Prince Vaelor Tidecrest-Pearlshard

• In peak youthful health, athletic and honed from daily training with the Deepwardens.
• Exceptionally strong swimmer, with lean, powerful musculature built for endurance dives.
• No chronic illnesses, though bears small training scars.

• Pale silver-blue skin with scales that glitter under light, arranged in elegant whorls across his shoulders and hips.
• Large ornate fins on either side of his head, deep cerulean edged in turquoise, often twitch or flare when startled or intrigued.

• Electric blue eyes that seem almost backlit, especially when channeling magic.
• Adorned in intricate jewelry of sapphire and coral, marking him as royalty even when dressed for travel.
• A luminous tear-shaped gem set into his forehead — a ritual implant from his coming-of-age.

• Naturally gifted in water combat; can accelerate himself through currents with instinctive hydrodynamic spells.
• Mild empathic link to sea creatures (inherited from Aralyn).
• Can cast minor protective wards to shield him from pressure and chill in the deepest waters.

• Prefers light armored harnesses crafted from enchanted shell and scale, leaving arms and much of his torso free to move.
• Wears travel cloaks woven with strands of bioluminescent kelp that fade to black in danger.
• Often carries a coral-socketed dagger, partly ceremonial, partly practical.

• Gale-Edge Spear: A mastercrafted spear that responds to Vaelor’s will, spinning currents around its tip to strike faster and with greater force underwater.
• Voyager’s Lens: A monocle-like crystal allowing him to spot heat signatures and faint magical residues in murky depths.

• Tutored by Virella’s best historians, scholars of the Grand Lyceum, and seasoned Deepwarden captains.
• Studied the political arts with Miraena, learned martial discipline and lore of ancient sea battles from Aralyn.

• As heir to the throne, officially holds the title “Crest of Promise”, expected to eventually lead.
• Leads exploration parties and serves in diplomatic receptions to represent the royal line.

• Discovered and mapped an entire new rift ecosystem teeming with luminous serpents, gaining academic acclaim.
• Personally negotiated safe passage agreements with a reclusive reef giant colony.

• Early on lost several companions to a misjudged current trap in old ruins, leaving him guilt-ridden.
• Known to sometimes vanish on unsanctioned exploratory dives, causing scandal at court.

• Haunted by the responsibility of the throne—fear of losing himself to duty as he’s watched happen to his parents.
• Hears echoes of drowned voices when alone in the deepest trenches; isn’t sure if it’s magic or his own mind.

• Extremely curious
• Brave
• Willing to question old assumptions.
• Has an academic’s love for obscure lore, easily distracted by forgotten histories.

• Believes the world is meant to be explored and understood, not locked away by tradition.
• Holds that the ocean is vast enough to hold all truths, even uncomfortable ones.

• Dislikes arranged marriages; quietly vows never to submit to one himself, despite court pressure.
• Finds displays of cruel dominance over sea beasts abhorrent.

• To see what no one else has seen, map the unknown, bring wonders back to Virella.
• Quietly hopes to reshape what rulership can mean when his time comes.

• Talented with polearms and navigating treacherous underwater terrain.
• Weak with strict ceremonial speech; sometimes blurts out things that scandalize more formal courtiers.

• Likes:
• Moonlit dives
• Ancient ruins
• Playful seals
• Puzzles left by old civilizations.
• Dislikes:
• Long court rituals
• Rigid etiquette
• Being kept in Zalara too long.

• Inquisitive
• Open-hearted
• Adaptable
• Genuinely kind to everyone from servants to nobles.

• Reckless, prone to taking personal risks.
• Sometimes shirks official duties in favor of exploration, frustrating his mothers.

• Clicks his nails together in thought.
• When nervous or caught off guard, tail twitches in quick little flicks.

Still forging it, but already whispered of as the “Coral Scout” — likely to become a legend whether by triumph or tragedy.

• Queen Aralyn: Strict but deeply loving, sometimes disapproves of his risks.
• Queen Miraena: Dotes on him, gently worries he’s chasing beauty that could kill him.
• Often travels with Deepwarden escorts, forming close bonds with the elite guard.

• Son of Aralyn Tidecrest and Miraena Pearlshard.
• Heir to the combined Tidecrest-Pearlshard legacy.

• Follower of the Deep Canticle, but also prays privately to Naelir for insight and to Thalor for safe return from his journeys.

• Charismatic in an earnest, enthusiastic way.
• Less polished than Miraena, tends to forget layered etiquette in his excitement.

• Tilts head sharply when something intrigues him.
• Lays a hand over his heart unconsciously when greeting trusted companions.

• Keeps a small spiraled nautilus named Sarlun that rides in a trailing sphere of water magic, trailing after him like a curious puppy.