Paul Jaquays was born on October 14, 1956. While details about her early childhood are somewhat scarce, this marked the beginning of a life that would profoundly impact the landscape of gaming and art.

Jaquays began making a name for herself in the tabletop gaming world in the late 1970s. She initially contributed to the zine "The Dungeoneer" with innovative and challenging adventure designs, and became known for her non-linear dungeon layouts and emphasis on player choice. This early work caught the eye of TSR, the creators of "Dungeons & Dragons".