Born in Lor'Danel on Kalimdor, Addrissa is the eldest of four sisters. Her father was a druid, her mother was a priestess. Her family relocated to Darnassus when Addrissa and her twin sister Kadrissa were toddlers, as her parents worked closely with the Kaldorei leaders. Addrissa, her twin, and a boy they grew up with also had a three-elf music act when they were pre-teens, even performing for Tyrande's birthday one year at the height of their popularity. Upon completing their basic schooling, Addrissa's twin took off to explore the world while Addrissa remained close to home and set her sights on a simpler life.

Addrissa was stationed in Darnassus as a sentinel and had been working as a mentor for trainees in Dolnaar when Sylvanas burned Teldrassil. Her parents perished in the flames while saving her two youngest sisters. After assuring their passage to safety on a boat heading for the Exodar, Addrissa attempted to hunt down the Banshee Queen. A formidable archer and fighter, Addrissa fought with everything she had but only succeeded in being captured and killed. Hearing of the spectacular ruckus she caused, Sylvanas took note of Addrissa's skill and tenacity in battle, choosing to raise her as a Dark Ranger.

Once given the option to return to her people and touring the realms of death, Addrissa rescued the souls of her parents from the Maw and began a long and tedious search for her scattered sisters. Her twin, Kadrissa, had been gone for many years when the tree was burned, and though Addrissa desperately wishes for them to be reunited, she also harbors resentment that Kadrissa was not there to fight beside her and to assist with rescuing their family from the flames. Ever the eldest daughter and a weapon honed in the ranks of some of the Kaldorei's fiercest fighters, Addrissa wrestles with feeling responsible somehow for everything that has happened.

Having drawn the attention of the Lady Nari, Addrissa has taken a place among Her Chosen on the promise of being reunited with her kin.