Solarion Hllessar Amenetheur (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
littlestemperor) wrote2019-02-16 11:24 pm
littlestemperor) wrote2019-02-16 11:24 pm
base character info
Name: Vallassesh Solarion Hllessar Amenetheur
Age: early twenties
Height: 150 cm
Species: Light elf/nath'sess
Personality: Soft but very self-contained, Solarion prides himself on being in control, of himself and any situation he's in - not really in a scheming way, but being able to read the mood and the people and know how to proceed from that. Aside from that he prefers consensus rather than steamrolling (especially when it comes to his (future) duties), but he also likes to have things his way when it's more personal. Can sometimes be very condescending, but mostly his attitude land on easy self-assurance of his own worth and importance. Contrasting that, he's often genuinely kind in a way that has nothing to do with noblesse oblige (which is something he does hold to), so he may go out of his way and neither expect or want something in return. He's also definitely a romantic, even if that's less obvious with how he usually conducts himself and that it is also tempered by his expectations from his upbringing.
Solarion's temper usually runs towards sneering offense (like you just offended him by getting him to lose control of his emotions) rather than explosive outbursts, shutting down into icy silence if he's truly infuriated. Knows what he wants, or at least is sure he does, because he fancies that he knows himself absolutely. Definitely spoiled, and used to getting what he wants, or being able to wheedle family and servants into giving him whatever it is/allowing him to do what he wants. On the other hand, he's both cautious and realistic enough to bend to the will and decisions of others if the situation seems to warrant it (knowing they're only trying to keep him safe) - mostly, anyway. There are always exceptions. Spoiled or not, he's genuinely surprised and pleased at any gift he's given that came from someone's desire to give it and not because he's expressed want of it. (His love language is definitely gifts.) The spoiled baby (and doted-on darling) of the family.
He has a keen interest in learning and studying, particularly magic, but anything he takes a fancy to (or might be of good use) is thoroughly read about. In terms of what might be useful for him later, statesmanship (civcs) and law, both the history of it, how they're formed and applied, his own country and others, are all things he finds interesting. On a more lighter note, poetry and literature of nearly all sorts (he does prefer to see a play rather than read the script) is what he goes to for recreation. He's a fair hand at writing poetry himself. He's got a pleasant singing voice with an ear for it, and has gotten lessons with such in mind as well as playing cihar (think of the koto, guzheng and similar instruments), but those skills are merely attended to to keep them fresh, not out of any keen interest.
Background:
First possibility (the default one):
Born with the obvious signs of the strongest manifestation of their family's unicorn blood (white hair from birth, a nascent horn bump on his forehead, and the beginnings of a tail), Solarion unwittingly became a key piece in his father Amenraun's political ambitions.
His father was the oldest child of his grandmother, the latest Empress of Solnesse, and since she had no daughters, her oldest son took the throne as emperor-regent, for his as-of-yet unborn first daughter. It was perhaps to his father's disappointment - but the people's delight - that his first born happened to be a daughter. His rule had now gained a countdown, though that still meant about fifty years until he would have to at least appoint Amenranethe as his co-ruler (and another fifty before she ought to be sitting on the throne alone).
With the birth of Solarion, youngest son and half-brother to his other siblings, the situation - does not really change, but Amenraun uses the birth of such a 'favoured' child as proof of blessing on his own rule.
As there has already been some grumblings in certain factions, Amenraun begins to send his oldest daughter out to oversee the attempts to quell the nascent rebellion(s), and this is the state of things for years.
Solarion grows up cosseted, spoiled, and loved by his whole family, but he also grows up within an obvious, underlying tension, as each time his oldest sister comes back from whatever the current frontline is, she and their father argue. Shortly before his twentieth birthday and Amenranethe's sixty-fifth, she and their father have their latest, and worst, telepathic argument yet. His older daughter dies, and soon after, as he accuses their father of deliberate murder, does Erenion - though at the hands of an orc, after the Amenraun's second son is sent to the frontlines of the northernmost colony to the east, under the pretext of bolstering morale and the forces there.
