Melysa Marwyn

Melysa Lynn Marwyn-Ashvale (née Marwyn) is the only daughter of renowned Stromic war hero and former Field Marshal, Jarl Joren Marwyn and his wife, Lizabet McGowen. Following the deaths of her father and elder brother, she became the acting head of house Marwyn during her niece's minority and was created a Countess in her own right. Like many descendants of Strom, she is no stranger to combat and well-trained in the art of warfare, having fought for the Alliance in numerous conflicts against both the undead scourge and the new horde. Following the Northrend campaign and her return to her family's ancestral lands, she became one of Stromgarde's most prominent political figures, serving first as Ambassador of Stromgarde in Stormwind and Pandaria, and later as Lady Speaker in Stromgarde's house of nobles.

She is a veteran paladin of the original Order of the Silver Hand, consecrated at the Alonsus Chapel in the city of Stratholme, Lordaeron in 604 K.C. and the author of numerous texts, including From Squire to Paladin. Having served directly under Uther the Lightbringer, Saidan Dathrohan and many of the original Knights of the Silver Hand in her prime, Melysa was on the front lines during the plague of undeath and the rise of the undead scourge. She later founded a chapter of the Silver hand in Stromgarde, known as the Order of the Crimson Fist in 623 K.C. Melysa presently serves as Grand Knight of the Congregation of the Silver Hand.

Appearance
A striking woman in her late-thirties, she has the figure of a woman matured. Tall, well-endowed and aged like a fine wine, she is the very image of Stromic nobility. Her sapphire eyes are perhaps her most memorable feature, though they reveal much sadness at times. Her hair is quite long, easily reaching the small of her back and cascading in soft, reddish curls which accent a somewhat pale complexion, common to many highlanders.

She tends to favor long, elegant, and richly colored gowns of fine silk and shimmering samite, tailored to accentuate her figure while leaving just enough to the imagination. Save for a lavish diamond necklace fit for a Princess, and an equally impressive pair of diamond earrings, Melysa seldom wears much else in the way of jewels.

Though rarely seen in it now, she does own a handsomely crafted suit of armor, befitting a woman of her station. Upon closer inspection, the left knee appears to be reinforced with a metal brace.

Personality
Once a woman of natural grace and dignity with a good mind for politics and diplomacy, she often attended King Terenas' Court in Lordaeron and handled most matters of her late husband's estate. Once a woman of unconditional kindness, devotion and faith in the Holy Light, her husband's infidelities and the many tragedies she has endured during the last two decades have hardened her heart a great deal.

She places high expectations (Arguably unfair expectations) on those who hold positions of influence in both government and military, and the standards to which she holds herself are higher still. She does not take disappointment well and does not suffer fools lightly.

Loyalty is of paramount importance to her and those who have earned her trust will find no more loyal an ally than Melysa. Contrarily, those who have proven themselves to be disloyal, untrustworthy, or dishonorable are treated with nothing short of contempt and will rarely be given a chance to redeem themselves.

Her pride and sense of self-worth have both suffered greatly in recent months, beginning with the March on the Highlands and the deterioration of her second marriage. While Melysa denies it, those who saw her on the day of the annulment believe that she may have even suffered a nervous breakdown and had perhaps entertained thoughts of throwing herself from the highest tower, overlooking Stormwind Harbor.

Her dedication to the Order of the Silver Hand and the maintenance of Uther's great legacy seems to be the driving force in her life today, although some might argue that her service to the Congregation of the Silver Hand is the source of her descent into despair and drink. Regardless, Melysa feels a great deal of responsibility for the future of the paladinhood, praising the most honorable paladins for their successes and blaming herself for their failures. She misses men like Uther the Lightbringer and Gavinrad the Dire, but most of all she misses her mentor and closest spiritual adviser, Sir Duncan Maclear who was slain in battle while attempting to reclaim some of the territory lost during the March on the Highlands.

Duncan Maclear
This veteran paladin of the Silver Hand was Melysa's mentor, and would become her closest friend and most trusted spiritual adviser. He was her rock for many years and in her autobiography, she admits that it was his unshakable faith that saw her through some of the darkest months of her life. His death was a blow most keenly felt and now bereft of his friendship and guidance, Melysa has few people left to turn to.

Arryc Ashvale
Despite a rather difficult beginning and the fact that his very existence reminded her of her late husband's infidelity, Melysa has come to regard him as a son and maintains a very close relationship with the young Lord Blackwood. Through his generosity, Melysa received the lovely, country estate of Rivergrove on the outskirts of Duskwood.

Muriah Anne Ashvale
Melysa could not have been more pleased with her step son's choice to wed the rather eccentric priestess and while the two are known to disagree on a number of things, Melysa sees her as the daughter she never had and one of the few people she trusts completely.

Sir Ivay Osrana
Sir Ivay is one of the handful of veteran paladins Melysa considers to be indispensible to the Order of the Silver Hand and the two share a similar vision of the Order's purpose.

Sir Cartres Portiave
One of the few veteran paladins left, who like Melysa, served under Uther Lightbringer during the high point of the Order's storied history in Lordaeron, Melysa considers him one of the finest paladins she has ever known. A man of honour and integrity who has treated her with nothing but kindness and respect, she has come to value his presence both in the Order of the Silver Hand and as a trusted friend and ally.

Bishop Niklos Adamant
While initially weary after learning more about the man and his history, Melysa has come to view him as one of the few trustworthy Bishops and a true servant of the Holy Light. She sees him as a model of what a Bishop should be--ever mindful of the well-being of his flock, and possessing the courage to do what he believes is right, even when it goes against the majority.

Archbishop Alonsus Secundus
A person Melysa once considered a friend, trusted above all other Bishops and often sought for guidance--their relationship has certainly had its share of obstacles in past months, and some might even say it had completely deteriorated during the brief tenure of Archbishop Caspius. Although there still exists some degree of mutual distrust between them, his recent actions and the long conversations between them have gone a long way toward restoring her faith in the old hill dwarf. Elated to discover that he shares her vision for the Congregation of the Silver Hand, she seems to have redoubled her efforts to revitalize what she saw as an ineffective body.

