Skala Heemora

"Am I free? Aye, I've always been free, and will be 'til sea swallows all!"
-Skala, when asked if she's doing anything this weekendA seasoned pirate, Skala is a free spirit who loves all things adventure. She dreams of seeing all the wonders the world of Hydaelyn has to offer, and revels in the scraps and the detours she gets into along the way. She loves adventure, but she also loves shiny things, particularly jewels and machines. She also loves to tinker, inventing all kinds of gadgets of various effectiveness. She even fashioned for herself a pair of Aether-fueled pistols she affectionately calls "me darlin' Scrappers."Skala can very selfish, as well as greedy. When she spies something she wants, she'll do anything to get it, whether it's a shiny piece of treasure, some machine part she wants, or even a man who's caught her eye. She's a woman who lives true to her own desires, sometimes without regard for the people around her.However, she also highly values friendship and camaraderie. When she considers someone a friend, she will do everything in her power to support their freedom the same way she would her own.

Bard

Though still an amateur, Skala has recently taken up the art of music! Though her favored instrument is the Cello, she is proficient in a few other instruments as well. If you see her, ask her to play a shanty or two!

Crafter

Growing up on the high seas, Skala found it necessary to develop certain skills. As a carpenter, she learned how to manage her ship when repairs became necessary, and as a goldsmith, she learned to appraise the true value of the jewels she recovered during her pirating endeavors, and avoid being deceived when attempting to sell them later. Then, after plundering a Garlean vessel and being awestruck by the technological wonders within, Skala became entranced by the idea of machines. Though her primary interest is in technology, Skala also developed skills in smithing and armory along the way. In her spare time, she also enjoys building miniature airships which she keeps in her apartment.

Fisher

Skala has been proficient in fishing from a young age, beginning as a way to feed herself on the high seas. Though she often lacks the patience for it, Skala developed a fondness for the angler's art, and continues to practice it on occasion in her free time.

Bink's Brew

On behalf of one of her former rivals, Skala also runs a restaurant and bar out of an old pirate ship!Come check it out Wednesdays at 7PM PST!
Aether, Gilgamesh, Mist, W14 P16

When not out at sea, Skala's preferred place to stay is an apartment in the 15th ward of Limsa Lominsa's Mist district.
It has everything she needs after a long voyage: a warm shower, a comfortable bed, and a healthy supply of liquor.Up in the loft, she also has a small workshop to satisfy her tinkering needs, often cobbling together models of miniature airships in her spare time. There's even a few hidden treasure troves that only Skala knows how to get to.If you're lucky, maybe she'll invite you over some time!

Sixth Astral Era, Year 1545

A Fateful Meeting
A Roegadyn woman by the name of Sunnswys arrives in the deserts of Gyr Abania. Her destination? The Drowned City of Skalla. Her goal? The pursuit of buried treasure. Instead, she finds a treasure of a different kind: her future husband, Dahn Heemora.Dahn is a Hellsguard Roegadyn, born and raised a monk of the Fist of Rhalgr. A stubborn man, his mission is to guard the entrance to the Drowned City. But the free-spirited adventurer Sunnswys would prove to be more than he bargained for.

Sixth Astral Era, Year 1552

Fall of the Fist
Dahn Heemora has perished. The tyrannical King of Ruin, Theodoric, in his infinite greed, has put an end to the monks of the Fist of Rhalgr. Heemora is survived by his three sons Skar, Skrib, and Skodd, as well as his wife Sunnswys, pregnant with their fourth child. Amidst a terrible storm, the four prepare to flee the wrath of the mad king with aid of Sunnswys' old friend D'navi, a pirate of the infamous crew known as the Thorned Roses. Five years later, the mad king would be overthrown by his subjects, but they would find their freedom short-lived, as not long after they would be conquered by invaders from Garlemald, taking advantage of the nation's chaos.Amidst the storm, Skala is born. The daughter Sunnswys always wanted, named for the place that brought her and Dahn together. Tragically, she is born smaller and weaker than expected, and shortly after Sunnswys perishes in childbed. As the storm rages, D'navi and the the brothers Heemora, along with the newborn Skala, make their way to meet with the Thorned Roses, where their fate is left to the dread pirate Lena Auclair, who reluctantly agrees to drop them off at Vesper Bay.

