Races in The Legend of Zelda series

The Legend of Zelda series of video games has a diverse range of races living in the games' world. Because of the mystery surrounding the series' chronology, it is mostly unknown how the games connect together and which event takes place after another.

Deities

The Deities are the most powerful and important creatures in the world of The Legend of Zelda. They have created the world and all the realms it holds. They also created life and sometimes, a specific race (though it is unknown who did what).

Deity Society

In general, Deities can be divided into the higher Deities (gods) and the lower Deities (Spirits).

Gods include the three "Golden goddesses", Din, Nayru, and Farore, who created Hyrule (though it should be noted that there was apparently something already there), its physics, and its lifeforms. It is unknown where they came from or for how long they have existed. They are usually portrayed as three beautiful women with power nearing omnipotence, but they are sometimes represented differently, such as Wind Waker's three goddess Statues. They are most often referred to as goddesses, though the neutral "gods" is also used, such as The Wind Waker 's Tower of the gods. Other "gods" and "goddesses" are mentioned within the games: Ocarina of Time sparingly referred to a "Sand goddess" which the Gerudos revered, Majora's Mask described the four giants as gods, as well as mentioning a "goddess of Time", and The Wind Waker used the title "goddess of Fortune" to refer to a certain Great Fairy. It is speculated whether some of these are merely alternate titles for one of the Golden goddesses, or truly other gods. Furthermore, in Twilight Princess the antagonist Zant refers to Ganon as his "god". This seems to imply that the title "god/goddess" is given due to power rather than due to a static pantheon. If there are more gods, it is unclear what their role is in the affairs of Hyrule and the other countries and dimensions. The Golden goddesses seem to mostly withdraw themselves from Hyrule's comings and goings, though they do respond to prayers invoked by the Triforce, or made by the sages or chosen ones (flooding Hyrule, restoring the Master Sword).

Spirits (sometimes called by other titles) may not be as powerful as the gods, but are still powerful enough to create and protect other creatures. For instance, it was the Great Deku Tree who, according to Ocarina of Time, created the Kokiri. Unlike the goddesses, the Spirits live with the other races on earth, instead of watching them from a distance. They sometimes act as a leader or second leader for a population of their chosen race and are always treated with great respect. Spirits vary greatly in shape and size, though they often appear as some sort of nature symbol, such as a stag, a tree, or a sun. Some Spirits age and can be killed, though they will also replace themselves. The Spirits do not form a collective society (though they do seem to know of each other), but are instead often found as either a patron deity of one a lesser race, or alone in a personal shrine.

Notable Gods

• Cyclos, the storm god
• Din, the goddess of power and earth; one of the three creator goddesses
• The Four Giants, the four protective gods of Termina
• Ganon, referred to by various villains as the "King" or "God" of evil
• Farore, the goddess of courage and wind; one of the three creator goddesses
• Fierce Deity, depicted by the Fierce Deity Mask
• Nayru, the goddess of wisdom and time; one of the three creator goddesses
• Zephos, the wind god

Notable Spirits

• Eldin
• Faron
• Great Deku Tree (Ocarina of Time)
• Great Deku Tree (The Wind Waker)
• Jabu-Jabu
• Jabun
• Lanayru
• Ordona
• Maku Tree of Holodrum
• Maku Tree of Labrynna
• Season Spirits
• Valoo
• The Wind Fish

Deku

File:Thumb dekuscrub.jpg

A Deku Scrub.

The Deku ("Deku Nuts" in Japanese games, "Deku" is the Japanese word for "wooden figurine") is a race that consists of plant-like humanoids introduced in Ocarina of Time.

Biology

Deku are generally short and have leaves on their heads where humans would have hair. They often have red, glowing eyes, and their mouths are short, hollow tubes. Deku habitually shoot "Deku Nuts" out of their mouths to attack enemies, bearing some similarity to the rock-spitting Octoroks. Deku's bodies are comprised entirely of wood and leaves and they perish quickly if set on fire. Gibdos pointedly ignore Deku; perhaps since they lack flesh and bone.