Ethan Ashvale - First Husband
Though she initially loved and respected her first husband, Lord Ethan was not faithful to her and was known to have fathered a bastard boy with one of his mistresses during a vist to the South. When Ethan returned from Stormwind with another woman's child, Melysa's initial reaction was rage and she is said to have knocked out one of her husband's teeth during the heated argument that followed. The couple eventually reconciled and Melysa attempted to put the matter behind them.

Karindir Stonewarden - Lover
In the year 623 K.C. at the age of 38, Melysa began a secret affair with the 29 year-old low-born, and somewhat reclusive Knight. Unfortunately this relationship did not remain a secret for long, and her family did not approve. After the Marwyns and Melysa's closest advisers put a great deal of pressure on them both, Stonewarden fled the Arathi Highlands, never to return. Melysa has admitted to members of her family that she loved Karindir, and would have married him if he had remained in Seastone.

Henry Sutton IV - Second Husband
The 8th Duke of Newcastle, and Melysa's second husband, Henry's proposal in February of 624 K.C. had come as quite a surprise to the 39 year-old widow. As Henry was a man she had always admired and respected, Melysa gladly accepted his marriage proposal, and the vast wealth that came with marrying into one of Stormwind's eldest, and most affluent aristocratic families, the house of Sutton. Sadly, the marriage lasted only two months and was annulled in late April of 624 K.C. after it deteriorated. Although Henry failed to live up to numerous promises he had made, the downfall of the marriage could be largely attributed to the humiliation Henry suffered when Melysa's niece declined the generous offer he had arranged to make Seastone a vassal of Stormwind.

Political Relationships
As a former Ambassador of Stromgarde and former Lady Speaker in Stromgarde's house of nobles, Melysa has cultivated relationships with people and organizations throughout the known world, reaching as far as Pandaria. Her contacts range from ranking members of the intelligence community to key figures within the governments of various Kingdoms. Though at times she may pretend to be ignorant of certain matters, the woman knows a great deal more than she would have people believe. A staunch supporter of the Grand Alliance, Melysa was in support of Varian Wrynn becoming High King until his refusal to dismantle the Horde in the aftermath of the Siege of Orgrimmar.

Faith
Like all Marwyns, Melysa has always been a member of the Church of the Holy Light. She is also a veteran paladin of the original Order of the Silver Hand, consecrated at Alonsus Chapel in Stratholme, Lordaeron in 604 K.C. and the author of numerous texts, including From Squire to Paladin and an autobiography she was encouraged to write, entitled Strength In Virtue. Having served directly under Uther the Lightbringer, Saidan Dathrohan and many of the original Knights of the Silver Hand in her prime, Melysa was on the front lines during the plague of undeath and the rise of the undead scourge. She later founded a chapter of the Silver hand in Stromgarde, known as the Order of the Crimson Fist in 623 K.C. She was appointed by Archbishop Caspius to serve as Grand Master of the Silver Hand in March of 624 K.C. and continues to serve under Archbishop Alonsus Secundus as Grand Knight of the Congregation of the Silver Hand.

Founder and former chairwoman of the Seastone Orphanage
Founded in 623 K.C. the Seastone Orphanage remains one of the largest, privately funded homes for orphanaed children of war veterans in the Arathi Highlands. The Orphanage is now run by Melysa's niece, Merridyth Marwyn.

Donor, The Westfall Trust
Melysa has donated generous sums of money to the trust since its establishment in 623 K.C.

Treasurer, The Ashvale Trust
A patron of the arts, and a supporter of education for underprivileged children, Melysa has been a donor since the Trust's establishment, and was recently elected to replace Sir Charles Eastvale as its Director of Finance.

The Stromgarde Relief Fund
A charity organisation, which was founded in March of 624 K.C. in the aftermath of the March on the Highlands. Born of the generosity and vision of Melysa and her second husband, the organisation exists with the sole purpose of raising money for the citizens of Stromgarde who have found themselves without homes after the recent conflict. Sadly, Melysa was removed from its board of directors after her marriage to Newcastle was annulled.

Residences and Wealth
For a woman who has sat in the highest houses of government in both the Kingdoms of Lordaeron and Stromgarde, the annulment of her marriage to the Duke of Newcastle and the loss of her titles and property has not been an easy adjustment. Near penniless when she left the marriage and known by courtesy as the Dowager Lady Ashfort, Melysa has been forced to rely upon the generosity of her step son, the Earl of Blackwood. For the maintenance of her dignity, Lord Blackwood has recently gifted her the estate of Rivergrove in Westbank County, Duskwood. Her primary income is now derived from the vineyard and rental cottages located on the estate.

While assisting the League of Lordaeron, Melysa is known to have stayed at Mardenholde Keep as a guest of Tirion Fordring, who has alowed her to do so in recognition of her late husband's contributions to the Argent Crusade during the Northrend campaign. It is unknown whether or not she has received any compensation from the League of Lordaeron.

Appearences In Recent Events

 * The Founding of the Order of the Crimson Fist
 * The Siege of Orgrimmar: Cutting Off the Supply Lines
 * Harlow's Folly
 * The Siege of Seastone
 * Reformed Congregation of the Silver Hand
 * The Arathi War Council
 * March on the Highlands
 * Second Reformation of the Congregation of the Silver Hand
 * Bleeding the Mountain

Offices Held
In order from oldest to most recent:

Portraits
Although she has been painted many times over the past three decades, only a handful of portraits survived the siege of the Ashfort in 618 K.C.

Early Years
Born in Stonegarde City in the Kingdom of Stromgarde, Melysa was the second child of Joren and Lizabet Marwyn. She was afforded the very finest in education and trained in the arts of combat and warfare like all Stromgarde's aristocracy. In her childhood, Melysa showed a distinct lack of interest in all things befitting a proper young lady, but took to swordplay like a moth to a flame. Her father was not pleased. Her favorite books were those that told the tales of Stromgarde's gallant Knights, the great Orcish War and even her great, great grandfather, Ingvar the Cunning's treatise on strategic warfare. During a conversation at a feast held by her father, Lord Joren was quoted as having said "It would seem my daughter was switched at birth and now I have two sons."

