bless you for indulging me, anon
An Tai Wen (Athien to humans) is the black-winged, self-exiled prince of the Aerie, the hidden city of the winged elves. After a prophecy said that the King of Black Wings would see the last days of the elves, he fled his home for fear of bringing ruin on his people. His mother, the Great Queen An Xiaodan, passed away in his absence. It is said she died of grief over her dead husband (lost in Athien’s childhood) and missing son. Athien blames himself and his cowardice, solidifying his decision that he is unfit to rule.
Many years later his beloved-but-frustrating cousin, Ishtari, got himself captured by Rhaaj’s army. Athien assisted Ainessa and the Sons of Atar in freeing Ishtari, and out of gratitude Athien joined their cause (also to keep an eye on Ishi, who now owed Ainessa a life debt and resentfully tagged along to repay it).
A wandering warrior, scholar, and archivist, Athien has done his best to throw away all the trappings of his former life, including cutting his long hair into the shaved hawk of a monk. On rare occasions when he returns to a place where he will be recognized, he is careful not to even wear the colors of his house.
He runs into a bit of trouble when Ishi drags him back to the Aerie to help form an alliance between the winged elves and the Sons of Atar. His uncle, King Dialen, will not be easy to convince - and has greatly changed the Aerie in Athien’s absence. Something is rotten in the hidden city, and Athien knows very well both how influential his voice is and how catastrophic a conflict between himself and Dialen would be for his people.
Athien’s formal wear in the city is a very richly-crafted insult from his aunt and uncle. No expense spared on silks and fine embroidery, but the short tunic and high boots belong on a retainer or a knight, not a prince. Instead of the colors of his house - the gold, red, and white of the Queen An Xiaodan and the Goddess of Hope - Athien wears deep blues, silver, and black, colors associated with the Goddess of Despair and her black pantheon. He retains only a touch of red here and there to show his remaining loyalty.
