The Life of Cironus

Up next, we are sharing some insight on Cironus and what makes him tick. This one’s a bit lengthy, fair warning!

If you’re ready…LET’S GO!!

Cironus the Bard the initial post that inspired all this

Every Zorca enjoys a bit of singing and revelry. In the face of extinction, what can one do but try and laugh in its face? Cironus is this positivity in physical form, but something about the way he carries himself tends to upset the council of his pod. 

Bards are trained to sing the old hymns and work to add new ones to the archives. You won’t find anyone who’d say Cironus couldn’t sing, or play well. But nothing he creates matches the usual style of the ancestors. Some might say his passion is too loud. Cironus has never figured out what it was exactly they find unappealing, as the elders never elaborate. But the elder bards refuse to take him on as an apprentice. His grandmother seems to encourage this choice (much to the chagrin of his mother who feels she has no choice but to follow her wishes)

He does his best to shrug off this exclusion and finds time in private to practice his music. When he’s away from the elders’ judging eyes, Cironus finds he can truly be himself by expressing all his feelings through the songs he writes and sings.

🌳 Family and Relationships 🌳

As one of the middle children of his immediate family, it’s easy for everyone to ignore him. He doesn’t have the expectations that are pressed on Sardon, the responsibilities Kaska has taken on, or the doting attention given to young Kaso. But Cironus was raised to be a kind-hearted boy, and he’s always wanted to do his part to help the pod by becoming a bard.

The Grandmother Matriarch - Cironus respects and loves his grandmother, even though the latter can come at an emotional price. She has to make difficult decisions, and some members are treated differently depending on who is highest or lowest on the family hierarchy. The Matriarch is loving, stubborn, harsh, protective. One can understand the complexity of it all and still be frustrated. Cironus’ relationship with his grandmother changed when his particular talents started growing. There’s something she knows, and has decided neglect over nurture will solve this “issue.”

Lurona lecturing Sardon (art by @werewolfsister!)

His Mother, Lurona - A middle child herself, she faces a different kind of pressure from her mother, the Matriarch. Among her sisters she is the most successful at raising healthy children, so she is expected to put the pressure on them to be good examples for the pod. Lurona is constantly pushing Sardon to have children, and the same behavior pushed her oldest daughter past the brink that caused her to permanently leave the pod. Lurona doesn’t want to ruin her relationship with her children, but she doesn’t know anything else other than what her own mother taught her. And the Matriarch’s hovering presence doesn’t give her time to be honest with her kids and tell them what they should really do.

Sardon - The first born of the family, Lurona almost lost him while she was pregnant. He was born small, weak and was constantly sick. Because of this she was extremely protective of him and worked hard to keep him fed. Her actions paid off, as Sardon became one of the larger members of the group and the fiercest. He’s scarred from years of fighting to earn his place among other zorca his age, and from his job as a monster hunter.  He looks imposing but like Cironus, he was brought up to be a good-natured boy. His days of being bullied also taught him to be sympathetic and protective toward others smaller than he is.

He doesn’t know the full story about their missing sister, but it’s why he’s supportive of his other siblings. Sardon feels the elders’ behavior towards Cironus is unfair but since he doesn’t have a place to say so he encourages his brother to keep being as loud as he wants. Kaska has her own issues that Sardon has suspected and he has become an outlet for her when she needs to vent. And like everyone else, he watches out for Kaso, and probably spoils him more than others do, allowing him to venture off with him and Cironus when he’s not supposed to.

Kaska - She is Lurona’s only daughter. It’s not known if her missing sister is dead or not, and the child born before Kaso was lost at birth. There was a lot of pressure on Kaska when she reached maturity and became another matriarch candidate. In an attempt to shield Kaska from the Matriarch’s influence, Lurona encouraged Kaska to become a diplomat which allowed her more freedom to leave the pod. She is the human equivalent of a teenager, and she struggles with being a people-pleaser and overachiever. Kaska wants to make her mother and grandmother proud, and struggles with guilt whenever she does anything slightly rebellious.

Cironus is the devil on her shoulder, and Sardon is the devil hiding his horns, both finding reasons for her to rebel. Regardless, she confides in them often with her own frustrations as a diplomat or when she thinks criticism from her elders was unfair. Kaska finds she can’t be herself around the elders but her brothers give her that freedom. It’s a fine line she tries to walk; being the proper little daughter, but finding time to figure herself out that doesn’t revolve around family politics.

Kaso in the kelp forests with Sona and Quita (Owned/created by @werewolfsister and @junco8 art by @werewolfsister!)

Kaso - The youngest and last of Lurona’s children. As one of the few children born into the pod, Kaso is spoiled and doted on constantly. He is forward, overly friendly and naive because of this. Kaso has experienced none of the dangers outside his pod or encountered people with ill intentions. His family tries to keep it that way but at the same time teach him kindness and some common sense.

Sardon and Cironus spoil him in their own way, by allowing him to tag along when they venture out. He’s never subjected to the kinds of stunts his older brothers used to do in their youth, but there are stories he promises he won’t tell their mother.

• Link, and Zelda

Cironus came upon Link and Zelda by chance when they were traveling and doing surveys across Hyrule. Zelda expressed interest in learning about his people but both agreed that expedition would have to be put on hold as the kingdom’s restoration took precedence.

He met Link again during the events of The Upheaval and Ganondorf’s return. For his own reasons, Cironus joined Link on his quest, and traveled around Hyrule, offering the swordsman support through his music.