It was her father who decided to put an end to her swordplay and insisted she become a proper lady, but Melysa defied him and continued to practice with Stonegarde's master at arms while her father tended to matters of state. As many second sons of the region aspired to Knighthood due to being unable to inherit, Melysa saw herself no different from the men and at the tender age of thirteen, announced that she intended to join the Order of the Silver Hand. By the time she was fourteen, offers for her hand in marriage came from a handful of Stromgarde's aristocratic families, but Joren had other plans for his only daughter and after the Alliance of Lordaeron disintegrated, he believed he might salvage relations with the neighboring Kingdom of Lordaeron by marrying his daughter to the new Lord Ashfort, whose father had been slain during the Second War.

Marriage Negotiations
Desiring to maintain an individual alliance with Lordaeron after Stromgarde's unfortunate departure from the Alliance of Lordaeron, Joren worked for months to arrange a marriage pact with the 6th Lord Ashfort, Sir Ethan Ashvale. Sir Ethan had inherrited the Ashfort and all its attended lands after his father's death in combat, and stood to inherrit an Earldom from his uncle. By the time he was forty, Ethan would have been one of the most wealthy men in Lordaeron and Melysa's father could not have been more pleased with the prospect of his daughter marrying into such a family.

When Sir Ethan demanded to see his intended, Melysa's father commissioned the most renowned painter in Stromgarde to paint her portrait and just days after it was delivered to the Ashfort, a letter was sent, announcing his acceptance and how very pleased he was with her beauty. Melysa was never consulted until the negotiations had been finalized. She was barely sixteen and the prospect of leaving the only home she had ever known was daunting at first. She had received a handful of letters from her intended, but had not as yet set eyes upon him. In his letters, Ethan told her of his service to the Knights of the Silver Hand and the fact that he was an anointed paladin put her at ease.

Wife, Mother and Paladin Defender of Lordaeron
Her paladin training was put on hold and the pair were married at the great Cathedral in Capital City, Lordaeron just weeks after Melysa's sixteenth birthday. It was the first time they had ever seen one another and though he was much older than she was, Melysa found his appearance pleasing. Although the couple hardly knew one another, theirs was not an unhappy union in its beginning and Melysa seemed very pleased to have married such a well-respected paladin. The pair were then taken by carriage to Ethan's Summer Cottage on Lordamere Lake where the marriage was consumated. The newly-wed couple spent three weeks traveling throughout Lordaeron during their honeymoon and Melysa was introduced to many of the Kingdom's most influential aristocrats before being formally presented at King Terenas' Court.

Melysa was rumored to have already been with child by the time the couple returned to the Ashfort so that she could see her new home. Just nine months after their honeymoon had ended, Melysa gave birth to the son and heir Ethan had wanted. Having done her duty and produced an heir so early on, her new husband could not have been more pleased. Their son was named James Ethan Ashvale in honor of his father and another gallant Knight who shared Ethan's ancestry. He was consecrated in a ceremony performed by a Bishop and Melysa was then allowed to resume training as a paladin.

At the age of just nineteen, Melysa had finally completed her trials and was formally inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand at Alonsus Chapel in Stratholme. Her dear friend and mentor, Sir Duncan Maclear of Stromgarde personally proposed her for membership that year, citing that while she was younger than most were when attaining their Knighthood, she had certainly proved her dedication to the Holy Light, mastery of the Order's code and skill in combat. Sir Duncan attended the ceremony and presented her with a handsomely crafted warhammer--the traditional weapon of a paladin. The weapon has since been affectionately referred to as "The Hammer of Truth" and to her absolute astonishment, Melysa discovered that once she had been imbued with the Light's strength, the weapon felt light as a sword in her hands. Her husband was also present at the ceremony and placed upon her shoulders, the ceremonial shoulder plates of the Order.

Despite such a promising beginning, difficult times were in store for Lordaeron, and the couple conceived no more children that would live. Melysa became pregnant again just two years after giving birth to James, but complications in the later term of the pregnancy led to the child being still born, and nearly killed her. After the physicians told her husband that the child was male, Ethan flew into a rage and did not return to the Ashfort for nearly six months. Melysa seldom speaks of it, because she feels it was the single event that drove her husband from her, and into the arms of another.

Ethan later inherited a staggering sum of money from an uncle on his mother's side of the family, and with such wealth came a life of many pleasures and great excess. Ethan's many affairs during their son's younger years put a great deal of strain on the marriage, and his frequent absence left Melysa to manage all matters in her husband's stead. Despite Ethan's numerous indiscretions, Melysa remained faithful and dedicated herself to raising their son to be an honorable man.

Their marriage nearly ended with the scandal Ethan created in Stormwind by taking Lady Danica Blackfyre for his official mistress, and it was rumored that he intended to divorce Melysa so that he could marry the younger woman. As far as Melysa was concerned, the only thing worse than scandal was divorce, so when Lady Danica died while giving birth to Ethan's bastard, she took him back. The pair lived mostly separate lives afterward, and would hardly speak to one another until the fall of Lordaeron.

The Fall of Lordaeron
By the time the Cult of the Damned became known, Melysa was a veteran paladin of the Silver Hand and would battle the scourge while serving under Uther the Lightbringer, Gavinrad the Dire and a number of renowned paladins of the day. She rode with Uther to the City of Stratholme, where she had been anointed paladin defender of Lordaeron, only to discover to her absolute horror that Prince Arthas wished to slaughter every man, woman and child within its walls, simply because they may have been infected by plagued grain shipments from Andorhal. She prayed silently that Uther would talk sense into the Prince and her prayers were answered, albeit not in the manner she would have preferred. Uther's refusal to order the paladins to purge the city only prompted the Prince to relieve him of his command and suspend the paladins. Melysa chose to leave with Uther and the others, turning her back on the Prince. She would regret having done so for the rest of her life.

The years that followed were marked by tragedy in many forms, beginning with the fall of the Royal house of Menethil, the splintering of Lordaeron's nobility after the formation of the Scarlet Crusade, and the rise of the undead scourge that swept over the land like locusts. Although the Order of the Silver Hand suffered its greatest defeat in the loss of Uther, Melysa and many others like her continued to battle the scourge for years.

