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 Querahpheh, one of the twelve floating cities of the Avariel. Her first 100 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 Aulmeweil thought it wise to refrain from picking sides. He assumed the war would die down quickly, but it did not die down as quickly as he would have liked. He feared a day would come where he would be forced to pick a side.
Before Aulmeweil 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, Aulmeweil, and his daughter were sent down to settle in the northern forest 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, the ravages of time could not be held back now that he was removed from his celestial skies. He eventually succumbed to death in the year 415 PF, 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. Her ability to connect to the Crystal Network of her city has allowed her to tap into her Avariel heritage and hold back the aging that her father succumbed to. They say that when Aspenshield falls, so too does the Crystal Queen. 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 Twins - Aryis and Alyis. 200 years later a second set of twins were born - Alyra, the Crystal Heir, and Atynis, the Crystal Successor. 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.

Accomplishments & Achievements

The Crystal Queen has accomplished numerous things in her long life, but the things she is most proud of are less about her and more about the legacy she is leaving for the world.  
The continuous and prosperous ruling of Aspenshield is of great importance to her, and she is very devout in her attention to maintain order, discipline, and respect for her culture.
Her ability to tap into the vast crystal network that was her father's legacy brings her much pride, and is a boon to all under her care.  Her power is unquesitoned in the city walls, and extends even further out for miles into Aspenshield Forest, though growing weaker the further out from the city she is.  It is this power that allowed her to decimate the army of Azdurok when they marched, overwhelmingly on the doorstep of Aspenshield.  That act cemented her position of ultimate power in her city to all outsiders.  Those that visit respect that awesome might of her magic and seldom act out against her.
Her survival of the Fractioning is a claim that almost none can boast.  Though she was damaged somewhat, she retained her soul, and recovered very quickly once inside Aspenshield.  She can speak firsthand to the destruction there but she never does, to anyone.

Failures & Embarrassments

The Crystal Queen is not one to dwell on past failures, of which she has very few.  She considers most events as learning and experience, and adds them to her reservoir of knowledge.  
The only failure she cannot seem to shake is the disinterest of her youngest to take up his mantle as the protector of Aspenshield.  His mastery of crystal magic is second only to her own, and he would be a vital component of power in Aspenshield.

Mental Trauma

Early on, the Crystal Queen battled with some rage and anger issues stemming from their departure from Querahpheh, and the sudden aging of her father.  Her good friend Aristophades, the Giant Blue Owl helped her through much of that and allowed her move past her anger and into the role of leader.
Her trances have afforded her the ability to move past any past traumas and are a staple of her mental health journey.

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.
Her true motivation is a mystery to all, including her children.  However, it seems she had a change in her stance on her kids after she visited Lady Fireeyes.  Her attention to them learning how to rule in her stead increased, ensuring they each had a role to play even in her absence.

Representation & Legacy

The Crystal Queen is not concerned for her own legacy but of ensuring that Aspenshield, and the remnants of the Avariel spirit continues on Aerith.  She is the last remaining true Avariel on Starhelm and she wants Aspenshield to be a reminder to all the power of the Avariel.
While her children are not true Avariel, she is striving to make their contributions to the world meaningful and long-lasting.

Social

Reign

Her reign is still going and there is no signs of it slowing down.  The only exception is her insistence on her children being prepared, which creates some whispers in Aspenshield.  None dare say any in earshot of the Queen or her children though.
The Crystal Queen's reign has been harmonious and productive for the people of Aspenshield.  They are secure in their homes and the surrounding environs, and they revere her above all else.  There has never been any mass exodus during her reign, but there are still some that do not appreciate her focus on the city.  
Notably, the Cithereth are a group of wood dwellers that have formed a quasi-militaristic organization that work independently of Aspenshield.  They are not openly against the Crystal Queen but they prefer to exist outside of her influence as much as possible.  Truth be told, if she called upon them they would be loathe to deny her, even if it would not be their first choice.

Contacts & Relations

The Crystal Queen is loosely aligned with Essillion, Meadowspring, and the Halflings of Meadowspring.  They are on friendly terms with the Dwarves but do not have much interaction with them.  The majority of any contacts or alliances are established by the work of the Crystal Twins, who roam the continent looking for information, allies, or items to help against the Fallen and to improve the lives of Aspenshield citizens.

Family Ties

She is devoted to her children, the Crystal Twins, the Crystal Heir, and the Crystal Successor.  She has no other family in the city, but she was very close to her late father Aulmeweil.  Prior to her children being born she did not seem interested in family at all, and had no real longing.  It was only her father that she spoke of fondly in memory.
After her children she has shown them great devotion, though not necessarily open displays of affection (at least not where anyone can see).

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 interest 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.

Wealth & Financial state

The wealth of Aspenshield is the wealth of the Crystal Queen.  They are one and the same.  The Crystal Network her father maintained, even after their fall, has provided much security and resources, but it is not the only thing that Aspenshield produces.  They rear fine Moon Horses, their archers are without peer, and they create fine works of art, jewelery, weapons, and magic.

Divine Classification

Exalted Being

Current Status

Ruling Aspenshield

Current Location

Aspenshield

Species

Avariel

Age

3000?

Birthplace

Querahpheh

Children

• Atynis
• Alyra
• Alyis
• Aryis

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

• Aspenshield

Ruled Locations

• Aspenshield