Vaquero Azul Art

✦ Overview ✦

Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them (Trans-masculine)

Height: 6 ft. - 7 in.

Species: Thresher & Tiger Shark w/ Wolfos Ancestry

Profession: Warrior

Special Ability: Pressure. This technique allows Thresh to (up to) double their opponent(s) gravity, slowing them and forcing them to expend twice the amount of energy to attack. When this ability is sustained too long, Thresh's gills will bleed excessively. 

Sexuality: Pansexual

Partners: Paired with Nyvor, Castov ( @gargoylesister), Axel ( @vaquero-azul), and Fat Fin ( @songs-of-the-windfish) (in development). [Note: Thresh is (open) polyamorous. They are open to flirting, flings, and friendships w/ benefits. Though available, Thresh is unlikely to take additional romantic partners without extensive interaction/development.]

✦ Personality ✦

Uninhibited by the judgment of others, Thresh is a free spirit with a positive outlook on life. He’s known to face adversity not with a smile, but with a cheerful grin. Life is his playground, chaos is his friend, and he intends to have fun. His sociable personality, eccentric behavior, and penchant for mischief has earned him friends, lovers, and enemies alike. 

Thresh isn’t the sharpest tool in the armory (he’s smart in some areas, and slower in others, an act first think later type), but he’s earnest, oddly insightful at times, and cares deeply for others. He won’t hesitate to stick up for those in need, even at the risk of getting in trouble. He’s ride or die, literally. 

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish, post can be found here!

Frequently consumed by bouts of wanderlust, Thresh is known to disappear at random intervals, for long spans of time from his domain. He tends to get easily distracted, and his terrible sense of direction often results in him getting lost.

“WHADDYA MEAN I'M 50 MILES EAST OF WHERE I’M SUPPOSED TO BE?!?” 

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish, post can be found here!

A near infinite supply of energy contributes to his chaotic lifestyle. With plenty of energy to burn, he only sleeps a whopping four hours a day!                  

Sharing food is one of his love languages, and he’ll try any food presented to him even at the risk of getting sick. Slights involving food (such as refusing to share/stealing food) is also the easiest way to insult him. 

*Art by @gargoylesister, post can be found here!

Thresh may be horny on main (in front of my seaweed salad?), but he’s respectful. He’ll only flirt with those who receive it well. The comfort of others is important to him, and he respects no's and those who do not care for it.

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish and @gargoylesister, posts can be found here (on the left) and here (on the right)!

✦ Lore ✦

[!Warning! Thresh’s history includes elements of child neglect, corporal punishment, and parental death. Nothing is descriptive, but for those who would prefer not to read these subjects please skip to section ☆ Heart of a Knight ☆]

☆ A Tumultuous Childhood ☆ 

As a bright-eyed guppy with a contagious smile, those who knew Thresh during his childhood never suspected the troubling conditions brewing at home. Thresh’s father was distant, neglectful, rarely acknowledging the existence of a child he never wanted. His mother, though kind, passed away shortly after his birth. 

Young and unable to put words to his father's neglect, Thresh began acting out. His unruly behavior was a desperate cry for attention. But when it won him his father's attention, it was only in the form of punishment. This reality became normal for him, and as he grew, he became known amongst others for his rebellious and fun-seeking personality. Learning to entertain himself away from home.

It wasn't until one day (in Thresh’s preteens), when his father simply disappeared, that things changed.

☆ A New Family - A Precious Gift ☆ 

After his father's disappearance, Thresh is adopted by extended family (Aunt Aenora and Step-Uncle Hytro). He is raised alongside his younger cousin, Fen’an. Lovingly treated like one of their own, Thresh blooms under the tentative care of his new family.

They recognize Thresh’s disruptive outbursts and restlessness as the endless exuberance of an energetic preteen and occupy his time with activities. He learns to bow hunt, is taken hoop swimming (agility courses), and is taught dagger throwing (an outlet for his anger).

