Nelinde

Name
Nelinde Dora Belgarde

Physical Traits
This young woman in her middle twenties has a kind face and could've been a lady if it wasn't for her fairly crude ways. Her body is trim and slightly more muscular as average. Green eyes can have a dead cold look of dedication or a naughty sparkle. Her skin, red hair and other features always seem to be well taken care of. Thin lips form her smile under a small nose and her voice is playful most of the time, though she can sound strict and with authority without raising her voice when she wants to.

When wearing her full battle suit, you can find an array of gizmos, explosives and potions along her belt. She has 3 main battle suits, all completely different and tailored to the job. Her favourite is the full black deathbone with the high blade to take a beating with, another set consists out of a lot of lighter mail armor with golden accents and a book.

Race and Class
Human Paladin Protector

Guild
Stormwind Academy

Occupation
Teacher at the Academy as Tactical Instructor, Grand Master Engineer and Grand Master Jewelcrafter. Editor of The Graduate and representative at the Assembly for the Academy.

Family
Jacks and Irene Belgarde, her parents, are still alive and well. Jacks is a bronze and iron weaponsmith and they live above their shop 'Honest Blades' in Old Town. Matthew Belgarde is her reunited brother, who has joined the Academy as well. Nelinde is married to Jadzia, who has taken the family name as her own. Her cats Grio (silver tabby) and Calli (tiger mount) are treated like family as well.

Background
My parents have been living in the grand city of Stormwind for as long as I can remember. My ancestral house lies in old town just down the road with the inn, with a sign in front: 'Honest Blades'. That's my father's shop, he's an honest blacksmith for the little man or starting adventurer. My mother takes care of other people's little childeren when they're away as a sort of daycare. Despite all their work, we never had much.

I recall a little fellow with red hair I used to call my brother, but when I was about 9 or 10 years old, he disappeared. I began to believe it was perhaps just one of the daycare kids. My life changed a bit then, having my father put me to work. He often sent me out to gather stones, pick up ores and eventually even mine some. He treated me like a boy, hoping I'ld become a blacksmith like him, be the son he didn't have.

When I turned older, well, bad things happened when I couldn't pass as a boy covered in smithing blackness anymore. It's a part I try to forget, but safe to say it's what got me a bit harsh when it comes to men. My parents sent me to church for education, and probably because I was a handful as well. My folks seemed to have saved a whole lot of money for a long time to get me a chance in church. It's not cheap to end up there. So, I studied books about the Light and got all kinds of combat training.

During one of my first outdoor excercises I met Fascino in Goldshire, bickering about foolish men as they no doubt still have in that godforsaken town. I did what I was taught, and helped her... bickering along about those same silly men. My lessons still continued, until at one point I was drafted for the cause of the Silver Hand. Here I met my lovely wife Jadzia. My parents are still alive, but are now in a much better situation. Paladins should live in poverty some say. I just can't help earning more during my duties as I can give away.

(There are many more background stories to Neli, however those are private and will only be told IC to her most trusted friends, which are 4 so far)

Criminal Record
Teen vandalism. A few charges of 'assault' on various men, but never sentenced.

Personal Notes
Neli is a free-thinker. Been a rebel against her parents, been a rebel during her paladin training, and will always be a rebel when things go too tight-fisted when it's not needed. In rare occasions, she can be quite pushy to have things go her way, but in general she's convincing enough not to have to resort to such. Everything has a time when it is needed and when it's not called for. Discipline, loyalty, honesty, they all count but they're not the highest cause and at times need to be let go to achieve results which really matter. Nobody is perfect, so don't expect someone, nor yourself to be. Even the grand paladins of old had their weaknesses, even if it was not written about in the books. Do not get set in fixed patterns, but throw in a random change every now and then to keep life alive and interesting.

Current Status
Currently she's very much afraid of this so called 'Exodar' and the beings within. Xenophobia has gotten a hold of her and she sees the hooves, horns, tail and language of the Draenei as signs of demonic blood. Their talk of Light is seen as one large ploy of lies and manipulation, too obvious and too rehearsed to be real. The past weeks she's spent with [Elizabetha] to help her recover during her wife's absence. For now, she holds on to that as an excuse to not have to help in these new lands beyond the dark portal.