Sixth Astral Era, Year 1560

Mark of Duplicity
Having lost their father, their mother, and even their homeland, the brothers Skar and Skrib were consumed by anger, spending every waking moment in Vesper Bay dreaming of the revival of Ala Mhigo and the Heemora clan.Unfortunately, this meant they had little affection to spare for Skala, the bratty little runt who knew nothing of the glory of their clan or the land they left behind. Sometimes, in their blacker moods, they even blamed her for the death of their mother. In the end, she was just another mouth to feed.In response to this lack of affection, Skala grew up a mischievous child, often lying and stealing for no reason other than to get attention, which only frustrated the brothers more.When her seventh nameday arrived, in Heemora tradition, she was given her signature facepaint: a blackened left face, the mark of Duplicity. Though likely a cruel joke by her brothers, Skala wore it with pride, and continues to do so today.It was the day after the ceremony that she expressed her desire to sail with D'navi and the Roses and become a pirate. Already fed up with her antics, Skar and Skrib were all too ready to cut her loose, family be damned. The only one to protest was the youngest brother Skodd, who had developed an affection for Skala and was loathe to see her go.

Sixth Astral Era, Year 1563

The Times They Are A-Changin'
Three years later, Skala is already an adept sailor, having taken to the sea with astonishing swiftness. After plundering a Garlean vessel, Skala learned how to make herself useful in other ways too upon realizing she had a knack for all things machina, and began developing all sorts of inventions.Though Lena Auclair is a tough and cruel captain, Skala often manages to escape her ire, either through quick thinking or being protected by D'navi, who has taken on the role of Skala's guardian. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Percival, the Captain's young son. Prone to bouts of sickness, he is often a target of Lena's wrath, seeing in him a weakling and a disappointment, and not at all the successor she desired.During their three years together, Skala and Percival form a budding friendship, but circumstances force them to part as their life at sea is shaken by Admiral Merlwyb's new decree: that piracy be outlawed in all La Noscean waters, save against the vessels of the Empire.The response from the Roses is one of outrage. While Lena decides to continue her acts of piracy despite the Admiral's decree, D'navi chooses to leave the Thorned Roses for more profitable waters - namely, Othard's Ruby Sea. While Skala is torn between her respect for D'navi and her friendship with Percy, she ultimately chooses to follow D'navi to the seas of Othard. Tragically, after only a few short years, D'navi perishes in a skirmish with Garlean soldiers, leaving Skala alone with nothing but hatred and sorrow.

Seventh Astral Era

The Emerald Queen
Since D'navi's passing, Skala has made a name for herself as a pirate, proclaiming herself "the Emerald Queen of the Ruby Sea." She's amassed a loyal crew to man her ship, the Emerald Cog, and together they fly her very own jolly roger, calling themselves the Emerald Pirates. While some respect her chosen title, others mock her, calling her "Two-Face" behind her back.In the Ruby Sea, Skala became an expert at deceiving Garleans and Confederates alike, making a living using her skills both nautical and mechanical as well as her quick wits smuggling both people and things across these waters. Of course, she didn't do it for free. She charged her clients lesser tithe than the Confederacy would ask, and guaranteed them safety from the Empire.Unfortunately, this life too is upended after the installation of a new Doman viceroy: Yotsuyu goe Brutus. Outraged that the Confederacy has gone unchecked for so long, she declares all who pay the Tithe to be enemies of Garlemald. Even Skala would not continue to brave these waters under such circumstances, so she and her Emerald Pirates decide at last to return to Eorzean waters.Emboldened by their time in the East, they now raid Garlean and Eorzean vessels alike, quickly gaining the attention of the Maelstrom. Before long Skala and her crew are captured by none but the Admiral herself. Impressed by her skills at sea, the Admiral offers Skala a position at the Grand Company of the Maelstrom instead of punishing her for her crimes. She doesn't entirely trust the Admiral, but seeing little choice, Skala accepts the offer, vowing to only raid imperial vessels in the future.