Formally a knight, Hytro notices Thresh’s penchant (and obsession) with weapons. Hytro’s career was willfully cut short, finding he did not have the courage nor skill to stand against monsters. Passing his dream onto Thresh, he gifts them the ceremonial dagger he received during knighthood, and begins to teach them how to fight. 

It’s only upon discovering Thresh is stashing stolen blades on his side of the sleeping pool (“If I do this I’ll become one with the blade!”), is skipping educational lessons (resulting in him becoming illiterate) in favor of practice, and challenging fledgling knights to battle do Aenora and Hytro realize Thresh may be a little too fixated on training.

☆ A Tragic Accident - A Fear of Ghosts ☆

Disaster strikes. 

A cave-in occurs at the volcanic mines where Hytro works. Unbeknown to the search and rescue team, that day Thresh (now a late preteen) had (once again) disobeyed regulations and followed Hytro into the mines. It took three days for the rescue team to dig through the collapsed tunnel, where they found Thresh trapped in a soil void.

He was the only survivor. 

Thresh still blames themself for Hytro’s untimely death, who heroically shoved them out of the way of crumbling stone to prevent them from getting buried, sacrificing himself in the process. And within that darkened void, surrounded by rubble and silt, the voices of those who passed echoed about, murmuring things to him.

Haunted by these memories, Thresh now holds an immense fear of ghosts, never having realized they were trying to comfort him.

☆ Heart of a.... Knight? - Beginnings ☆

Determined to follow in Hytro’s footsteps and carry his dream to fruition, Thresh (late teens) enlists as a knight in training. Unfortunately….

 “...Wtf? I have to study literature to be a knight? What do books have to do with fighting!?!”

…he quickly learns knights are formally educated, disciplined, and uniformly trained. Unruly, illiterate, and a unique fighter with a blatant disregard for authority figures, Thresh is the exact opposite of what knights are conditioned to be. He refuses to be brought in line, and within a year of enlisting is kicked out. 

However, not one to overlook potential, the acting Knight Captain sends Thresh to join Volica’s Warrior Division, a group of contract based fighters who operate independently, are paid based on results, and exhibit different fighting styles/utilize unique weapons. 

Just a bit pissed about being discharged, Thresh sets the Captain’s desk on fire, fills the barrack sleeping pools with piranhas, and unleashes a bright-eyed crab army into the Hall of Knights. He’s disciplined for his actions (naughty zoras get a week of clean up duties) then directly delivered to Necalli, the “unofficial leader” of the warrior division, like a scruffed cat by one very disgruntled Captain. 

☆ Heart of a Knight Warrior - Necalli’s Tutelage ☆ 

The warrior division ends up being a boon for Thresh. They easily acclimate to the division's laissez-faire style and with free reign to do whatever they want train endlessly. After some persistence (read: enthusiastic challenges and poor shadowing) Thresh catches the eye of Necalli, the domain’s oldest and most seasoned warrior. She takes Thresh as an apprentice, and under her tutelage they excel.  

*Art by @thealphabard, post can be found here!

☆ Heart of a Warrior - Fighting Style Intermission ☆

Quote - “If your opponent is smiling in a fight, it’s not confidence, it’s a warning. Run.”

An unpredictable menace on the battlefield, Thresh prioritizes instinct and thrill over strategy to dominate opponents. It’s like playing a game of chess against an opponent who will randomly eat the chess pieces and introduce cards into the game (Checkmate? Hah, you fool, you forgot about my beyblade.” “Wait your- whAT ARE YOU DOING?”), he’s a wildcard.

Don’t let his penchant for fun fool you though, he understands what he is doing and is downright dangerous when out for blood.

*Art by @mochiobonio, post can be found here!

Thresh wields hand daggers, specialized arched short blades, reinforced weighted rope (to lasso and subdue opponents), and a bow and arrow for long range attacks. He is proficient in hand-to-tail combat, which involves whipping his tail at speeds up to 80+ mph to disorient/disarm opponents via precision strikes.

