In general:   Alietra (say - Ali - etra, but mostly it's just 'Ali') is usually pleasant company  - not the sharpest tool in the shed, yet not a dunce either.    Even armed, she doesn't really look like anyone who'd cause trouble, which has its uses.    By the time anyone realizes she's a larcenous opportunist, it's usually too late.  Don't worry, though;  she is bright enough to know that robbing one's heavily armed acquaintances is stupid!

Story:  Alietra is a girl next door sort,  born to a local tanner and his wife.   Her parents were over imaginative, nature lovers (as well as herb smokers) who gave her a fancy name from some bard's song they both loved, but little in the way of useful guidance.    As Ali wound her way toward womanhood, she entered into that most time honored of professions (no, not that one - get your mind out of the gutter!) :    Barmaid.

Slinging mead at The Velvet Cudgel had its ups and downs.    Some of the patrons and staff were fun, and became friends.   But, there was the warty guy with the drippy nose and greasy hands who liked to slap her butt.    And the self-proclaimed Prophet of Jakk,  who would grab her arms with palsied hands, get right in her face so she could smell the pickled anchovies he always ordered, and yell "Do you really know Jakk -- do you??"

Anyway, one time someone stole all her tips.  On one evening when she'd had too much wine after her shift, but that's of no relevance.   To provide herself the sort of justice the universe never seems to just offer, she stole from her employer.    She had a realization that free money made her happy.    It seemed like a good thing to learn stuff that would aid her to get more of it.    So, she began seeing a guy who was a thief.   They carried on for awhile, until she knew she'd learned all she needed.    Then she stole his things, and left forever and for good the little hamlet where she'd been born.

Today, this intrepid, talented woman is your fellow adventurer!