Ilya comes from the hardy kingdom in the North, raised in a minor barony outside of the capital of Frostholme. Ilya lived on his family's estate, the firstborne son of the Baroness, Alaya. The estate was continuously in disarray, always lacking the necessary funds and expertise to keep the place clean and in decent state. At a young age, driven by his parent's obvious despair at their financial issues, Ilya began learning a variety of essential skills for keeping his family's costs down - wood working was first, carving small figures with his father's knife, eventually able to help out the adults with carpentry, albeit at a minor level. Next was cooking, working with the elderly family chef, learning her recipes as well as he could, until her tragic but peaceful death upon his 11th summer.

It was when he took one of his figures into the city, during his 14th winter, that he began to walk the path of a merchant. Another child, a merchant's daughter, saw the figurine and wanted it, offering to purchase it. Naturally Ilya made an awful deal, he hadn't the skills to compete with a child raised on haggling, but he did observe - not only during the deal, but after it, he observed the girl, tailing her back to her father, and then observed the man as he made deals all day at his stall. He began making a habit of it, heading into the city to watch the merchant, until he decided to try his own hand at the art of the deal. He brought in five of his best figurines, each one precious to him, and spent the day attempting to sell them on the street to any who would show interest - it was as poor as you might expect. He still earned a few coins, but it was minimal, and he hadn't even sold all of his figurines. He returned home dejected, only to be met with pride and delight from his parents as he ashamedly gifted them his pitiful earnings. It was this one moment that changed his life, the sight of his family, his strict mother and gruff father, showing such pride in him for having earnt even that small amount, that made him realise the true value of money - the item itself was meaningless, a simple piece of metal. It was what it could bring, what it represented, and for whom, that gave coins their value.
Ilya continued to visit the market every week, bringing more figurines, eventually food, and as he grew older expanding into the true markets of buying other's goods to sell on himself.

At the age of 20, Ilya was finally taken aside by his parents. He was the eldest son of a minor title that meant little to the outside world- it had surely meant little within his own kingdom. He was still the hope of the family, a man who was capable of making an income, supporting himself, and potentially building something better. When news of the approaching Fading arrived, Ilya was sent away to the island of Alphos.