In the ancient times, long before the pages of history were written, the people who would come to be known as the Ilyedrians lived dispersed across the land. This existence, simple yet full of the raw beauty of life, was forever altered by a momentous encounter that would shape the destiny of their world.

It was the Ildini who first beheld The Everlight—a being of such power and majesty that his very presence defied comprehension. His power transcended the known laws of the universe, an essence imbued with a force that could shape the fabric of reality itself.

The Everlight, in his wisdom, offered the Ildini a pact of unprecedented generosity. In exchange for their pledge to serve as guardians of the land and to uphold the virtues of selflessness and humility, The Everlight would grant them the knowledge and power to thrive beyond the constraints of their former existence. Embracing this covenant, the Ildini were elevated from their tribal origins to become the stewards of a new era.

The Kingdom of Ileydria was founded, a realm where the Ildini, transformed by their pact, rose to prominence. They became the architects of a society that celebrated the arts, fostered a culture of wisdom, and sought to embody the principles bestowed upon them by The Everlight. The kingdom flourished, and the Ildini enjoyed blessings that were once beyond imagination—gifts of intellect, physical prowess, and lifespans that spanned centuries, barring the misfortunes of war or disease.

Central to the prosperity of Ileydria was the discovery of Incada, a luminescent stone seeded by The Everlight across the realm. This miraculous mineral, glowing with an ethereal, bluish light, became the cornerstone of Ileydrian advancement. When mined and refined every seven years under the guidance of The Everlight, Incada revealed its true potential—enhancing the natural abilities of those who wielded it, imbuing objects with extraordinary properties, and transforming the environment itself.

The stewardship of Incada and the wisdom imparted by The Everlight gave rise to four distinct guilds, each integral to the kingdom's fabric. The Envoys, soldiers, fighters, and athletes whose bravery protected the realm; The Originators, innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs who pushed the boundaries of technology, marketplace, and craftsmanship; The Weavers, artists and storytellers who captured the essence of the world and inspire all who surround them; and The Bringers, scholars, strategists, and mystics who seek to understand the mysteries and partner with The Everlight to see the fullness of his plans.

However, the golden age of Ileydria was not to last. Ambition and jealousy took root in the heart of Lord Belaran, one of the Ildini, who believed himself more deserving of leadership than the first king. Betraying the ideals of The Everlight, he raised an army, The Obsidian Shade, and plunged the kingdom into darkness. His rule, marked by greed and the relentless exploitation of Incada, led to the creation of Incadise, a corrupted form of the stone that brought power at a terrible cost. With an ominous yellow glow, use of this substance results in the loss of one's sanity.

Cloaked in the shadows of his once-glorious capital, the dethroned king found solace in the unlikeliest of places—a humble bladesmith's forge. It was there, amidst the sparks of the anvil and the warmth of the hearth, that he fell deeply in love with the bladesmith's daughter, a woman of unmatched spirit and grace. Their love, a beacon in the darkness of his exile, was a secret shared between heartbeats, hidden from the prying eyes of the city that had forsaken its king. They eloped, their union sealed in the quietude of the night, absent the father's blessing. This clandestine marriage, however, was not to remain unchallenged. A confrontation borne of the bladesmith's fury and the king's desperate plea for understanding culminated in tragedy—the king, in a twist of fate, was accidentally struck down, leaving behind a love unfulfilled and a legacy in jeopardy. In an act of desperation the bladesmith quickly swept the whole tragedy under the rug, and forced his daughter to give her newborn son, the rightful heir, up for adoption.

The news of the king's demise, veiled in whispers and shadows, reached the ears of two factions, each bound by a singular obsession—to find the heir that would unlock the power of The Everlight's greatest gift, the Sentinel. The Servants of The Everlight, true to their vow, had already wrested the chest containing the mystical armor from the clutches of the Obsidian Shade. Yet, the key to unleashing its power was not a simple lock, but the blood of the king's lineage. Meanwhile, Lord Belaran, ever cunning and ruthless, sought the heir for his own ends, dreaming of dominion unchallenged by the light.

