The daugher of minor nobility in Gondor, Gilsel grew up a dutiful daughter, excelling in all that she was required to do and obedient to every demand of her parents or tutors.

Around 11 years of age, she was placed into training in the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith where she quickly grew bored of the strict and monotonous lifestyle required of her. As the years passed, she found her boredom turning to dislike and then outright loathing for her profession, compounded by her scorn for those who came demanding aid, only to ignore any advice given and return at a later date with the complaint that their ailments had worsened.

Upon the death of her mother - a demise she suspects was orchestrated by the woman her father would soon wed - Gilsel was recalled home for betrothal to a man over thirty years her senior.

Once informed of her absent elder brother, Baingorn's exile, she seized upon the opportunity to rid herself of the unwanted match by talking her father into letting her deliver the news personally under the promise that she would return in short order to marry; a promise she has no intention of keeping.

Now in Bree. alone and directionless for the first time in her life, Gilsel has taken up employ with The Bloody Dawn in a bid to keep herself fed, clothed and sheltered whilst she tries to figure out what she really wants to do with her life.