The rise of the forsaken brought a new enemy to the remaining humans and elves of Lordaeron, and in 618 K.C. the Ashfort was lost and the household was forced to retreat to Ambermill, leaving behind their collection of priceless artwork and the house's treasury, which remained sealed in the Ashfort's vault. Melysa and her family lived as refugees for many months, during which her husband made several more attempts to retake the Ashfort. The household would later establish a small outpost for refugees, deep in hostile, forsaken territory.

The Northrend Campaign
Both her husband and their son joined forces with Tirion Fordring's Argent Crusade after the battle for Light's Hope Chapel, and despite her ill-feelings toward Fordring, Melysa accompanied them to Northrend. After a bitter fight with her husband, Ethan demanded that she return to Lordaeron and remain with their household. Ever a dutiful wife, Melysa did as she was told while her husband and their son stormed Icecrown Citadel. Lord Ethan was later slain in battle during the Siege of Icecrown Citadel, but her son was returned to her in one piece.

A Mother's Nightmare
During a final attempt to retake the Ashfort, Melysa's only son was slain in battle. Like his father, James refused to wait while the forsaken held his seat of power and with less than a hundred men at arms, he stormed the battered castle and was pierced by more than a dozen arrows. Melysa was forced to lead what remained of their household guard on a raid that many considered to be suicidal in order to recover his remains, and prevent him from being risen to undeath. During the raid, Melysa was wounded once by arrow and once by blade, and she is said to have died on the battlefield. Though she refuses to speak of it, it is known that Father Thomas Doran ressurected her on the field of battle at great peril to himself. Though it is rarely seen, Melysa still bears a scar beneath her left breast from where the arrow pierced her.

After recovering her son's remains, Melysa laid him to rest beside his father at Light's Hope Chapel, and spent the next few months recovering from her wounds and mourning the loss of her only child. She recovered from her wounds, but many believe she has never truly recovered from the loss of her only son. After a long period of isolation, Melysa began a long journey on horseback to the Southern Kingdom of Stormwind, visiting the Cathedral of Light for the first time and praying fervently for the Light's forgiveness for having failed to persuade her son from beginning the campaign that cost his and so many other lives.

After visiting the Duke of Newcastle and a number of other friends of her family, Melysa felt as though she could not return to Lordaeron, nor could she live out the rest of her days in Stormwind. Having gathered the survivors of Ashfort City and what remained of her household, Melysa began another long journey, this time returning to her family's home at Stonegarde. She had not seen her brother in many years, nor had she been present for the birth of his only child, and more than anything, Melysa longed for the comfort that only came from being near her family.

Return To Stromgarde
After arriving safely in Stromgarde, Melysa was dealt another crippling blow when she was informed that the Alterac Syndicate had assassinated her brother Liam and many of his soldiers. Her bittersweet homecoming did afford her the opportunity to meet her niece for the first time and Melysa could not help but admire the girl's courage in the face of such an awful tragedy. She and Lady Merridyth visited the crypt where Liam Marwyn was laid to rest and Melysa said her final farewell to the brother she had not seen in nearly twenty years. Informed of his last wishes, Melysa would act as guardian to her Niece and Regent of the house of Marwyn until Merridyth reached the age of twenty one.

With the aid of her Cousin, Varyc Marwyn (then a soldier in the League of Arathor) Melysa managed to rally what remained of her brother's men at arms, and even went so far as to arm any tenants willing to join in the campaign to retake all Marwyn lands. She personally led them into battle against the syndicate, and slew Lord Darren Longshadow in single combat. Inspired by the veteran paladin of the Silver Hand, her brother's soldiers and the tenants she had armed fought vailiantly to drive out the Syndicate men. Victory was finally achieved when Melysa convinced the remaining people of the neighboring village of Alden's Rise to attack from the East while her own force attacked from the West, trapping the syndicate men in the stone quarry, from which the city of Stonegarde received its name. Immediately after the battle, Melysa Knighted her cousin for his bravery and set herself to the task of rebuilding the numerous villages on Marwyn land.

The Order of the Crimson Fist
Disenfranchised with what had become of the Silver Hand in Stormwind and never one to join a neutral organization such as the Argent Crusade, Melysa labored for months to establish a small chapter of the Order of the Silver Hand in Stromgarde, later known as the Crimson Fist. The order, still in its infancy was featured in the Stormwind Herald's eighth issue and received the blessing of both the Church and the people of the Arathi Highlands. Despite her misgivings, and after much encouragement from the Bishop of Stromgarde, Melysa was eventually elected to serve as the head of Stromgarde's chapter and represent the order in the Congregation of the Silver Hand, a body governed by the Council of Bishops and based from Northshire Abbey.

The Siege of Orgrimmar
Melysa traveled to Durotar when she first learned of the growing dissent among the races of the Horde. There, she met secretly with a number of the Darkspear trolls in support of the coming rebellion against Hellscream. Later, with the Grand Alliance preparing for a siege and the Darkspear rebellion in full swing, Melysa was invited to many Alliance war councils, and would prove to be instrumental in weeks leading up to the siege. She and Seastone's forces engaged in numerous operations which devasted Orgrimmar's supply lines.

The War Council - 8/26/623 K.C.


Melysa attended the war council headed by Baldrec Ashcroft on August 26th. where after setting aside their many differences, it was decided that those leaders present would assemble their troops at the ruins of Tiragarde Keep in preparation for an assault on various Horde targets in Durotar. Melysa ordered Sir Varyc Marwyn to assemble one third of Seastone's forces and prepare for the journey to Durotar. Unwilling to risk losing her holdings to another syndicate attack, the bulk of her forces would remain in Stonegarde.

Meeting In Dalaran - 8/27/623 K.C.
When Bishop Luther Alburton summoned various leaders to Dalaran to discuss similar plans, Melysa gladly attended on behalf of the Arathorian Coalition in the hope of acquiring additional military intelligence. Somewhat insulted by the beginning of the Bishop's speech, she remained seated, listening until the Bishop began to talk of signing a treaty and electing military officers for the campaign against Garrosh Hellscream, a concept which she found to be utterly ridiculous. Deciding that nothing useful would come of the meeting, Melysa excused herself and returned by portal to Stormwind. A day later, she was invited to a second gathering by the Duke of Rockvale, Tenevus Stromheart, which she was unable to attend.