The atmosphere in the imperial palace quickly grows oppressive, and Amenraun more paranoid and heavy-handed. Outside, the brewing rebellion gains strength instead of abating, and there's rumours that the oldest daughter survived her terrible argument with her father, somehow...
Second possibility:
Appointed co-ruler with his older sister (the second daughter) Tllessareth (Amenranethe having actually died), thanks to his obvious unicorn-blood manifestation, they are slowly working towards setting everything back to rights after their father died in a "hunting accident". It's not made any easier by how the rebellion, once having taken root, isn't so easily quelled even by a woman once more being on the throne and being able to show the favour on her rule by Solarion's presence beside her.
Third possibility (more AU than the other two):
Their father, not Amenranethe, dies in his and Amenranethe's latest telepathic argument, and she takes the throne and quite a few people breathe out a sigh of relief. Solarion can (and does) more easily dedicate attention to focusing on his very probable eventual diplomatic role within the imperial family and government under his sister.
In two of the three options, his oldest sibling (a sister, Amenranethe) to all appearances died recently or a couple years ago by their father's hand (they'd always clashed badly, and the years only strengthened the animosity), and the next youngest child (a brother, Erenion), died either three years ago (in the second option) or half a year ago (the first) to the same, though, compared to the oldest, technically he died by orc hands as he was sent out into an armed conflict with lack of information, not enough backup, and general mishandling.
Solarion has been called "my little emperor" by his father his whole life, so it's very clear he always intended to appoint him, however symbolically so, co-ruler at some point, so when Tllessareth does so in the second possibility, she's only doing what their father would have done.
Skills:
He's surprisingly deadly with a fencing sword (either hand, as he's ambidextrous), and is proficient in the style both as a sport and as actual combat technique, though Solarion hasn't actually been taught any combat techniques with thought that he should participate in actual combat or on a battlefield.
(Usually only armed with a rapier when out on trips or if intending to train/use it. Otherwise he might have a small stiletto on him, and, if the technology is up to that point, the (somewhat magical) equivalent of a flintlock.)
Has some knowledge of elemental manipulation (focused in water and wind), but his real ability lies in thought manipulation, specifically telekinesis. He's also interested in magic in general, so he's pretty well-studied even if he can't use most of that knowledge practically.
The unicorn manifestation is something which has regularly happened throughout the Amenetheur dynasty's long rule, but it used to be more often than it has lately. The horn gives Solarion a great boost to his magic, and grants him the ability to purify water (and other liquids) and cleanse poison and healing, too, despite him otherwise never having dabbled in it.
Sealing his regular magic/thought manipulation/telekinesis does not seal the abilities the horn bestows, which includes some telekinesis as well, but that means he's only left with those exact abilities, nothing else.
Looks:
Short, gold-white feathery hair that tends to spike out backwards around the back of his head, and his bangs partially covers his eye on the right side of his face. He's got dark blue eyes and pale skin with a golden undertone that tans very easily and well, completely skipping any embarrassing redness. He's got a terrible case of baby-face, and sports a curving, short horn in the middle of his forehead, as well as a long, slim tail terminated by a luxurious tuft of golden-white hair as proof of his unicorn blood.
Solarion carries himself well, if with a shade of imperious self-assurance, that, while it doesn't make him look any taller, fills up the space around him. Is nearly always dressed impeccably in current aristocratic elven fashion. Has a particular love for bows and earrings as accessories.
Family:
Four older siblings, two dead (oldest and next to youngest). Those alive are his next oldest sibling, Tllessareth (a sister), and the third sibling, Lunraun (a brother).
His father (Amenraun) - alive yet in the first option, dead in the second and third.
His mother (Vallassa)
His siblings' mother, the queen mother Solraunhe, died over eighty years ago (literally or equivalently).
