Commander Artemis Ashton

Artemis Ashton was born in 1831 AF on the Tonsi Islands, during the first rise of The Iron Crusade. Her early life was marked by tragedy, as her family attempted to flee the slaughter that swept through their homeland. In the chaos, most of her family perished, but infant Artemis was miraculously found floating among the wreckage of a ship by a passing trading vessel. The crew rescued her, and she was taken to Alada, where she was adopted by a group of refugees heading to Edison.

The troupe of refugees settled on the island of Talis, just outside Edison city, where Artemis spent her early years in a refugee camp. She was a spirited child, often seen running up the hills and playing with other displaced children. However, tragedy struck again in 1842 AF, when a band of buccaneers raided the camp. Though the Eldwell Navy eventually drove the pirates away, the camp was left ransacked, and the refugees had little to rebuild with. It was then that Artemis, along with other orphaned children, was resettled in the Queen’s Shelter in Edison.

At the age of 20, in 1851 AF, Artemis decided to apply to the Imperial Navy. She joined as a junior seaman, starting a long and distinguished career. Her drive, discipline, and resilience helped her climb the ranks, despite the many hardships she faced. Her skill in command and her quick thinking earned her a reputation as a formidable officer.

It was during one of the hardest missions of her career that Artemis crossed paths with Captain Maximus "Max" Orion Hawkes . The mission was a grueling one, but through shared adversity, Artemis and Maximus developed a strong bond of friendship. Hawkes recognized her potential and strength, and when he became the captain of the Stargazer, he chose Artemis as his Executive Officer (XO. When the Stargazer became an independent ship in service of the Empire, Artemis followed her captain, remaining his trusted second-in-command.

Throughout her life, Artemis has developed a tough exterior, forged by her experiences of loss and hardship. However, beneath this hardened demeanor lies a deep sense of honor and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. She is driven by a desire to explore the unknown, and she follows every new discovery with fascination. A meticulous record-keeper, Artemis keeps volumes of personal journals, filled with her thoughts, reflections, and ideas for the future.

Her leadership aboard the Stargazer is marked by her steadfast loyalty to Captain Hawkes and her unwavering commitment to her crew. Though she may appear distant to some, those who know Artemis understand the depth of her character and her unshakable dedication to those under her care.

Taken by Storm

Despite her no-nonsense demeanor, Artemis Ashton has a deep, unexpected soft spot—her beloved black cat, Storm. Found as a tiny kitten aboard the Stargazer, the superstitious crew initially wanted to get rid of her, fearing the ill luck of a black cat at sea. But Artemis, with her characteristic steel and defiance, put an immediate stop to that. She took Storm in as her own, and from that moment, the two became inseparable.

Storm is rarely seen far from Artemis—whether perched on her shoulder, curled up in her quarters, or lurking somewhere nearby, always watching. She has an uncanny knack for slipping unnoticed into any room, appearing only when she pleases. Unlike most cats, she has an unusual love for water and often swims alongside the ship when it docks. More than just a companion, Storm has earned the crew’s respect as an expert rat hunter, much to the delight of Samuel, the ship’s cook, who rewards her with the finest treats.

Though Artemis rarely shows sentiment, it’s clear to anyone who knows her—Storm is the love of her life.