An enlisted Storm Captain of the Maelstrom, experienced Conjurer, and leader of the Free Company “Aether’s Lullaby,” Aayla Hyltmyna is a well-natured Miqo’te willing to lend a hand to any in need. While typically reserved and soft-spoken, the Seeker of the Sun is unafraid to take command of situations if the need arises. When she isn’t at her desk handling paperwork (or writing stories after making sure nobody is around), she can often be found on patrol in the fields, maintaining peace and ensuring none come to harm by using her magic and firearms- or in exceptional cases- her trusty anchor to ward off trouble.
Past
Aayla originally lived as a hunter for her small Sunseeker tribe. Secluded deep within the Twelveswood, game was plenty and she developed a taste for the thrill of the hunt. However, as the years passed and she grew older, she began to become displeased with her tribe before eventually leaving. While Aayla rarely speaks of her past and almost always refuses to comment further about why she left her family, she sometimes opens up after getting a few cups deep at the Drowning Wench or some other alehouse. One time between her loud bouts of drunkenly rambling about her taste in men and women, she let slip that one reason she left her tribe was her infertility, and how being unable to bear the young of her Nunh and fulfill that duty to her tribe caused her to flee in shame.
For a short time she resided within the Conjurer’s Guild, learning how to apply her own aether towards healing. There, she discovered just how attuned to aether and the Lifestream she was, which gave her both heightened sensitivity and mastery over aether. The idea of being able to protect the weak and heal the wounded gave her a sense of purpose- a new driving force to replace that which died when she left her tribe. In time, Aayla realized that despite her best efforts to ignore it, the Gridanian locale simply reminded her too much of her tribe. Thoughts of her inability to properly serve her tribe stressed the girl unceasingly. Thus did Aayla give her farewells to the guild she had learned under before making her way to Limsa Lominsa, where she changed her name. No longer was she a hunter of her tribe, but Aayla Hyltmyna, a Miqo’te who stood on her own.
Living in the new city-state was a struggle at first. Living away from society in a tribe secluded from the outside world meant that she had no gil to her name, no contacts of which she could call for help, and a complete lack of understanding of societal norms. Aayla had to fight over scraps of food, and the disdain for poachers that formed in the Black Shroud had made her wary of hunting any animals herself. It wasn't until she tried to steal food from Saelzeyn Iyrnceigsyn- the captain of a minor band of privateers called the Harrowing Hydras- that she would be met with any hospitality. Taking pity on the poor girl, the Roegadyn took Aayla under his wing and recruited her into his crew, the Harrowing Hydras.
At first, Saelzeyn tasked Aayla with repairing weapons and performing maintenance, but would later allow her to fight when he discovered her efficacy in combat and knowledge of healing. Over time, Saelzeyn taught Aayla more and more about the world. As she became more familiar with the customs of La Noscea she began to make a conscious effort to refine her speech, eventually training herself not to roll her “R”s and not to purr (although those old tribal habits and a newly formed habit of speaking in a piratical drawl still sometimes resurface, especially when drunk.) Eventually, with Saelzeyn's guidance, Aayla created a new name for herself using the nomenclature of the Sea Wolves, coming up with the surname of Hyltmyna, or “Forest Love” in the Roegadyn tongue.
Aayla's service with the Harrowing Hydras ended when Captain Guspelliont- the leader of a pirate crew known as the Seeing Swallows- assassinated Captain Saelzeyn in the middle of a celebration the Hydras were holding in the Drowning Wench. Distraught at the sudden loss of the one man she knew she could trust, she flew into a hysteric rage. A brawl shortly ensued, though Guspelliont was able to slip away- but not before Aayla had gouged one eye out of the Seeing Swallow and came close to getting the other. Filled with despair and unable to bear being around the crew without being reminded constantly of Saelzeyn, Aayla left the Harrowing Hydras though on good terms. Seeking companionship and camaraderie she joined the Maelstrom, where she has been an enlisted member of the War Sails division ever since.
