Martinenche Sisseux

**Nation**
 **Born**
 **Titles**
 **Beliefs**

Martinenche Sisseux is a human priestess who was chosen by Bishop Kessanella H.B. Prismspark to succeed her as Lord-Bishop of the County of Hope, Pearls, and Waves. She currently serves as Ambassador to the Obsidian Warders, Secretary to the Bishop of Gnomeregan, and as Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Hope, Pearls, and Waves.

## Biography

Born to a small family of farmers in eastern Redridge, Martinenche had every hope for enjoying a soft, idyllic country life. Yet fate was never a kind mistress, and though her family was comfortably positioned and their lands tucked safely away from harm - it was never harm from without that Martinenche had to worry about.

Born an only child, Martinenche's parents had gotten their hearts set upon having a son. A son who could help with the farm, who could one day properly inherit it...Martinenche, however, fell far from this lofty expectation of theirs. This shortcoming was not of biology's fault alone - but one also of disposition. For from her youngest Martinenche was soft and gentle, trying to bury her nose in any scrap of writing that existed - trying to escape to prison she felt,even in youth, farmwork to be.

This would not be allowed - and discipline was often enforced by word, deprivation, hand, and blows...She ***would*** learn to like farmwork, she ***would*** embrace that life. She ***would*** cease dreaming of a world of prayer and letters and instead embrace a world of cold, hard work.

The abuse she suffered extended to taking exhausting, dangerous trips to Lakeshire - ostensibly on behalf of her family. It was true that in the beginning she had been given this arduous journey as a form of disciplinary punishment, but soon these trips soon became a means of escape, a means of salvation - a means of meeting the one who would change her life forever.

### Youth

It was in Lakeshire that Martinenche first met the Confessor who would change her life forever. It was a chance meeting, Martinenche having fled to Lakeshire in tears after a shouting match with her father. She practically knocked the elderly Confessor over, and in the midst of her apologies she heard the words that would become so dear to her.

They sat and talked for hours that day. Tea, Faith, the Confessor's work. At the end of it, Martinenche asked for a Confession - and afterwards repeated her sufferings outside of the Seal. There was no negotiation then - return was not tenable. And from that day, Martinenche found a home with an upstanding family, courtesy of the Confessor.

The Confessor was busy, often away and travelling. Yet she would visit Martinenche when she was able, and Martinenche found her heart aflame for the faith her surrogate mother held so dear. She resolved so early then - she would join the Church - she would be just like the Confessor.

### Seminary

Martinenche put her application in for the Shalewind Seminary as soon as she was of age, and found herself accepted without any difficulty at all. Whether or not a letter to her dear friend the Confessor helped this matter was never quite clear. Her studies proceeded well. She proved herself an apt student. Merciful, kind, compassionate, lucky...And how much more lucky she felt when her dear mentor, when her inspiration was made Bishop overseeing the Seminary.

She made herself indispensable to the new Bishop, who in turn continued to keep her close. For the Bishop knew she was growing old, she knew she'd need to find a successor who could be as strong, as virtuous, as 'dedicated' as she was. She was determined to make Martinenche that which she needed. For her part, Martinenche absorbed those lessons like a sponge, she threw away her own 'mistakes' for any small snippet of the Bishop's wisdom. She was determined to become the perfect student, the perfect follower, the perfect daughter to her 'mother.'

Yet Martinenche was not like the Bishop in many ways. She was naturally soft and gentle where the Bishop was firm and stern. She was spontaneous and awkward where the Bishop was calculating and concise. So much of *her* rebelled against the Bishop's lessons...But Martinenche determined to ignore her rebellious self - and to become like *her* 'mother.' Of this she kept the Bishop unaware, knowing well how firmly the Bishop would oppose such actions.

### When Giants Fall

It was near the end of the year 637 KY that Bishop Kessanella H.B. Prismspark died. It was a peaceful death, one that came to her in the company of Martinenche and Lord Vynlorin Shandaumath. Martinenche found herself called upon to fill the shoes of her mentor far earlier than she had ever imagined.

Soon made Countess of Hope, Pearls, and Waves, the clergy of the Diocese set about the calling of a Synod, the consensus forming that Martinenche would indeed receive their blessing to become the next Lord-Bishop of the Diocese.

Martinenche now serves as Ambassador to the Obsidian Warders and Secretary to the Bishop of Gnomeregan. Through this latter connection she enjoys a special relationship with the Gnomish people, chiefly in honour of her mentor.

## Personality & Traits

Martinenche seems to have very little of the stern, politicking nature of her mentor. Where Kessanella spoke commandingly, Martinenche speaks haltingly. Where Kessanella was never afraid to remind others of their place with ample use of 'my child,' Martinenche has found herself having a hard time even using the term. The years had brought her to grow used to adopting a subservient tone and manner in conversations, and to always be disposed towards agreement - despite the Bishop's attempts to stamp this out.

Yet at times, the sparks of her mentor shine through, more by Martinenche's brute determination that they should than any natural cause. Indeed, within Martinenche there rages a war. A war between the woman Martinenche is, and the Priestess modelled after the Bishop that she believes she should be.

## Titles

### Countess of Hope, Pearls, and Waves

Martinenche is the Lord-Bishop of the County of Hope, Pearls, and Waves, a middling County comprised of territories in Elwynn, Redridge, and the Blasted Lands. Unlike her mentor, Martinenche rarely addresses the title 'nor uses it in public.

### Ambassador to the Obsidian Warders

Martinenche served as Ambassador to the Obsidian Warders under the administration of Valerie Whittenne.

### Lord High Prosecutor

Martinenche submitted her letter of intent for the office of Lord High during the elections of the second term of 638 KY. After a close election she found herself tossed into the world of Ministerial Beureacracy, and won a second term later that year.

## House

Martinenche is a member of House Sisseux, a newly established house of which she is the only member.