From an early age Gwenifer's life was a nightmare, one borne out of being born in a place stricken by poverty and often ruled by a man with a heavy hand and many cruel intentions. From childhood she was encouraged to learn a skill that would benefit the barony and she was taught by her father how to make bows and fletch arrows, skills that would later be used by the Baron who demanded she help arm his soldiers. She was made to live with those who were 'employed' by him, pulled away from her parents, and immediately came to wish she had escape his notice. By day she was made to endure many hours of work, often to the point of exhaustion, and by night they often went to bed with bellies that were never truly full. Unknown to Gwen, her parents eventually died, succumbing to years of being too poor to be able to properly take care of their health, her mother dying of illness several years before her father was injured and the wound festered and took his life.
Many years of this mistreatment was endured by the girl who soon came into her teen years. The testing of the arrows and bows she made had given her some skill in archery itself although she was never allowed to practice, the honing in it a product of many years of making sure the weapons she made were good enough for use by the Baron's soldiers instead of actual intent on improving. A love of singing was also discovered and she'd spend many hours singing to herself as well as those who worked along side of her, a tiny ray of sunshine during their dark times.
Around the age of sixteen she met Cillian Kilpatrick and his younger sister, a frail girl by the name of Gavenia who was several years younger than she was. Cillian was attentive and protective to his sibling, the same then shown to Gwen as the three got closer. They were often found together when it was permitted and Cillian kept the worst of attention away from the girls, his bearing and size helping to deter all but the most evil of men. One such man, a brutish thug that was one of the Baron's personal guard, managed to catch Gwen alone and visited upon her person some of the worst fates one could imagine. When Cillian found her she was hurt and broken, Gwen's injuries more along the lines of mental than physical although her body did not go without harm. Ever since then he was a constant presence in her life, the sole protector of her and his sister. Like Gwenifer's mother, Gavenia too took ill and died, the wasting illness lingering for weeks before it took her. Gwen was there for the grieving brother who was soon injured, his tendon cut out of the desire to keep him there despite how he truly had no reason to want to stay. She helped by tending to his wound as much as she could, but being untrained in the art of healing meant she could do nothing but help him keep it clean and bandaged. During this time Gillian continued to act as her protector and they grew closer.
The darkness of her life would continue for many more years until the Baron fell to a fate befitting his abusive behavior. Relief came some time later and Lord Rinder gave what was most sorely needed in the form of medicine for those who were ailing and more food than most could remember eating in their lifetime. Commissions were taken out with some of Blackforge's craftsmen and Gwen was fortunate enough to be hired, and paid, to make longbows and arrows for the archers who accompanied the nobleman. For the first time she had money in her hand and kindness shown to her by someone who wasn't Cillian.
While the barony was still in the beginnings of its rebirth, Gwenifer and Cillian chose that as the time to leave and headed towards Darfield to hopefully start a new life and put that nightmare behind them. The pair realized they were fated to be together and believed no one would ever understand what they've been through, and they got married in a small temple during their travels. Starting their lives together as one, Gwen faced her new life with something she had never felt before - hope.