His paternal grandfather is still alive, if very old, and so is his paternal grandparents' third spouse, a princess consort they all call 'grandmother' even though she's not directly related to them.
Then there are two aunts and an uncle on his father's side (and a number of cousins), as well as more family on his mother's, which he is rather close to, having visited more often than might otherwise have happened (as a way to avoid his father, sometimes).
Family Background: At the inception of the dynasty, when the founder Amentaur took the fledgeling post-apocalypse kingdom from its founder, she was chosen by a unicorn (this can and does happen and is considered a great boon and a sign of greatness for the ruler/family so favoured). More than that, though this is kept secret and the official story will only acknowledge that they were granted additional, unspecified favour, the unicorn took or was given elven shape, marrying into the new dynasty. This has given some slight effects on the whole family line, most notably the steady and very great skill in thought manipulation of various sorts, plus the ability to cleanse water/liquids and cure poison (in some individuals, even diseases). It's also what turns a great majority of the family member's hair silver, whether they actually practice magic or not.
Note: Can be from the same world asvharuunensong and in that case before modern day, as the Empire is the forerunner of the later multi-state republic.
Alternatively, sci-fi setting. Space elves and interplanetary empires!
His PB is Alphinaud from Final Fantasy XIV, but he does not have the braided tail; Solarion's hair is short all around.
*Elves live about 900-1000 years, with equivalent to human ages simply moved up into the hundreds (so a biologically 30 year old elf would be 330 years old). Initial maturation follows similar to shorter-lived species, even if young elves are, of course, considered "young" for longer.
*Has three fingers, plus thumb, and four toes (like orcs do).
*No matter their skin tone, light elves after the war have various shades of blond/e hair, and get a slightly golden-metallic tint during summer/long exposure to sun, even if they otherwise have lost that golden tone they all had right after the initial disaster.
*Their blood is technically red as usual, but the light elves' blood is a glowing gold when first spilled, which starts to fade almost immediately, revealing the red, before it begins to coagulate. If the blood is collected in some sort of container before it can lose too much glow and colour, the actual blood will evaporate and leave a golden glowing liquid warm with energy behind - if it's left out in the sun, it'll be recharged, and it can be used as a lamp, to light fires, or similar things requiring energy/a battery.
*The dick reminds of a (bottlenose) dolphin's penis, with a baculum - thus allowing for copulation to continue until ejaculation is possible again, and since there nearly always are more than one man present when a woman is attempting to get with child, more ejaculations mean greater chance for impregnation; this means their testis are somewhat larger than, in comparison, human ones.
*Solarion is (very) short for an elf (both light and dark), which is attributed to some different positioning in the womb of both Solarion and the placenta. His lack of height seems to have been the only issues coming from that, however.
(The proper route when it comes to sexual education, at least among the nobility of the empire, is that teachers are brought in when the young man or woman reaches twenty; the expectation would be that the young adult not have any deeper knowledge until this happens.)
(the star is where the capital is.)
Age: early twenties
Height: 150 cm
Species: Light elf/nath'sess
Personality: Soft but very self-contained, Solarion prides himself on being in control, of himself and any situation he's in - not really in a scheming way, but being able to read the mood and the people and know how to proceed from that. Aside from that he prefers consensus rather than steamrolling (especially when it comes to his (future) duties), but he also likes to have things his way when it's more personal. Can sometimes be very condescending, but mostly his attitude land on easy self-assurance of his own worth and importance. Contrasting that, he's often genuinely kind in a way that has nothing to do with noblesse oblige (which is something he does hold to), so he may go out of his way and neither expect or want something in return. He's also definitely a romantic, even if that's less obvious with how he usually conducts himself and that it is also tempered by his expectations from his upbringing.
