Cyra
surfsupraichu
Profile
Personal Information
Intro
For many centuries, the land of Zanado stirred naught, except for the occasional footfall of roaming beasts. The only occupants that remained were the sandstone depictions of the city’s former guardians. Their stony visages peered over the ruins on top of the city’s outer wall where they have kept their undisturbed vigil for many centuries. Undisturbed, that is, until this morning.
A woman made her way through the statues, her lilac eyes wide with awe. At first, she extends a hand to feel the firmness of the ancient stone, but she quickly withdraws it. She decides it is better to appreciate the lost works of art with her eyes and not her fingertips. In the far back there were the minor Saints. She identifies one as Saint Timotheos, another as Saint Noa, and...
Her feet pause, and she lifts her head to gaze upon a face that is both familiar and unfamiliar.
Saint Ernest. Known to the humans as the “Lost Saint”. They knew very little beyond the fact that he lived as very few records of him existed. However, unlike the humans, the manaketes knew him intimately well. After all, he created them and loved them. When he died, they mourned his death and carried his body through the deserts of Morfis for over a millennium.
The woman continued to stare, lost in thought. For many years, she was one of the priestesses who fended off anyone who would abuse the Saint’s remains. It was hard to believe that this long, difficult period in her people’s history was finally over. Ernest’s body now rested with his brothers and sisters inside of the Holy Tomb. However, the woman knew well that, although this chapter was over, a new one was beginning. Would they be able to rise to the new challenges presented to them?
“I thought you would be here, Cyra.”
The woman quickly spun around and gasped, “Laira, you frightened me.” Across from Cyra was a figure that resembled her in appearance: a lady with green hair dressed in white and gold.
Instead of saying anything, Laira observed Cyra’s face. After a moment had passed, she asked, “What troubles you?”
Cyra slightly hung her head, and interlaced her fingers in front of her chest, “Do you think I am making the right decision to work alongside the humans at the church?”
Laira placed a comforting hand on Cyra's shoulder, “Unfortunately, only you can determine whether or not it is the ‘right’ decision.” After seeing Cyra crinkle her nose, obviously not satisfied with the answer, Laira added, “But you have walked in the world of humans and manaketes both. If the gap between humans and dragons can be bridged, I know you are the one best suited for the task.”
Upon hearing this, Cyra smiled and embraced Laira, “Thank you for the words of encouragement. And... thank you for looking after me and Aiyla all these years.” When she finally broke the embrace, she lifted up her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes, “I must take my leave. I only have a few hours until I meet with the Archbishop.”
After a few more parting words, Cyra turned around to make her descent down the wall’s stairs. Once she was out of sight, Laira weaved through the statues like Cyra did before. First she walked past the minor Saints, then past the major Saints of Macuil, Indech, Cichol, Cethleann, and Seiros. Eventually, she found her way to a statue that, unlike the others, was elevated by a battlement. The statue’s face was smiling and peaceful, and her arms were outstretched as if she was ready to embrace the city below as she would a child.
After some inner reflection, Laira rested a hand on the battlement and lowered her head, “Mother Sothis, please continue to look after your faithful children. Please help Cyra, whose namesake is the sun, to continue spreading her light and warmth to those that surround her.
“And guide her on the path that will help her avert the catastrophe that is written in the stars...”
About
Cyra’s life can be defined as a one of service to others. Born during a period of civil war, she was tasked with looking after her little sister, Aiyla. This responsibility fell fully onto her shoulders when their parents passed away when Cyra was 20-years-old. Realizing that she could not raise a young girl all by herself, Cyra took Aiyla to find refuge with their mother’s old tribe who lived on the continent of Morfis. Seen as “outsiders,” especially because of their half-human blood, the only way they would be allowed to stay is if Cyra took up work in the temple as a priestess.
On top of the usual tasks of a priestess, such as prayers and ceremonies, one of Cyra’s main duties was to keep the remains of Saint Ernest safe. The reason the temple accepted her for the position was because she was trained in both the Lance and Flying, and had experience fending off invaders when her family lived in the village of Kupala in the old Leicester kingdom. She would reprise that role with the manakete tribe, as their relationship with the bordering human kingdom was less than friendly.
Over time, the manakete tribe started to accept Cyra and Aiyla as their own. Cyra was grateful to have found a new place to call home, and dedicated herself to keep the tribe safe. Centuries later, she displayed that dedication to her people when the Morfis kingdom became overwhelmingly hostile. When it became plainer each day that they would have no choice but become refugees, Cyra formed an envoy that traveled into Fodlan to request aid. There she was able to negotiate safety for the tribe and moved them into Zanado, the old land of the Nabateans.
