Aspenshield

Aspenshield is the capital city of the northern Elves, ruled by the extremely long-lived Crystal Queen. The city looks very much like an ancient Avariel city but it is cold and lacking in colour. Much like the people who live there, a melancholy resides in the walls and air of the city. Its structure is reminiscent of what it was like when it floated above the world, but the actions of its queen are very different than those that ruled it before. She demands action, although not rash or unthinking action. To sit around and ponder is to invite destruction or worse. Unlike the romantic views of the Elves of Brightbough, the people of Aspenshield are very realistic in their fight against the Fallen. They are tactical, pragmatic, and efficient. They still hold to High Elf ideals, and music, poetry, art, and swordplay still hold great sway on their personage, but the need to protect this world from those that destroyed their idyllic lifestyle of the past is very important to them. The Crystal Queen is one of the oldest creatures on Starhelm and was there in the sky when her city fell. She was just a little girl but she was raised to rule the city and she accepts her fate as the oldest protector of the world. She is a no-nonsense ruler who feels she knows better than those around her. She will listen to council but once she makes a decision there is no convincing her otherwise. Her people follow her religiously and any who don’t appreciate her rule leave the city and find refuge in one of the other villages in the forest.