Alyah Arias was a rogue, thief and the secret heir to the throne of Empyria in SpellForce: Shadow of the Phoenix. She also was a possible companion for the Zazhut Vanquisher in the Realm of the Gods in SpellForce 2: Demons of the Past.
Story information[]
Before the Convocation took place Alyah lived in the palace of Empyria together with her father Emperor Magnus Arias and the empress Kaira Faran. Due to the raging of the Primal Elements the continent of Xu was shattered into pieces and an era of hardship came down to the empire of Xu.
Former provinces just like the Red Wastes and the Onyx Shores were isolated because the Golden Army of Xu had troubles with maintaining the security in these areas. Old alliances with organizations or peoples like the order of the Zerbites, the Order of Dawn or the people of Kathai were put to hold.
At an unspecified time Magnus Arias felt attached to the Dryad of the Life Tree within the Dryad Cove close to Empyria. He felt more and more attracted to her and then started to neglect both his wife Kaira Faran and his daughter Alyah. His wife could not stand this anymore and then was more or less forced out of her marriage with Magnus Arias.
She was forced to live a regular citizen's life but she died because of dubious and for unknown reasons. Alyah doubted that her death was of natural cause and believed that Magnus Arias was somehow involved in it. Alyah Arias then left the palace of Empyria and decided to live a life on her own on the streets of Empyria because she could not bear to live with her father anymore.
SpellForce: Shadow of the Phoenix[]
After the Battle of Fiara had ended a rune warrior came to Empyria and attempted to speak with the Dryad of the Life Tree. Since Emperor Magnus Arias locked all entrances to the palace gardens and the Dryad Cove itself, only an illegal way of getting in was remaining.
The rune warrior was able to establish a contact with the dryad and then returned to Alyah Arias to talk about a possible way of getting to Kathai. Ironically Ambassador Haran of the Kathai people was present in the slums of Empyria when he returned. Because General Yrmir had placed an order to arrest the rune warrior, Haran and Alyah Arias for plotting against Emperor Magnus Arias, the group decided to depart for the Red Wastes.
Alyah accompanied the rune warrior until they reached the Raven Pass. Because the undead within the old Norcaine fortress seemed to be unbeatable at first, Alyah sneaked through underground passageways to Kathai and was able to get some reinforcements for the rune warrior's army. After the undead were defeated the rune warrior, Alyah and Urias traveled through the portal to Kathai.
Because the undead were besieging the city of Kathai, Alyah Arias and the rune warrior broke the siege and rescued the Uru, Khal and Xalabar as well as the Kathai people. However the emperor of Xu then appeared together with the Golden Army and destroyed the rune warrior's rune armies and monument to the northwest.
Magnus Arias is killed by Alyah
Magnus Arias asked for a diplomatic meeting with Alyah, Khal and the rune warrior. During the meeting it was evident that the emperor did not really want to talk. Instead he attempted to kill off his adversaries. Urias died in order to protect Alyah from the Bronze Giant. After the Golden Army had suffered a defeat through the dwarven rune armies, Alyah went to the tent of Magnus Arias. She confronted him and when he attacked her Alyah killed him in a fight.
After the rune warrior had passed the Clockwork Crypts Alyah Arias and Jenquai of the Kathai people joined in the fight against the Blades and the Sha in the Darkwind Keep. After Hokan Ashir's blockade had been destroyed, Alyah was surprised by the appearance of Commander Ishtar of the city guard of Empyria. Because Magnus Arias was dead, Alyah was now the direct heir to the throne and Ishtar had come to escort her back to the city.
During the Shadow Wars[]
After Alyah Arias took over the throne of Empyria the kingdom first prospered and regained lots of its former glory because she reverted lots of edicts brought forward by her father Magnus Arias. She also fought against corruption and criminality and was attempting to improve the situation for all inhabitants of Xu. She also established new diplomatic connections to other organizations such as the Order of Dawn or the free people of Kathai and even the Hazim accepted her.
After the Shadow Wars began the unrests of the Highmark and Nortander were spreading even to the southern continent of Xu. The Hazim began to isolate themselves again and alienated their people once more. The unrest then broke out in an open conflict when Alyah Arias visited their lands and the empress of Empyria was hit by a poisoned arrow in her thigh and died from it soon after.
SpellForce 2: Demons of the Past[]
After the Shaikan Elder had come to the Realm of the Gods to search for support, he would get access to another companion for his group. Alyah Arias would offer her services to the Shaikan and could become a possible companion in his fight against Zazhut.
Quest involvement[]
Alyah Arias is involved in multiple quests.