A Storm of Blood
Thanks to her lifelong experience on the high seas, Skala is able to rise through the ranks of the Maelstrom relatively quickly. However, due to her blunt honesty and resistance to following orders, she also makes several enemies, and never truly adjusts to military life. But eventually, tragedy strikes. Her eldest brother, Skar, ever eager to retake Ala Mhigo from the Empire, recklessly joins up with the Griffin to attack Baelsar's Wall, where he is swiftly killed. This battle forces the Eorzean Alliance to enter open war with Garlemald. As a member of the Maelstrom, Skala fights too, battling the enemy on the front lines as well as serving a supportive role by using her mechanical skills to build weapons and explosives for the Maelstrom. Her two surviving brothers fight alongside her as members of the Ala Mhigan Resistance.This is a dark time for the Heemoras, as the grief for their fallen brother drives them in the fight against Garlemald. Having lost two people to the Garleans now, Skala becomes focused on revenge, driven by her anger and bitterness.

A Peaceful Life
While Skala remains embittered by her experiences, she finds her happiness again after being reunited with Percival. No longer the sickly boy she once knew, he'd become strong as a powerful Dark Knight. Skala and Percy become close again, and reaffirm their bond, considering each other to be siblings. They soon have other fateful encounters, meeting new friends and forming other strong bonds. Skala is revitalized, but she is still unhappy in the Maelstrom. However, she finds it difficult to leave due to the circumstances of her joining. After winning a duel against a stubborn commanding officer, she is able regain her freedom and leave the Maelstrom once and for all.But after that, she finds herself lost. Piracy no longer seems sustainable, but she knows no other life. She is reunited with a retired old rival from her piracy career on the Ruby Sea. Binosuke (nicknamed "Bink") shares with her his dream to run a restaurant out of a boat. Amused, Skala agrees to help him, but he is killed by a heart attack just days before they are set to open.While uninterested in running a restaurant, Skala refuses to let Bink's dream die with him, and becomes the proprietress of the newly-opened Bink's Brew. Today she busies herself with running it, and while she held little interest in it at first, she finds it surprisingly fulfilling. However, the sea is always calling for Skala Heemora, and before long, she may have no choice but to answer...

Wanted in the East!

If you've ever glanced at the Hunt Board in Kugane, perhaps you've seen this poster before. In her younger days, Skala made her living as a pirate and a smuggler sailing the Ruby Sea, becoming known by such as epithets as "the Emerald Queen" or the more derogatory "Two-Faced Skala." Though it's been many years since then, her bounty is technically still active, so she occasionally gets targeted by bounty hunters, even here in Eorzea.If you're from around there, maybe you've heard first-hand of the nefarious Captain Skala and her Emerald Pirates. Or perhaps you've run afoul of them in the past, and want to settle the score.

Former Maelstrom Captain

After being recruited by the Admiral herself, Skala led an accomplished career as an officer of the Maelstrom, both by fighting on the front lines and using her mechanical skills to develop explosions and weaponry. and eventually achieved the rank of Captain.Despite her accomplishments, her presence was a polarizing one among her colleagues. She often argued with the Admiral about how best to deal with matters such as the Sahagin, and her deterrents would call her names like "fish woman."Skala eventually took her leave of the Maelstrom after a climactic duel with one of her superiors, making her a free woman once more.

Ala Mhigan Family

Though Skala has little connection to the place herself, her father came from a long line of monks in service to the Fist of Rhalgr. They also have a peculiar tradition of painting their faces, one Skala still maintains to this day. In the modern day, the surviving members of the Heemora family have taken a prominent role as members of the Ala Mhigan Resistance.

Takagi Tsurugi

A Doman Samurai with a penchant for mischief, Takagi was exiled from his homeland, and when his would-be refuge in the Confederacy turned out not to his liking, he found himself hunted for a deserter. It was in such circumstances that he first met Skala Heemora, and promptly fell in love. Though his feelings were unrequited, he devoted himself to her service, becoming the First Mate of the newly-formed Emerald Pirates.After Skala joined the Maelstrom, he continued to serve as her right-hand man, rising to the rank of Storm Lieutenant.Eventually, however, he betrayed her to a senior officer who had a bone to pick with his Captain, fleeing Eorzea with as much of the crew's treasure as he could carry. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Role: First Mate
Job: Samurai
Birthplace: Doma
Status: Unknown

Rakon Daitou

A former ninja of Doma, the clan Rakon served perished after its fall to Garlemald. Knowing no other life, he spent the following years searching for a new master to serve. After Skala saved him from a misunderstanding with the Confederacy that could have cost him his life, he pledged himself to her.
As the Emerald Pirates' Lookout, he uses his sharp eyesight to his advantage, usually being the first to spot any nearby islands or other vessels, and frequently scouts ahead before combat.
He also guards Skala's quarters when she sleeps, even though she insists it's not necessary.

