Graciel was born in the middle of the 4th Mendevian Crusade. Her parents were the survivors of a small ilverani tribe from northern Sarkoris that were decimated shortly after the Worldwound opened. Her parents, Elsaliel and Finvanara, volunteered and served as scouts for the Crusaders and served in all 5 Mendevian Crusades. Due to their long service and successes in the field they were known to Queen Galfrey I (currently the Herald of Iomedae). Due to their decades scouting in the Worldwound Graciel was born tainted by it. Despite this, the Queen blessed Elsaliel and Finvanara's daughter and gave her the name Graciel (daughter of divine grace in mixed ilverani elvish and Taldane).
Despite not being an orphan, Graciel grew up in the church of Iomedae orphanage in Nerosyan as her parents still served with the crusader forces. She enrolled in the scouting Corp when she was was 18 but was transferred to the infantry due to her combat skill. Her main interest though was natural cures and remedies and spent time learning herbalism skills from the apothecary in Nerosyan.
When Deskari was slain and the Worldwound was closed Graciel's parents went to Kyonin to aid the elven kingdom in the fight versus Treerazor. Due to being a Pitborn cambion Graciel would not be as welcome there. She continued to serve as an infantrywoman to combat the remaining demon forces in the Sarkoris Scar.
At the same time the Godsrain fell, her unit was ambushed by a superior force of demons. Graciel was struck in the back by a demonic pole arm. As she lay dying she first grabbed her divine spark. Rejuvenated by this new power she fought her way clear of the ambush dragging two of her unit to safety.
Despite being honoured for he deeds she was encouraged to leave Mendev. Some of the reclaimers believed her link to the Sarkoris Scar was stealing energy from the recovering land. So she was sent to the New World to be as far from Sarkoris as was possible.