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Zeru Wyvernwind

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Zeru Wyvernwind is one of the rulers of the Silken Squall, and the father of Cyrus and Dorian. As an NPC, Zeru Wyvernwind is played by Matthew Mercer.


Description[]

Appearance[]

Zeru looks a lot like his son Dorian, a version of the bard that has aged "like fine wine", with pulled back salt and pepper hair, wearing light-colored regal silks and princely adornments.[2]

Personality[]

Zeru seems to be a serious and cautious man that cares about his family, his people, and his legacy.

Biography[]

Background[]

Zeru was born at the end of the 8th century after the Divergence as a member of the air genasi community of the Silken Squall, and when he reached a certain age he left the floating city to travel and see the world, although he allegedly didn't have a very good experience,[3] and was described as "a hellion" in his youth.[4] Eventually he married Nephele and they became the Wyvernwind rulers of the city. He also became the wielder of Gambolcleft, the Vortex Blade.

The couple had two sons: Cyrus and Brontë, born before and in 816 PD respectively. They gave their children a good but strict education, making them learn about a lot of stuff they didn't like, and forcing them to be honest, hiring people to cast Zone of Truth to force a confession whenever one of them was caught trying to lie.[5]

Although Zeru and his wife tried to prevent their children to leave the Silken Squall (presumably because of their own bad experiences with their "treks"), both of them ended up doing so: Brontë did it first, and took the name "Dorian Storm" to create his own identity far away from his family; Cyrus did the same after learning from Zunado that air genasi were supposed to travel.[6][7]

Months later, after the apogee solstice of 843 PD, Zeru and his wife learned of Cyrus' death. Around that time they tried to locate Brontë, but failed to do so.[8]

Campaign Three: Bells Hells[]

"Collecting Legends" (3x105)[]

Since the rulers of the Silken Squall had been invited to Vasselheim to attend a meeting of the Exandrian Accord about combating Ludinus Da'leth's plans to release Predathos, Zeru represented his city there. He was present in the Platinum Sanctuary when three missions were suggested, and when his son Dorian and his group, Bells Hells, persuaded the people in the room to trust them with one of those tasks. After the meeting, Zeru went to speak with Dorian, and expressed his surprise at finding him there, confirming that the bard's mother was all right, and taking a moment to mourn with him after confirming they each knew about Cyrus' death. He tried to convince Dorian to abandon the mission to return to the Silken Squall as its heir, avoiding the dangers he had to face, but his son refused, asking Zeru if he trusted him, and getting angry when he hesitated. Zeru admitted that regardless of their duties, deep down he and Nephele were just parents that feared for their last living son, and made Dorian promise he would return alive from his mission. They shook hands, and the father advised his son to be cautious; before leaving he gave him Gambolcleft, and the bard gave him his own sword, assuring him he would return.

Afterwards, while walking through the Platinum Sanctuary, Zeru was caught up with by Orym, a friend of his son, who offered his condolences for Cyrus' death and assured him that he should be proud of his youngest son. When Orym told him that Dorian had saved his life, Zeru asked him to return the favor by protecting him on the mission, after which he walked away. When he returned to his wife he told her about the encounter and about their son's new preferred name.

After "A New Age Begins" (3x121)[]

Dorian got his parents' blessing to be free and travel the world, since they themselves were still young and there was no rush for their son to succeed them.

Relationships[]

Cyrus and Dorian[]

During their childhood Zeru and Nephele paid more attention to Cyrus, given his position as the heir, and were more critical with Dorian, with the father being particularly focused on letting him know whenever he did something wrong.[9]

After Cyrus died his parents mourned but prioritized their duties and didn't take a break. However, when Zeru learned that Dorian (whom he still calls by his birth name) intended to join a dangerous mission, asked him to abandon it, confessing that even if he trusted him and was proud of him, he and his wife were afraid of losing their last son and heir.[10]

Character information[]

Notable items[]

Former items[]

Appearances and mentions[]

Quotations[]

  • (to Dorian) "Heroism is a game for those without standing legacy. Lean on those you can trust."[13]

Trivia[]

  • His name means "sky" in Basque.
  • When Dorian asked Orym about his father's appearance he mentioned "markings", but it's not clear what he meant by that.[14]
  • He likes to run simulated military strategies.[15]

References[]

  1. ↑ Dorian is 27 years old and Cyrus is his older brother. It is assumed their parents where both adults when they had them.  See "Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06) at 3:19:46.
  2. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 0:46:12.
  3. ↑ See "A Woodworker's Quandary" (3x08) at 1:39:37.
  4. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:48:32.
  5. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:54:51.
  6. ↑ See "Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06) at 3:50:26.
  7. ↑ See "A Woodworker's Quandary" (3x08) at 1:23:42.
  8. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:12:29.
  9. ↑ See "Cages" (3x103) at 0:23:27.
  10. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) from 2:12:29 through 2:19:41.
  11. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:24:00.
  12. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:22:01.
  13. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:21:19.
  14. ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 0:46:18.
  15. ↑ See "In the Shadow of War" (3x110) at 1:42:43.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Zeru Wyvernwind, by Shrugs (source). Used with permission.
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