Queen Aralyn Tidecrest

• In excellent physical shape—slender yet strong, accustomed to swimming long distances and ceremonial blade drills.
• Highly agile underwater.
• No illnesses or afflictions, though she bears old faint bite scars hidden under scales from surviving the leviathan attack.

• Smooth scaled skin from neck down, shimmering aqua and teal with delicate silver filigree patterns unique to her Isles heritage.
• Finned ears longer and more elaborate than typical merfolk.
• Slight webbing between fingers.

• Elaborate shell torque necklace that is both badge of rule and family heirloom.
• Flowing dark hair often drifting around her like shadowy kelp.

• Naturally manipulates small sea currents—can still water or stir it in spirals instinctively.
• Slight empathic resonance with aquatic creatures; can calm them with her voice.
• Limited hydromancy for non-combat uses (raising curtains of water, summoning bioluminescence).

• Flowing diaphanous robes of enchanted silk that never tangle, designed to float dramatically in water.
• Always wears her Pendant of the Abyssal Heart.
• Often adorned with pearl hairpins and sapphire-inlaid bracers.

• Trident of Crestfall: A ceremonial trident, ancient and covered in runes, used for royal edicts and justice.
• Keeps a small hidden dagger from the Forgotten Isles in her sash—more symbolic than practical.

• Tutored by Isles scholars in statecraft, old magic, maritime law.
• Received private instruction in the Shellsong dialect, an esoteric language of high Isles nobility.
• Later trained by Virella’s court mages to align her rule with local arcane traditions.

• Always destined for leadership; has served as monarch since her early 40s.

• Unified the Pearlshard and Tidecrest lines through her marriage, preventing civil war.
• Oversaw the expansion of the Deepwardens into a truly elite marine guard.
• Cemented the Grand Lyceum’s reputation by funding new wings for planar studies.

• Early attempts at diplomacy with inland nations failed due to her underestimating their fear of ocean-based magic.
• Harbors guilt over how swiftly her family displaced local leaders upon seizing the throne.

• As a teen, watched her best friend (and rumored first love) be torn apart and devoured by a leviathan they accidentally provoked while foraging.
• Has occasional vivid nightmares of swirling darkness and jaws of endless teeth.

• Highly logical and deeply patient, able to play long political games.
• Values knowledge, particularly arcane history, and loves intricate debates.

• Duty over self, tradition must bend rather than break.
• Protects the sanctity of the sea and believes rulers exist to serve the realm, not themselves.

• Despises necromantic experiments performed on marine life—will exile even nobles for it.
• Finds hunting leviathans or krakens purely for trophies a vile affront.

• To see Virella thrive and leave behind a peaceful, magically prosperous realm.
• Quietly obsessed with uncovering the true roots of her Isles bloodline’s deep-sea powers.

• Excellent at negotiation, governance, sensing deception.
• Lacks skill in direct combat magic—she relies on guards for that.

• Likes:
• Coral gardens
• Sea shanties sung by sailors
• The hush of deep water
• Dislikes:
• Inland bureaucracy
• Forced revelry
• Careless surface merchants who damage reefs.

• Resolute
• Ccalm under pressure
• Empathetic listener.
• Instinctively dignified—radiates authority without effort.

• Can be cold and overly pragmatic.
• Prone to occasional melancholy due to haunting past trauma.
• Secretly terrified of Leviathans

• Tends to trail her fingers through water or along decorative grooves in coral as she speaks.
• Hums old Isles songs when troubled.

She is still alive, but aims to be remembered as the queen who blended the Isles’ deep magic with Virella’s coastal might, forging something lasting and unique.

She has ruled Virella jointly with Miraena for over 70 years, since they wed.

• Deep bond of trust and love with Queen Miraena, her partner in rule.
• Adoring yet watchful of Prince Vaelor, worried about how much he pushes magical frontiers.
• Relies on High Cantor Mirae for spiritual perspective.
• Exchanges carefully coded letters with an Oracle from the Forgotten Isles.

• Direct line of the Tidecrest dynasty, scions of the Forgotten Isles.
• Tied by marriage to the Pearlshard house.

• Follower of the Deep Canticle, with private reverence for Thalor.
• Practices nightly meditations to “commune” with the ocean’s memory.

• Naturally regal, composed, but surprisingly gentle in small, personal interactions.
• Strong etiquette—will not tolerate courtly breaches.
• Commands respect through quiet force of personality.

• Inclines her head slightly when listening—many underestimate how much she catches by simply observing.
• Often folds her hands elegantly across her chest or rests them over her pendant.