Deku are sometimes seen flying using helicopter-like leaves in Majora's Mask. While Link uses two petals which only work for a short time, Business Scrubs fly with the leaves on their heads, and can apparently do so indefinitely. Koroks use similar means to fly great distances in The Wind Waker.

According to the Deku Scrubs in Four Swords Adventures, anyone who becomes lost in the Lost Woods will eventually turn into a Deku Scrub.

In Majora's Mask, Link is able to turn himself into a Deku Scrub. At the beginning of the game, he is trapped in this form until the player manages to retrieve the Ocarina of Time. Link's Deku form has a number of useful abilities, such as a spinning attack which stuns or harms enemies, and the utilization of Deku Flowers, which allow him to hover through the air and attack enemies from above by dropping Deku Nuts. He is also capable of skipping on the surface of bodies of water for awhile, though he will eventually sink, and after he is umbued with fairy magic, he can fire bubbles of magic through his mouth.

There are three main types of Deku that are typically encountered in the various Zelda games in which the Deku appear:

• Deku Scrubs: These Deku sport green leaves and are the most common type of Deku. They will often spout useful information if caught.
• Mad Scrubs: These scrubs have red and yellow leaves and are not known to talk. As their name suggests, they tend to be the most violent type of Scrub. In Ocarina of Time, they will attack with Deku nuts, unprovoked, even from a distance. Once struck, a Mad Scrub is ejected from its Deku Flower, and will flee without counterattack until it finds another burrow in which to hide. Mad Scrubs will sink in water, and can apparently breathe under water as well, although they become immobilized.
• Business Scrubs: These scrubs are seemingly more intelligent than most Deku Scrubs, as is evident by the fact that they have entered the world of commerce. They sport rounder bodies and longer legs than their cousins, and their leaves are green. They generally offer to sell their wares and services when approached or forcibly coerced into vending. They appear in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and The Minish Cap.
• Royal Scrubs: Appearing only in Majora's Mask, these Dekus have a larger head, bigger eyes, smaller mouths, and some have arms and legs. The leaves that make up their hair are sparser and resemble a topknot, and they also have extra leaves covering their body, similar to a robe. The Deku who guard Deku Palace are members of this subtype.

Deku Scrub Society

Deku typically reside in Deku Flowers or similar leafy burrows, from which they may emerge at any time. In general, Deku are rather territorial, pelting those who approach their hiding places with Deku Nuts. They are typically cowardly creatures, and will hide or run from any potential threat that is not halted by their nut-spitting defenses.

In Ocarina of Time, the few Deku Scrubs within the Great Deku Tree seem to follow Queen Gohma, who is sent as a curse by Ganondorf to destroy the tree. A mini-boss in the tree also consists of the "Deku Scrub Brothers", three Dekus who have to be struck in a certain order to be defeated.

The world of Termina is host to a tribe of Deku Scrubs, whose affairs are concerned with the nearby Woodfall Temple. These Deku demonstrate a form of government, with a "Deku King" that presumably rules over all other Deku in the land of Termina. Deku society is depicted similarly to that of the Zora, bearing a Royal family and their subjects. In Deku form, Link converses more openly with them, showing these Deku Scrubs to be quite intelligent. The Deku Scrubs of Termina are shown to be quite reclusive, believing themselves to be superior to other races. They are intolerant of outsiders.

Deku Scrubs of this tribe traditionally play large Deku Pipes for use in ceremonies. In Majora's Mask, the Deku Princess is said to use the pipes to gain access to Woodfall Temple. Link himself plays the Deku pipes in place of his ocarina when in Deku form.

In Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages Business Scrubs differ somewhat in appearance from the ones seen in earlier titles, and are never seen completely out of the ground. The game contains a new kind of Business Scrub that loves music, and is known for giving Link information and/or filling up his Seed Satchel.

The Deku Scrubs in Four Swords Adventures live in the Lost Woods, because of the shade it provides. They cooperate with Ganon in his attempts to conquer Hyrule both because he revived them from some kind of slumber, and because he has promised to reward them by covering the world in forest, thus allowing the Deku Scrubs to travel anywhere. In this particular title they do not seem to have a ruler of their own.