Solarion's temper usually runs towards sneering offense (like you just offended him by getting him to lose control of his emotions) rather than explosive outbursts, shutting down into icy silence if he's truly infuriated. Knows what he wants, or at least is sure he does, because he fancies that he knows himself absolutely. Definitely spoiled, and used to getting what he wants, or being able to wheedle family and servants into giving him whatever it is/allowing him to do what he wants. On the other hand, he's both cautious and realistic enough to bend to the will and decisions of others if the situation seems to warrant it (knowing they're only trying to keep him safe) - mostly, anyway. There are always exceptions. Spoiled or not, he's genuinely surprised and pleased at any gift he's given that came from someone's desire to give it and not because he's expressed want of it. (His love language is definitely gifts.) The spoiled baby (and doted-on darling) of the family.
He has a keen interest in learning and studying, particularly magic, but anything he takes a fancy to (or might be of good use) is thoroughly read about. In terms of what might be useful for him later, statesmanship (civcs) and law, both the history of it, how they're formed and applied, his own country and others, are all things he finds interesting. On a more lighter note, poetry and literature of nearly all sorts (he does prefer to see a play rather than read the script) is what he goes to for recreation. He's a fair hand at writing poetry himself. He's got a pleasant singing voice with an ear for it, and has gotten lessons with such in mind as well as playing cihar (think of the koto, guzheng and similar instruments), but those skills are merely attended to to keep them fresh, not out of any keen interest.
Background:
First possibility (the default one):
Born with the obvious signs of the strongest manifestation of their family's unicorn blood (white hair from birth, a nascent horn bump on his forehead, and the beginnings of a tail), Solarion unwittingly became a key piece in his father Amenraun's political ambitions.
His father was the oldest child of his grandmother, the latest Empress of Solnesse, and since she had no daughters, her oldest son took the throne as emperor-regent, for his as-of-yet unborn first daughter. It was perhaps to his father's disappointment - but the people's delight - that his first born happened to be a daughter. His rule had now gained a countdown, though that still meant about fifty years until he would have to at least appoint Amenranethe as his co-ruler (and another fifty before she ought to be sitting on the throne alone).
With the birth of Solarion, youngest son and half-brother to his other siblings, the situation - does not really change, but Amenraun uses the birth of such a 'favoured' child as proof of blessing on his own rule.
As there has already been some grumblings in certain factions, Amenraun begins to send his oldest daughter out to oversee the attempts to quell the nascent rebellion(s), and this is the state of things for years.
Solarion grows up cosseted, spoiled, and loved by his whole family, but he also grows up within an obvious, underlying tension, as each time his oldest sister comes back from whatever the current frontline is, she and their father argue. Shortly before his twentieth birthday and Amenranethe's sixty-fifth, she and their father have their latest, and worst, telepathic argument yet. His older daughter dies, and soon after, as he accuses their father of deliberate murder, does Erenion - though at the hands of an orc, after the Amenraun's second son is sent to the frontlines of the northernmost colony to the east, under the pretext of bolstering morale and the forces there.
The atmosphere in the imperial palace quickly grows oppressive, and Amenraun more paranoid and heavy-handed. Outside, the brewing rebellion gains strength instead of abating, and there's rumours that the oldest daughter survived her terrible argument with her father, somehow...
Second possibility:
Appointed co-ruler with his older sister (the second daughter) Tllessareth (Amenranethe having actually died), thanks to his obvious unicorn-blood manifestation, they are slowly working towards setting everything back to rights after their father died in a "hunting accident". It's not made any easier by how the rebellion, once having taken root, isn't so easily quelled even by a woman once more being on the throne and being able to show the favour on her rule by Solarion's presence beside her.
Third possibility (more AU than the other two):
Their father, not Amenranethe, dies in his and Amenranethe's latest telepathic argument, and she takes the throne and quite a few people breathe out a sigh of relief. Solarion can (and does) more easily dedicate attention to focusing on his very probable eventual diplomatic role within the imperial family and government under his sister.
