Annalise is the will of Einshae, a massive forest between two wartorn lands. She is, in essence, its living spirit. In addition to that, circumstances have made her become the Holywyrm of her world, the Draconic embodiment of sanctified light.
Einshae was once a Holy Forest lead by a circle of Dryads. These Dryads had a pact with the previous Holywyrm, allowing them access to both Nature magics and Holy magics. In exchange for this power, the Dryads of Einshae would protect the sleeping Holywyrm within Einshae's great tree.
Einshae was invaded by a wave of undead, pushing the civilization there to the brink of extinction. The force that turned the tide were Dhampyr mercenaries, immune to the energies the undead wielded.
All members of the Dryad circle perished in the battles. Annalise laid unborn in her Heartwood tree, only surviving due to the actions of the Dhampyr mercenaries. Having bled into the ground, however, the Dhampyr mercenaries had caused her nature to become that of a Vampire as well.
The sleeping Holywyrm had also perished in the attack, its own essence seeping into the very heart of Einshae. As its only eligible will, Annalise's nature had settled into a Trinity:
- A Dryad
- A Vampire
- A Dragon Embodiment of Light