Ariel Vardaryhen

Ariel cowled.

* Phaedonas Vardaryhen (cousin)
* Corazon Vardaryhen(cousin)
* Mav Vardaryhen(cousin)
* Venus Vardaryhen(cousin)

**Ariel Vardaryhen** *(Full name:**Arīyel** **Morhh sen Völfa*** meaning*'Ariel son of Volsa')* is the Crown Prince of Azryteria. He is the only child of Sultan Vol and his queen consort Philomena Atajmar. As a result of the lack of global familiarity with the monarchy in Sedum Vardar, he was simply renowned as “**The Prince”**.

When he was twelve years old, Ariel and a small retinue escaped the North's invasion and fled to Expiree. However, a large number of his party were captured and executed by the Custodians of the Shore. Despite this, Ariel and four of his cousins were able to abscond.

## Biography

In 1571, Ariel Vardaryhen was born to Sultan Vol and Philomena Atajmar.

At his birth, he was immersed in the Kaerb ceremony, since he was both the Sultan's firstborn and a male.

As a young child, Ariel was spoilt and cosseted. Since his mother had suffered numerous miscarriages prior to his birth, she was very protective of him and forbade him to go beyond the walls of the palace. Thus, he was very sheltered, and was able to act without consequences.

## Personality

Ariel typically shows to be quiet and very reserved, however, he hadn't always acted this way. As the son of the Sultan, Ariel was known to be bratty and demanding. He lived a very sheltered life and was rarely if almost never exposed to any potentially harmful events or occurrences. He was spoilt and was not properly disciplined, thus he developed an ignorant and ungrateful disposition.

## Empyrean I

Once in the Azalean territory, they tend to their wounds and search for any scattered provisions. Ariel even searches for more survivors, but Phaedonas morosely tells him that they are all dead. Ariel's cousins still grieve their father and baby brother's death, but still do their best to look after their remaining three-year-old sibling, Venus. Upon reaching a dense rainforest, the Vardaryhens settle down near a stream and begin searching for food.

While scouting, Ariel hears a load of people nearby. Frightened at first, he scurries through the underbrush, then goes behind a closer tree for a better look when he realises there is an entire military encampment situated in the clearing. Ariel quickly reports back to the others, and since they lack knowledge of Expirean animals, as well as the land's hunting, they decided to treat the camp as a food source.

At midnight, Ariel and Phaedonas scout the area, devising a plan to steal without getting caught. They eventually discover the whereabouts of the camp followers and decide to scavenge their grounds for food. After claiming a fair amount of it, Ariel accidentally knocks a pot over and wakes an old woman. She questions who they are, but Phaedonas and Ariel don't understand Azalean. They act quickly, choosing to run away while she curses them. They return with abundant food and study it cautiously. Phaedonas acts as a taster in the case it is poisoned or unsuitable for their kind. The food doesn't appeal to them, but they eat it all the same.

The Vardaryhens keep on stealing from the camp followers, who gradually begin to notice the disappearings of their food, wine and even clothes. As a consequence, soldiers do nightly rounds to prevent the 'animals' from returning. Corazon discourages Phaedonas from stealing tonight to prevent getting caught, which seemed likely. Phaedonas reluctantly heeds her. This goes on for a few nights before the Vardaryhens run out of food and become hungry. Phaedonas goes to steal again, insisting to his family that they'll starve. They agree that he should go alone since he is the stealthiest and quickest out of the four.

   However, Phaedonas is spotted by an Azalean watchman while returning to the others. They are attacked by soldiers who catch them unawares. Ariel pretends to yield as they corner him against a tree, however as Lord Chaude closes upon him, he grabs him in a headlock. Chaude is briefly choked but manages to overcome him, and repeatedly punches Ariel in the face in fury. His men eventually have to drag him off Ariel, who has a black eye and heavy nosebleed. This time he genuinely yields.

## Official Style

### As the crown prince

Vardaryhen princes were formally addressed with their own name in conjunction with their father's name. For example, Ariel's formal name is **Arīyel Morrh sen Volfa**, which roughly translates into, *'Ariel son of Volsa'. Otherwise, he was called **zehs Yeles Portur Ariyel*** (his Grandness, Ariel).

#### Personal names and regal names

Ariel was personally known as Ari Atevi a nickname given by his mother. He usually signed letters with the name.

=== As an exile ===