Mihaela was born into a family of traveling performers. Her parents used to tell stories and entertain the punters of their circus sometimes her "ma" would sing tales of heroic feats and strange lands. There were also jugglers, "magicians", games of skill and all sorts of other forms of entertainment that would bring joy and revelry to the towns and cities they visited. They travelled on the waterways and would live for the most part in their boats. Occasionally they would be put up by local residents in return for the entertainment they brought.
 
During her childhood and adolescent years Mihaela worked tending the troupe's animals and ships as was tradition, although she did start being involved in the performances as she approached adulthood. Once an adult Mihaela was expected to preform, but her introverted nature meant she hated being shoved in front of people for their entertainment and with her parents support she was excused from preforming. Mihaela found this life menial, degrading and boring, and she soon began to feel trapped. She began to long for a freer existence and, to her parents dismay, committed to leaving the troupe.

 
Her younger brother Perrin was her only real friend due to the travelling nature of her life. They would get into mischief together, running off into the surrounding area to escape the lives they loathed. Their bond was strong and full of practical jokes, banter and one-upmanship. They often found themselves wondering what lay beyond the river lands and used to spend time telling each other imaginary stories of lands far away.
 
Eventually both her and her brother felt that they were not living the right life and they both knew that they were wasting away their time as members of the troupe. They desired more freedom and wanted to go out into the world and explore. With their parents blessing they set off on their own. Mihaela promised her "ma" and "pa" that she would look after Perrin and so they set off.
 
On the road due to her own ineptitude her brother and only friend in the world died in a tragic accident. This event completely de-shovelled Mihaela. The event broke her, she became depressed and lost her desire to see the world which had been the dream she and Perrin had had together.
 
More than ten years on she has given into her deep routed psychological issues and just tries to get through each day, turning to a life of petty crime. She has had run ins with the shadow thieves and so kept traveling onwards ever fearful of being recognised.
 
Her parents still don't know of Perrins death and so she has shed her last name in fear of being recognised. Fortunately not many people ask too many questions of an un supposing halfling.
 
The Thorngage family is a large mainly nomadic family that worship Llirra, the Goddess of Joy. It is through her divine will that they travel around bringing joy to others. Each year at the summer equinox they gather on the shores of the Emerald Depths south of Yita to witness the spectacle that results in the lakes namesake. This is a chance to see family members that have been travelling about during the last year.