In two of the three options, his oldest sibling (a sister, Amenranethe) to all appearances died recently or a couple years ago by their father's hand (they'd always clashed badly, and the years only strengthened the animosity), and the next youngest child (a brother, Erenion), died either three years ago (in the second option) or half a year ago (the first) to the same, though, compared to the oldest, technically he died by orc hands as he was sent out into an armed conflict with lack of information, not enough backup, and general mishandling.
Solarion has been called "my little emperor" by his father his whole life, so it's very clear he always intended to appoint him, however symbolically so, co-ruler at some point, so when Tllessareth does so in the second possibility, she's only doing what their father would have done.
Skills:
He's surprisingly deadly with a fencing sword (either hand, as he's ambidextrous), and is proficient in the style both as a sport and as actual combat technique, though Solarion hasn't actually been taught any combat techniques with thought that he should participate in actual combat or on a battlefield.
(Usually only armed with a rapier when out on trips or if intending to train/use it. Otherwise he might have a small stiletto on him, and, if the technology is up to that point, the (somewhat magical) equivalent of a flintlock.)
Has some knowledge of elemental manipulation (focused in water and wind), but his real ability lies in thought manipulation, specifically telekinesis. He's also interested in magic in general, so he's pretty well-studied even if he can't use most of that knowledge practically.
The unicorn manifestation is something which has regularly happened throughout the Amenetheur dynasty's long rule, but it used to be more often than it has lately. The horn gives Solarion a great boost to his magic, and grants him the ability to purify water (and other liquids) and cleanse poison and healing, too, despite him otherwise never having dabbled in it.
Sealing his regular magic/thought manipulation/telekinesis does not seal the abilities the horn bestows, which includes some telekinesis as well, but that means he's only left with those exact abilities, nothing else.
Looks:
Short, gold-white feathery hair that tends to spike out backwards around the back of his head, and his bangs partially covers his eye on the right side of his face. He's got dark blue eyes and pale skin with a golden undertone that tans very easily and well, completely skipping any embarrassing redness. He's got a terrible case of baby-face, and sports a curving, short horn in the middle of his forehead, as well as a long, slim tail terminated by a luxurious tuft of golden-white hair as proof of his unicorn blood.
Solarion carries himself well, if with a shade of imperious self-assurance, that, while it doesn't make him look any taller, fills up the space around him. Is nearly always dressed impeccably in current aristocratic elven fashion. Has a particular love for bows and earrings as accessories.
Family:
Four older siblings, two dead (oldest and next to youngest). Those alive are his next oldest sibling, Tllessareth (a sister), and the third sibling, Lunraun (a brother).
His father (Amenraun) - alive yet in the first option, dead in the second and third.
His mother (Vallassa)
His siblings' mother, the queen mother Solraunhe, died over eighty years ago (literally or equivalently).
His paternal grandfather is still alive, if very old, and so is his paternal grandparents' third spouse, a princess consort they all call 'grandmother' even though she's not directly related to them.
Then there are two aunts and an uncle on his father's side (and a number of cousins), as well as more family on his mother's, which he is rather close to, having visited more often than might otherwise have happened (as a way to avoid his father, sometimes).
Family Background: At the inception of the dynasty, when the founder Amentaur took the fledgeling post-apocalypse kingdom from its founder, she was chosen by a unicorn (this can and does happen and is considered a great boon and a sign of greatness for the ruler/family so favoured). More than that, though this is kept secret and the official story will only acknowledge that they were granted additional, unspecified favour, the unicorn took or was given elven shape, marrying into the new dynasty. This has given some slight effects on the whole family line, most notably the steady and very great skill in thought manipulation of various sorts, plus the ability to cleanse water/liquids and cure poison (in some individuals, even diseases). It's also what turns a great majority of the family member's hair silver, whether they actually practice magic or not.
Note: Can be from the same world as
vharuunensong and in that case before modern day, as the Empire is the forerunner of the later multi-state republic.Alternatively, sci-fi setting. Space elves and interplanetary empires!
