Lyra Sterling

Early Life

Lyra Sterling was born on 5th July, -24 BFE, in Erondehl, capital of the Kingdom of Loradel. She was the eldest daughter of Ruen Sterling, a blacksmiths quarter foreman, and Elaya Sterling, who worked as a clerk within the city's guild registry. Raised in a narrow Stonehouse near the secondary canal routes of the northern quarter, Sterling grew up along side younger brother, Cael, though the two are not frequently seen together in public records.

Sterling was enrolled in Trenwyn Sector School at the age of eight, one of the first educational modernized institutes in Alagor following the spread of Avalonian technology. Though Loradel had remained relatively insulated for much of the pre- and post-war period, the trickle of Avalonian infrastructure and media by the early -20s BFE gradually reshaped life in the capital. Sterling grew up during the period of this cultural and technological transformation, with her class among the first to use digitized learning slates and imported educational modules.

Her early interest in music developed informally. By the age of ten, she was known to fill the family’s small living space with sung recitations of old Loradellian ballads and recorded broadcast songs she’d copied from public kiosks. According to an early mentor, she often rewrote lyrics from memory, crafting her own variations and rhymes. Her parents initially considered this a phase — a harmless outlet — but by age ten she was composing original melodies using a borrowed melody pad and submitting entries to amateur festivals under pseudonyms.

Sterling began performing at age eleven in local rec halls and community showcases, often singing with schoolmates or accompanying herself with simple synth-tones. Her vocal tone and stage confidence stood out early, drawing attention from event organizers and local instructors. At twelve, she recorded her first demo collection, which a family friend submitted to Shining Star Entertainment. The agency reached out within weeks, inviting her to audition in Valtorik, the capital of the neighboring Kingdom of Valtoria.

In the autumn of -4 BFE, Sterling signed a junior development contract with Shining Star, moving into part-time instruction in vocals, composition, and stage presence. She adopted the stage name Aria shortly after, with her official debut slated for the following year.

Early Career and Solo Success (–5 BFE to –2 BFE)

Sterling began her professional music career at the age of 19 under the stage name Aria, following a successful audition with Shining Star Entertainment, a rising talent agency headquartered in Valtorik. She relocated from Erondehl to the coastal city shortly after signing, entering a tightly scheduled development program that included vocal refinement, choreography, and public relations training. Her debut single, "Morningfall," released in –5 BFE, quickly gained traction on RealmNet broadcast charts, with its intimate lyrics and minimalist electropop arrangement earning her critical attention across central Alagor.

In the two years that followed, Aria released a trio of well-received solo albums—Shining Through, Sands of Time, and Garden of Dreams—each contributing to her growing popularity during the so-called Reconnection Boom, as cultural exports from Avalon surged in popularity. Her fourth album, Memories Delight, released in late –3 BFE, marked her first appearance on cross-realm charts and featured a collaborative single with Seartorian rapper Tessa Rynell, drawing significant buzz in both domestic and pan-realm entertainment circles.

Throughout this period, Aria’s style evolved from atmospheric ballads to rhythm-driven fusion pop, integrating Avalonian production techniques with traditional Alagorian themes. She developed a reputation not only for her distinct vocal timbre but also for her emotionally candid lyrics—often drawn from personal journals—and her understated stage persona. She was especially popular among younger audiences and became a common face at seasonal festivals, award ceremonies, and late-realm media talk shows.

Her growing fame, however, came with increased scrutiny. In mid –3 BFE, Sterling departed Shining Star Entertainment and joined Eclipsa Entertainment, a major competitor with stronger cross-realm distribution and a history of cultivating high-profile musicians. The move was highly publicized and viewed by industry analysts as a strategic shift in image, as Eclipsa sought to consolidate emerging talents for a new flagship project.

Only one month later, following the Concordia Alagora terrorist attack, Eclipsa announced the formation of AURA, a high-profile idol supergroup composed of Sterling (under her real name Lyra Sterling), pop icon Seraphina Winters, and dance vocalist/Rapper Tessa Rynell. The group would mark the end of Sterling’s solo career as Aria and the beginning of a new chapter in pan-realm cultural history.

AURA Era (–2 BFE to 0 AFE)

At the end of –2 BFE, Sterling debuted as part of the high-profile idol group AURA, formed under Eclipsa Entertainment. Though officially managed by the label, the group was largely the brainchild of pop icon Seraphina Winters, who took on the role of frontwoman and principal lyricist. Sterling contributed under her birth name as the group’s musical arranger and co-lead vocalist, while fellow performer Tessa Rynell served as lead dancer and rapper. The trio’s contrasting personalities—Winters’ effervescent charm, Sterling’s high-energy presence, and Rynell’s steady pragmatism—formed the foundation of the group’s appeal and internal balance.