Cutting Off the Supply Lines (Multi-Guild DMed Event)
Acting on the information her scouts had gathered after assessing the Kor'Kron supply lines, Melysa planned to ambush a large, heavily-guarded caravan bound for Orgrimmar. On the night of September 4th, 623 K.C. an elite force under her command, comprised of members of the Arathorian Coalition, the Seventh Vanguard, the Magus Senate of Dalaran, the League of Lordaeron, the Kul TIras Marines and a handful of other organizations under the banner of the Grand Alliance lay in wait for the caravan to pass through the Northern Barrens.

The intelligence provided by Seastone's scouts proved to be only partially accurate when it was discovered that the Kor'Kron escort included not one, but three Kor'Kron Officers, and a much larger force of armored riders than was expected. Melysa ordered the Alliance force to carry out the ambush, personally riding out with the main force and her own men-at-arms to bring the wagons to a halt upon the road while two other groups attacked from the East and West. To close off the Kor'Kron's retreat, the fourth group attacked from the South, forcing the orcs to defend themselves from all sides at once.

While Melysa's tactics proved quite effective, the Alliance force soon discovered that the Kor'Kron were not prepared to give up their precious cargo without a fight to the death, and a bloody battle ensued. Well-organized as they were, the Alliance managed to cut down more than twenty of the Kor'Kron riders without suffering a single casualty, and only a handful of wounded. Melysa quickly became a target once the Kor'Kron's Commanding Officer, Kriegar Spinebreaker discovered she was in command of the operation and ordered his soldiers to bring him her head so that he might present it as a gift to the Warchief. A blow from an orcish axe to her horse's neck brought down both horse and rider, pinning the veteran paladin beneath the beast and causing a devastating injury to her left leg and knee.

It was Kriegar Spinebreaker who proved to be the finest warrior among the Kor'Kron, defeating two Alliance Champions in single combat and severely wounding both. After defeating both challengers, the Commander turned his attention back to Melysa, intent on finishing the job his soldiers had started. Despite numerous wounds, Spinebreaker managed to reach Melysa and engage her in single combat. Already wounded, she was forced to use the Light to dull the blinding pain in her left leg, allowing her to defend herself against the Kor'Kron Commander and by the Light's grace and the aid of her allies, finally managed to slay him in single combat before collapsing on the field.

There but for the Light's Grace
Despite being informed by Doctor Augustine McPherson that while her leg would not have to be amputated, the break in her left femur and the shattered knee below it would effectively end her involvement in the siege effort and that she may never take the field of battle again, Melysa refused to give up so easily. With her left leg in a plaster cast, she appointed her Cousin, Sir Varyc Marwyn to serve as Supreme Commander of Seastone's forces in her stead and spent her recovery in Dalaran.

After being transported via portal to Dalaran, Melysa underwent a second round of healing from fellow Stromic paladin, Laurana Lightfaith. While Lightfaith was able to speed up the recovery process a good deal, her recovery took a number of weeks, during which time, Melysa underwent intense physical therapy in the effort to regain a full range of movement. Sadly, the injury never fully healed, forcing her to reinforce her left knee with a metal brace when wearing armor.

The First Congregation of the Silver Hand
Though Melysa rarely attended meetings of the first congregation, and openly opposed the former Grand Knight's use of its Knights in a campaign she believed was more about glory than justice and the true purpose of the Silver Hand, her return to the congregation in the aftermath of the campaign came out of her desire to see if it could indeed be salvaged after Lord Manstein's demise.

On the night of September 24th, 623 K.C. The Bishop of Stormwind, Johannes Moorwhelp personally nominated her to serve as Grand Knight, much to Melysa's surprise and that of her peers. What followed was a lengthy election process, and after three consecutave rounds of voting, Melysa was elected by a narrow margin to serve as Grand Knight. The decision seemed to displease several peers, who subsequently abandoned the Congregation and lent further credence to her suspicion that the organization was little more than another political vehicle.

Despite the state of the Congregation, Melysa worked to see its officer positions filled while preparing for a campaign that would never come to fruition due to a number of factors. She soon discovered that for all his faults, Lord Manstein had somehow managed to accomplish the daunting task of getting such a diverse group of men and women to work together toward a common goal--a task which seemed impossible for her as she held to the very letter of the Congregation's constitution.

In the end, Melysa elected to resign before the end of her two-month term, because she believed that in its present form, mired in bureaucracy and doing little more than arguing around a table, the Congregation was a mockery of the Order of the Silver Hand and an insult to those who served the old order of paladins in Lordaeron. The fact that the injury to her left knee was a constant source of excruciating pain did little to help matters, and for a time, the woman who had served the paladinhood for two decades began to wonder if she would still be capable of leading them into battle.

The Duchy of Seastone
Unwilling to be ruled by anyone but a Trollbane, Melysa used her considerable influence within the house of nobles to call for an emergency session that would create the Duchy of Seastone, and annex all the unclaimed lands to the East of Alden's Rise, known as Silverbrook. While many regarded this as a grab for power, Melysa used her influence as Duchess of Seastone to prevent any would-be usurpers from stealing the Trollbane Throne.

March on the Highlands
With the threat of a Horde invasion of the Arathi Highlands looming overhead, Melysa urged Stromgarde's house of nobles to form the Arathi War Council with the sole purpose of organising a defensive effort. Melysa was later chosen to serve as one of three Alliance Commanders responsible for the defense of Stromgarde City, but was largely left uninformed by Dawnsorrow and Dungalion.

Whether this lack of communication was intentional or not, Melysa was so outraged upon learning that prisoners had been tortured, she is said to have insisted on the immediate removal of Dawnsorrow from Command. It was Binor Dungalion who managed to calm the rather tense situation during a private meeting between the three of them, but Melysa has not forgotten it and it seems to have resulted in the eventual errosion of her faith in the Ranger-Lady.

Despite many close friends and advisers urging her to remain within the city walls due to the old injury she suffered during the onset of the Siege of Orgrimmar, Melysa ignored them, insisting that it was her duty to fight side-by-side with her countrymen. She personally engaged the Horde in numerous skirmishes during the long conflict and sustained minor wounds during a particularly brutal attack on the city gates.