His PB is Alphinaud from Final Fantasy XIV, but he does not have the braided tail; Solarion's hair is short all around.
*Elves live about 900-1000 years, with equivalent to human ages simply moved up into the hundreds (so a biologically 30 year old elf would be 330 years old). Initial maturation follows similar to shorter-lived species, even if young elves are, of course, considered "young" for longer.
*Has three fingers, plus thumb, and four toes (like orcs do).
*No matter their skin tone, light elves after the war have various shades of blond/e hair, and get a slightly golden-metallic tint during summer/long exposure to sun, even if they otherwise have lost that golden tone they all had right after the initial disaster.
*Their blood is technically red as usual, but the light elves' blood is a glowing gold when first spilled, which starts to fade almost immediately, revealing the red, before it begins to coagulate. If the blood is collected in some sort of container before it can lose too much glow and colour, the actual blood will evaporate and leave a golden glowing liquid warm with energy behind - if it's left out in the sun, it'll be recharged, and it can be used as a lamp, to light fires, or similar things requiring energy/a battery.
*The dick reminds of a (bottlenose) dolphin's penis, with a baculum - thus allowing for copulation to continue until ejaculation is possible again, and since there nearly always are more than one man present when a woman is attempting to get with child, more ejaculations mean greater chance for impregnation; this means their testis are somewhat larger than, in comparison, human ones.
*Solarion is (very) short for an elf (both light and dark), which is attributed to some different positioning in the womb of both Solarion and the placenta. His lack of height seems to have been the only issues coming from that, however.
(The proper route when it comes to sexual education, at least among the nobility of the empire, is that teachers are brought in when the young man or woman reaches twenty; the expectation would be that the young adult not have any deeper knowledge until this happens.)
(the star is where the capital is.)
Wanted/Possible Dynamics/CR
With dark elves first and foremost, but I'm definitely open to basically any antagonistic cross-cultural (so, even within light/surface elf race), cross-fantasy race, etc, I just love the mutual change of view of each other and getting closer.
This can be shipping or gen!
Arranged marriage
It would/could definitely be on the table for him, for any of the variations of his default 'verse or various AUs.
Political intrigue
Maybe especially having to work together with a visiting diplomat/other envoy, but anything definitely goes here!
Bodyguard/Prince
Solarion does have a "default" main guard he has a(n inappropriate) crush on, but that man can easily be switched out of anyone else. OR, if Solarion has had to hire someone for a journey, things starting from that.
Kidnapping/Hostage
Look. Anyway, he's a prince, doted-upon youngest son, and in some cases manifesting circumstances that'd make him further wanted by others wishing to get to powers themselves. There are many reasons to attempt to kidnap him and/or use him as a hostage!
General Quest/Fantasy Adventure
He is from a fantasy setting, and your character (or an assumed group) having to deal with a slightly prissy prince, either as an integrated part of the party, the "escort NPC" or the quest giver who's coming along, it's all good.
Omegaverse or BDSM AU
Open to both of these settings! For Omegaverse Solarion would be an omega, and for the BDSM AU he's a submissive
AUs
In some attempt to adjust things for this setting, the Sunshards (before the Fifth Crown War called Solarsal) can be found south-east of Zakhara, and their first interaction with other elves were the exploring/expanding Ilythiir. The relationship started out perhaps surprisingly amicable, though that was probably because the elves of Solarsal was very much viewing the Ilythiir as benefactors and teachers as they started to build their own kingdoms on the small continent.
Growing attempts at independence were met with increasing disapproval, and then actual hostility, culminating in devastating atrocities during both the second and fourth Crown Wars and certainly no disapproval when the Ilythiir (and all other dark elves, oops) were turned into drow, though the elves of Solarsal had nothing to do with that.
