Aria is a member of a species known as the Nix. One of the elder races, the Nix are long-lived, and fairly unchanging. Though skilled in both science and elemental magic, the Nix have been unable to stop the degradation of their genepool. Though born with natural, mammalian wings, about 1/5 of all Nix's wings are non-functional at birth and must be replaced with cybernetics. Treated as second-class citizens, most venture out into space. Ironically, these outcasts are also born with adaptive reproductive mutations, allowing them to incorporate alien DNA into their own, producing healthy, vital offspring. This has led some to believe that the loss of their wings is actually evolution, though many consider this heresy and blasphemy. Aria left her homeworld when she was a teenager, as soon as she was able to afford a pair of cyber wings and ticket to the Free Colonies. As one of the few beings in human-controlled space that has mastered magic, her talents are highly-sought after by mercenary groups, bounty hunters and security forces. Aria takes whatever job puts her in the way of adventure, not because she likes it, but because she is looking for a man strong enough and of good enough genetic stock for her to mate with and have children that will strengthen the Nix species and bring her a measure of respect from her people.