Kajiisa is descended from an old, proud line that still traces its lineage to the first Friijkind queen to rule. Over the centuries, the family has periodically married Friijkind exiles or others with the old blood, and thus still produces a large number of fair- or red-haired children, despite the prominence of dark hair and often skin in some parts of what land that was once the free empire of Yakolan.

The Ylvas family are by far the wealthiest and most influential in the Tasaikand-controlled region of Yakolan. The current matriarch—Kajiisa's mother—is in her late fifties and is as tough as ever, despite her failing health. Her four children are each known for particular skills: the eldest, Kristjin, is a soldier who has won fame fighting against Talakandan incursions; Sarya, the eldest daughter, is a great beauty and is wed to a powerful city councillor from Okarzaad; Niivlas, the youngest male, is a veritable genius in the field of medicine and is a schemer without parallel; and finally Kajiisa is the most like her mother, having a natural political acumen and a strong sense of inner control and willpower that has led her to excel at certain magics.

The vit Yylvas family:
Yyoma (57): Matriarch
Tomaz: Patriarch
Kristjin (36): Elder son, married with two children
Sarya (33): Elder daughter, married with one child
Niivlas (29): Younger son, unwed
Kajiisa (27): Younger daughter, unwed