Growing up in Phyracress, Yula Stormwhistle was raised in a martial family, all experienced town watchmen, bodyguards, and even mercenaries. A loud and brash child, she joined in the family tradition herself, eventually moving to Cliffsunder. Years of work guarding docked Grandport shifts led to contact with Doctor Alda Arkin, who hired her to become the head guard the Cliffsunder Museum of Natural History. After years of boring service, she eventually found an opportunity with the Common League army.
Punishment for excessive carousing and a couple of bad breaks led Yula to being posted to an unenviable position: guarding the prison of Bleak End. With a demotion to prison guard and orders to maintain watch over the Sound of Silveril, Yula was transported to Farrozandmar, where she waited to join a barge with twenty-three others journeying to Aone Island.