Born in Laelith, Elloryne is the daughter of the master of a thieves guild, now extinct since a raid by creatures from the Cloaque on its headquarters, located in the cellar of an inn on the Hand That Crafts terrace. She was 15 when it happened and her parents were captured by the attackers. No one has ever seen them again. Left to her own self, she began to search for another thieves guild, to continue practicing the only trade she knew: plunder. But such was not to be her fate. She was quickly contacted by the secret courtesans guild of Laelith, who offered her artistic and magical training. She is now a member of the Academy of Fine Arts (actually a cover for her guild), officially as a lute player in the orchestra of the Grand Theater.

The guild of courtesans wields influence and seduction in service of a single objective: power. To this end, it uses the credulity and concupiscence of the powers that be, always ready to listen to the wise advice of their wives or lovers, especially when whispered on the pillow. Of course, the guild has not invented this activity, as old as the universe, but it can boast to have elevated it to the rank of art. In addition to artistic lessons provided by the academy, the courtesans are trained in various skills useful for the exercise of activities that the law or morals reprove. These courses are provided exclusively by experienced courtesans. The guild then uses its extensive network to place its courtesans with the influential men of the city as advisers, concubines or even legitimate wives. They then work to subtly influence their decisions in favor of the guild, to strengthen its positions or establish its income. Besides, the privileged position of the courtesans made the guild a major player in the world of intelligence. Alcove secrets are collected, checked, sorted and resold discreetly to the highest bidder, except to the enemies of the Holy City. Indeed, the guild remains fully an institution of Laelith and assumes its part in the defense of the city’s interests. She has saved more than one God-King from debacle and, of course, was able to remind them of this at the appropriate time.

During her apprenticeship, Elloryne befriended her eloquence teacher, Wington Harex, and his student and friend – herself a courtesan – Eliza Dolot.

When she had completed her training, the guild gave her the mission of approaching an ambitious young priest from the Firebird Temple, who had arrived in Laelith a few months ago: Akélanos de Boer. She accepted this mission with enthusiasm, hoping in turn to reproduce the achievements of one of the two founders of the academy, who succeeded in having her “protégé” reach the rank of God-King. Elloryne didn't have much trouble getting a hold on him, crossing “by chance” his path after a performance at the Grand Theater. On the pillow, Akélanos confessed to her his secret ambition: to become the high priest of the Firebird Temple as soon as possible.

Akelanos understood that to quickly climb the ladder of power, he had to think outside the box. But how ? Elloryne suggested that he gather around him a small group of adventurers with complementary skills and start honoring a few contracts to build a small reputation that would then allow him to serve the most powerful citizens of Laelith. Akélanos approved this project without any prevention.

She then introduced him to Jimmy Lightfeet, one of her occasional lovers, who had also recently arrived in Laelith. Jimmy is a particularly gifted young thief. He knows that if he wants to practice his profession in Laelith, he must join a guild of thieves, but he wants to be sure to make the right choice. Elloryne advised him to put himself in a position to observe the city, living temporarily on something else than plunder, thus gaining the time to locate an ad hoc guild. To this end, she offered him to join the small group of adventurers that Akélanos gathered around him, which he accepted.

For his part, Akélanos set out to find an honorable fighter (and unrelated to the Firebird Temple, to avoid any leaks about his project…). He set his sights on a paladin attached to the Nebula Temple, Sir Galladon, who agreed to join him to see some action. Akélanos, who thought four was a good number to start with, stopped his search there. To exercise his activity as an adventurer, he thought it best to leave the accommodation offered within it by the Firebird Temple. He opted for a suite at the Plump Loaf inn, 173 Bakers ladder (at the expense of the temple of course), large enough to stay there with his three companions (and even a few other if the group were to grow). Good for him, because barely had he moved in when he was contacted by Eledhwen, a mysterious elf magician, who offered him her services on the sole condition of being able to regularly have time for herself without anyone in the group trying to find out what she would do with this time. Akélanos and his three companions agreed to her terms and Eledhwen joined the party.