Gilean Vel is one of the three surviving members of House Vel, an Illigyr merchant house that was dissolved by royal decree about 15 years ago for trafficking with Shadow. The other two surviving members are Gilean's daughter, Katya, and his younger brother, Daitha. He is currently believed to be in a castle above a mist-shrouded valley somewhere, along with the rest of the Tenebrous Council, but his, and their, purpose there is unknown.