Like other people of Hyrule, Cironus has a high opinion about Zelda. And he’s one of the few people who recognize Link on sight. Link may not be a verbal person but due to certain powers of insight, Cironus is able to pick up on what they want to convey.

• Sidon and Yona

Some time after the events of BotW but years before the Upheaval, Cironus met Yona and the two struck up a friendship that eventually developed into something more. Later on, he was introduced to Sidon and the three formed a polycule. It was a relationship outside his family that allowed Cironus to feel safe enough to be himself, and in the years he was able to grow in confidence thanks to their support.

They were aware of the nomadic nature of the family so Cironus couldn’t spend time with them on a regular basis, but their reunions were always joyful come spring and summer. During his travels with Link he was able to reunite with them and help expel the sludge from Zora’s Domain. The betrothal of Sidon and Yona came as a surprise but it was nothing that would put a damper on their relationship.

However, when his elders found out they sought to put an end to it. Not wanting their family to do anything to tarnish their budding alliance with the Domain, the council told Cironus to end his visits. In their eyes, the new king and queen of Zora’s Domain did not have time to “play” with someone as irresponsible and bumbling as Cironus. Reluctantly, Cironus did as he was told, and told Yona and Sidon he had “to move on” and left the Domain before they could get a word in edgewise. Since then, Cironus refuses to enter the main area of the Domain.

🔎 Would you like to know more? 🔎

• Subjects of interest!

Music is his biggest interest, of course! When he was younger, he had the privilege to see the Indigo-Go’s live and music has been his passion ever since. He enjoys listening and studying other songs/tunes and finding ways to add that to his style of play. He’s practiced on every instrument he can get his hands on! Cironus loves having jam sessions with other musicians, he loves creating/joining in a beautiful harmony! 

His love for music also branches into the history of Bards and their craft, along with the songs of their past. Cironus loves history, be it their own, or the stories of other cultures! He’s very inquisitive but he never has the chance to explore too far inland to get a glimpse of worlds past the shoreline. 

Food seems obvious, but zorca don’t have the luxury of cooked meals. So he’s fascinated by recipes others have created, and the process of how they’re made. You put these ingredients together to make bread? Amazing! Mix all these together and you get a delicious sauce? AWESOME! A cooked fish tastes better and can be more nutritious with these added elements? That’s INCREDIBLE!!!

• Cironus’ nickname

When he was a child, his mother would jokingly and lovingly call him “Sir” short for Cironus when he asked for things. He wasn’t demanding but he did get a kick out of how it sounded, like his mother was deferring to his “authority.”

“Ma can we go here?” “Yes, Sir!” “HEEE!!”

His brother uses the name in a more teasing manner. When Cironus does get demanding, or nit picky about something, Sardon will call him “Sir” to remind him they’re not in a social situation where his behavior might be seen as appropriate.

In silly situations when they’re plotting devious shenanigans, Kaska will salute and say “Yes, Sir!”

• What makes him happy?

The whimsical answer is music, food, and having the opportunity to party. He showcases “typical” behavior most people see zorca exhibit from a surface level.

The deeper, secret desire is the freedom to be himself and to share the healing power of his music to others. His family’s smiles hide the family drama of their politics and he and his siblings are caught in the middle. Cironus’ talents are not appreciated, or ignored and it leaves him frustrated because he has so many feelings he wants to let out, which he does through his music. When he’s away from his pod he briefly has this freedom, but at the cost of being alone. 

He’s learning what his abilities can do, and there is an indescribable joy when he can share it.

So let me be enemy to the noose and the fading will
Let me be open arms
Tell the living world I am grateful still
Let me be music
And let me be the joyful sound

• How do they handle anger?

Cironus struggles with expressing in plain words how he feels. But he wears his heart on his sleeve so his expression is hint enough. He knows a big angry zorca may look intimidating so he tries to avoid conflict and will step away from whoever upset him. He’s not like his brother who can be confrontational, or uses physical means to let out steam. 

Like any other feeling he has, he’ll let it out through his music. You’ll find him on a secluded beach shredding out a tune to match what he feels. 

• His personal beliefs

Cironus believes in generosity, compassion and family. Zorca follow these and work to keep a close community otherwise they cannot survive. He will treat those outside his pod in the same way unless they give a reason why he shouldn’t (and you gotta try really hard to piss him off).

He’s generous with his time, his music and food. He has deep empathy for others and is compassionate for those who struggle with a lack of community or family. These are things he will gladly give with the other person’s consent.

• Strengths and Weaknesses

Physically he’s in peak condition. Cironus is round, but he is solid muscle, and his layers of fat make him impervious to the biting cold and lightning. He can use his whale-tooth guitar as a blunt force instrument, and his voice can shatter rock. He has high stamina and speed when he’s in the water, and he’s a powerful jumper both in water and on land.

His unending optimism will either annoy the hell out of you till you leave, or you’re eventually infected with the idea that life is worth living. His Songs of Healing will cure the ache of one’s heart, emotionally and physically. And in rarer cases – if one has it hidden in their hearts – he can bring out a Song of Awakening which inspires an individual and helps them reach a new level of potential.

The Ballad of the Wind Fish drains him each time he creates a Song of Healing or Awakening, and it may take a few days till he’s fully recovered. He doesn’t do well in extreme heat especially if he doesn’t have water to help hydrate.

Cironus may be quick to come to the defense of others but he has a hard time speaking up for himself. If anyone has negative things to say about him, he just nods and leaves it alone. He says his skin is thick, and doesn’t need the support.

Next Chapter: The Ballad of the Wind Fish!