Isanti was born in a relatively wealthy family in Desclef, Undunli - "relatively" being the key word. Some generations ago the Levina family rose above the working class, but their grip on this status is tenuous at best. It takes careful planning to remain above the proletariat. They pick and choose their investments and occasions, but they do it well.

All of this has, however, largely gone over Isanti's head. He grew up fairly sheltered and introspective, a quiet child preferring solitary walks in the mild Tanul sunlight and to spend rainy Drenak nights curled up with a good book and a cup of something steaming hot. This suited the Levina family quite well, even if it was accidental - while always polite, his antisocial tendencies and his somewhat different mannerisms put him apart from the other children of the mining town.

This meant society could forgive the Levina family their second child, the little rascal Sarazheha who thrived with mud up to their ears and ran wild with absolutely anyone who would come along on their reckless adventures. Isanti got the burden of representing the sophisticated side while everyone pretended Sara wasn't a muddy little rat.

On his 11th birthday Isanti received his most treasured possession: Morrocaw. Back then she was an ungainly bundle of fur and paws and teeth, a young cheetah, and though Isanti had always enjoyed being outdoors it changed. They would hike among the cliffs, race on the grasslands, nap in the sun or dance in the rain... Eventually, Sarazheha began to spend more time with them as well, and it started to straighten the young hellion out.

Given his predilection for reading (and the general opinion that he would be useless for anything other than magic or artistic work, as he was a decent painter), Isanti was tutored in magecraft along with his general education. Behind closed doors his parents saved up for sending him to Ok'Kotoll, to study with a savant for a few weeks - it would not be cheap, and the lodgings his parents had chosen were, of course, up on the Plates. The whole thing was just as much to show off their status as it was for him.

But things do not ever go to plan, do they? Isanti, cheetah in tow, arrives in Ok'kotoll just in time for the lockdown. Lodging is in high demand, prices are rising steeply...