Shai'Rel was born in her tribe's ancient home of Val Sel'Torii within the central Ixchel Wilds, raised with a weapon in hand to draw out the warrior spirit from her past life. As with all Kesi, she started out as a hunter, taking down prey with sword lance and sling, the quarry steadily becoming more and more dangerous as she matured her skills. On her sixth year, nearing the height of her growth, she was sent to the North West, where the Kesi lived among the Y'Tor, a tribe of kobolds who provided multiple services for the Kesi (such as smithing and armor fitting) in exchange for their warriors acting as the tribe's guardians.

In the past, a pact was made between the Kesi Brood and the Y'Tor when Blight Orcs appeared in the Wilds and began despoiling nature. As was the union of the Kesi Brood and the serpentine tribes of Slen'tolah to the south when the Naga began encroaching on their territory.

While living with the Y'Tor, she mostly did hunting for the tribe and taking part in excursions to the Blightlands to gather abandoned weapons and armor so they may be reused. Most of her fighting experience came from these excursions, when they would happen upon Blight Orcs picking through a fresh battlefield. Encounters with other races were rare, and the Kesi would wear cowls and cloaks to disguise themselves.

Her first proper encounter with other races was when a number of slaves were chased to the Wilds by their Blight Orc masters. Seeing the slaves as not a threat, they were brought to the kobolds for treatment. Shai'Rel observed these outsiders with mistrust, but up until they drew steel, she would stay her hand. Eventually they were let go without an incident.

In order to keep warriors from stagnating in one place, they would often move to other tribes. It allows for varied experience as the beasts and prey alike are different. During these exchanges she would fight the predators of the wilds, blight orcs and nagas. Even nature herself would test her blade with dangerous plants that could kill the carefree. And with each conflict and each hunt, she would improve her armaments.

She would have stayed in the Wilds, but a younger kesi brought attention to the Naga's improving equipment and techniques. They would soon become a larger threat, and only fool would dare deny that.

And so she and a number of other kesis decided to take on the Rite of Exile. A ceremony where they relinquish their responsibilities in order to pursue other goals outside of the wilds. She will carry with her the mark of an exile, a brand on her left cheek that marks the day of her rites. She would only be allowed back after a decade, or temporarily if she has a sufficient offering.

Leaving the brood was a serious decision and the mark served as a sign of dedication and reminder of a promise, despite how outsiders may interpret it.

Part of the rite was to choose a companion from one of the other allied tribes. Tradition states that their companion would be an anchor to home. It couldn't be another kesi, as the Wilds was home to others as well, and choosing one's own would be a selfish choice. Fortunately, she found a willing companion.