Skaa

The skaa are a fictional ethnic group from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series, serving as the primary underclass in the oppressive Final Empire setting. They constitute the vast majority of the population but live in poverty and face systematic discrimination from the ruling nobility class.

Physically, skaa are typically described as having dark hair and eyes, though this distinction is not strictly racial since intermarriage between skaa and nobility does occur, albeit rarely and usually in secret due to social taboos. The most significant difference between skaa and nobility lies in their social and legal status rather than biological factors.

Under the Final Empire's rigid caste system, skaa are treated as property and have virtually no legal rights. They cannot own land, learn to read, or hold positions of authority. Most skaa work as laborers, miners, or in other menial occupations, living in overcrowded settlements with poor living conditions. The nobility maintains control through the Steel Ministry, which enforces religious doctrine that portrays the skaa as inherently inferior and destined for servitude.

The skaa's oppression is justified through the myth of the Survivor, a religious figure who supposedly cursed them to slavery as punishment for their ancestors' sins. This theology is actively promoted by the Lord Ruler's government to maintain social order and prevent rebellion.

Despite their circumstances, skaa culture develops around themes of survival, family loyalty, and quiet resistance. Some skaa participate in underground activities, including secret literacy programs and rebellion planning. The ethnic group plays a central role in the Mistborn trilogy's central conflict, as the protagonists' efforts to overthrow the Final Empire directly involve and affect skaa communities throughout the story.