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Cyril is the leader of the Undying in Final Fantasy XVI, situated in their headquarters in the Dhalmekian village of Tabor. He is Joshua Rosfield's chronicler, having the title of the Bearer of the Burning Quill.

History[]

After members of the Undying rescued the nearly dead Joshua Rosfield during the Night of Flames in 860, the Undying began to look into what happened that night on Phoenix Gate. They came to suspect Joshua's brother, Clive Rosfield, as being the Dominant of the second Eikon of fire that had seemingly been the cause of the incident. When Joshua eventually regained consciousness however, he asked the Undying to not send assassins after his brother, who the Undying had found now worked as a slave soldier for Sanbreque, as Joshua was convinced they were still missing something.[1] Cyril began to coordinate the Undying's research into Ultima as per Joshua's wishes. The Undying managed to procure a rare copy of the Journal of Moss the Chronicler, which let them know that Ultima was an ancient powerful being once worshiped as a god across the realm but knowledge of whom had since almost completely disappeared from the Twins.

Joshua eventually embarked on a journey across Valisthea with but one bodyguard from the order, while Cyril remained in Tabor to oversee the fellowship's day-to-day operations. Joshua eventually returned with Clive in tow and Cyril was civil but cold with him. Joshua went on to settle at Clive's hideaway, but sent word to him about any business that needed Joshua's attention or the Cursebreakers' help, such as when some of the order's members failed to report back from a research mission.[2] When Clive went to investigate the missing order members in a Dhalmekian village and found them killed, he was shocked at Cyril's unemotional reaction to what had happened, Cyril reasoning that they had died in the service of the Phoenix and thus had an honorable death in the line of duty. Clive's aghast perhaps had some effect on Cyril, however, as he later requested Clive's aid sooner when another of the order's researchers failed to report back from Mikkelsburg when researching a reclusive savior cult, which turned out to be closer to a death cult in how the members sought to become Akashic. After Clive reported back what had happened, Cyril shared some insight on how he and the Undying operated and viewed their duty, and Clive came to understand him better.[3]

When Clive, Joshua, and Dion Lesage embarked for Origin, Cyril has a chance of being among the crowd that sees them off.

Characteristics[]

Appearance[]

Cyril wears a white and red cloak that covers his face. Cloaks are typical attire the members of the Undying wear, including Joshua when he travels under the pseudonym "Margrace". Cyril's cloak is more elaborate than the other members', denoting him as the leader of their order.

Personality[]

Cyril is taciturn and serious man, who dedicates his life to the Undying and its cause of protecting the Phoenix and preserving the Phoenix's lineage in Rosaria. He does not initially see eye to eye with Clive, but lends his aid to Clive and his cause at Joshua's request. Cyril prides how he and his fellowship do not fear death as long as it comes in the "course of their duties", a position which Clive initially struggles to find value in.[4]

Etymology[]

Cyril is a masculine given name derived from the Greek name Κύριλλος (Kyrillos), meaning "lordly" or "masterful", which in turn derives from Greek κυριος (Kyrios) "Lord". Famous people with this name include Saint Cyril the Philosopher, who, along with Saint Methodius of Thessaloniki, devised the Glagolitic and Cyrillic writing scripts in the 9th century, the latter of the two being named in his honor. Final Fantasy XVI has many Greek language and mythology allusions.

Citations[]

  1. Final Fantasy XVI, Optional dialogue with Cyril after meeting him the first time.
  2. Final Fantasy XVI, Duty Undying
  3. Final Fantasy XVI, Duty Undying II
  4. Final Fantasy XVI, Persons of Interest "Cyril"
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