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== Background ==
The Empire of Iltanus was populated by [[Harpies]]. From the High Citadel of Iltanus in the Mount Iltanus and the Skolvec Ridges, what would later be turned into the High Passes, miles above the plains, they ruled over the vast lands of Izril and Terandria, except for the [[Walled Cities]] which did not bow to them. Its citizenry included winged people such as Harpies, [[Garuda]], and even classless [[Bagrhavens]], with the subordination of the wingless.<ref name=":0">{{VERef|10.36 - Pt. 1}}</ref>
When the third generation of rulers reigned over Iltanus, some crisis was imminent, which caused the young Empress Sheta - still only 14 years old - to consult [[Teriarch]] in the meetingplace of her palace, the ''Dawn Gazebo'', so that the Dragon might help her. He had sworn to leave Iltanus after the death of her father, but could be swayed by her words, and remained the sentinel of the realm. Among the problems Iltanus was facing at the time. it had been at war with the [[Lizardfolk|Nagatine Empire]] for 300 years, and the Seraphies were revolting.<ref name=":0" />
Sheta was Iltanus' last [Empress],<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/07/19/9-08/ Chapter 9.08]</ref> having allowed the empire to disolve when she saw its decline and from her mentorship by Teriarch, decided that ending the empire was the moral thing to do. She attempted to peaceful give up power, returning it to the nations and people it had been taken from. It resulted in some of the bloodiest battles it had ever suffered. One notable incident had [[Invictel]] slaughter every Harpy in its territory that weren't Iltanus citizens out of malice, resulting in Teriarch burning the city and gaining the Pyrelord moniker. The aftermath of the Empire's dissolution included several new Harpy nations and enclaves.<ref name=":0" />
Iltanus remained a name shrouded in obscurity, forgotten even by most [[Dragons]], with the exception of Teriarch himself who still has pangs of nostalgia sometimes: He had defended the Empire until the last city fell.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/05/27/7-25/ Chapter 7.25]</ref>