Deku Flowers

Deku Flowers are large, leafy flowers from Majora's Mask. Deku Scrubs hide in these plants, which they sometimes use to propel themselves into flight. Like Ocarina of Time, they are apt to defend themselves by shooting Deku Nuts, using Deku Flowers for cover. Within Clock Town a Deku Scrub required a property title in order to use a Deku Flower showing that these acted as long term homes to the plant-like people living there.

These flowers come in two breeds: pink and yellow. The pink ones have a few green leaves at the bottom, four pink petals, and a yellow center. The yellow ones have many dark yellow leaves at the bottom, yellow petals, and a green center. Each type of flower launches Deku with a different strength, pink being the weaker, with yellow being the stronger.

These flowers also appear in Oracle of Seasons. The flower can only be used in spring. In the other seasons, each flower is nothing more than a bud. In Majora's Mask, Link can enter Deku Flowers while he is in Deku form. They help launch Link across obstacles and gaps he often cannot traverse in other forms.

Notable Deku Scrubs

• Deku Butler
• Deku Butler's son
• Deku King
• Deku Princess

Fairies

The Fairies are a magical and kind race in The Legend Of Zelda series. Introduced in the very first The Legend of Zelda, they appear in every game, always aiding Link in his quest in some way. There are three different kinds of Fairies: the common Fairies, the Stray Fairies and the Great Fairies.

Fairy Society

Fairies in The Legend of Zelda are very vague creatures, but they do make an appearance as important characters, such as Navi, Tatl, Tael, etc. It is unknown if the Fairies have established a government or kingdom of their own, as the Great Fairies seem to be superior to other Fairies and different in appearance. In The Wind Waker, there is a Fairy Queen in Mother & Child Isles who looks like a normal sized, color-changing girl holding a doll resembling the other Great Fairies from The Wind Waker. It seems that Fairies live in all parts of Hyrule and Termina and the surrounding lands.

The physical appearance of Fairies tend to change between games. In the early games and The Wind Waker, they are small young girls with wings and wands, while in most later games they give off a bright light that is so bright that the body of the Fairy can not be seen and the Fairy tends to look like a ball of colored light with four wings protruding out of the range of the light. The light the Fairy gives off differs. Yellow, blue, pink and green are common colors, but in Majora's Mask, Tael, Tatl's brother, is dark purple. It is also shown that a Fairy's color can change temporarily, possibly as an emotional reaction. However, sometimes Fairies do not give off light at all. Fairies appear in every Zelda game, usually varying in appearance. They are friendly with every other race and are known for being a guide and "Fairy friend" to the Kokiri race in Ocarina of Time.

In the animated series, the Fairies seem to have established a kingdom and have a king, Oberon, based on the King of the Fairies in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as other legends. He has a daughter named Sprite, but his wife (who is usually Titania, the Queen of Fairies in legends) does not appear. However, the animated series is not considered canon to The Legend of Zelda series and is therefore not true to the games.

Fairies

They are small humanlike creatures with wings. Usually, only their glow and wings can be seen. They can be found everywhere, but they usually reside in a Fairy Fountain or Fairy Spring, sometimes under the protection of a Great Fairy. These Fairies from the fountains (only pink in colour has been seen so far) heal Link when he approaches and Link can put them in bottles for later use. If Link dies when he has a bottled Fairy with him, he or she will bring him back to life and then disappear. In Four Swords Adventures, they were called Force Fairies.

In Ocarina of Time, a branch of these Fairies, called Guardian Fairies appeared. They guard the Kokiri and give them advice. One of these, Navi, was a main character in Ocarina of Time, and served as Link's guardian fairy.

Stray Fairies

Apparently, a Great Fairy's body can be broken into pieces, with every piece being a Fairy on its own. They still share each others' thoughts though. A Stray Fairy can heal Link, but won't go with him like a normal Fairy, because it might not be able to return and thus would never be whole again. They are a bit bigger than normal Fairies.

