Hailing from an isolated city-state in Shire, Merrie, Elyssa Emberheart was raised under the belief she was of common blood. This mattered little to her, as her true passion in life was serving her home as an alchemist and healer. Though she and her family were sometimes controversial figures, they were integral members of their community; serving them as the closest thing Gallia has to doctors.

The powers that be; that is, the religious institution that governed the city-state, were often at odds with Elyssa and her family. Her and her family's desire for progress often butted heads with their desire to maintain tradition and the status quo; but the Emerheart's integral presence to the community kept them relatively safe.

However, this did not last. A little over a year before the most recent flood, her parents contracted a mysterious illness. Whether as a result of their work, or the designs of powers more sinister - or perhaps simply bad luck, matters little. Though Elyssa did everything in her power to find a cure, they would succumb to their sickness. First her mother, then shortly after, her father.

Though their name and work had long protected them from the meddling of their detractors, it would no longer serve Elyssa. Lacking the finesse and charisma of her father, and the respect and connections of her mother, the oft-controversial practices that had allowed her parents and herself to serve their community were brought under the harsh scrutiny of the church of this city. This would lead, ultimately, to her exile from Merrie completely.

The time between her exile from Merrie and her arrival in Lavedan, Ancien, she has talked little of. Whatever she witnessed, whatever she experienced, whatever journey she took - she refuses to speak of. What is known, however, is that in crossing the bridge to what would be Caer Oathen was not only a new beginning - but a return to her ancestry.

For in the wake of his death, Elyssa discovered that her father was once of noble rank - the heir to the House Emberheart. He had forsaken his rank, title, and inheritance to be allowed to marry Elyssa's mother - a common born woman. Her grandfather, Janbar Emberheart, had wed none other than Elrya O'mara, great-aunt to Oathsworn's own High Lord, Elryck O'mara, making the two cousins by blood.

Now, as Elyrck is one of the only two family members remaining to her, she serves the House O'mara and the Oathsworn fiercely as its Diplomat, and sometimes as a sword-arm. Still, even with these duties, she finds time for the things she loves most of all - scholarly pursuit, and the art of alchemy.