Duchess of Seastone

Duchess of Seastone is a hereditary title in the Stromgarde Peerage, and presently held by Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale.

History
The hereditery title was created in November of 623 K.C. for Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale after the split of the Arathi Highlands caused by Bishop Allrick Antonius. Using her considerable influence in Stromgarde's house of Nobles, Melysa was able to convince the sitting majority to create the Duchy of Seastone, and grant her all unclaimed lands to the East of Alden's Rise. Unlike the wives of Dukes and other titled widows, Melysa holds the title in her own right, and it may pass through the female line.

State
The Duchess of Seastone holds a hereditary seat on the Royal Council, a seat in the House of Nobles, and oversees various matters of state, including officiating the meetings of the Regency Council and the house of nobles during the absence of a Trollbane King.

Military
The Duchess of Seastone is a hereditary Field Marshal, though she may appoint another Officer to serve in her stead. Varyc Marwyn currently serves in this capacity. The Duchess is also responsible for maintaining a force of no less than 100 men-at-arms for the Kingdom's defense.

Subsidiary Titles
Ranking from lowest to highest:

Baron Marwyn of Dagger Point (10 K.C.)
A hereditary title, possessed by the very first Marwyns. Though out of use for centuries, the title was recreated in 623 K.C. for Sir Varyc Marwyn, when the the countess gifted him Castle Marwyn and its attended lands. (Dagger Point)

Baron Marwyn of Stonegarde (16 K.C.)
A hereditary title held by the house of Marwyn for six centuries. The Baron/Baroness of Stonegarde traditionally held the city of Stonegarde and its attended lands. It is now reserved as a courtesy title.

Viscountess Marwyn of Silverbrook (623 K.C.)
A hereditary title held by the Duke/Duchess of Seastone, its territorial designation comes from the lands West of Alden's Rise, known as Silverbrook. It may be used as a courtesy title by the Duchess' heir apparent.

All titles are in the Stromgarde Peerage, and may pass to heirs male or female in accordance with the wishes of the present Duchess. The style Viscount / Viscountess of Silverbrook is used by the eldest child of the present Duchess, and the style Lord Stonegarde is used by the eldest child of the Duchess' eldest child (The Duchess' Grandchild)

Main Holdings
Seastone's main holdings encompass more than 64,000 acres, including a long stretch of the Kingdom's coastline. (See Duchy of Seastone)

Subsidiary Holdings
Seastone's subsidiary holdings encompass a total of 42,000 acres. (See Duchy of Seastone)

Seastone Keep
Once known as Stonegarde keep, the castle was largely a ruin with only one third of the structure inhabitable until very recently. The Keep has been the primary seat of the Marwyns for nearly six centuries.

Stone Manor
A large, fortified manor, built by Joren Marwyn for his wife, Lizabet McGowen. It is now largely a ruin.

Seagarde Hall
A holdfast, designed to offer protection for the townsfolk in the event of another attack from the syndicate, located in the North of Alden's Rise. Seagarde consists of living quarters for more than sixty, a stable, a forge, a training yard for the local militia and a small archery range.

Castle Marwyn
Locally referred to as "The Wet Keep" due to its state of ruin brought on by water damage, the ancient Castle was built by the first Marwyns, and is located on the peninsula known as Dagger Point.

Silverbrook Hall
Though it presently exists only on paper, the immense country estate is the vision of Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale, and its construction is to begin in Spring of 624 K.C. Originally sighted on Liam's Landing, the recent acquisition of unclaimed land prompted the Duchess to choose a better location. Unlike the Castles that dominate much of her coastal holdings, Silverbrook Hall is to be built in the center of 16,000 acres of rolling hills, and is designed not for defense, but for total comfort. With more than a hundred rooms, twenty hearths, four kitchens, a ballroom, a private chapel, and a private art gallery, the stately home will be the first of its kind in the region, and the legacy of the first Duchess of Seastone.

Coat of Arms
The coat of arms consists of four elements: The arms, the crest, the supporters, and the wreath.

Elements



 * The Arms - Quarterly 1st Gules on a Bend between two sets of Crossed spears (Longspear) an Escutcheon Or charged with an Alterac eagle rampant pierced through the mouth by a spear (Joren Marwyn); 2nd Gules two seashells argent (Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale), two castles sable (Ashvale); 3rd Argent three Holy Crosses flanked by Hammers Sable (Order of the Silver Hand); 4th Gules an Eagle displayed Argent, on its breast, the standard of the Grand Knight of Stromgarde.
 * The Crest - A Ducal coronet.
 * The Supporters - Dexter a Lion sinister a Gryphon both Or.
 * The Wreath - Encircling the shield, the Ambassador's chain of office.

The Line of Succession
Because Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale is a childless widow, and Marwyn holdings have more than doubled since her return to the Arathi Highlands, the question of who would inherit it all had to be addressed. The present line of succession favors the female Marwyn line in light of the absence of a male heir. The line of succession is subject to change, should the Duchess remarry and conceive a male child.

Melysa Marwyn-Ashvale - Present Duchess of Seastone (Has no living children)

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1st In Line: Merridyth Marwyn - Daughter of Liam Marwyn, and niece of the present Duchess. Aged 18 years.

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2nd In Line: Margaret Marwyn-Karwn - Daughter of Thomas Marwyn, and Cousin of the present Duchess. Aged 19 years.

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3rd In Line: Nathan Karwn - Son of Margaret Marwyn-Karwn and Conner Karwn. Aged 2 years.