Alesta Talier was born in Cairhien to a house of high nobility. She had always gone places with her mother, and gained knowledge of several other countries and their ways of life due to that. As most Cairhien, she is extremely good at Daes Dae'mar.  At age 16, she was informed by an Aes Sedai that she could channel. Eager to learn more of channeling, she set off for the Tower of Chasaline.

Alesta has long black hair and big dark brown eyes. She is short, as all Cairhien are, but considered of medium height for someone from Cairhien.

Alesta is a good listener, but someone with an extreme stubborn streak and a bit of a temper as well(only in some situations). She also is rather mischievous, but she focuses on duty first, everything else second.