In close combat, Thresh redirects and targets vital points to incapacitate opponents. Though decently strong,Thresh favors speed, flexibility, and stamina on the battlefield over strength to overcome larger opponents. If they pull out the reinforced rope you are either considered a top tier THREAT, or they're trying to lure you into a bit of fun….

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish, post can be found here!

☆ Heart of a Warrior- The Honor of Blueed Metal  ☆

Precious few are granted the honor to wear blueed metal, a specialized armor reserved for Volica’s prestigious fighters who’ve committed great acts of heroism to protect their Domain (certified BAMF’s).

Thresh earned the right to wear blueed metal during Volica’s Era of Blood & Ice (an era spanning Link’s 100 year slumber, during which Volica endured a constant onslaught of monsters), after he defeated a wayward Fire Gleeok alongside Captain Silvyr.

It was a bright and beautiful sunny day. Newly bloomed flowers painted the grassy fields before them in soft hues of purple and pink, and a refreshing summer breeze carried the scent… of…. smoke?.... and….malice? HOLY FUCK THERE IS A GLEEOK FLYING STRAIGHT TOWARDS THEM- 

Thresh’s snarl of alarm alerts Silvyr, who reacts reflexively to the forewarning, summoning a pillar of ice to defend them based on the direction Thresh is looking. It springs from the ground, towering in size, and Thresh ducks behind it alongside Silvyr.

Surprise attack thwarted, the Fire Gleeok roars in rage. Fire builds within the left head's maw, which is then launched at their impromptu sanctuary in the form of a concentrated beam. Even while pressed against the ice blockade Thresh can feel his scales searing from the heat's intensity, soothed only by the water droplets dripping onto his body from the steadily melting pillar.  

“Sooooo,” he starts, “I know I was joking earlier about us double teaming someone but talk about wild coincidences amiright-”

“Shut up. I’m trying to concentrate,” Silvyr is understandably irate, as they try to brainstorm a solution to the deadly situation they’ve suddenly found themselves in. Thresh understands their frazzlement, a Gleeok this close to the Domain is unheard of, and their brethren are unprepared to face a foe of this nature. Their forces are still recovering from the last blood moon, and this thing could easily fly over Volica’s Grand Ice Blockade. 

If this thing gets past them, it will mean countless more deaths. Further still, he can’t help but notice the tense clench of Silvyr’s jaw. Fire was their biggest weakness, and this thing was basically the flying embodiment of their worst nightmare. It was a terrible matchup. 

They hated seeing Silvyr look so uncertain. So-

“You're such a kill joy, ya know that? Listen, just launch me at the thing, we’ll figure the rest out later!”

Silvyr’s dorsal fin twitches with annoyance. They don’t like the wild (and knowing) look in Thresh’s red eyes, the others smile far too wide for the opponent they’re facing. 

“Abosolutely not, you’ll get killed.”

“No I won’t.”

“Yes you will.”

“Your ice is meltingggggg-”

“Enough. Silence. Let me concentra- Thresh gET BACK HERE-”

Expression borderline feral, Thresh bolts out from behind their half melted protective barrier. He has only a few seconds before the Gleeok notices him, and redirects its attack towards him, “LAUNCH ME OR I DIE.”

You fucking menace. Left with no choice, Silvyr obliges. They summon a flattened ice pillar beneath Thresh, and watch as it launches him into the sky and directly at the Gleeok with extreme force. 

Thresh takes care of the rest.

Burned, bloodied, and barely conscious (yet somehow still grinning), Thresh survives the fight. Though impulsive, Thresh’s skill and instincts are what secure their victory against the Gleeok. When Silvyr tells the Queen of what occurred she, in accordance with Volica’s customs, gifts Thresh a piece of armor to be polished and blueed. This becomes the chest piece he now wears. 

☆ Volica’s Famine, True Love, and an Uprising ☆

Thresh falls deeply in love with Nyvor, a medic from the Faron Sea recruited to heal Volica’s ailing queen. Unfortunately a famine develops, and as it progresses, he makes some rash choices…..

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish, post can be found here!

An extensive overview of the events of Volica’s famine and the coup Silvyr led alongside Necalli can be read here (see Timeline - Where it all goes to Shit).