Great Fairies

Main article: Great Fairy

Notable Fairies

• Fairy of Winds
• Fairy Queen
• The Great Fairies (Multiple Games)
• Great Butterfly Fairy
• Great Dragonfly Fairy
• Great Mayfly Fairy
• Navi
• Tael
• Tatl

Fishmen

The Fishmen are a race of blue fish with a human-like face. In The Wind Waker, they were responsible for giving Link information on the sector of the Great Sea he was in when he met one of them, and they would fill in the appropriate part of his map the first time he talked to them. They were apparently very skilled information-gatherers, as they seemed to know the King of Red Lions and were sometimes found giving him information.

After talking to Link the first time, the Fishmen will ask Link to ease their aching necks by shooting arrows at them. It is also implied by a certain Fishman and a figurine in the Nintendo Gallery that that Fishman had once dated the owner of the Windfall Island cafe.

Notable Fishmen

• Fishman

Gorons

File:GoronTP.jpg

A Goron in Twilight Princess

Gorons are a humanoid, rock-eating race that dwell in the mountains. Despite their hulking appearance, Gorons are a relatively peaceful species when they come in contact with the other races. Gorons are known to deeply respect individuals who display a great amount of strength, and particularly enjoy matching their strength with others in sumo wrestling matches (as seen in Twilight Princess). Gorons are usually considered, perhaps superficially, to be of low intelligence, although there is no particular indication of this in the games. They may also be fooled by appearances due to bad eyesight, similar to moles, as they are a subterranean species. Almost all Gorons say "goro" at the end of most of their sentences, but this was removed from the English versions of the games, save for a few rare cases such as the Goron tourist in Majora's Mask and some occasions during The Minish Cap. In Ocarina of Time, Darunia refers to both the King of Hyrule and Link as "Sworn Brothers" and "Brothers", and in Twilight Princess, Gorons often call many other characters "Brother". The name "Goron" be derived from the phrase "goron, goron", a Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of a rolling rock.

Biology

Gorons are physically larger than an average human. They appear to be muscular, but their large bellies provide contrast. They maintain a strict diet of rocks and iron, though a confusing quote from a Goron suggests that they also eat green rocks, which may imply that they can eat some vegetation.

Due to their enormous weight, they are helpless in water because they will sink to the bottom and might not be able to get up to the surface. However, it is shown in Twilight Princess that Gorons do not need to breathe, and therefore cannot drown (though since they can not swim, they get stuck underwater regardless). Gorons are also resistant to heat, to the point of being able to walk through shallow lava. This is a valuable capability when searching for food inside mountains.

It has been suggested that Gorons in fact are made of a rocklike material and it is mentioned in Twilight Princess that Gorons are living rocks. This could explain most of their characteristics and why Gibdos aren't interested in them (as shown by Goron Link in Majora's Mask). Gorons have rocky formations on their backs, and from the size of the Goron Elder's growths in Majora's Mask, it would seem that these continue to grow throughout their lives. Some older Gorons have small smoking craters on their heads or bodies (seemingly as a result of aging).

It is apparent in the Goron world that some Gorons grow to exaggeratedly huge sizes (though very rare), as seen in the case of Biggoron, who was several hundred times larger than others of his species, and his younger brother Medigoron, who was smaller but still gigantic.

Another feature of Goron biology is their ability to curl into a fetal position (with their heads tucked between their legs). This is the Goron's position when resting, but they also use it for transportation. Gorons can roll in this position, gradually speeding up to great speeds. Gorons who are endowed with fairy magic can grow stone spikes while rolling.

Gender

The Gorons who appear in the games never show any visible cues to indicate their gender, and all Gorons who are referred to in the third person in in-game dialogue are called "he" and "him." It is possible, though, that referring to "him" and "he" to Gorons may not be gender pertaining at all. Furthermore, in Goron culture it is customary to call other Gorons "brother," as well as those who have earned the title (like Link and the King of Hyrule) - this practice is not limited to males, however. In Twilight Princess, a Goron elder refers to a young woman as "brother", although still using feminine pronouns to refer to her. Gorons are presumably all male, as outside of the manga no female or feminine-looking Gorons have appeared; another possibility is that they do not normally distinguish between genders. It is unclear how they reproduce, but they are obviously able to as Darunia bears a son in Ocarina of Time, named after Link. Goron males appear to remain fertile well into old age; the ancient Goron Elder of Majora's Mask has an infant son. Feminine-looking Gorons have been known to appear in The Legend of Zelda manga, but the manga are considered non-canonical.

