Ethan Ashvale

Ethan Ashvale was lord of the Ashfort in Lordaeron from the year 600 K.C. until his death in battle during the assault on Icecrown Citadel. In his 30th year, he married Lady Melysa Marwyn of Stromgarde. Melysa bore him a son, James.

Downfall
A formidable man in his youth, Ethan fell prey to the excesses of wealth during the high point in Lordaeron's history. His military career in Lordaeron came to an end in his 35th year when he had gained so much weight that he could no longer wear proper armor. In addition to the weight he had gained, Ethan was often in his cups, a state unbefitting of an officer in the Royal Army.

While Lord Ethan pursued a life of excess, his lady wife effectively ran his household and spent a great deal of her time at King Terenas' Court. She was responsible for nearly doubling the wealth of house Ashvale, while Lord Ethan succeded in squandering much of it on feasts, hunting trips and his many mistresses.

A Harsh Lesson
After Lordaeron's fall, Ethan spent four years reinventing himself--no longer indulging in fine wines, great feasts and carnal pleasures, the lord of the Ashfort dedicated himself to holding his lands in a time when the scourge had wiped out much of Lordaeron. Nonetheless, his small garrison proved ineffective in holding the Ashort against its attackers and after gathering what wealth and supplies he could, Ethan and his family fled to the village of Ambermill.

The Northrend Campaign
At the age of fifty, lord Ethan had squandered much of his house's remaining wealth on sellswords during a series of failed attempts to take back the Ashfort after it was occupied by the forsaken. When the Northrend Campaign began, Ethan saw an opportunity to prove himself to the rest of the Grand Alliance and eagerly joined in the war against Arthas. He was slain in battle during the final assault on Icecrown Citadel.