Once they resettled, Cyra took up a position as a bishop in Garreg Mach, hoping that she could foster good relations between the church and the tribe. Although she is still quite young in manakete years, she is quite wise due to the experience she accumulated over the centuries. Therefore, she is one of the church members tasked with answering the anonymous notes found in the advice box.
Although Cyra enjoys helping others, and has spent much of her life to the task, she wishes that she could learn to be a bit more selfish and focus on herself. However, doing so often makes her feel guilty.
History
Equipment
Lance of Ascalon
A Sacred Weapon said to have once belonged to Saint Ernest. The lance was kept safe in the manakete temple until Laira gifted it to Cyra for her to use.
Dragonstone
A manakete's Crest Stone heart serves as a focus for their power and ability to shapeshift into their Draconic forms. Half-blooded Manaketes who bear Crest blood but not a Crest Stone heart must use Dragonstones as their foci instead. Cyra's Dragonstone was given to her by her mother.
Prayer Ring
The manakete tribe boasts talented goldsmiths, and many of its members adorn themselves with golden horns and jewelry. Cyra herself owns several pieces such as this Prayer Ring. In addition to restoring HP each turn, the Prayer Ring also grants the user Miracle, an ability that may allow the bear to survive a fatal blow.
Abilities
Odd Rhythm
Special Manakete ability. Hit rate and Avoid +10 during odd numbered turns.
Wyrmsbane
Deals effective damage to dragon units when the user is a Manakete.
Lancefaire
Grants Atk +5 when using a Lance.
Canto (as a Wyvern Lord)
After performing an action, user can use their leftover movement.
Interests
- History, especially of the Saints
- Architecture
Likes
- Reading
- Helping others
- Gold jewelry
- Taking naps in the grass
Dislikes
- Being alone
- Historical revisionism
- Hiding her tail
- Moving to new places
Favorite Items
- Almyran Pine Needles
- The History of Fodlan
- Ancient Coin
- Smoked Meat
- Stylish Hair Clip
Hated Items
- Legends of Chivalry
- Dapper Handkerchief
Proficiencies
- Lance
- Axe
- Flying (budding talent)
Weaknesses
- Reason
- Heavy Armor
- Riding
Flame Breath (Manakete only)
Units hit suffer Def -5 for 1 turn. Ignites certain terrain into Flame.
Monster Piercer
Avoid +10; effective against Monster foes.
Exhaustive Strike
Depletes all of the weapon’s remaining durability and adds 30% of that value to Might.
Triangle Attack
A flurry of attacks that flying units perform in tandem. Requires specific positioning.
Fire
Fire spell that deals minor damage.
Bolganone
Fire spell that deals moderate damage.
Ragnarok
Fire spell that deals heavy damage.
Liev Beloved
Liev is the first prince of the Holy King of Faerghus, who is both a member of the Knights of Seiros and the professor of the Azure Griffons at Garreg Mach. He is one of the first humans that Cyra meets when she travels from Morfis to Fodlan. When the manaketes resettle in Zanado, Cyra takes up a position at the church. The office she is given is situated directly across from Liev’s.
During their first meeting, Cyra and Liev both revealed one of their most personal secrets to each other, albeit by accident. Because of this, they learned to trust each other early on and became close friends. Cyra appreciates Liev because she can be her most authentic self with him, and does not hide her tail when they are alone together. Often, they can be seen in the libraries of the monastery or the Underground, discussing the history of both Fodlan and the church.
Over time, they realized that they were harboring mutual feelings of love for each other. Cyra was nervous to explore a deeper relationship with someone with a much shorter lifespan than hers, but decided to follow her heart and make the most of the time that the Goddess has given them.
Aiyla Sister
Aiyla is Cyra’s younger sister. When Cyra was 20 and Aiyla was 5, both of their parents were lost during the Crescent Moon War. As they were left with no support in their war-torn village, Cyra took Aiyla to the manakete tribe their mother once belonged to on the continent of Morfis.
At first, Cyra and Aiyla were treated poorly by the manaketes because of their half-human, half-manakete lineage. They were only allowed to stay because of Laira, who took pity on them and allowed them to stay as priestesses in the temple. Aiyla has always appreciated the sacrifices that Cyra has made for her, and their relationship is filled with affection. However, Aiyla is much more mischievous and carefree than the serious Cyra, so there is sometimes friction between their two personalities.
As Aiyla never felt truly accepted by the tribe, when she was old and brave enough, she decided to leave Morfis where she became a member of a group of performers that travels throughout Almyra. Although the sisters were separated by great distances, they always remained in close contact, and Aiyla would often visit Cyra at the monastery when the manaketes relocated to Zanado.
Sara Friend
One of Cyra’s friends who, like Cyra and Aiyla, is also half-manakete and half-human. Cyra and Sara were born in the same village, and traveled to Morfis together after the Crescent Moon War left them orphaned and homeless. Like Cyra and Aiyla, Sara was also taken into the manakete temple as a priestess.
