The Crystal Queen
The Crystal Queen
The Crystal Queen of Aspenshield has ruled that city and forest for well over two millennia. Her true name has been lost to time and she is only referred to as The Crystal Queen now. They say the spirit of the Avariel is still strong within her. The Elves of Aspenshield are fiercely loyal to their Queen and would do anything for her.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
She looks as young now as when she first came to Starhelm, but the fierceness in her eyes speak of power, knowledge and wisdom.
Apparel & Accessories
Crystal shards float around her head, in the shape of a crown, or tiara. They cannot be moved or touched except by her will, and they obey her command, moving freely, interchanging with each other, or forming a solid item if desired.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Prior to her coming to Starhelm, the Avariel now known as the Crystal Queen lived a carefree life as a princess in one of the twelve floating cities of the Avariel. Her first 500 years were spent learning the ways of her people, magic, art, swordplay, and how to forge relationships. She seemed no different than other princesses of the Avariel and had an ideal childhood. That is until the Avariel Civil War came to their doorstep. Both sides curried her father's favour, but Gahlmas, thought it wise to refrain from picking sides. Instead, he prepared his daughter for the harsh and hard task of ruling should he be taken from her. The war did not die down as quickly as Gahlmas would have liked and he feared a day would come where he would be forced to pick a side. His daughter could see the weight of that diminish his spirit and she grew hard and fierce toward both sides for putting her father through that.
Before Gahlmas was forced to make that decision, the war came to a sudden and decisive end, with Flane (the Fallen) defeated by Zayphos the Skylord, Pinnacle of Pinnacles. Those who opposed Zayphos directly were cast down, their wings shorn from their shoulders, and they plummeted, in their cities to painfully land on Aerith. Those that neither fought or chose sides were also banished from their skies, but were given the grace to depart gently to their destination. Tasked with protecting the land from their fallen brethren. Gahlmas, and his daughter were sent down to settle in the Aspenshield Forest, in the north of Starhelm. Their city was remade into Aspenshield, the protector of the forest, and the defenders against Azdurok, the Fallen city to their south.
Her father ruled the city for a short time, ensuring to establish order, direction, and hope for his people. Sadly, he lost hope for himself, and the spirit that had diminished in the sky was further fading on the ground. Within the first century he passed on to the Umbra, leaving his daughter to rule as he taught her.
The Crystal Queen has ruled that city and forest for over two millennia. Her true name has been lost to time and she is only referred to as The Crystal Queen now. She looks as young now as when she first took command, but the fierceness in her eyes speak of power, knowledge and wisdom. They say the spirit of the Avariel is still strong within her. The Elves of Aspenshield are fiercely loyal to their Queen and would do anything for her.
The Crystal Queen was there at Starhelm City, for that fateful day of the Fractioning. Her great power saved her that day, and she was able to instantly teleport herself back to Aspenshield before suffering the horrible effects of Undeath as everyone else in the court did. She redoubled her efforts to keep her people and her borders safe, and for 500 years she never left the city.
Strangely, her first, and only departure from the city since the Fractioning was to visit Lady Fireeyes, the Oracle of the Scar of Fire. Her meeting was secret, and none have ever known someone to be able to speak directly with Lady Fireeyes without the use of her attendants, her voices, to translate. When their meeting was over, the Crystal Queen returned to Aspenshield and has not left since.
In her almost 3000 years she has given birth only twice, to two sets of twins, and only relatively recently. 500 years ago, the Crystal Queen gave birth to the Crystal Heirs - Aryis and Alyis. 200 years later a second set of twins were born - Alyra and Atynis. The Crystal Twins are her face to the world, Alyra looks like she is being groomed to rule their people, and Atynis, whom most consider the black sheep of the family, most certainly takes after his mother's great proficiency with crystal magic.
Morality & Philosophy
The Crystal Queen will always listen to her people, regardless of station, but she does not take to idle arguments. She likes to be given information and then the time to come up with her solution.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
The protection of her people is paramount, and she will do whatever she must to ensure they are surviving and thriving, though not at the expense of others unless absolutely necessary.
Social
Religious Views
The people of Aspenshield technically and dutifully worship Lyradell, the Avariel who chose to come down with the Elves to help his people survive in their new environment. However, the Crystal Queen does not pay him much heed or provide him with much faith personally. Her people mostly follow suit, and hold a much greater reverence for her than they do for Lyradel.
While she is not rude, judgmental or debasing to his faith or his followers, she does not offer him more than any other being she interacts with. She recognizes his gifts and his efforts, and appreciates what he has done for her people, but she does not feel it was more than her father, or herself gave.
Social Aptitude
The Crystal Queen can be congenial and social as is needed, but it is obvious that she feels she has no time or interst in such matters. She leaves that to her firstborn twins to represent her in the outside world. Her daughter does far more interacting with the people of Aspenshield these days, but the Crystal Queen will occasionally make some grand appearances to keep her people motivated.
Mannerisms
As most Aspenshield Elves, those they consider lesser than never gain the respect of looking someone directly in the eye. Elves will look each other in the eye, unless someone is of an obvious lower character, but they seldom look non-Elves in the eye. They look above, or beyond their gaze.
The Crystal Queen treats all beneath her, with very few exceptions. She will look her children in the eye, unless she is displeased with them. She will look the Dragon Queen, Magus of the Conclave of Magic, in the eye, and she will look Aristophodes in the eye. Very few others have that privelege.
Hobbies & Pets
Aristophodes, her giant Blue Owl and one of the oldest creatures still alive on Aerith, is not a pet, but an advisor. He was with her during her time as an Avariel, and was friend to her father as well. He is wise beyond reasoning, patient, and good-hearted. He sometimes finds ways to soften her heart when she is feeling particularly cantankerous or peevish about something.
Speech
Her voice is like the tinkling of crystal, but strong and powerful. It cuts through background noise and when she speaks all stop to hear her. She is direct but sincere. Her tone portrays confidence, condescension, understanding, and hope.
Divine Classification
Exalted Being
Current Location
Species
Age
3000?
Current Residence
Crystal Palace in Aspenshade
Sex
Female
Gender
Woman
Eyes
Piercing blue
Hair
Long, flowing, silver hair
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Smooth, clear, vibrant alabaster skin
Height
5'10"
Weight
101 lbs of fit, healthy mass
Founded Settlements
Ruled Locations
Nice article! She seems like an interesting person. I think the portrait captures her perfectly.
Thanks. She is one of my favourite people we have created in our world, my son and I. She stemmed straight from that picture. I love that picture and had to create a character around it. She went through a couple of changes but most of her is intact from the beginning. Amazing how a picture can inspire.