Velia Astalles

Princess Velia Velia Astalles (a.k.a. Sapphire of Pearlhal)

Princess Velia Astalles, often called the Sapphire of Pearlhal, due to the colour of her eyes. She was a luminous figure early in the history of the Kingdom of Dercia, she is still to this day remembered for her intellect, diplomatic acumen and mysterious end.

"Quidara Velia falarith?"

(What would Velia do?)

- Call for wisdom and temperance among the Crienia.

Born 174 during the reign of Queen Aelia Caecilia Astalles she was the 3rd daughter of the future king, Valerius Astalles, she grew up during a time of consolidation and expansion. While she was not directly in the line for the throne, Velia´s life left a remarkable impact on the future of the Crienia people and her home, Pearlhal.
Velia was known for her sharp wit and silver tongue, able to charm even the most stubborn foreign diplomate. Her mastery of the languages gave her an edge when diplomates would discuss in their languages and she would be able to understand them. Likewise, there are stories of her often intervening on behalf of the common people of Pearlhal, with stories about her walking around the people disguised as a commoner and it is believed that these stories somehow inspired Crown Princess Ira to do similar things 1000 years later.

Early life

Velia was raised in the splendour of Pearlhal in the Royal Palace of Dercia, overlooking the city. From a very early age, she demonstrated an unparalleled curiosity and aptitude for languages, and from an early age, she mastered the Crienic, Elvish dialects and the languages of the nearby city-states, making her a valuable diplomat for the rapidly expanding kingdom.

Notable Achievements

Treaty of Velia:

Velia was instrumental in brokering a peace treaty between the kingdom and the city-state of Valthona. the treaty ensured more than two decades of peace.

Patronage of the Arts

Velia was a devoted patron of poets, sculptors, and architects, these works often blended Crienic and elvish styles, reflecting the dual heritage of her people.

The Academy of Velia

While it no longer exists in its original form due to the Great fire of Pealhal the legacy endures and pupils have the chance to study history, rhetoric and the arts, continuing the spirit of Velia.

Mysterious End

In 317 at the age of 143, Velia vanished while en route to oversee negotiations between Pearlhal and some mountain tribes, her bodyguards and cart were found abandoned and slain, but the body of Velia was never found, the tribes when visited by a cohort of soldiers refused to have anything to do with her disappearance, same did the nearby city-states. some speculated that it was an inside job that someone within the senate wanted her gone, that she was getting too popular with with people. Some years after her disappearance, stories about how she was still wandering the land, disguised as a commoner, still influencing events from the shadows.

Species

human

Ethnicity

Crienia

Life

174 IC 317 IC 143 years old

Circumstances of Death

Disappeared

Family

The Astalles dynasty

Eyes

Piercing sapphire blue

Hair

Dark auburn hair

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Sun-kissed with a warm, golden undertone

Height

1.75 m