Marlon is the eldest, and least regarded, son of the powerful Highgrace family. Something of a weedy child, he faced stern disapproval and unfavourable comparisons with his younger brothers. When he was five, he suffered his first seizure, collapsing, thrashing and frothing at the mouth at a banquet. This only served to distance him further from the family's affections; his father was disappointed and ashamed to have a child who was abnormal - some said 'possessed'.

The seizures continued intermittently throughout his childhood and adolescence, triggered by stress or flickering lights. This put a halt to Marlon's training for battle, allowing his brothers to far exceed him in their physical skills and qualifications for knighthood. Instead, he spent more time with the tutors, taking to reading and study voraciously, sharpening his mind for what his body lacked. One of the tutors was a traveller from distant lands, and taught Marlon many strange secrets and arts, including a herbal potion that kept him from suffering seizures from candle and torchlight, allowing him to read long into the night.

It was clear that Marlon would never distinguish himself in war, and thus his father overlooked him when it came to the line of succession. Instead, the middle brother, a joyless and violent man was appointed heir. A use was found for Marlon, marrying him off to the Highrace's old rivals, the House Graydon.

Aged 30, Marlon stands 6'3" tall, with dark reddish-brown hair, cynical deep green eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard. Unlike his brothers, burly and muscular from walking around in armour he is lean and fit. His tutor taught him ways of fighting with empty hands, and practising these techniques has kept Marlon toned and flexible.


Elder sister: cold, machiavellian, believes she should rule
Younger brother: grim and warlike
Youngest brother: a bully, thug and rapist