Fame, fortune and many other things can compel a given person to do things. Be it for vengance, rightousness or otherwise, so many choices and events inspire people to become more than people. Heroes. Others have heroism forced upon them.

So what about Izalis?
She doesn't like to talk about it. Not that it's depressing or grim in any way.
The woman simply picked up a sword one day and figured it'd do. The choice of combat and adventure over farming wasn't even made, she just gravitated towards it all.
Rather embarassing, considering everyone else seemed to have something interesting to say about themselves.