In the underbelly of a kingdom now shadowed by tyranny, Duriel, the orphaned heir, grew amidst hardship and neglect, his royal blood a secret veiled by the mundane. The boys' home, a place of desolation and despair, became the crucible in which his resolve was forged. Unbeknownst to him, the blood of the king coursed through his veins, a latent promise of redemption for Ileydria. His days were marked by struggle, each moment a lesson in survival, as he navigated the treacherous waters of a society that had forgotten the meaning of justice.

Fate, however, is a tapestry woven with threads of both chance and destiny. It was through a series of serendipitous encounters that Duriel's path crossed with the Servants of The Everlight. Recognizing the mark of the king's lineage, they unveiled the truth of his birthright. United by purpose and driven by the will to restore the light to Ileydria, they devised a plan. The ensuing struggle was fraught with peril, a testament to the resilience of those who dared to challenge the darkness.

The culmination of their endeavors saw the downfall of Lord Belaran, the disbanding of the Obsidian Shade, and the reclamation of the throne by Duriel, the rightful heir. His coronation was not merely a ceremony of ascension but a renewal of the covenant between the Ildini and The Everlight. Under his rule, Ileydria was reborn, a kingdom revitalized by the strength of its people and the wisdom of its king. Once more, the halls of the palace echoed with the promise of peace, and the land thrived under the guiding light of The Everlight, a beacon of hope for generations to come.

A millennium has passed since the crowning of Duriel, marking an era where the Kingdom of Ileydria flourished, its foundations strengthened by unity, creativity, and an enlightened bond with The Everlight. At this point new technologies are being developed daily, and the overlapping of the traditions of old and the innovations of the new consume conversation for the average Ileydrian. But, for all the advancements, The Everlight’s power is still beyond compare, and even the modern advancements are mostly due to new ways of using the power of Incada.

Now, the mantle of leadership rests upon King Ryune, Duriel's grandson, whose reign is characterized by a profound connection to his people, and the ancestral wisdom of The Everlight. Early in his kingship, Ryune embarked on a year-long pilgrimage across the breadth of Ileydria. Disguised among his subjects, he sought to understand their lives, aspirations, and the fabric of the society over which he ruled. This journey unveiled a troubling insight: amidst the splendor and progress, Ileydria had grown complacent, its people distant from the challenges and trials that had once honed their spirit and resolve.

Disturbed by this revelation, Ryune pondered deeply on the tales of old, particularly those of the Sentinel—a legendary armor bestowed by The Everlight, which had safeguarded the realm through generations. Reflecting on his grandfather Duriel's teachings, Ryune sought counsel with The Everlight, yearning for a path that would reawaken the kingdom's vigor without leaning on the crutch of concentrated power.

In a profound encounter, The Everlight heeded Ryune's earnest plea, imparting a vision of unity and shared responsibility. His instructions were clear, Ryune was to bring the Sentinel before the Originators, the guild renowned for their mastery of craft and innovation. With a drop of his own blood, and the work of their hands, The Sentinel was dismantled into 400 Shards, each infused with a fragment of its original power. These shards were then researched and placed into weapons, armor, and trinkets as their uses became clear. Sentinel Shard items were then distributed among the most deserving members of the four guilds, who swore above all else their loyalty to The Everlight's will.

The dispersal of the Sentinel's power served as a catalyst for Ryune's next endeavor. He convened the leaders of the guilds. Together, they forged a strategy that would see the guilds collaborate and challenge one another. This initiative aimed to uncover latent strengths, expose weaknesses, foster innovation, and fortify the kingdom against complacency, ensuring that Ileydria would continue to thrive, not just in wealth and knowledge, but in spirit and resilience.

From this crucible of leadership and vision, Ryune instituted Challengers Of The Realm, a celebration of unity, strength, and the pursuit of excellence. This event, transcending mere competition, became a national holiday, a time when the entire kingdom pauses to engage in festivities that test their mettle, showcase their talents, and honor the legacy of The Everlight. It is more than a tournament; it is a declaration that the heart of Ileydria beats strong.