Personality
Aayla is generally kind and good-natured, willing to help friends and strangers in need alike however possible. However, she’s easily irritated whenever someone does such things as tease her about her height or play upon any of her feline features. She acts as though she feels she has something to prove, often going to great lengths to maintain the Free Company estate and handle the chores.
Aayla can be quite reserved at times, especially when focused on getting work done. But, while she may not start many conversations, she’s always more than willing to casually talk should anyone come into her office. The Miqo’te rarely ever voices interest in romantic partners or her preferences in them (unless she’s several cups deep) but she can be flirtatious from time to time, especially with friends who she knows will be caught off guard and blush because of how little she usually expresses herself.
In short, Aayla is a wayward, rebellious soul who yearned for freedom. Her compassionate heart is as strong as iron, and, come Seven Hells or high waters, her will to keep going ever further is even sturdier. In these regards, Aayla is every bit the embodiment of Limsa Lominsa: rebellious, strong, and tough.
One small detail some have noticed about Aayla is just how casual she is around the sight of blood. While those who often see combat naturally become accustomed to the sight, Aayla is almost eerily comfortable with it. When asked, she'll do her best to deflect the question, merely muttering something about "her tribe" in response and refusing to elaborate further.
Miscellaneous
Age: 25Occupation: Storm CaptainNotable Traits: High attunement to aether and the LifestreamFavorite Foods: Breaded fish and grilled cheesesLikes: Writing, spending time with her friendsDislikes: Poachers, being treated like a felineThe small tattoo on her back resonates with her aether, causing it to glow when using aether.
Quotes
"Sometimes you just gotta roll a hard six."“Steadfast, like an anchor in the tides!”“Come the Seventh Hell or high water!”“Will you sink, or will you swim?”“If this is the path the Navigator has chosen for me, then so be it!”“No use wondering what could have been- best to think about what could be.”
Fighting Style
Aayla is adept with a variety of weapons, though she primarily uses her white magic and firearms in battle, with greater weapons like greatswords, war axes, and her anchor also seeing occasional use. Though she does not currently use them, she still retains her proficiency with bows and lances from the days she spent as a hunter for her tribe.
Her mix of proficiencies makes it difficult to categorize her as any one specific class, and thus she usually refers to herself as a Combat Medic when not specifically specializing in one aspect. While her exact techniques vary between her choice of weapon, Aayla tends to fulfill a more supportive role. Using firearms to provide suppressive fire, white magic to heal allies, and larger weapons to draw attention away from her comrades are all within her capabilities. She does her best to utilize creative- if non traditional- methods of applying her skills, such as using Fluid Aura for quenching the spread of flames or toppling over out-of-reach objects. In addition, she also can summon a humanoid manifestation of her own aether whom she calls Esteem.
Whether Aayla is in the backlines healing her allies or serving as the vanguard and aggressively drawing the ire of her enemies, she has a surprising presence on the field despite her smaller stature. Her voice carries well even in the heat of battle, allowing her to command those under her with great control.
However, despite her typical calm and collected nature that her position demands, she is not immune to the thrill of battle. Under extreme emotional duress or when fighting to protect something she can’t afford to lose, she is susceptible to being overcome by a brutal fervor. The rare few who have seen Aayla fighting when truly overcome by such feelings have recalled the state as almost animalistic. She acted lower than any man or predator: she was like a mad, starved beast whose thirst for blood had yet to be slaked. Yet, whatever her reasons for fighting so fiercely, she is inevitably always ashamed of herself whenever the battle high fades.
Equipment
Better Times
“Don’t give me those teary eyes, lass… Aye… just remember… our better times.” - Captain Saelzeyn
A revolving handcannon gifted to Aayla by the captain of her former privateering crew during his final moments, feeling it only right that she be the one to receive his gun because of her countless nights performing maintenance on it over the years. His only orders were to keep it well maintained as she always did, and to keep it as a memoire of their better times. To this very day, she upholds both orders, and thus is it rare to ever see the weapon in a condition less than spotless. She carries it in the inner pocket of her coat at almost all times, and its presence has gotten her out of rough spots that otherwise would have claimed her life.