AURA's only album, No Echo Returns, was released the following cycle to immense critical acclaim. The project became a cross-realm sensation, in part due to Winters’ use of Ancient Alagorian in several tracks—a creative decision that led to widespread speculation, fan translations, and academic curiosity. No official lyrics were ever published, which only intensified the album's mystique and staying power. The group’s success turned them into a cultural export for Alagor, culminating in a landmark Realm of Avalon tour that brought their music to unprecedented audiences beyond their home realm.

Though frequently targeted by media speculation, the trio actively addressed rumors throughout their time together. In a joint interview, Winters and Rynell dismissed claims of personal conflict, with Rynell famously joking that “if we hated each other, I wouldn’t be living in her house.” Similarly, rumors of a relationship between Sterling and Winters were brushed off, with Sterling emphasizing their long-standing friendship and Rynell cheekily adding that “if they were dating, I’d need a fire extinguisher just to get through rehearsal.”

The group’s final public appearance occurred at the Tournament of the Supreme in –1 BFE, where Winters had been invited to open the ceremonial proceedings. All three members were in attendance when tragedy struck: King Octavius Athomath was killed in an unforeseen incident during the tournament's conclusion. While the group was not involved directly, the emotional impact—especially on Winters—was profound.

Shortly after the tournament, Winters announced her retirement from public life, citing exhaustion and the need for personal clarity. AURA was officially disbanded two weeks later. All three members received personal offers from Salena Athomath, then the presumptive successor to the Alagorian throne, to join her service. Sterling and Rynell accepted appointments; Winters declined, stepping away from the spotlight entirely.

Imperial Service (–1 BFE – Present)

Following the coronation and the founding of the Sapphire Empire, Sterling was formally named the First Handmaiden of the Empress. Her appointment, lacking precedent and bypassing any traditional courtly structure, signaled both the Empress personal trust in her and the evolving nature of the new regime.

As First Handmaiden, Sterling operates both within the internal rituals of the Sapphire Court and as an outward representative of the Empress herself. She attends to the Empress in both private and state functions, coordinates alongside other palace staff and handmaidens, and is frequently dispatched as Imperial Proxy for diplomatic functions and ceremonial presences where the Empress cannot be present.

While she does not hold traditional political power, Sterling is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Sapphire Empire due to her proximity to the Empress and the breadth of her delegated authority. Her background in performance and public relations has translated effectively into statecraft, with commentators frequently noting her adeptness at managing both perception and protocol.

Sterling has accompanied the Empress on multiple interrealm visits, including the historic Summit of Six Realms and the opening of the Sapphire Concordia. She has also been credited with ensuring the security of the Sapphire Palace during the attempted incursion by rebel forces in 3 AFE, while the Empress was away in another Realm. Her presence remains a notable fixture in major imperial functions, and her transition from idol to imperial figure has been widely studied, praised, and in some circles, critiqued.

Though she rarely grants interviews due to the constant demands of her duties beside the Empress or in her stead, Sterling retains immense public recognition and remains a prominent cultural figure within the modern Empire.

• Co-founded AURA and contributed to its internationally acclaimed debut album.
• Participated in the historic Avalon tour and cultural outreach efforts.
• Personally selected by Empress Salena as the First Handmaiden of the Sapphire Throne.
• Acted as Imperial Proxy during multiple interrealm summits and negotiations.
• Instrumental in maintaining security of the Sapphire Palace during the 3 AFE rebel siege.

In an infamous moment during AURA’s Avalon tour, Sterling’s outfit malfunctioned during a press reception, unintentionally exposing herself in front of a high-ranking foreign official. The incident became a subject of viral discussion, and Sterling has made no public comment about it beyond silencing a talk show discussion mid-air.

Sterling is believed to be deeply motivated by personal loyalty to Empress Salena and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the Empire’s future. Friends and commentators describe her as “fiercely mission-driven,” often prioritizing duty over personal recognition. Her career choices suggest a need to prove herself outside of her musical beginnings.

Sterling is widely viewed as a symbol of post-war Alagorian ascension—a young woman who rose from a tumultuous background to stand at the heart of the Empire. She is often cited in educational materials as an example of loyalty rewarded by trust and is occasionally featured in palace-sponsored outreach programs. Her image is popular among younger citizens and is frequently included in visual media, commemorative art, and cultural archives.

Sterling is presumed to possess substantial personal wealth accrued during her years with AURA, one of the most commercially successful music groups of its era. While her current position as First Handmaiden includes state provisioning and residence within the Sapphire Palace, she is believed to have retained private financial independence. Official records of her personal assets are not public, but it is widely assumed that she maintains discretionary control over significant earnings from music royalties, merchandising, and cultural appearances.