The product of a world where psionic abilities are little understood and viewed with suspicion, Zesstra hails from Erelhei-Cinlu, the glittering gem at the heart of the Vault of the Drow. She was raised by her mother, a psionic warrior serving the Church as an inquisitor. She owes both her freedom and power to her mother's bitterness and spite.

Tradition demands that psions not be allowed to walk freely and hone their powers as they wish--instead, any known to possess the talent become property of the Church, where every facet of their life is decided for them. Ultimately, their purpose is to serve as an answer to the threat of mindflayers, but they are also used in the constant struggle between priestesses. Their powers are carefully controlled through drugs and poisons, so that no psion becomes too dangerous. Zesstra was instead taught to conceal her abilities, so that when the time came for her test, they could find nothing. Pronounced normal, she was free to expand her powers unhindered by Lolth's priestesses.

Zesstra continued to learn from her mother until the Church sent her away to Sorcere, since she had none of the physical aptitude needed for Melee-Magthere. It was hell for the psibond agent. She had immense difficulty casting even the simplest of spells, and she did not get on well with any of her fellows--they treated her with the exceptional disdain reserved for a houseless commoner.

After six long months, the girl was pitted against her first foes in the Arena as a test--a mindflayer and its umber hulk thrall. Everyone expected Zesstra to be crushed in seconds. Sorcere would be rid of its trouble, and there would be no loss of face for the priestesses that had paid for her education. Instead, the psibond agent broke the mindflayer's hold over the umber hulk, and bent the creature to her will instead. It took care of the illithid, but it exposed her psionic talents to everyone. Needless to say, the Church was infuriated. Zesstra fled Erelhei-Cinlu, but not before seeing her mother pay the price for defying Lolth's priestesses.

Long years of reflection have allowed Zesstra to come to terms with her past, though she still harbors a resentment towards mages and clerics alike. It also gave her time to hone her skills, though she had to sacrifice much to attain her present power. She even went so far as to give up her sight to enhance the powers of her mind. Attaining perfection of her mind is the only thing that matters to the drowess. Transitory things like wealth and politics are meaningless when compared to power.