Melessa Tyrell

The Lady of Manderwatch

**Melessa Tyrell** is the daughter of Harlen Tyrell by Ravella Rowan. She has been the lady of her branch of House Tyrell since 130 AC since the death of her brother Mathis, the previous lord of her house. She is known for her kind nature as well as her particular talent with conjuring up coin as a steward.

## Appearance and Character

Lady Tyrell carries the typical brown hair of the Tyrells despite her relative distance from the family's main line. This hair, in her case, is usually worn quite long. Her face portrays a haughty aloofness that does not at all complement her gentle manner. The lady takes a liking to long, flowing gowns of light colors as well as jewelry inlaid with green stones.

Melessa prides herself on her ability to cultivate friendships with all those who are receptive to her advances. These friendships are established for an altruistic purpose: the betterment of those she sees as her equals, as well as herself. She is quick to recognize her own failings and acknowledge them, though she is quite understanding of those who find such feats to be difficult.

## History

### Youth (112-124 AC)

Melessa Tyrell was the third child of Lord Harlen Tyrell and Lady Ravella Rowan, though only the second to survive infancy due to the untimely death of her older sister before her first nameday. Since her earliest years, she accepted her role as a lady not destined to rule wholeheartedly. Despite being content not being in the limelight of a newly-ascendant branch of House Tyrell, Melessa formed a close relationship with her older brother quickly. As prone to arguments and infighting as a young girl and boy often proved to be, there was never a word of anger spoken between the pair. This can certainly be attributed to Melessa's calm and understanding nature, for Mathis was quite quick to anger with most others.

Lady Melessa's desire to serve her family extended beyond merely being married off to some lord or knight to establish relationships and ties for the family. Though Melessa was quite keen to meet new people and eventually settle down, her father was not keen on arranging a betrothal before she came of age. It was for this reason that Melessa was educated in the ways of a steward; she would serve the Tyrells of Manderwatch by multiplying their fortunes and arranging deals on her father's behalf. As strange as it may have been for the minor merchants and spicers she was negotiating with, Melessa had developed a firm grasp on the art of closing a deal and further honeying her already-sweet words by the age of twelve. Though her father would not allow her to negotiate with the realm's nobles at such a young age, this practice at court still served her well.

The life of a steward was quite fulfilling for the young lady, but the sudden, unexpected death of her father immediately thrust Melessa into the position of heir to her family's holdings. Harlen had grown old by this point, passing of natural causes at the age of fifty-two. The old lord appeared to be of fine health even days before his death, and the passing of Melessa's father only brought her closer to her brother. Lord Mathis trusted no one quite as closely as he trusted Melessa, who continued to negotiate and schmooze on her family's behalf.

## Heir to Manderwatch (124-130 AC)

The heir to Manderwatch eased into her position slowly but surely. As she aged from a young girl into a young lady, her manner only grew sweeter; where some may grow embittered by loss and responsibility, Melessa embraced it wholeheartedly as the opportunity to further her family's fortunes it was. This status was not to last long, however, for Lord Mathis was quite the fiend for jousting. His insatiable appetite for that noble sport and all the injuries that came with it brought the young lord quickly crashing down. It was early in 130 AC that Melessa was summoned to the bedside of her dying brother - her closest friend and companion - who had been skewered by the lance of a hedge knight that he had been practicing with. Melessa was there as he died, shedding many a tear but not allowing her resolve to be broken. If this was to be her place in life, however painful the journey to it was, she would accept it.

## Lady of Manderwatch (130 AC - ongoing)

A young lady of eighteen, Lady Melessa now finds herself at the head of a powerful branch of House Tyrell. She continues to work tirelessly to further her family's fortune as well as to earn the respect of the many notables of the Reach. Though she has worked on her house's behalf for some time, her work has been far from the spotlight until recently - she remains quite unproven, though eager to please and befriend all who are within the reach of her loving arms.

## Family Tree

https://www.familyecho.com/?p=H7MRW&c=4p0iggdx3h&f=988131384523484444#view:TP82K

## Meta

**Attribute:** Gregarious

**Mastery:** Steward (STA)

**Skills:** Silver Tongue (CHA) Finances (EDU), Commerce (STA), Diplomacy (STA)