(1099/3-21/4) Ilnavel Cyrenäe was one of "Seven Champions" who defeated Alokkair in the War of the Elanthir. He later founded Iskandar; the first Iskari Kingdom on Corwyn.
The Iskari people consider Ilnavel their greatest hero. He is famous for surviving the fall of the Iskari Empire of Ikharos when it was destroyed by the catastrophic events of Skyfall. He is his known for many brave deeds and great accomplishments, including his heroics during the Thürdrum.
Early Life on Ikharos
Ilnavel was born in the city of Cyr, on the Continent of Ikharos in the year 1099 of the Third Age. He was the offspring of Empress Azonia; the last ruler of the lost Iskari Empire. At that time, Cyr was a District capital in the Iskari Empire, which that had ruled much of the continent for over a millennia.
Ilnavel later moved with his family to the Imperial capital of Khorvis. Even at a young age, Ilnavel was unhappy with the politics of the Empire; as by this time it had become completely corrupt, beset by multiple internal divisions between its Runelords, civil wars and invasions by the nation of Kalinor.
Around this same time, his father Ilvanos returned from his many travels, and told Ilnavel of an ancient, abandoned elven city he had discovered on the far-away continent of Corwyn.
More importantly, Ilvanos brought with him a mysterious wizard named Arcelor, who foretold the "Doom." It was then that Ilnavel began building his great fleet of ships. Soon thereafter, he left the continent forever; shortly before the Empire was destroyed in the terrible events of Skyfall. It is said Ilnavel saw the carnage while many miles away on his ship, saying "we can never return." Ilnavel and his 40,000 followers sailed east across the Wyn Myr, and eventually landed at the abandoned elvish city of Wyn Falas and made it their new home.
Campaign Against Urland
Even after Ilnavel and his pilgrims escaped the Doom of Ikharos, more trouble awaited them on the shores of Westvale Island. After establishing a colony in the elvish ruins of Wyn Falas, the Iskari began exploring the island and advancing east and north. Within a few months they encountered the fringes of a rival power; the ancient Cynaran kingdom of Urland.
At that time, Urland was ruled by King Narmacil Redmond; who ruled from his fortress of Erôn-Khorlöth on the Island of Cynara, and had expanded his kingdom both eastward and southward. When the Iskari first landed in 1137/3, King Narmacil controlled the northern third of Westvale Island and much of present-day Derianor. Thus began the Forty Years War for control of the Westvale.
For forty years, the Iskari and the Cynarans fought a long series of bitter campaigns, desperately vying for control of the region. Finally in the year 1171/3, the Cynaran King Narmacil was slain and his armies defeated at the Battle of Swanford. With all his rivals defeated, Ilnavel soon established the new Iskari kingdom called "Iskandar." After his decisive victory; Ilnavel claimed all the lands of Corwyn west of the Iron Sea as his own.
Role in the War of the Elanthir
By the year 1170/3, Ilnavel was already celebrated as the undisputed leader of the Iskari people on Corwyn when he was approached by the Saar to assist in the coming fight against Alokkair. Even though Adar was no direct threat to his people, Ilnavel agreed to join the fight, along with 5,000 of his bravest warriors.
Ilnavel was the first holder of Foehammer; one of the seven Elanthir swords, which was given to him by the Council of Sorcerë, as a reward for his courageous service in the War against Alokkair.
Founder of Iskandar
In the year 19/4, at the ripe old age of 99 years, Ilnavel founded the kingdom of Iskandar and assumed the Onyx Throne that same year. He reigned over his fledgling kingdom for only two short years. King Ilnavel died at the age of 101 in the Year 0021 of the Fourth Age
Today, Ilnavel is considered the greatest of Iskari heroes, and was the founder of the Cyrenäe Dynasty. The surname "Cyrenäe" was given to King Ilnavel by the Council of Sorcerë; it means "Hailing from Cyr" in elvish.