The weapon itself is a six-round revolver, with custom modifications to the cylinder and barrel to allow for larger caliber cartridges as well as some of Aayla’s handmade experimental cartridges. The gun is painted Dalamud Red with brass depictions of roaring waves embossed on the sides. Better Times features a significantly shortened barrel to allow for it to be stowed within Aayla’s coat, as well as a reduced grip to better fit her hands. The cylinder is removable for faster reloads, although Aayla makes sure to always keep the original safely stowed away if she removes it.
Barrelchest Anchor
"Seven Hells, is that an anchor?” - A Baffled Settler
An anchor used by Aayla in the battle where she earned the rank of Captain. In an effort to defend a La Noscean settlement from being pillaged, Aayla led a small and poorly equipped squadron of Maelstrom troops against an overwhelmingly larger band of pirates. While her initial intent was to avoid conflict and negotiate peacefully, Aayla was incensed upon learning of their affiliation with the leader of the Seeing Swallows, Captain Guspelliont.
While official Maelstrom reports state that it was her tactical expertise which allowed her to crush her enemies, several witnesses claim that Aayla had offered her weapon to one of the squad members before finding an improvised weapon- an anchor from a nearby ship- which she then used to demolish the pirates in a fury. These claims are further supported by the fact that when she returned to Maelstrom Command after the mission, her squadron was almost entirely unharmed, yet she herself was pale, bloody, and covered in hastily-applied gauze.
While some might see the usage of an anchor as a weapon as something of a testament to one’s strength, Aayla feels a sense of shame when she thinks on how brutal she can be when caught in the heat of battle whilst using it. Still, even though the ‘weapon’ has the potential to shore up bad memories from time to time, Aayla keeps it as a trophy.
There is little special about the anchor itself; it is made of iron which is stained by the salt of the countless briny waters it was previously weighed in. It does not have an upper stock, only a ring for rope or chain to tie around. The origin of the weapon's name comes from the simple fact that Aayla found it between a barrel and a chest on the ship it was commandeered from.
Hummingbird Prototype
“Should it ever overheat, make sure that the aetherometer never reads over 7. If it does, then I would suggest dropping it and running.” - Venka Zephyrum
A select-fire repeater Aayla commissioned from an ex-Imperial engineer and personal friend Venka Zephyrum, using a hybrid of both Garlean technology and Eorzean aetherology. The machine pistol uses smaller caliber rounds loaded in a box magazine to allow for easier aiming and quicker reloads. The weapon’s fully automatic firing mode primarily uses the Garlean design elements to rapidly fire consecutive shots, allowing for suppressive fire or aggressive sustained counterfire against lightly armored targets. The single-fire mode takes advantage of Eorzean design philosophy around the usage of aether, allowing a cartridge to draw from Aayla’s own aether to fire precise, armor-piercing bullets.
In addition to the select-fire options, the Hummingbird Prototype features a lightweight skeletonized stock for further control during sustained fire, as well as a long barrel for increased projectile velocity. However, despite the utility provided by the two firing modes, the maintenance needed to keep the weapon in good condition is significantly increased, and requires the knowledge of how to finely tune the Magitek components as well as calibrate the aetherial components. While the vastly more difficult upkeep presented a flaw which stopped the weapon’s concepts from being adapted further by other firearms, Aayla’s knowledge of repairing equipment as well as her sensitivity to aether leaves her in a unique position of being able to provide proper maintenance for the gun with relative ease.
Maelstrom
Aayla currently holds the rank of Storm Captain within the Maelstrom’s bombardment division, the War Sails. While she typically handles logistics, relaying sensitive information, or other paperwork, she has proven herself as a capable soldier and medic both. Whether it be on land or sea, she is a dependable combatant and leader.