During the fifth Crown War, was one of the many of the local powers that answered/fought against the Vyshantaar empire and, after something of a mess with a mix of magic and bad luck (also knows as "super volcano underneath the center of the continent triggered to erupt by said magic"), Solarsal was blown to pieces, leaving an archipelago in the place of the former continent. It also had some additional (unintended) effects on the native elves, and they became rather dependent on sunlight to keep them healthy.
-The larger island of Moongrave (formerly the peninsula there had been called Welcome, as that had been where the Ilythiir first had made land) seems to have a direct (by portal) connection to some part of the Underdark, probably via whatever ruined Inythiir city must have been on the surface far above in that spot at some point), as the Sunshards experience drow attacks every now and then despite the improbability of this.
It's not like the light elves can check, exactly, considering the island is swathed in eternal darkness and while light brought in or created by magical means isn't extinguished, exploring such hostile lands when you keep being picked off is... hard.
***
In this case Solarion is a sorcerer with psionic powers, focusing on light and utility spells, and focusing on his telekinesis more than his magic (but not neglecting it!).
Spells, defaulting to a 5th level sorcerer:
Dancing Lights
Light
Prestidigitation
Shocking Grasp
Ray of Frost
-
Shield
Comprehend Languages
-
Alter Self
Blindness/Deafness
-
Daylight
Water Breathing
Modern/Urban fantasy:
More fantasy species than what urban fantasy usually has. Instead of being royalty his family owns a very large, very successful business with fingers in many pies. He's studying law/about to go into studying law in this universe and is very passionate about it (might secretly be aiming to to do charity/pro bono work for those in need). Still at the very least telekinetic, and all siblings are still alive.
Sci-fi:
Still an imperial prince, but in this case the empire is spread out over a large section of space with many, many planets under its dominion. His oldest sister is either dead as "usual" or just barely survived the (accidental?) murder attempt and is hidden, planning a coup/revenge on her father.
Worldbuilding
The Sunshards was once a whole continent (Solarsal), but war, the magical equivalent of WMD use and a hidden supervolcano near the center of the continent resulted in the shattered remnants present today, turning the earlier continent into just not an archipelago in the normal sense, with masses of sunken land just shortly beneath the surface, but one in the air, as well.
The Sunshards is a curious remnant where most of the normal islands are found on the edges of the former continent (Moongrave and Sunspike and the larger islands around the former are all perfectly "normal"). Further in, the islands mostly consist of atolls that grow from the sunken land just shortly beneath the surface of the sea in places, and from as well as around large pillars of "islands" that thrust up towards the sky... and then the floating bits of land in the air above.
The effects on the surviving pieces of Solarsal and its surrounding 'airspace' means that aside from the floating islands, one barely needs more than three sets of sails - a normal one and two sticking out horizontally from a boat or ship - to be able to have flying boats. These, however, can only fly within the affected area; outside of the Sunshards they have to function as normal boats.
The light elves live on the sandy atolls, on and around the 'floating' islands of the pillars, and on the actual floating islands in a seamless manner. The imperial palace in the capital occupies space both in the air and on solid ground, and though it's the largest building complex in the whole of the empire to do so, it's not the only one.
(This can be used as a flexible base, where who involved in the war doesn't need to be the future light and dark elves, but can be one population of elves and another, or a second party not involving elves at all.)
***
Actual background for the world Solarion comes from:
Solarsal was the ancestral home of the elves, and, in the past, a civil war broke out out religious tensions and disputes between two different religious cults (the original sticking point being a question of funerary practices). The war escalated with questionable use of magically-enhanced weapons (and just plain magic) on both sides, leading to a magical plague as well as a magical WMD used that, on its own, would have been devastating. It also happened to trigger a dormant supervolcano to erupt, with the result of the combined explosion sinking a great majority of the continent of Solarsal, and splitting the elvish species in two.
The Sunshards lie to the west of the other two continents, mostly situated between the Tropics which, since after the catastrophic changes, is vital of the light elves' health, as they need a rather constant exposure to sun (living too far above the northern tropic year round is impossible for them, and going too far north during winter would quickly become deadly).
