Terez Ascania

Her Grace, the Lady **Terez Ascania**, is the reigning Duchess of the Eastvale and Lady Protector of East Elwynn. Known for her long tenure as a high ranking official in the Stormwind government and for her career as a politician and socialite, Terez has served the Crown both as civil servant and as nobility since her ascension to her father's title in 632 K.C.

## Physical Description

Terez stands at a commanding height of 5'10, sports bright crimson hair and a lithe, slender, frame. Befitting her station the duchess is almost always dressed in the finest custom tailored fashions - a sign of her wealth and power as much as it is an attempt to accentuate her best features at the expense of her flaws. Although Terez strives to uphold the ideal picture of a prim, proper, and pretty noblewoman, she puts great effort into ensuring her clothes mask her broad-shouldered and mostly curveless body.

## Personality & Beliefs

Terez is a warm, welcoming, and kind woman with a reserved and formal demeanor that always favors traditional courtly etiquette. Raised as a proper noblewoman of the realm, Terez has devoted her life to learning how to play the role in life allotted to her since birth: to rule. Despite her blue blood, Terez is a strong champion of the rights of the common folk, and has advocated heavily for the creation of a House of the People to counterbalance the power of the nobility. Nevertheless, as much as the duchess exalts the equality of the common people and champions the responsibility of nobility to serve as protectors, she is known to be a woman who takes great advantage of her incredible wealth.

In matters of faith, Terez is a devout adherent to the Church of the Holy Light, and strives always to uphold its values.

## Biography

### Early Life

Born the daughter of Lord Eric Martelle and Countess Mina Cartres, Terez was raised for most of her early life on her mother's estate in the Eastweald of Lordaeron. Surviving the Scourging of at a young age, she spent her teen years in her fathers lands along the eastern edge of Stormwind. It was there that Terez developed a deep and avid passion for horseback riding and competitive fencing, and was known as being exceptionally skilled in both. To this day she continues to compete in both sports, and has become an owner of several high end horse stables.

Steeped in the manners and life of the nobility, Terez was also a well known socialite and flourished in her courtly studies.

### Exile & Marriage

After a falling out with her father in her latter teenage years, Terez was exiled from her lands and forced to wander the kingdom for several years before she eventually married Lord Gregory Ascania, an Admiral in the Kul Tiran navy. For eight years she served as Admiral Ascania's faithful wife until his death during the Fourth War at the hands of a Horde assassin.

### Return to Stormwind

After the death of her husband, Lady Terez returned to Stormwind and ascended to her father's title of ruler of the Eastvale. For many years she devoted herself to political life in Storwind, and was a known socialite.

## Relationships

### Family

As a member of an old an storied noble house, Terez is related to a great many peers of the realm. Some more notable than others.

### Marriages & Partnerships

In 632 K.C. Terez met Dame Alexandria Williams, a paladin in service to the Silver Hand. Enamored by the knight's devotion to the Light, her warm nature, and her incredible strength, the two began a quiet courtship. During this time Terez befriended Dame Alexandria's partner, Merellia Hallewell, and after some time the two also began a formal partnership of their own. In 634 K.C. all three wed one another in a large ceremony at Falconwatch Castle.

Terez AscaniaDame Alexandria Williams-AscaniaAbbess Merellia Hallewell-AscaniaThe "Triad".

## Titles of Peerage & Honors

### Duchess of the Eastvale

In 631 K.C. inherited the Duchy of the Eastvale (then known as the Duchy of Eastburg) after the deaths of her older brother, Arminius, and her father, Eric Martelle. Since then she has ruled the duchy with a fair and just hand, although her administration has not been without its stumbling due to her young age and initial inexperience.

### Lady Protector of East Elwynn

In 635 K.C., following her retirement from government affairs in Stormwind, Terez proclaimed herself the Lady Protector of the lands of eastern Elwynn - pledging to defend and aid her neighbors from any aggression.

### Lady Protector of Withermore

In 634 K.C., the death of Marchioness Wells of the March of Withermore resulted in a bid for the inheritance of the land. In the ensuing months a conflict erupted between Lord Ruxwood and House Ascania for ownership of the title. Ultimately, with the help of some of Withermore's nobility, the forces of House Ascania prevailed. In the conflict Lord Ruxwood was slain, and his young child installed as the new Marquess of Withermore under the protection and stewardship of the House of Ascania.

### Honors

In 632 K.C. Terez Ascania was granted the highest civilian honor available in the Kingdom of Stormwind: the Cross of Tiffin. Taken prisoner after a targeted Forsaken attack on a Masquerade Ball and used for blood sport during the infamous Dance of the Dead, Terez spent over a month in captivity and was subjected to extreme torture at the hands of the vile undead. Holding the office of the Lord High Speaker at the time, Terez never confessed to the state secrets she knew at the time, and was nearly killed as a result. For her bravery during her capture, she received the Cross.

### Positions in Parliament & the Privy Council

From 631 K.C. to 637 K.C., Terez served in a variety of high government position in the Kingdom of Stormwind. For fourteen months she served as Lord High Speaker, and for over four years she served as a member of the King's Privy Council as Lord High Chancellor.

## Gallery

Lady Ascania in her formal attire. / @actualsailboat on Twitter!Lady Terez at the Queen's Museum Gala, 633 K.C. By Remona Thane / @actualsailboat on Twitter!Terez and her cousin Sylvie Castwell posing for a picture at the 633 K.C. Pride Festival in Dalaran.Non-Canon Sketch by @actualsailboat / Remona ThaneLady Terez out for a ride with her good friend, Lady Remona Thane. Art by @actualsailboat/Remona Thane.Lady Terez at a gala.Lady Ascania out for a ride. Art by Marciela Freir.Lady Terez accepting a pledge of Knighthood from Grayce Maymont.Alexandria Williams, Terez Ascania, and Merellia Hallewell - Lady Ascania's Partners. Art by Kiyosuki.