Akiko's grandmother ran afoul of the Drow some 300 years ago. As a result Akiko, and her brother Aki, are of mixed blood, half Common elf on her father's side and 1/4 Moon Elf and 1/4 Drow Elf on her mother's side.

Akiko explains away her Drowish features by saying her hair color is a result of a spell gone bad during her apprenticeship. This ruse has worked for the most part for over a hundred years but elves are very long lived and the truth is pretty much common knowledge among her clansman now. Elves are known for their narrow mindedness and the stigma of her Drow ancestry finally prompted Akiko and her brother to leave their homeland to live among the humans and other races who have shorter lives and, most importantly, shorter memories.

Their journey to their new lives started badly. They were beset with a storm at sea that almost killed them and resulted in the loss of all their possessions. Worse, they became separated. Having lost all contact with her brother Akiko finds herself in the lands of Silverymoon and has started her life over while always looking for news of her brother. She has heard he is a wizard of some repute in a land called Alangara. She has as yet not been able to find any information about this unknown land other than the vaguest of rumors.

Akiko is happy in her new life. She has met many elves whose friendship she values highly, and whose backgrounds have also included misadventures with the Drow. She especially values being able to converse in elven, a valuable link to her heritage. She continues to improve in her craft and practices constantly with her bow and sword when not studying her spells.