During the attempt to transport the many wounded South of the Thandol Span for evacuation, Melysa was gravely-wounded when facing a Sin'dorei paladin in single combat. Much to her surprise, her opponent did not finish her when she fell, and was left utterly defenseless. Instead, the Sin'dorei risked her own standing within the Horde by driving her blade into the ground beside the prone paladin and rolling her down the hill to safety.

Second Marriage
Although her niece had refused a marriage with the Duke of Newcastle's eldest son, it was no secret that Henry Sutton IV had long desired a political marriage with the house of Marwyn, and thus his invitation to Newcastle House for a private dinner upon hearing she had returned to Stormwind came as no surprise. Feeling uncertain of the future, and perhaps even a bit lonely, Melysa opened the letter Newcastle's messenger had brought, and could not believe what she was reading.

Melysa traveled by carriage to Newcastle House, and met the Duke for dinner. Henry expressed his desire to marry her in no uncertain terms, and all that was left was to negotiate a settlement. She would later become the next Duchess of Newcastle, and upon Henry's death, she would receive the standard 1/3 of Newcastle's income for life, and live out her remaining years as Dowager Duchess of Newcastle at Heartwood Hall. Most importantly, the match would unite two of the eldest aristocratic families of the Grand Alliance, and despite the Duke being in his early sixties, there was at least some small chance that Melya might conceive another child--the one thing she wanted more than anything after the tragic death of her only son.

The two were married at the Duke's private Chapel in Castle Rock, and as a wedding gift, Henry vowed to garrison all three Marwyn Castles with soldiers of his own in the interest of deterring the horde from attacking Marwyn lands. Furthermore, the Duke promised to send at least three warships to guarantee the security of Port Marwyn, and the Isle of Longspear.

While it was not a marriage of lovers, Melysa seemed quite optimistic with regard to her chances for happiness, and spoke very highly of her new husband. The couple spent their honeymoon at the Duke's Stormwind residence, and were said to have scarcely left the bedchamber for three days, indicating that despite his age, Henry was not only capable, but rather enthusiastic about consumating his second marriage.

The Reformation of the Congregation of the Silver Hand
After the first congregation was suspended by the Council of Bishops on November 10th, 623 K.C. Melysa spent several weeks drafting a proposal for the reformation of the Congregation under a new constitution. Using her work as a beginning, Archbishop Caspius rewrote the constitution and many of the changes she wished to see made, establishing clear and firm boundaries and duties for the reinstated congregation.

The new Constitution was promulgated on 1 March, 624K.C. at Tyr's Hand, Lordaeron, and the Congregation was officially reformed under its new constitution. At the promulgation, Melysa was appointed Grand Master of the Silver Hand, and took her oath of office before the Archbishop within the walls of Tyr's Hand's small Chapel. Sir Binor Dungalion was elected to serve as Speaker and while she considered the man a friend, Melysa did not lend him her vote, believing that he was ill-suited to the Office.

Ultimately, such boundaries and bureaucracy imposed by the new constitution would render the Congregation virtually useless to the Holy Church and the lengthy meetings, pointless round table discussions, and lack of real activity would lead many organizations to withdraw their membership entirely. Regarding the new constitution as a total failure, Melysa began drafting a new one in secret, hoping to find support for a more drastic reformation with the various Church leaders.

Despair and a Failed Second Marriage
When Melysa discovered much to her dismay that she was not with child in late March of 624 K.C. she decided to briefly retire from public life, and while it was a decision she made with no small measure of reluctance, the Duchess announced that she would likely resign all public offices in April of 624 K.C. She briefly resided at the magnificent country estate of Castle Sutton, where she intended to remain in the hope of conceiving a child with her new husband. Unfortunately, their marriage had already begun to deteriorate as a result of Henry's frequent absence and unwillingness even to try for another child with her.

Although the couple had not officially separated, Melysa moved into Westvale House and had hardly spoken with him since. Henry made it evident that he was displeased, complaining that her niece had made a fool of him with the King's Council after refusing the generous offer he had arranged for Seastone to become a vassal of Stormwind. He simply could not forgive her for being unable to persuade her niece to make what he believed was the only right decision.

Worse in her eyes than any scandal brought on by her first husband's adultery, divorce was something Melysa refused to consider, nor could she allow herself to remain in another unhappy marriage after all she had been through with her first husband. To spare both parties the public shame of a divorce, she and her husband have recently discussed the possibility of an annulment. For Melysa, the eventual annulment would be disastrous, resulting in her leaving the marriage with only her name. Henry proved to be utterly ruthless about it, doing everything in his power to make her suffer for her niece's choice. The annulment took place in late April, leaving Melysa without property, wealth or even titles of her own. The woman who had twice been a Duchess and sat in the highest houses of Government in two Kingdoms was now known by courtesy as the Dowager Lady Ashfort, which only served to remind her of what she considered to be her own failure.

Feeling utterly alone and perhaps more broken than ever, Melysa was thoroughly convinced that the idea of love in an aristocratic marriage was a fairytale, or perhaps she was simply not as appealing as she had been in her youth. The day after the annulment, Melysa was in a sad state, wandering the cobblestone roads of Stormwind. She was said to have been so intoxicated that she could be heard muttering to herself as if she had undergone a nervous breakdown, eventually passing out on a bench outside Westvale House. It was her step son, Arryc Ashvale that discovered her the next morning. Knowing well that she would never ask for such aid, Arryc insisted that she should reside at his country estate in Rivergrove, where she has remained ever since.

Present Day
Despite her misgivings, Melysa met with the Bishop of the Silver Hand on the night of May 10th, 624 K.C. to discuss the future of the Congregation, the charges of alleged Corruption within the Council of Bishops and the very nature of what it means to be a paladin. Believing Lilith Olethos to be a true servant of the Light, dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Order of the Silver Hand, Melysa agreed to work with her in reforming the Congregation, rather than divorcing it entirely from the Council of Bishops. The two have already exchanged a number of ideas and while her faith in the Council of Bishops is near non-existent, Melysa seems to have placed a great deal of trust and faith in Olethos.

