Attempting to get into Warmachine: 500 point Highborn Covenant

[S-N]

Due to feeling slightly miffed at my inability to look at someone and be able to truthfully claim, "I have a fully painted army.", I have decided to start Warmachine. I figure the mix of a low model count, high local support, and Jawsome models will finally compel me to completely collect and own a fully-painted army. Yippie.

I had mixed interest in several armies, which delayed an earlier attempt to get into the wonderful world of Immoren. I had bounced betwixt Cryx and Menoth mostly, eventually disliking them both for their lack of strong jacks. Cygnar was ruled out mainly due to me not wanting to be a "clean" army, and I certainly didn't want to bog myself down with ranged combat when there were wonderful mechanics for melee combat. Khador would've seemed the obvious choice due to having great close combat and awesome jacks, in addition to the badass-ness associated with a Steampunk Soviet Russia. However, this fell through due to the possibility that if my brother ever gets into the hobby, it's going to be Khador, and that the prevalence of them was a bit of a turn off (I have a Bretonnian and Dark Eldar army, two very underground groups). Long digression aside, I settled on mercenaries, feeling that the subsequent releases for them would be the most beneficial out of all the armies, due to the possible variety, and that the flexibility is just plain fun.

Anyway, I've thrown together a 500 point list. I did this list in a different way, picking most units on their looks rather than playstyle. I really have little clue as to the feasibility of any of these models, which obviously makes it hard to have any confidence of a list I write up. Of all the models, I want Ashlynne and Lady Aiyana and Master Holt to stay. The Warcaster due to the fluff, and the second two because of the models.

What I'm looking for:
1) Critique and possible editing, of a 500 point army which I may or may not expand. Of all things, I want to have fun playing the army. I clearly don't care for winning, else I don't think I would've chosen Mercenaries (so I hear). I just want to be able to say: I enjoyed that.

Army Points: 497/500
Victory Points: 19

Ashlynn D'Elyse
+Mule
+Nomad
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Gorman Di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Ogrun Bokur
Hammerfall High Shield Gun Corps (7)
Steelhead Halberdiers (7)

2) A 750 point list for the very-likely expansion of the army. Preferably staying in the "have fun!" theme.

3) Fluff on the Lael resistance. Does anyone know where i can find the fluff on the nature of the Covenant? I kind of want to know what I'm playing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and while I know that there aren't many (any?) Mercenary players on LO, you could at least share your opinions on the viability/experiences against mercenary lists or, failing that, attempt to convert me.

[Da Mighty Camel]

Welcome to the Iron Kingdoms!

Who is the Bokur attached to?
Thing with Warmachine is that one cannot really say if your list is bad or not since it depends more on your capabilities as a player.
The only thing I would really change in that list is the Highshields, since I don't really like them. I would prefer Cylena Raefull and her Nyss Hunters (who are awesomesauce on every level), but they are expensive and could be hard to fit in.

But this list could most certainly be fun to play with. As I said, it is hard to say if this is a bad or good list since it more depends on your gaming experience.

[S-N]

Aye Camel, thanks for the input. I was looking over the Ogrun, and realized I probably would've put him attached to Ashlynn, since Aiyana and Master Holt aren't going to be used in close combat. And you're right about the niss hunters. They certainly look cooler, and can apparently take down more things. Awesome.

So my 500 as it stands is:

Army Points: 497/500
Victory Points: 18

Ashlynn D'Elyse
+Mule
+Nomad
+Ogrun Bokur (Ashlynn Client)
Cylena Raefyll and Nyss Hunters (7)
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Steelhead Halberdiers (7)

I took out Gorman and added the Nyss Hunters. I could also drop the Ogrun and bring the Nyss Hunters and the Steelheads up to 9.

[Da Mighty Camel]

Yeah, give the Nyss that move and DEF-spell Ashlynn have and you have a weapon master unit that can charge 12" with reach and a DEF of 17 against ranged attacks, which is just insane. Harm from Aiyana + charge from the Nyss means that the target will be in a serious world of hurt!
I would keep the Ogrun. They are really good.

Tell us of your experiences with the list when you get some games in!

Oh and as for the fluff, there are none really. They first appeared in WM: Superiority, which is the current latest expansion for WM (not counting Legends) and the only fluff for them are that they fight Khador and are supplied by exiled Llael nobles.