The great wizard Jeniya Wintersky was a magical prodigy from an early age. She was born and raised in the elven city of Terrasanore. She excelled in her studies and was the youngest person to ever achieve the rank of archmage at the esteemed wizard school The Santorum Extol, where she taught for many years. She developed fourteen unique spells, authored three books on alchemy that are still relevant today, and helped develop a cure for the deadly blood plague that ravaged much of the land (see “Elven History: Book 9: The Blood Plague”). Her contributions to the schools of enchantment and divination are undeniably without peer.

Her academic success wasn’t just her only claim to fame. Not only did Jeniya have a brilliant mind but she was also blessed with incredible beauty. She never lacked for suitors vying for her attention. It is said that the sculptures in the Sophania Cathedral were modeled after Jeniya. One would think that she had everything she could ever want: beauty, wealth, intelligence, fame, and fortune. But the more you have, the more you can lose. 

After a string of terrible relationships and four failed marriages, Jeniya became withdrawn and increasingly paranoid. She was convinced that everyone around her was lying to her. It is said that she created an enchanted ring that allowed her to know the truth and that this knowledge eventually drove her mad. Her erratic and destructive behavior culminated in a scandal and attempted murder that resulted in her dismissal from the Santorum Extol and her complete banishment from high society. Jeniya spent the remainder of her days living like a hermit on her family estate, rarely speaking to anyone other than the magical constructs who served her.

Her son Nolan Wintersky (see “Elven History: Book 4: Notable Nobility”) went on to become a successful diplomat and entrepreneur in Terrasanore. His autobiography “Standing in the Shadow of Greatness” generated much gossip and debate. His book describes some of the dark details of his mother’s private life but the accuracy of these revelations have been questioned by historians. There are factual inconsistencies in the stories, contradictions by other eye witnesses, and the overall impression that Nolan simply disliked his mother and blamed her for his own failed relationships with women. However, in terms of her character, Nolan described his mother as controlling and obsessed with the truth.

Except from “Elven History: Book 5: Mages and Magic” by Krestinia Noren and Zenios Lightdream, Elven Historians.