Nordock Eilnala

Originally from the elven land of Suvgoria, Nordock spent a normal childhood and teen years with his parents. He was always a mischievous and adventurous child who often got into trouble, so it wasn't unusual to see him getting a scolding. Though on many occasions those mishaps stemmed from trying to help other children that bullies picked on. The young elf was not bad-hearted, but his methods did not always please the adults.

Towards the end of his teenage years he met a man named Othorien. Nordock had gotten into a fight while trying to save a young girl, but things had quickly turned ugly. And at that moment he appeared, an elf with a certain elegant yet imposing air. He confronted the thugs and defeated them in a way that made Nordock look like a weakling. What he didn't expect, however, was the scolding he was going to get after those thugs fled in terror. This man, Othorien, seemed to be someone very respectful of law and order, and although he recognized Nordock's good intentions, he insisted that he should have gone to the guards before doing anything foolish. But hadn't he just done the same thing? Nordock sighed, and decided to buy him a drink to thank him for the rescue after escorting the girl to safety.

It turned out that the two elves became good friends since that day and began to see each other more often. He learned that Othorien had been training since he was a young boy to become a paladin and was even aiming to enter the Personal Guard of Iris herself. Nordock had never... aimed for anywhere in particular really, so seeing how big a goal the young blue-haired boy had set for himself and how determined he looked made him have a certain amount of respect for him. He had never been overly devoted, but he did respect that the guards risked their lives on a daily basis to help people. While their methods may have differed from his, their values were similar. And it was because of this that Othorien proposed that he too train to join the guard. Nordock couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the offer, but his smile quickly disappeared when he saw that the man was talking seriously. The purple-haired elf hesitated, however he saw something in the intense gaze of the man next to him that... made him think that maybe it was worth taking that risk.

The two elves began to train together. Othorien was clearly superior in combat, but Nordock was quite good at thinking and strategizing. Over time they became closer and... at some point Nordock's feelings evolved into something more. However, he knew well that such a relationship was impossible. Othorien had already had a partner for a few years, and they certainly looked very happy. He was honestly convinced that they would end up getting married. He was not the one to stand in the way of that relationship, he was not cruel enough to hurt the man he loved the most because of his selfishness. So he decided to keep those feelings deep in his heart and carry on as usual. Although sometimes it was quite difficult to pretend that he felt nothing.

They both managed to enlist together as soldiers. Nordock was initially very happy, however... it didn't take him long to realize that this lifestyle was not for him. Although he wanted to help people, he often felt incredibly constrained by being forced to follow the law to the letter. Not to say that he was only a private, he really had almost no authority to do anything when it was really necessary. He felt like he was in a cage that he desperately needed to get out of. So it wasn't long before he resigned. Othorien looked somewhat saddened by his decision, but at no time did he judge him. Still, that didn't take away the pang he felt in his heart as he looked at him. He felt that if he stayed there for too long he was going to end up in a hole he would have a hard time getting out of. He needed... a change of scenery.

So young Nordock packed his things and left Suvgoria. He began to travel all over the world, visiting everything from the most important and crowded cities to the most isolated wastelands of humanity. For the first time in a long time he felt truly free. He spent many years traveling from one end of the world to the other, meeting people and gaining contacts of honest living... and others of not so honest living. Nordock enjoyed gambling very much, and came to share a table with some pretty influential people. Between gambling and his occasional jobs as a wandering mercenary, he managed to get by. It wasn't a bad life, but deep down he still felt that something was missing. After so many years had passed, how would his old friend Othorien be doing? Never in all that time had he stopped thinking about him.

One day, Nordock came into a rather large sum of money in a bet with a nobleman. At first he wasn't sure what to do with it, whether to just blow it or think bigger - could he invest it in something that could help people? And then the idea came to him: a mercenary guild. He had felt much freer to work in his own methods in those odd jobs than when he was a soldier. The risk was great, but... he himself knew he loved to gamble.