Role: Lookout
Job: Ninja
Birthplace: Doma

Samwell Starros

Every good pirate crew needs a musician!
A Viera born in the snowy mountains between Othard and Dalmasca, Samwell knew nothing but cold, but everything changed when a passing trader brought songs of adventure of freedom as well as his regular goods.
Becoming enamored with sea shanties, he left home as soon as he could, dreaming of becoming a star. Unfortunately, his terrible seasickness and lack of nautical skill left him in a terrible spot when Skala discovered him.
Eternally grateful, he joined her crew afterwards to not only write songs of her adventures, but live them as well."Samwell Starros" is a stage name. His real name is unknown.

Role: Musician
Job: Bard
Birthplace: Skatay Range

Hobb

Hobb once dreamed of cooking at Limsa Lominsa's legendary Bismarck, but was banned from the restaurant for good after a misunderstanding. Bereaved, he was unsure what to do until Skala happened to taste some of his food. Finding it delicious, she knew she wanted him to be the cook for her crew, and having nowhere to go, he accepted.
Being on the larger side for a Miqo'te, he's also highly skilled in a brawl, though he doesn't like to resort to violence.
When Skala took on the burden of running the seafaring restaurant Bink's Brew, it was Hobb who took on the arduous task of bringing her cooking skills up to par.

Role: Cook
Job: Culinarian, Pugilist
Birthplace: Limsa Lominsa

Yomei Sougen

Raised in a mountain tribe in Othard's east, Yomei dedicated his life to studying the healing arts after his younger sister died of illness during his childhood. Today, he serves as the Emerald Pirates' chirurgeon. As the one who patches her up aftewards, he's often exasperated with Skala's reckless behavior. Even so, he can't help himself from worrying about her. So whenever Skala's in danger, he's always close at hand to help out.

Role: Chirurgeon
Job: Scholar
Birthplace: Othard

Sertrout

Ever since Skala saved his life from a sea monster during a fishing trip gone awry, Sertrout has devoted himself to her service as a cabin boy, performing many chores on the Emerald Cog. He also has a surprisingly good head for numbers, so Skala often trusts him with the management of the crew's finances and other assets.

Role: Cabin Boy
Job: Fisher
Birthplace: Aleport

Pell

A parrot Skala adopted as child, Pell has become Skala's constant companion. He loves eating crackers and playing with water.

Ulti

The Chocobo may be the Eorzean steed of choice, but Skala prefers an Elbst. After helping a struggling Sahagin Clutchmother give birth, she was gifted with a female Elbst who she decided to call Ulti.
Though she was a bit unruly at first, she's since warmed up to Skala, now directing her feisty side only towards Skala's enemies.Ulti loves to swim and run around. Her main diet consists of kelp and meat.

Dahn Heemora

A monk of the Fist of Rhalgr, Dahn was sworn to celibacy until the day he met Sunnswys. Together, they had four children, but due to the whims of the King of Ruin, he would not live to see the last...

Job: Monk
Birthplace: Ala Mhigo
Status: Deceased

Sunnswys

An adventurer to the core, Sunnswys' love for the sea never faded after she met Dahn. To him, she was always a pure soul, but her association with D'navi may suggest otherwise...

Job: ???
Birthplace: Limsa Lominsa
Status: Deceased

Skarnfhet Haemyra

The eldest son of Dahn and Sunnsys, Skar was still a monk in training when the king came down on the Fist of Rhalgr, though he insists he was "basically a full monk" at the time. After the loss of both his parents, Skar lost himself to anger, and decided to take on his family's ancestral Roegadyn name. Ever since Ala Mhigo fell to the Empire, his heart has yearned for vengeance. Thus, it should come as no surprise that when a certain Griffin came knocking, Skarnfhet Haemyra was there to answer the call.