☆ Era of Tribulations - The Present ☆

After the defeat of the Demon King by the Chosen Hero, monster attacks subside significantly against Volica, and combined with Volica’s Grand Ice Blockade, land attacks now rarely reach the Domain.

With fewer monsters to fight, and the Uprising having rooted out Volica’s sources of corruption, Thresh (now married to Nyvor) has found himself with significantly more time on his hands. Due to his unique ancestry and upbringing Thresh is among the few zora capable of tracking and hunting large game on land, thus he fills his time with hunting food for his domain.

When not hunting, he is either traveling or completing whatever assignments (no matter how odd) Silvyr assigns him (or both). In addition to this, Silvyr has secretly assigned Thresh to train the next generation of fighters and land hunters. 

I say secretly because Thresh has no idea Silvyr’s many tasks are actually training assignments. He just thinks he’s supposed to surprise attack others for morality boosts, and that these group hunting sessions are fun little hangouts.

✦ Partners ✦

Dedicated, starry eyed, and extremely flirtatious, Thresh loves to love others (more about his love type here). He leads an open polyamorous lifestyle and has taken multiple mates, all whom he respects and adores for the unique individuals that they are.

☆  Nyvor ☆ 

Kind, nurturing, altruistic, and soft spoken, Nyvor is a medic with powerful healing magic from the Faron Sea. Recruited by a Volican envoy, and tasked with the duty to heal Volica’s ailing queen, he relocated to Volica during the domain's era of famine.

Soon after his arrival, he met Thresh, whom he quickly became enamored by. Thresh in turn tumbled head over fins in love with Nyvor, smitten by his gentle demeanor, beauty, aptitude, and benevolent nature. 

Unfortunately, Nyvor was incredibly dense to Thresh’s pursuits, and combined with the falling regime they danced around each other for nearly 15 years, forming an incredibly deep bond in said time (see Volica’s Timeline - Where it all goes to Shit).

Now married, these two are utterly in love. They respect each other's autonomy, have a secure and trusting relationship, and are beacons of support for each other during times of hardship.

☆ Axel ( @vaquero-azul)☆ 

On one sunny evening, approximately 100 miles in the opposite direction of where he should be (read: lost again), Thresh stumbles upon a docked pirate ship wafting with the delicious scent of cooked meat, and damn was he hungry….

There he meets Axel, Captain of the ship. Their start is rocky, but after some flirting, a spar, and Thresh restocking the food supply he demolished, Thresh gains Axel’s trust, and soon after their affections. Axel’s adventurous personality, energetic disposition, and romantic nature has stolen Thresh’s heart, and they are now long-distance partners.

*Art by @vaquero-azul, post can be found here!

☆  Castov ( @gargoylesister)☆ 

After the events of Labor of Love, Thresh is assigned to escort Diplomat Silvyr home from Zora’s Domain. Along the way he encounters Castov…

*Art by @gargoylesister, post can be found here!

Instantly enamored with the large zora, Thresh offers (read: while flirting) to accompany Castov to Zora’s Domain as his “seeing eye shark”. Along the way they form a connection. Thresh enjoys Castov’s oddball personality, cool as a cucumber demeanor, hot old-man looks, and finds his long lived tales to be utterly fascinating. It takes time and more meetings for things to go from benefits to serious, but Castov is now one of Thresh’s & Nyvor’s long distance partners.

☆ Fat Fin ( @songs-of-the-windfish)☆  

To say Fat Fin has enraptured Thresh’s interest would be an understatement…

Their first meeting is upon the Shattered Mass Keys, where Thresh witnesses one of Fat Fin’s infamous matches with the Boss Brawler (Big Blue). Interest piqued, Thresh approaches Fat Fin after the match. They end up getting along like a house on fire, and soon after one very saucy letter and more shameless flirting, their friendship evolves into one with benefits.

Enamored by the zorca’s unabashed authenticity, Thresh admires Fat Fin’s confidence, thoughtful awareness, and handsome good looks. He is now in the process of pursuing Fat Fin romantically, with the intention to court him so they may become partners. 

