Eli was born in the South, the specific city is unknown because frankly, he doesn't remember, he was too young. He spent his youth brawling in the streets for coin, and of course fleeing the authorities who would break up such fights. He moved frequently, never staying in one place too long. It was one unusual night of drunken brawling with some new-found "friends" that he blacked out in a stupor. Only to awaken the next morning conscripted into an armed service. Naturally upset, and belligerent at his new situation earned him numerous lashes and other militant punishments. However, he adapted, spending the remaining years of his youth a rank and file soldier, honing his martial prowess, and saving coin. Coin that he of course wagered much too heavily within the same crowd of underground brawling. Several... unfortunate fights... found him deeply indebted, and rather than face a debtor's prison should the collectors gain knowledge of which military outfit he belonged too.... he deserted...
He found himself again on the streets again, resorting to petty crimes and theft to pay his own expenses of travel as he moved from town to town. This lasted several months before bounty hunters/debt collectors got a hold of him. Eli put up a significant fight, however was simply outnumbered, and rather than deal with the burden of escorting him many many miles back to the nearest city that would be capable of paying for his capture, beat him badly, dragged him deep within the woods, and tossed him within an unusual well they had discovered deep within.
 
Eli hit the water, and for a few brief moments believed this was the end, until resurfacing only to find himself within an entirely different forest all together, the collectors no where in sight. Eli spent the next three days wandering with only rags upon his back before coming across a small elven village. His thirst and hunger, and the panic associated... had him once again resorting to petty theft to survive... and amidst his frantic grabs he found himself eye to eye with a stranger...
Unlike others, however, this one did not throw insults or anger, but merely chuckled and invited Eli inside for food and tea...
Eli spent many hours essentially telling his life story to the one called Thaddeus, and employment as well... Thaddeus offered him a position as bodyguard for his travels within the wilds of the elven northlands, and this arrangement lasted comfortably for a couple years, before Thaddeus requested that he protect a pupil of his (Jon's character).
Eli neglected to mention anything of his owed debts and assumed he was now so far away that this issue would never again arise...