In recent times, Aayla has often taken brief periods of leave from her role in the Maelstrom to assist the Scions with their various ordeals. Given that Aayla possesses Hydaelyn’s blessing and her natural tendency to perform better in smaller squadrons, Maelstrom command allows her to take these periods of leave in recognition of the Scion’s importance in the safekeeping of Eorzea from primal and Ascian threats.
Allies
Past Associates & Enemies
The Harrowing Hydras
“Ain’t no such thing as a ‘noble pirate’, but the Hydras at least leave ye with yer life.” - A merchant recalling his run-in with the Harrowing Hydras
Named as such because of the dread their enemies would feel when being attacked and the fact that their well-coordinated bombardments gave the impression of being attacked by multiple ships, the Harrowing Hydras form a minor privateering crew in Limsa Lominsa. Originally formed in 1559 by Merlgrina Ankahaerzsyn, the Harrowing Hydras acted with two principles in mind: to never harm those who had surrendered, and to extend a hand to the downtrodden. While goodwill might not be what one would expect from a band of pirates- especially one whose name ought to inspire dread- these two policies helped to create a fiercely loyal crew.
Command of the crew was passed down from Captain Merlgrina to his second-in-command Saelzeyn Iyrnceigsyn upon his death caused by his illness. When the Galadion Accord was first penned, Captain Saelzeyn showed little hesitation before agreeing, recognizing the dangers that the Garlemald posed to Eorzea. With a reputation of being “noble pirates,” there was little disagreement amongst most of the crew about the decision.
Following Captain Saelzeyn’s assassination roughly one year after the Calamity, his second-in-command Shian Hatagaki assumed leadership of the crew.
The Seeing Swallows
“Somnus, crystals, confidential information- you name it, the Seeing Swallows can provide.”
The Seeing Swallows are a minor pirate crew currently led by Guspelliont Vairemont, who refused to agree with the Galadion Accord, and are wanted on several charges of smuggling black market goods, supplying crystals to tempered beastmen, selling secret information to Garlemald, and plundering non-Garlean ships. While their crimes are varied and plentiful, most have been done in small amounts so as to attract less attention from the Yellowjackets, being seen more as a nuisance than a legitimate threat to the thalassocracy.
Appearance
Aayla is a female Seeker of the Sun Miqo’te. She is at the taller end of her race, standing at five fulms and four ilms tall. Her hair is medium-length, and is colored a dark black with blue highlights on the tips. Her eyes are a deep blue, and her slit-like pupils resemble that of a feline’s. Her tail is slender and lengthy. Both her tail and ears are expressive, often acting depending on her mood- for example, they might hang low if she is sad, or flutter in response to a sudden outburst of joy. She bears tribal marking on her face- two on each cheek, and two on her forehead.
Aayla usually wears her Maelstrom uniform, consisting of boots, gloves, and her Lominsan officer’s overcoat, with the only exception being her white slops she wears for pants. She often keeps various items hidden in her coat’s inner pocket, such as Better Times- her revolver- or her Grand Company ID. Beneath her coat, she wears a lightweight black undershirt. Aayla is rarely seen without her red-rimmed artisan’s spectacles, even in combat. While the eye wear does help with her vision up close, she is fully capable of seeing both near and far away without them.
Aayla also has a family crest which her friend helped her to create, which features her anchor on top of a steel-trimmed mahogany shield with a heart made of metal, as well as waves of bloody waters flanking each side.
Gallery
About
Thanks for taking a look at my page! I love to write, and nothing brings me more joy than someone being interested in what I’ve created. You can find links to the stories- both SFW and NSFW- below. If you have any questions or if you’d like to talk, feel free to message me in game, message me on Twitter, or drop by my Discord server!
If you’d like to draw or write about Aayla, please feel free to! I would be honored to know that my character was a source of inspiration. My only request is that you share your creation with me.
Changelog:
7/6/2021 - Holy shit I can finally say this site ISN'T a work-in-progress after an entire year!? Finally glad to upload this revamped Carrd with updated lore about my character!