*Art by @songs-of-the-windfish, post on the right can be found here!

✦ Additional Information ✦

☆ Wolfos Ancestry ☆ 

Thresh’s maternal grandfather was a Wolfos (specifically the OOT/MM Wolfos). More on this can be read here.

Although his zora genes won out, the mix of monster ancestry within his bloodline has resulted in some unexpected effects including: paw-like feet, the ability to sprint on all fours, ridiculous levels of enjoyment when digging, wolf speak (able to communicate limitedly with dogs and wolves. Silvyr: Thresh what are you doing? Thresh: I'm asking this dog for directions), and blood moons causing heightened everything (senses, energy, aggressiveness, ect.).

Volica is in good standing with the migratory Wolfos pack Thresh is descended from. Some Wolfos even live in Volica!

☆ Friendships ☆  

Thresh’s longest standing friendship is with Silvyr. One would think with the way these two squabble that they dislike each other, but it's actually the opposite, the magnitude of which they care for each other runs as deep as their extensive history. At one point they even courted (they’ve found they work better as friends)!

If spotted in Zora’s Domain, it’s 99% likely Thresh is visiting his best friend, Akos ( @thealphabard)! Together these two get into all sorts of dangerous shenanigans (read: Thresh showing up at 2 am on Akos’ doorstep to drag said introverted fish out of his home for fun) and initiate many mutual ass kickings (read: spars). Although Akos can be prickly, Thresh finds security in the other's softer nature for close companions, and values his friendship immensely. 

*Art by @thealphabard, post can be found here!

Hook Shot ( @songs-of-the-windfish) is a zorca Thresh has become close with, to the point of (somewhat jokingly) referring to her as his mom. Their friendship started with their shared love for humor and raunchy jokes, but has since evolved into a close bond. With Hook Shot, Thresh shows their rarer insightful side, for she is willing to see them beyond the surface, just as they do her.

ESIS ( @gargoylesister) IS A FILTHY CANDY STEALER AND THRESH IS HELL BENT ON REVENGE. Their rivalry with the other knows no bounds. 

*Art by @gargoylesister, the post of this one is somewhere...

Xayna ( @hylian-heart-throb) is a hylian Thresh has found himself somewhat infatuated with. During her visit to Volica, he (illegally) snuck out specialized zora hylian armor from Volica's armory, so they could go for an underwater swim together. He enjoys her fiery personality and aims to develop a deeper friendship with her!

*Art by @hylian-heart-throb, post can be found here!

(This section is still under development. I have more individuals I intend to add! If our oc’s have interacted and/or we’ve talked about them together feel free to let me know via a comment or message that you would like them to be included here!)

☆ S.M.A.S.H Tournament ☆  

(This section is still under development. I will be adding the individuals Thresh faced off against in @songs-of-the-windfish S.M.A.S.H Tournament here!)

☆ Other Facts ☆

Has a substantial collection of seashells, many of which hold stories to them. His favorites are the Common Tower Shell and the Spider Conch. Gifting a seashell to him with thought and intent softens his heart.

Enjoys weaponeering (weapon creation & attack). Has gone to blacksmiths with some wild ideas (“Can you tie a blade to the end of my tail? Okay hear me out ....exploding arrow bomb but with daggers. BOOM CARNAGE”) most of which.....don't work.  

Has a weapon shopping addiction. Stressed? He's out buying daggers by the dozen to cope. Thresh alone could support Volica's dagger production. Find a dagger at the bottom of a communal pool? Probably Thresh's. See a pile of daggers in Nyvor's clinic? Yeah he's running out of places to store them. Got a gift from Thresh? Oh how sweet- it's a dagger. He even uses them to help apply eyeshadow.

Violence IS the answer to everything. (“What if we just….kill him? BAM problem solved.”)

His Domain accounts for his sporadic travel time by assigning him missions with “fake” early due dates, ensuring he actually gets shit done on time. Monster culling is his best/favored activity, with hunting being a close second.