- "The light will lead those who care for others to complete salvation."
- —Dighton Davenwell
Lord Dighton Davenwell[1] is the commander of the Westridge Brigade and the former second-in-command of the Remnants of Lordaeron. Throughout his life, he has served faithfully as a Knight of the Silver Hand and a commanding officer of the Alliance military.[1]
After the kingdom of Lordaeron fell to the Scourge, Dighton briefly joined the Scarlet Crusade, taking refuge at Hearthglen. Shortly after the order's corruption, Dighton attempted to escape, however, he was captured and imprisoned for several years in New Avalon. He eventually escaped when the Scourge attacked the town, annihilating the majority of the Scarlet's forces. After seeking refuge at Light's Hope Chapel, Dighton used the last of his strength to defend the sacred land from the death knights of Acherus. He later joined the Argent Crusade during the War against the Lich King, fighting alongside Archelus Wyrmfrost, a high ranking death knight of the Ebon Blade. Upon the death of the Lich King, Dighton joined Wyrmfrost in forming the Remnants of Lordaeron.
Biography
Early life
Dighton Davenwell was born to Sir Leander Davenwell of the Brotherhood of the Horse and Andrilla Davenwell (née Phillips) nine years before the First War in Stormwind City. He had one younger brother — Elphias, who grew up living under his shadow. Dighton led an ordinary life until the initial Orcish invasion of Azeroth which resulted in Stormwind's destruction. Dighton and his family were one of the many refugees who traveled to Lordaeron for sanctuary.
During his time in Lordaeron, Dighton learned how to wield a sword and ride a horse by his father. When his father left to fight the Horde during the Second War, Dighton prayed to the holy light every night in hopes to keep him safe. The armies of the Alliance of Lordaeron were ultimately victorious against the orcs and Leander was knighted by King Terenas II — granting him and his family nobility in Lordaeron.[1]
Order of the Silver Hand
Through the guidance of one of his father's old friends Laithian Mercilium, Dighton became a devout follower of the Light and decided to join the newly formed Order of the Silver Hand, an organization of paladins who safeguard the Kingdom of Lordaeron. During this time, he became acquainted with several other members including Ghorin Brighthammer, Godfrey Valorsworn, Balledor the Lightbinder, and Sara Dornnel. Dighton courted Sara for several months until they married. They had two children — Howard and Marcella.
Dighton and Sara continued their services in the Silver Hand for several years after their marriage, often leaving their children in the custody of Dighton's mother when they were unable to take care of them due to their commitment to the order.
Shortly before the Third War, Dighton mourned the loss of his father after he was ambushed and killed by a band of orcs that escaped from Durnholde Keep.
Fall of Lordaeron
After the initial invasion of the Scourge, Dighton and Sara were tasked in the defense of the monastery in northern Tirisfal Glades. Feeling fretful about his family's current situation, Dighton urged his superiors to allow him to leave his post to find and save them from the impending massacre. Despite his request getting denied, Dighton decided to leave anyways, promising Sara that he would bring their children and his mother back with him. Unbeknownst to Dighton, his departure to find his family would also mark his desertion of the Order of the Silver Hand.
While traveling east towards the Davenwell Estate near Darrowmere Lake, Dighton witnessed the atrocities that were taking place throughout the region. As he approached the residence, he noticed the building was ransacked and covered in blood. He anxiously searched the house hoping to find his family still alive. He found his mother and children mutilated in the center of the upstairs bedroom with a ghoul crouching over and eating the remains. Dighton repeatedly butchered the ghoul in a fit of rage then burned the bodies along with the house.
As he began traveling back to the monastery, he noticed a group of soldiers led by an imposing man in royal guard armor slaughtering a horde of undead. At a moment's notice, Dighton aided the men in wiping out the remaining undead. To Dighton's surprise, the man introduced himself as the famed Archelus Titus, Commander of the Royal Guard of Lordaeron and renowned war-hero of the Second War. Archelus began questioning Dighton after he recognized him to be a Silver Hand knight and found it strange that he was traveling alone. After discovering that he was a deserter, he proposed that he wouldn't tell anyone if he headed to Hearthglen to look after his daughter, Aurelia Titus. Dighton initially refused saying that he needed to find his wife who was stationed at the Monastery. Archelus informed Dighton that the monastery was overrun by the undead a few days prior and if she survived she would've retreated with the others to Hearthglen. Dighton hesitantly accepted Archelus' proposal and was given a letter to give to Aurelia. As he departed towards Hearthglen, he decided to use his mother's maiden name "Phillips" to bring less attention to himself.
After arriving at Hearthglen, Dighton found Aurelia and gave her the letter from her father. He made a promise to her that he would make sure no one would ever harm her even if he had to make the ultimate sacrifice. After several days of searching for his wife, Dighton was deeply distressed and feared for the worst. He eventually gave up his search and built a small cenotaph in memory of his wife, mother, and children.