Bomb Flowers

Gorons grow Bomb Flowers, their "special crop" which resemble bombs in both appearance and function. These look like a standard bomb with a flower growing on top, and 3 large leaves growing outwards. Bomb Flowers will only grow in a dark area, except in The Wind Waker, where Bomb Flowers were present outside in a light-bathed environment. Underneath the "bomb" is the stem (with the leaves growing out), but normally this is not visible. Bomb Flowers break easily from their stems and once plucked they soon explode (although not as soon as would a regular bomb). The stem and leaves of the flower are bomb-proof so a Bomb Flower cannot blow itself up, which may be a defense-mechanism. Apparently, Gorons use the plant for mining. These plants make an appearance in The Wind Waker on Dragon Roost Island. Bomb Flowers are also grown in the northern region of Labrynna (it is the main export of the Rolling Ridge Goron tribe) and the volcanic world of Subrosia (specifically, in Lava Lake) in the Oracle games. In these games, it is safe to assume that Bomb Flowers are more powerful than ordinary bombs, since in Oracle of Seasons, regular bombs would not suffice in the task of blowing up the excess of rock in front of the temple. They also make an appearance in Ocarina of Time, in which the Bomb Flowers are used before gaining the bomb bag in Dodongo's Cavern, they are also used to gain entry to Dodongo's Cavern, and are known to take up to twice as long to explode as a regular bomb. In The Wind Waker, Bomb Flowers are often called "the explosive fruit" and are more blue in color and don't take as long to explode as Bombs do. They mainly grow on Dragon Roost Island, but are also found on small islands around the Great Sea. In Four Swords Adventures, Bomb Flowers grow practically everywhere.

Goron society

Apparently, Goron culture revolves around brotherhood, honor, and strength. It appears that they find mining their ancestors' corpses honorable and perfectly acceptable. They are a peaceful, sometimes indolent race, although they are quite large and strong. Goron tribes are led by a single patriarch. Sometimes, such as the tribes in Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess, the patriarch is aided by one or multiple Goron Elders, who have authority over the tribe in instances where the patriarch is unable to rule. Due to the toughness of the Goron race and the shortage of deadly predators in their environment, some tribes get along well with no warriors at all.

As mentioned above, Gorons are often considered to be dull-witted, though a more accurate description would be "simple". They prefer basic pleasures such as eating, dancing, and bathing in Hot Springs, though some are also skilled craftsmen, blacksmiths, or sculptors. They are fond of drums as seen in Majora's Mask. In Twilight Princess, Gorons also enjoy sumo wrestling.

Most Gorons also have tattoos on their arms (usually present on both bicep muscles and occasionally on other parts of their bodies), which are often tribal-style patterns and the most common symbol is a spiky pawprint shape resembling the Goron's Ruby (a magical stone belonging to the tribe leader, Darunia, in Ocarina of Time).

Gorons in The Wind Waker

In The Wind Waker, three Gorons, traveling merchants, are seen on separate islands, although their race is never explicitly referred to. The Goron symbol appears on their packs, and if the player uses the Deku Leaf to blow a gust of air at one of them, his hat will temporarily fly off, revealing his surprised, and clearly Goron, face.

According to one of the Gorons, they hail from a faraway land, and are only in the Great Sea on business.