It took a while, but he constructed the building in the western area of the Aesuria continent. During the construction he spread the word to old contacts and got some men willing to work for him. Although it was a slow start, little by little the guild grew and gained reputation. During that time he also decided to get back in touch with his old friend to find out what had become of him during all that time. He had achieved his dream of becoming a soldier in Iris' guard, and it seemed that he was quite a respected man. Well, setting up a mercenary guild by himself was no mean feat either. Still, his heart shrank as he read about his marriage and his... children. Huh, so he had settled down completely. Well, he could do nothing but show his support.

Years passed and the guild became quite well known on the continent. He had formed his "own family" so to speak, and he really felt satisfied with what he had achieved so far. One morning, Nordock received a new letter from his old friend. In that missive, Othorien proposed to send his youngest son, Narael, to work in his guild. Nordock would have to take care of him and train him while Narael would act as a connection between the two places. The elf frowned. Well, the manpower wasn't bad, and he certainly appreciated the trust Othorien had in him, however... Well, he'd be lying if he said that having a constant reminder of what he couldn't have around thrilled him. But he couldn't just tell him no.

Othorien arrived with his son at the guild some time later. Already at first glance the physical resemblance between father and son was remarkable. Their personalities also seemed similar on paper, although the young Narael was much more rigid than his father. Nordock was well aware of how difficult it was going to be to deal with him, but it was not as if the boy was to blame for his frustrated feelings.

Narael was a very diligent young man, although his formal manner made it a bit difficult for him to deal with the other people in the guild. Nordock assisted him in any way he could to help him integrate, and in time it seemed that he finally found a group with which he felt comfortable. This group, consisting of four people, began to stand out quickly and their accomplishments and reputation brought much more fame to the guild. Was this something like what a father would feel seeing a son achieve his goals? He had to admit that he was growing fond of the boy.

One morning, as Nordock was glancing over the paperwork, the door to his office suddenly opened. There stood Narael, unusually upset clutching a letter in his hand. When the older man took it and read the contents, he could feel his heart skip a beat. Othorien, his best friend and the person he had never stopped loving, had passed away. And his son Narael, who used to be so stoic, looked devastated. He had to keep his composure for him.

Nordock decided to accompany the young elf to Suvgoria to attend his father's funeral. It was the first time in several centuries that he had set foot in that place, and that it was under those circumstances felt strange. He could see how many people appreciated Othorien as a soldier and as a person. His family looked devastated, and no wonder. He knew that Narael was mustering all his willpower to show himself steadfast, but he was really just as defeated. Nordock felt like a stranger in that place.

When they returned to the guild, the old elf was tremendously exhausted, both physically and mentally. It had never been so difficult for him not to let his mask fall off, and that night he ended up collapsing. He found himself in the canteen practically alone with the bartender, with an unusual number of empty glasses around him. He had rarely felt so miserable as he did at that moment.

The doors of the local opened, but the elf completely ignored the noise. Footsteps approached and sat down beside him. Nordock's tired eyes turned to the man next to him as he ordered a mug of beer. It was Markus, one of Narael's teammates. Both remained silent for a few minutes, as if the other did not exist. Markus decided to break the silence after placing his mug on the bar.

“You loved that man, didn't you?”

Nordock's glass, which was again approaching his lips, stopped short. With a surprised look, he turned to look at the human beside him. He was so used to being the one to read people and not the other way around, let alone expecting Markus to be the one to figure it out. The man was more perceptive than he looked. He couldn't help but let out a defeated chuckle. If his people were able to see through him so easily, he was losing faculties. Tomorrow there would be no trace of that depressed Nordock left, but until then, he would enjoy a drink and a chat with the man at his side. He had flipped open the lock that had been closed for so long, so now it was up to him to suck it up and listen to him.

Present Day

Since then, Nordock has focused on guild work. As the years passed, some of his older companions retired. But Narael, who is like a son to him, remains by his side and he is more and more convinced that he will one day become his successor. He is sure that wherever he is, Othorien is as proud of Narael as he is. So he will take care of him and the guild until the day he decides to retire... or is killed, whichever comes first.