Born in a common stone pit in the eastern hearthlands, near the city of Uden, Ygo’s early life was dominated by her siblings’ competition. Her three brothers each became inventors of different varieties. Her sister, Yda, became a member of Uden’s civil engineering guild, rapidly rising to prominence through their ranks. Ygo herself tried her hand at metalsmithing, developing her skills despite a multitude of competition. Try as she might, Ygo met resistance from the traditionally male-dominated guild, and her talents were repeatedly denied. She thought perhaps she was simply not as good as the others. Falling into poverty as her efforts to achieve a worthy position in the guild were stymied, Ygo turned to theft and petty crime to earn a living.

Being expelled from her guild and from her society for her crimes forged a bitter resentment in Ygo, which she carried with her into the world as she set out to find a place to live and start a new life. Her siblings showed little sympathy, calloused by their success. Ygo wandered across the hearthlands from city to city for six years until she settled in the community of Shen, a place where outcast people were included and accepted.

Ygo learned quickly to maintain a working relationship with the elders of Shen and a healthy respect for village etiquette. However, a smouldering resentment towards others still burned in her, making her a bully to those who had more. She had long ago learned that the only way to get what she needed was to take it from those more fortunate.

Ygo banded with other outcasts who shared her sentiment, forming a small marauding group that caused the elders of Shen some worry. With Ygo as their leader, the little cohort would attempt to swindle other villagers of their wares, and take advantage of their kindness.

Two of Ygo’s personal favorite people to mess with were Zea and Ouy, who made fine targets because of their sensitivity. Ygo enjoyed bullying Ouy, the more timid of the two, but Zea often came to his rescue, offering Ygo river cheese, a prize usually more valuable than sticking around to bother them any more.