The Ale & Winch has many interesting drinks, most are due to the efforts of a lovely elvin lass by the name of Valantha. She has been working for Barlee North, the owner of the Ale & Winch, for 30 years. Her outfits will vary day to day, but they all show off her form. She stands 5'1" tall and weighs 96lbs, her hair is long and dark red. Valanthas eyes are a deep sea blue that many would love to fall into. The many years spent working on the boats have left her lean and muscular.

The third child of instructors, Tharnva and Shenari Silverleaf, at the great mage school in Ylee, Valantha always had an affinty with magic. She learned magic and magic theory quickly, but her views on what magic should be used for differed greatly from what her family thought. Valantha used magic to add a bit of spice to life, be it with her cooking or just illusions. Her parents and siblings did not aprove of her views and times were not easy for the young elf. At the age of 108, the young elf left the mage school in Ylee and set out to Gaer to try to find her own way in the world. When she arrived at Gaer the only job she could get was on board a trading vessel owned by Barlee North. Vala (as she has come to be called) was made the ships cook since the previous cook vanished under mysterious circumstances (ask anyone on board at that time and the cook was toss overboard by the crew for the slop he was trying to feed them). The crew was very surpised to learn that this little mage would use her magic to make some great meals. She gained alot of respect among the sailors with her use of magic to ensure that her galley worked smoothly. During one nasty storm about 3 years after she started working on the boats, Vala was up on deck bringing some hot soup for some of the crew members that were still on deck. A massive wave took one of the sailors over the side and without thinking, Vala cast the spell animate rope followed up by true strike and made the rope wrap around the sailor. With the help of the first mate, she managed to pull the crewman back on board the boat. That day, Vala was made an officer. Upon returning to port, Barlee gave her a magic dress that changes with a command into another outfit. Vala never backed down from any job that was presented to her while she served on board the boats. Having shown that she is willing to use her magic to assist the crew without any hesitation, Vala gained the respect of all the sailors within Barlee's fleet and even served as captain of the vessel known as StormRider for a few years. The crews of Barlee's boats have gotten into quite a few brawls with people bad mouthing Vala.

When Barlee opened the Ale & Winch, Vala was more than happy to help with putting her knowledge of Alchemy and magic to use in the tavern. With Barlee having access to many exotic ingredients, Vala has concocted a number of brews that have become favorites at the bar and also with the nobles of the surrounding lands, her DewFrost Wine is a favorite. Another thing that Vala is known for is assisting with the stories that the old salts will spin. Using small illusions, she will illustrate various parts of the tales. Vala helps run the tavern and is the one barkeep that people really don't want to be there when a brawl breaks out. Having been given a set of magical bracers by Barlee, Vala will cast Bull Strength on herself and clang the bracers together, activating the stoneskin they grant. She then will wade into the fight, tossing people out on their arse and those who mistakenly take a swing at her find that the stoneskin spell really really hurts.

With the News of the plague in Ylee, Vala has become conserned for her family that remains there.