Devaleth Omptol was a Ruse mage from Black City, in the kingdom of Mare. She was described as a dumpy, middle-aged woman with thick arms, a thick waist, a wide chest, and a mousy tangle of brown hair. She had a pale face, rounded shoulders, and thick lips. She was educated at the Mare academy and her schooling included sitting at the side of ship's mage Parell, learning the trade through storms, battles, and becalmed seas.