Grand Master of the Silver Hand
After speaking with Alonsus Secundus for several hours following May 17th's meeting of the Congregation of the Silver Hand, Melysa agreed to continue to serve as Grand Master. She attended the Archbishop's coronation on Sunday, May 18th, where she swore the following oath before witnesses:

' "In sight of these witnesses and the Holy Light, I Melysa Lynn Marwyn Ashvale swear to serve our Holy Church, its rightful head and the Order of the Silver Hand. I swear to uphold the honour and code of the Order of the Silver Hand, to walk in the Light's grace and spread its word throughout Alliance lands, to protect the weak and innocent with my very life and to vanquish evil wherever it may be found." '

While she still performs the duties of Grand Master under Archbishop Alonsus Secundus, many, including Melysa herself have questioned whether or not the title Grand Master of the Silver Hand should have ever been used again. Furthermore, she does not feel that any of today's paladins are fit to serve as the supreme commander of all Chapters of the Order of the Silver Hand. For Marwyn, the Council of Bishop's reuse of the title has been a burden most keenly felt and after just three months, she has petitioned the Archbishop and the Council, expressing her desire to see it remain out of use for all time.

Alonsus Secundus personally replied to the petition, informing her that he shared the same feelings with regard to the title's use and declared his intent to see it suppressed as the petition called for. Rather than use the title Melysa and many others believed suited only Uther the Lightbringer, the Archbishop decided to restore the title of "Grand Knight of the Congregation of the Silver Hand" and institute the tribunal as Melysa had requested.

Revitalization of the Congregation of the Silver Hand
Known to have a large following of support, Melysa put her influence to work once more and convinced members of the newly-formed Order of Saint Uther to join the Congregation, with Sir Ivay Osrana appointing his nephew as its representative. This was almost certainly an effort on her behalf to garner widespread support for the Congregation, knowing that the Order of Saint Uther is one of, if not the most traditional chapter of the Order of the Silver Hand.

Elated to discover that Archbishop Alonsus Secundus shares her long-term vision for the Congregation and its true purpose, Melysa has already made a number of necessary changes to the Congregation in the effort to transform it from a mostly ineffective group, known for spending more time debating around a table than in the field where it belongs to what she refers to as: ''"The mighty hammer of the Light's wrath, striking down its most unholy enemies." ''With the Archbishop's approval, she has cut out meetings except where truly necessary in favor of rigorous training sessions and military action. Her vision has already garnered the support of many of those who fled from its previous incarnation.

Opposition
Initially opposed to the prospect of the paladins of the Congregation of the Silver Hand taking part in a conflict that had not been approved by the Grand Alliance during a ceasefire, and with little real intelligence to justify the Congregation's presence, Melysa spoke against the motion in May 29th's meeting. Urging the congregation to table the discussion until more information was available, her motion received no second. A resolution to join in the conflict was passed that evening and forwarded to the Council of Bishops. Never one to charge into such a conflict with so little information, Melysa spoke with various Bishops individually, urging them to thoroughly investigate and weigh the merits of such a campaign in the interest of maintaining the integrity of the Order of the Silver Hand.

Investigation
Having spoken with the Bishops, Melysa began her own investigation into the conflict and even what little she was able to discover without making the journey was enough to sway her opinion. Believing that certain Horde parties sought to circumvent the ceasefire by employing mercenaries against the kaldorei, a part of her sincerely hoped that it would result in the obliteration of the ceasefire agreement so that the Alliance could take the fight back to the forsaken. She then sought the Archbishop's permission to travel to the Stonetalon mountains and assess the situation personally.

With the Archbishop's approval, Melysa met with Archdruid Maethor Shimmerwind at Thal'darah Overlook and learned that that the goblins interests were offering supplies to various Horde military organizations in exchange for their assistance in removing the kaldorei from the mountain. The Archdruid then informed her that Setrien Dawnlight himself had come to lead an offensive.

Mobilization
Well familiar with Dawnlight's tactics and allies after his involvement in the March on the Highlands, Melysa was so moved by what the Archdruid told her about an entire platoon of Sentinels being slaughtered and strung up in the trees to frighten the others that she sent an urgent missive to the Council of Bishops, urging them to direct all available paladins and clerics to "strike down this dishonorable foe and safeguard the helpless kaldorei citizens."

Having received a directive from His Holiness, Melysa remained at Thal'darah Overlook as one by one, the paladins of the Congregation arrived. Informed that Marshal Montclaire had been delayed, she would later rendezvous with the Archbishop, who arrived before may of the Church's paladins.

An Old Injury
Melysa and a handful of Knights accompanied the Archbishop as he made his way down the mountain to investigate reports of a contingent of Forsaken. After His Holiness' efforts to negotiate failed, the small party was set upon by the Forsaken and her allies. Melysa placed herself between the Archbishop and their attackers, putting up a valiant defense until reinforcements arrived, but was soon overcome when a goblin's hammer slammed into her left knee, mangling the metal brace that had been fitted to her armor. Unwilling to allow His Holiness to be taken captive by the Forsaken or any Horde interests after the fate of Archbishop Columban, despite being scarcely able to stand, Melysa placed herself once more between the Archbishop and his would be captors, declaring "I cannot allow you to take him captive. You'll have to kill me first." before raising her hammer to defend the unconscious pontiff.

To her astonishment, the goblin proved unwilling to slaughter an injured enemy and agreed to allow her to take the Archbishop and the other wounded to saftey. After exhausting herself in an effort to stabilize the Archbishop, Melysa collapsed beside him and was later taken to the makeshift informary. She underwent two rounds of healing--one by Muriah Ashvale and another by Mother Ahensa. She was later visited by an engineer who worked through the night to craft a more resilient brace for her knee--one that would allow the joint a full range of movement while keeping it stable.

Withdrawl From the Campaign
In accord with the Archbishop's wishes, the Congregation of the Silver Hand would remain in Stonetalon on a strictly voluntary basis, its paladins assisting in the defense of nearby kaldorei civilians rather than participating in any of the offensive efforts. With much work ahead of her in rebuilding the Congregation, Melysa left Stonetalon and journeyed to Tyr's Hand, where she intended to meet with her contacts in the League of Lordaeron.

A Sort of Homecoming
Weary of returning to her family's ancestral lands in the crumbling Kingdom of Stromgarde and forced to rely upon the generosity of her step son in Stormwind, Melysa made the decision to continue the work she and her husband's family had begun after the fall of Lordaeron. Seeking an alliance with the League of Lordaeron, Melysa intends to reclaim her late husband's land on the Northern shores of Tirisfal, establishing it as one of few human strongholds not bound by Tirion Fordring's notion of neutrality. With financial backing from her step son, the former Duchess plans to lay siege to the Ashfort and drive out the remnants of the Bloody Dawn.

