Deela was born on the harsh Twi'lek homeworld Ryloth. As was the fate of many of her people she was sold into slavery by her corrupt Uncle. She was purchased by the newly appointed Imperial Governor for Ando.

He was a cruel and petty man whom Deela took an instant dislike to but so long as all he demanded of her was her dancing she was content to live in the relative luxury provided for her and endure the Governor’s insults. When he started to demand things of a more intimate nature Deela was forced to kill him in self defense.

Panicked the young Twi'lek fled Ando in the dark of the night aboard an Aqualish transport. She stowed away in the cargo hold knowing the Imperials would be looking for her. While she was sneaking about the ship to get some food Deela was discovered by one of the Aqualish mercenaries. The mercenary sounded the ship's alarm and pursued the young Twi'lek.

With little other option knowing that if the Aqualish captured her she would be turned in to the Imperial authorities, Deela dove into an escape pod and launched it. Fortunately for Deela the Aqualish didn't think her a big enough threat to go after and the pod's autopilot guided it in safely to the nearest planet, Rodia.

On Rodia she was found by members of the Tetsu clan. They were impressed with Deela's natural ability to survive and she was taken in by the clan and taught the ways of a warrior. That did not last long though as fortune turned against the Tetsu clan when their rivals the Chattza clan sentenced every Tetsu to death. Deela was barely able to flee with her life as her new friends were cut down, perhaps spared because she wasn't a true Rodian clanswoman.

Once again Deela was forced to flee a world but this time she was able to negotiate her way aboard the tramp freighter Moon Whale run by the captain Caro Mordan and his Wookie first mate Wrrldrrl. Deela and Wrrldrrl became fast friends as they served aboard the Moon Whale, both having been escaped slaves. Deela spent four months aboard the ship as the traveled to several planets in the mid and outer rims.

On Nar Shaddaa once again things took a turn for the worse as the Hutt crimelord that Caro owed money called in the debt by sending bounty hunters to kill the captain and his crew. Both Caro and Wrrldrrl were cut down just outside the Moon Whale before they could flee but Deela managed to dive to safety and escape into the dark back alleys of Nar Shaddaa.

There on Nar Shaddaa the young Twi'lek honed her street survival skills. Using the combat techniques the Rodians instructed her in along with the knowledge she picked up aboard the Moon Whale Deela was finaly able to stop fleeing and start making her own way in the world.

Deela was quickly able to establish herself on Nar Shaddaa, using her street skills to make a comfortable living. Still Deela longed for more, feeling there was more to life than living from con to con and dancing in clubs for ill mannered patrons. With that in mind Deela booked transport off Nar Shaddaa, looking for a new opportunity.