displays her commitment to her people and their sacred traditions. Her moonlit eyes and sunlight sensitivity, stemming from her Drow Elf heritage, make her thrive during the night.   She finds solace and strength under the full moon,   harnessing its energy during the Brightmoon Tribe's meditations, further enhancing her already formidable magical abilities.

[ 1 ] :   THE RISE.  In time, as magical connections were studied and became better understood, a few people began to develop a different kind of magic , one that joined many connections together so that they enhanced and fed upon each other. Such creatures,   mages   were able to outperform even the strongest connections, and became very powerful.[ 2 ] :  THE MOVE.  They understood their destructive capabilities, so they managed their own affairs reasonably well; mage-to-mage, and avoided wars for a millennia,   building a safer place for themselves   around Tarsys, which kept mages apart from the general population, but also acted as Tarsys’ strongest battalion.[ 3 ] :   THE DISCOVERY.  However, this   "safe place"   had the effect of focusing their powers and multiplying them manyfold with the magical energy supplied by the kingdom of Tarsys, and none of it stopped the Mage from becoming arrogant and acting as if they were   gods   amongst others.

This is how ‘The Great Mage War’ began.

[ 4 ] :   THE SHIFT.  After the Mage moved closer to the kingdom of Tarsys, realizing the immense strength it gave their already strong magic, they became arrogant and power hungry. Eventually, they started messing about with the planet;   Terraforming.   It was all done with the very best of intentions, to improve the lot of humankind, like shifting bits of land about to better locations for agriculture, but once started, the process developed a feedback loop that made it nearly unstoppable.[ 5 ] :   THE CRASH.  The safe place,   Tarsys  , the focal point, began to draw all the land masses on the planet towards it, and eventually even the moons began to be pulled out of orbit and started spiraling towards the planet’s surface.   It had to be stopped  , and in the end the only way to do it was to destroy the magic altogether.[ 6 ] :   A NEW WORLD.  Everyone who had this new form of all too   powerful magic   would die, but the planet would be saved. Now, none of this happened overnight. It was many centuries before anyone even realized quite what was happening, and decades more before it reached a   critical point.   There was still time to fight for survival after the event. The creatures who were responsible for Tarsys’ safety, like the Brightmoon Tribe, bonded their magic together to create   “The Arc of Radiance” …