Having made the journey to Tyr's Hand, Melysa met with Sir Cartres Portiave and without any assurance from the League of Lordaeron, pledged her support to their ongoing campaigns in the North, hoping that when the time came to take back her late husband's castle, Lady Rione would support her in doing so. While some of her advisers feel this is little more than another gamble and one that may well end in her ruin, Melysa remains optimistic. Having spent most of her life in Lordaeron, she feels it is as much her home as Stromgarde ever was, and the prospect of justice for the death of her son is almost certainly among her motivations for returning to the North.

Justice or Vengeance?
Recently, Melysa has repeatedly urged the Archbishop to support her plans to retake a number of former Alliance strongholds in Lordaeron, her late husband's Castle among them. With the knowledge that the Bloody Dawn has rebuilt its strength, Melysa has been consumed by the desire to eradicate them once and for all, and many believe it is because they were responsible for the death of her son. After recently engaged forsaken forces while assisting the League of Lordaeron, her desire to see the forsaken entirely wiped out has been reignited. She plans to motion that the Congregation of the Silver Hand petition the Council of Bishops to support the use of Congregational forces in a campaign she has been planning for months, insisting that in the name of justice, the Bloody Dawn must be destroyed and to do that, they must seize control of three former Alliance strongholds in the North.

Using the new constitution of the Congregation of the Silver Hand to justify her actions, she has removed, or petitioned for the removal of any paladins who may not support such bold action--a campaign which might well result in open war with the forsaken. Working directly with the Archbishop and circumventing the Council of Bishops' bureaucracy is one of many tactics she has employed in the effort to push her campaign forward. Despite all this, Melysa maintains that this campaign and the eventual destruction of all forsaken loyal to the Banshee Queen is the Light's will, therefore justifying the lengths to which she must go in order to bring it about.

Trivia

 * Despite her stoic facade, when under the influence of spirits, Melysa can be quite bitter and resentful, especially toward the forsaken for the loss of her only son.
 * Her hatred of the forsaken is rivaled only by her hatred of those who have profited from the devastation of Lordaeron and her own Kingdom of Stromgarde.
 * Though it is rarely seen, Melysa bears a scar just beneath her left breast, where she was pierced by the arrow that stopped her heart during the raid she led to recover her son's remains. Resurected by a priest while the battle raged on, she seldom speaks of the experience and in brief periods of despair, wishes she had been allowed to die so that she might be reunited with her son and all her lost loved ones.
 * Although she hides it well and rarely--if ever--drinks to excess in public, Melysa is what some might refer to as a functioning alcoholic. Plagued by nightmares from the memory of the Third War, her first marriage and the loss of her only son, she consumes at least two bottles of wine each evening and in some cases, even strong, Highland whiskey in an effort to achieve a peaceful night's rest. While she has mentioned her drinking when taking confession, none of her efforts to stop have proved successful.
 * At the age of 39, Melysa married the 8th Duke of Newcastle, despite the fact that he was 25 years her senior. She hopes to have another child, and seems optimistic with regard to her happiness in this second marriage. The brief marriage landed her a nickname in Stormwind: "The Double Duchess" The eventual annulment and the precarious financial situation she was left in is something she feels quite ashamed of.
 * Melysa agreed to work with the Bishop of the Silver Hand in the effort to reform the Congregation of the SIlver Hand, rather than see it divorced entirely from the Council of Bishops. With the approval of the Archbishop, she has already made a number of necessary changes to the Congregation in the effort to transform it from a mostly ineffective group, known for spending more time debating around a table than in the field to what she refers to as "The hammer of the Light's wrath against its most unholy enemies." and cutting out meetings almost entirely in favor of training sessions and military action. Her vision has already garnered the support of many of those who fled from its previous incarnation.
 * Melysa is often blamed for the scathing letter written by her niece, Merridyth, which condemns the Bishop of Stormwind and the Holy League. While she had no part in the letter and repeatedly urged her niece to retract such condemnation, the letter seems to have damaged her reputation.
 * Melysa has recently urged the Archbishop to support her plans to retake her late husband's lands and numerous others presently held by the forsaken and various rogue factions in the North. Many believe that she has done so for personal reasons, not the least of which being that her son's last will grants her total control of both the Ashfort, and the entire treasury of the house of Ashvale, which remains sealed in the Ashfort's vault.

Quotes
"Never let an enemy know your true feelings." To Hellissa Brisby.

"The collective wisdom of one's peers is a resource often overlooked by those who lack humility." To her squire.

"The forsaken are no better than the scourge that spawned them and they should all burn in holy fire." To her Niece, when speaking of the assassination of Prince Gallen Trollbane.

"Pay no mind to this talk of reform and equality for the commonwealth. I will never allow the destruction of this Kingdom's nobility so long as I draw breath." To another Arathi noble while speaking of the Freedom Papers.

"Nothing would please me more than to stand by and allow our enemies to destroy one another without a single alliance life lost, but that, my friends is naught but fantasy. The fact remains that the horde rebellion alone is not enough to end Hellscream's reign. Without the Grand Alliance, there will be no victory against Hellscream. Make no mistake... I have no appetite for this war, having lost so many I love to such conflicts. Yet there are some wars that -must- be fought and this is one of them. We cannot afford another Theramore." Melysa addressing the war council in preparation for the siege of Orgrimmar.

"With or without your permission, I will stand and fight beside my countrymen in Arathi. For over a thousand years, we Marwyns have held Stonegarde and its attended lands, and I will not sit here in Stormwind while it is in peril." To her second husband, two days after their wedding regarding her involvement in the March on the Highlands.

"Marriage is different for the aristocracy. For us, a marriage is an alliance, and while love is not impossible when one marries for political reasons, it must be built over time, beginning with mutual respect and a sense of duty." To her niece, Merridyth Marwyn.

"Paladins of the Silver Hand belong on the battlefield, not in a soup line." To Archbishop Alonsus Secundus, following a meeting of the Council of Bishops.