The ocean inside of the circle of the Sunshards' islands is markedly more shallow than it is on the outside, and in many places one can see proof of lingering ruins of cities, preserved forests now serving as the scaffolds for reefs, and other such evidence of what is now below the water was once above.
(The visual influences are mostly somewhere between Europe in the 1750-1820 as well as some Eastern Asian - though that less among the nobility.)
The Amentaur dynasty has ruled the Solaritine Empire (technically a thalassocracy) for a long time by now, but they weren't its founders. They expanded it to the whole of the Sunshards, as well as adding some additional colonies to earlier ones, and they claim that Amentaur's usurpation was a restoration of order, not an establishing of a new one.
(Amentaur is said to have been either a queen or crown princess of one of the countries prior to Solarsal's shattering, or the daughter of the same, whereas the actual founder (and his subsequent family) was a general in the allied army against the believers of Llotharis. While his actions are seen as good and right, beginning the restoration of order after the cataclysm of the shattering, he "should not" have acted alone, without the support of a woman (of royal blood, and thus divinely appointed).)
More extensive worldbuilding: over here.
Unicornblood Manifestation AU
He's now unicorn enough to be able to bestow a(n actual or intended) ruler with his favour, but the plot falls on its first step, for he does not recognize the matriarch of the family, nor any of her children.
This isn't necessarily an obstacle, as such; they are willing to take steps to bond him to one of them by force. He manages to escape, but it's a long way home - and when he does get back home, if he doesn't favour any of his own family, this might lead to a dynastic struggle.
Old background info/variations
First possibility (the default one):
Before he's taken the throne, his father not yet having gone so far that his siblings feel pressed to move just yet, still relatively carefree despite recent losses and without any responsibilities than educating himself, enjoy his days and... well, avoid his father (Solarion is as beloved by his father as the rest of them, but that comes with drawbacks).
Second possibility:
Already an emperor and has been for a couple years, after his two older siblings killed their increasingly aggressive and impolitic father and put Solarion on the throne, backing him up. He and his older sister Tllessareth are ruling jointly, with Solarion in the junior position. Cool and self-assured, having found he's suitable enough to rule and gain some pleasure from being able to order things properly.
He has spent the last couple of years being secretly raised/educated to take the throne, his siblings hoping the fact that his mother being a lesser princess from another kingdom entirely might temper certain tendencies running in the family, as they watched their father go from a composed, if sometimes needlessly cruel, man and good ruler, to unpredictable, thoughtless and living only for the moment (though perhaps the issue was just as much an increasing lack of desire to compromise, control his temper or his opinions and desires as much as any underlying issues). Solarion always only knew him as generously kind at one moment, and liable to strike out both physically and emotionally the next, and if nothing else, he's determined to do better, matched up to and intent to aid his sister who, reluctantly stepped up since there were rumblings among both the nobility and populace at large that the issues of the previous rule was surely because the main ruler was a man and not, as more proper, a woman.
Third possibility (more AU than the other two):
Their father, not Amenranethe, dies in his and Amenranethe's latest telepathic argument, and she takes the throne and quite a few people breathe out a sigh of relief. Solarion can (and does) more easily dedicate attention to focusing on his very probable eventual diplomatic role within the imperial family and government under his sister.
In two of the three options, his oldest sibling (a sister, Amenranethe) died five years ago by their father's hand (they'd always clashed badly, and the years only strengthened the animosity), and the next youngest child (a brother, Erenion), died either three years ago (in the second option) or half a year ago (the first) to the same, though, compared to the oldest, technically he died by orc hands as he was sent out into an armed conflict with lack of information, not enough backup, and general mishandling.
Solarion has been called "my little emperor" by his father his whole life, so it's perfectly possible his siblings merely preempted their father by putting Solarion on the throne instead of Tllessareth ascending when they killed their father.