Fortune was not kind on Sara, and she was taken prisoner by the humans from the neighboring kingdom. She eventually escaped, but hardly unscathed as she was the research subject of a group of dark mages during her imprisonment. Afterwards she was a shell of her former self, and she left the manakete village around the same time as Aiyla.
Cyra tried to keep in contact with Sara, but, over time, Sara’s responses came less and less until there were none at all. Aiyla had similarly lost contact with her. Because of this, Cyra has no idea what has happened to her ill-fated friend and worries about her often.
Laira Mother Figure
When Cyra and Aiyla sought refuge with the manakete tribe, initially they were met with scorn and were turned away. However, Laira offered Cyra both her and Aiyla a place in the temple if the former was willing to fulfill the duties of a priestess. Laira was frank with Cyra that being a priestess was difficult and dangerous work, as they were often under threat by the neighboring human kingdom. Aware of the risks, Cyra took Laira up on her offer and, over time, began looking up to Laira as an adoptive mother.
The fact that Cyra remained with the tribe after Aiyla had left, made Laira realize that Cyra did not seem to have dreams and desires beyond ensuring Aiyla’s wellbeing. Therefore, when the manaketes moved to Zanado, it was Laira’s idea that Cyra find work with the humans at Garreg Mach. In doing so, she hopes that Cyra may start to connect with people outside of the tribe and discover what she wants in life.
Following the War of Heroes, Ernest, known as the "Lost Saint," left Fodlan and settled in Morfis. Saddened by the loss of his Nabatean brothers and sisters, he created manaketes in their memory. Manaketes, much like Nabateans, are able to assume a dragon form, though they require a Dragonstone and their dragon forms are less impressive in size and power. They have a much longer lifespan than humans, but age more quickly than Nabateans.
After living many years in peace isolated from the rest of the world, Saint Ernest and the manakete civilization were attacked by their enemies. Saint Ernest was slain and the manaketes were nearly wiped out. What remained of the manaketes formed a small tribe. Over the years, humans began settling on the Morfis continent, dominating the majority of the region. The manaketes have kept their distance from them, as the humans captured manaketes and sold them as "unique pets."
Cyra is a descendant of the survivors of the manakete tribe. Like many modern-day manaketes, she is not full-blooded, being half-manakete and half-Almyran. Originally, she served as a priestess of a temple that guarded Ernest's remains. One day, there was a bloody regime change in the human kingdom that bordered the tribe, which resulted in increased hostility and attacks. Cyra feared that the humans would wipe out what remains of the manaketes in order to access Ernest's tomb.
The leaders of the tribe discussed that they may have to leave the continent and move Ernest's body to a secure place. However, many manaketes were hesitant on leaving behind the home they've lived in for nearly a thousand years. They feared that, if they could not find a new land to settle, they would end up scattered across the world, destroying what remains of their culture. In manakete legend, Saint Ernest hailed from Zanado, the land where the children of the goddess lived. A small envoy, which included Cyra, was sent out to seek the holy land. If it did exist, this would help to convince the uncertain manaketes to rehome.
Cyra and the rest of the envoy left Morfis behind and traveled through Fodlan. There, they eventually arrived at Garreg Mach, and were surprised that the humans of Fodlan worshiped Sothis, the same goddess as the manaketes. The Archbishop of Garreg Mach listened to the Cyra's request for aid, and agreed to let the manaketes rehome in Zanado. With the church's help, Ernest's remains were relocated to the Holy Tomb.
After settling in her new life at Zanado, Cyra takes a position as a bishop at Garreg Mach, and later as a cardinal working directly under Archbishop Byleth. She settles well into her new role due to her former position as a priestess, though sometimes faces resentment in the fold as not all members of the church are welcoming of the manaketes. Despite this, Cyra is very devout in her duties and is dedicated to helping both manaketes and their new human neighbors.
Details
Random Tidbits
- Since the Goddess is believed to have been birthed from a star, many manakete names have celestial meanings. Cyra's name means "sun" or "throne."
- The headpiece that manaketes wear depict the Goddess's horns. However, none of the manaketes know what her horns look like, so interpretations vary greatly.
- While growing up, Cyra learned how to ride wyverns from her father; however, she did not own a wyvern while living in Morfis because of the upkeep.
- She is a proficient hunter because of her experience securing food for the tribe. Because of this, she loves dishes that use Wild Game such as Beast Meat Teppanyaki.
Design Notes
- As a shapeshifter, Cyra can choose whether to show her tail or not. She typically keeps it hidden.
- Tends to wear one set of horns, but can wear different ones to match whatever outfit she is wearing or for special occasions.
- Please do not include yellow teardrop marking seen in older reference images.
HTML by Eggy.
