Since the latest trailer released for Tears of the Kingdom, there has been a lot of speculation about how the mysterious Zonai people fit into the picture. All that we truly know about them is that they were part of an ancient barbarian tribe. Their history supposedly predates that of the Hyruleans, having been present even before Calamity Ganon was defeated the first time. There are some shrines in Breath of the Wild that were built on or close to Zonai ruins and structures, the most famous of which are the Zonai Ruins located in the Faron region. I figured that now would be a great time to revisit these ruins and search for possible clues about the lost Zonai people.
Thanks to the latest advancements in Sheikah technology, I’m able to fast-travel to the Pumaag Nitae Shrine in seconds. Starting here will allow me to reach the Zonai Ruins as quickly as possible. I had considered starting from the Highland Stable so I could travel on horseback, but since lightning seems to occur so frequently in the Faron region, I ultimately decided that it would be best to leave my horse safe and sound this time around. Besides, I’m heading towards the ruins in order to conduct research, not carelessly gallivant around.
But it would seem that I’m not the only detective in town. As soon as I leave the shrine, I am ambushed from behind by a Yiga Clan member. Perhaps he too is interested in these ruins and what they ultimately symbolize? After a brief tussle, he turns into a puff of smoke and leaves behind Rupees and Mighty Bananas. I’m not even at the ruins yet, and I already find myself looking over my shoulder. It’s obvious that he was sent here by another private investigator, but I’m going to get the scoop before anyone else can.
I quickly discover the identity of the aforementioned private investigator: a young woman named Meeshy. She attempts to throw me off track by saying that she is searching for the “mouth of the dragon,” but I am immediately on to her little scheme and leave her in the dust. If she wants to be the first one to report on the Zonai Ruins, she’ll have to beat me there first.
A few hired goons perched on large rocks along the path attempt to shoot me down with arrows; they have no doubt been sent here by Meeshy to stop anyone who might get to the ruins first. I dodge their arrows swiftly, then loose a few of my own with the Royal Bow I have within arm’s reach at all times. As I enter the Faron Grasslands, I can hear some beautiful accordion music playing in the distance. Could it be another spy from the Yiga Clan? No, it’s my dear friend Kass! It turns out that he has a song to sing for me (doesn’t he always?), this time about the dragon that used to roam this area. But this proves to be yet another distraction, as he tries to advise me to head towards the Damel Forest up north in order to find a new shrine. I write down some notes in my log, adding the Damel Forest shrine to the ever-expanding list of sidequests that I will embark on after I explore the ruins. Before venturing further, I decide to make a fire and fall asleep to the peaceful music that Kass is playing. I should be able to see the ruins more clearly in the afternoon hours. I ask him to turn Meeshy away and not let her pass through before me.
When I awaken and continue on my journey, I see that the entrance to the ruins is very lush and green. I cross an old bridge and enter the Zonai Ruins to discover a flying Wizzrobe. It’s either the guardian of these ruins, or it’s here to get a scoop before me, and both options spell trouble. After dispatching it quickly, I discover a sloping structure with a few Bokoblins. I had assumed that they would be guarding some ancient Zonai treasure, but all I find are apples inside of some large boxes. I’m initially disappointed, since this is definitely not what I came here for. But then I turn around and see what look like pillars with a dragon carved into the stone.
One has to wonder, did the Zonai worship the dragons that roam the land of Hyrule? Examining the carving, it looks like the scales and body of the dragon are flowing down from the top of the pillar. Perhaps they created these structures in order to appease these creatures, since they may have considered them to be gods. These pillars are by no means massive, but the materials the Zonai used to build them were malleable enough to be carved into, yet durable enough not to crumble under the pressure. The fact that their ancient artwork remains so detailed even after so many years proves these barbarians used only the strongest materials the Faron region had to offer.
Besides pillars, I also spot a large boulder popping out of the ground. Upon further investigation, I realize that this is no ordinary boulder, but a dragon’s head carved from stone. It looks so real, like it’s going to emerge from a centuries-long slumber any minute now. You can see an eye on the top and what looks to be a mouth underneath it. The swirl to the right of the mouth could be an ear, or perhaps a curl in the mouth. Is this the “mouth of the dragon” Meeshy was hoping to find? Again, it appears that the Zonai believed in the power of the dragons to some degree. The dragons that I have seen flying over Hyrule could be these same ancient beasts that the Zonai looked up to, or maybe their descendants.
The Zonai Ruins may not be as impressive as the Mayan Ruins, but their respect for dragon lore has stood the test of time. The dragon imagery found in the few artifacts that remain definitely gave me a solid scoop about the ancient tribe’s beliefs. One must pass through the ruins in order to reach the Damel Forest and Farosh Hills, and I definitely recommend that you stop for a closer look as you venture through. I like to think that the spirits of these ancient barbarians are smiling upon Hyrule, content in the knowledge that, even thousands of years after they disappeared, the scattered remains of their civilization are still challenging people to test their might and unravel the mysteries behind their lost culture.