Job: Monk
Birthplace: Ala Mhigo
Status: Deceased

Skribthubyr Haemyra

As the more level-headed brother, Skrib would often be the voice of reason to talk Skar down. But when the Griffin came knocking, and Skrib had a bad feeling, even Skar would not listen to his brother.
Ever since, he has coped with his grief by burying himself in his work, conducting alchemical experiments of dubious morality.
He has recently taken on his family's ancestral Roegadyn name, like his brother Skar before him.

Job: Red Mage, Alchemist
Birthplace: Ala Mhigo
Status: Alive

Skodd Heemora

The youngest of the brothers, Skodd was only a toddler the last time he saw Ala Mhigo, and can't recall either of his parents' faces. As a result, he does not blame Skala for the death of their mother, and is the only one of the three to show her true warmth.

Job: Paladin
Birthplace: Ala Mhigo
Status: Alive

Lena Auclair

Captain of the fearsome Thorned Roses, Lena is a ruthless pirate. After a failed attempt on the Admiral's life, she spent time in a cell, but due to her various connections, she has managed to secure an early release.

Job: Rogue
Birthplace: Ishgard
Status: Unknown

D'navi Relanah

The former Navigator of the Thorned Roses, D'navi was a woman of mystery who used the stars to navigate the seas. After the death of her old friend Sunnswys, D'navi decided to take on her daughter as a ward.D'navi shaped Skala's view of what it means to be a pirate. Despite having two perfectly functioning eyes, Skala started wearing an eyepatch in imitation of D'navi when she was young, and after she died, continued to do so in honor of her.

Job: Astrologian
Birthplace: Limsa Lominsa
Status: Deceased

Hook

An automaton built by Skala. She considers her her finest creation, though she also claims the "Grog Machine 3000" is a close second.
Hook took to calling her 'mother' and in turn Skala decided to treat her as she would a daughter. Her future is unknown.

Job: Pugilist
Birthplace: Ishgard Empyreum
Status: Functional

Percival Auclair

A close friend of Skala's since childhood, they often adventure together to this very day. Due to their close bond, they often think of each other as siblings.

Job: Dark Knight
Birthplace: Limsa Lominsa
Status: Alive

Skafos

Skala's ancient self. Originally assigned to the Bureau of the Architect in Amaurot for her experience with mechanical-type creations, she was later sent to Metabaseos Thalassai to help with a certain problem. While there, she fell in love with the study of the ocean, and later requested a transfer. After that, she continued to work diligently under the woman who would one day become her patron goddess, Llymlaen, until the advent of the Final Days...

Birthplace: Amaurot
Status: Sundered

Skott

Skala's counterpart on the First. A skilled blacksmith, Skott was exiled from his dwarven tribe after a terrible incident. As a result, he chose to abandon his beard and carve out a new life for himself sailing along the Kholusian Coast. With a crew of mighty Talos by his side, he soon garnered a reputation as the dread pirate Blackbeard.

Job: Warrior
Birthplace: Kholusia
Status: Alive

Sgarra

Skala's counterpart in the Thirteenth. A former airship pilot in the Red Wings, she defected after seeing what the Empire had become, choosing to lead the life of a Sky Pirate. After the Flood of Darkness, she became a powerful voidsent who answered to no one. At least, until she met her match in the self-proclaimed void queen Scáthach. Sgarra became her thrall and did her bidding until Scáthach met her demise at the hands of the Warrior of Light. Since then, Sgarra's whereabouts have been unknown.

Job: Voidsent
Birthplace: Baron
Status: Unknown

"Mistbeard"

In another life, when the Eighth Umbral Calamity occurred and the world fell under darkness, Skala's life took a darker turn. After the tragic death of her brother Skodd at the Ghimlyt Dark, Skala deserted the Maelstrom and donned the mantle of the dread pirate Mistbeard. She then returned to the Ruby Sea and ran a deadly campaign against the Garleans and the Confederacy both, before meeting her death at the hands of the bioweapon Black Rose.