Son to elven nobility, Kirwan's father was a paladin and diplomat.  Though the young boy was quiet and preferred his privacy, he did what he could to maintain his dignity and uphold his family's honor.  One day a misunderstanding between him and a group of rowdy human children resulted in a public reprimanding by his father, and Kirwan was required to apologize in human tongue.  But the boy had never been very adept at communicating with others, especially not in the Common language, and his apologies came across incorrectly, sounding more like a threat or insult, and his father struck him for the first and only time in his life.  Kirwan vowed to never speak in any language but his native Koada'Dal language again, and developed a deep dislike of humans.

In an attempt to please his father, Kirwan joined the paladins of Felwithe, but his lack of physical prowess relegated him to the position of bookkeeper, which suited him just fine since he loved the library.  Unfortunately, while on a diplomatic journey with his father his mother contracted a human disease, an ailment which the elven clerics could not cure.  His mother, who always understood him, and knowing his heart was not in his role as a paladin, convinced his father to let Kirwan join the wizardry guild, a line of work he enjoyed much more and was much more adept at.  Shortly after this though, she passed away, and Kirwan's hatred of humans was solidified.

While not a bad person, Kirwan has always had a problem communicating his intentions with others resulting in many misunderstandings over time, and resulting in him spending most of his time in the libraries.  His handsome features, however, have often drawn the eyes of many young ladies, none of whom he has ever been able to really talk to since he doesn't understand women at all.  He's just happy with his books and studies, the best friends he feels he has in this world.  However, while he seems oblivious to it, Kyrenne is truly the closest thing to a real friend he has, and seems to understand his lack of communicative abilities more than anyone else.