Gorons in Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, the Gorons have constructed a large mining complex within Death Mountain and they have also become more mechanical and industrialized developing magnetic cranes and elevator systems. The Gorons are governed by four tribal Elders and their Patriarch Darbus. In the game, Link is at first not at all welcomed by the Gorons, who attack him on sight. Their tribe's Patriarch, Darbus, had become possessed by the dark magic of the Fused Shadow which transformed him into an uncontrollable monster: the Twilit Igniter Fyrus. The four Goron Elders managed to subdue him and lock him away deep within the mines for the safety of the tribe and cut off relations with Kakariko Village. Link is forced to beat the elder, Gor Coron, in a sumo wrestling contest (using the Iron Boots to even the playing field) to earn their respect and gain entry to the Goron mines. In the mines, he is forced to fight the armored Goron, Dangoro, that protects the Hero's Bow and eventually the transformed Darbus. After freeing Darbus from the influence of the Fused Shadow, the Gorons restore relations with Kakariko Village, many of them (including two of the Goron elders) venture down to Kakariko to help (one young Goron sets up a small shop that opens at night; while the two Goron elders help Malo Mart collect donations to rebuild the east bridge of Castle Town and buy the overpriced shop in Castle Town). The Gorons also help Link by restoring the southern pathway that leads into Castle Town and by selling him arrows, lantern oil, potions, hot spring water, etc. Link can also save a Goron who accidentally got himself encased inside the hardened chunk of molten rock that he uses to unfreeze Zora's Domain.

The Gorons love bathing in hot springs and enjoy sumo wrestling (though its popularity seems to wane among the younger Gorons). The mayor of Ordon, Bo, is one of a few people known to have beaten a Goron at sumo (the other would be Link) in his youth, thus gaining the respect of the Gorons. However, he used the Iron Boots to level the playing field (as Gorons are heavier and stronger than the other races in Hyrule). Link later borrowed the Iron Boots from Bo, and gained respect from the Gorons the same way. However, one Goron does threaten Link if he finds out he cheated somehow.

Twilight Princess is the first Zelda game where Link must fight Gorons. It is the first game to feature a Goron boss (two, to be precise). Link also fights regular Gorons at first, but they are more obstacles than true enemies, as they can not be defeated, only stunned. It should also be noted that child Gorons in Twilight Princess take on the appearance of Gorons from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, while regular Gorons take on larger and more mature appearances. Gorons in Twilight Princess also wear simple clothing, generally a loincloth wrapped over their hips, whereas previous games have not featured Gorons regularly wearing any clothing.

Notable Gorons

• Biggoron (Ocarina of Time)
• Darbus
• Darmani
• Darunia
• Gor Amoto
• Gor Coron
• Gor Ebizo
• Gor Liggs
• Link of the Gorons
• Medigoron

Humanoids

Gerudo

File:Gerudo2.jpg

Gerudo Warrior

The Gerudo (ゲルド族, Gerudo-zoku) are a tribe of thieves from Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures. Their race consists entirely of women, but according to information given in Ocarina of Time, one man is born every hundred years, and is destined to become the king of the Gerudo tribe. Ganondorf, the main antagonist of the series, is a Gerudo and in Ocarina of Time, he was that generation's sole male Gerudo and their king, and was worshipped like a god by his fellow Gerudo. As there are generally only Gerudo women, the Gerudo often mate with Hylians.

The Gerudo live primarily in the desert of Hyrule, which is referred to as the Gerudo Valley and is far to the west of Hyrule Castle Town in Ocarina of Time. In this game, their territory is marked with an intricately designed fortress, which is constantly guarded. In Four Swords Adventures, they live in tents instead.

Gerudo women are generally short-tempered and aggressive, willing to take on any man trespassing on their ground. Though the Gerudo Desert exists in Twilight Princess, the Gerudo race (with the exception of Ganondorf) is absent. Considering the monsters from earlier games, Gerudorm (Geldarm) and Gerudoman (Geldman) it could be that the word "Gerudo" is more significant to the desert itself than the Gerudo race that dwells in it.

The Gerudo leader wear much fancier clothing than normal women. Nabooru, their leader in Ocarina of Time, wears a semi-revealing cloth around her chest with Gerudo art on it, a large ruby on her forehead, and large, pink, puffy pants with a ruby in the center of a "belt." Similar attire is found on Aveil in Majora's Mask.

Recent news has confirmed that Gerudo will be appearing in The Phantom Hourglass.

Notable Gerudo

• Aveil
• Ganondorf
• Koume and Kotake
• Nabooru

Humans

The Humans are rarely specifically mentioned in the series, but are nonetheless part of the Zelda universe. They seem biologically close to the Hylians, the only known physical difference being the ears, and often live with them in the same towns. Their numbers are not big in Hyrule and Termina, but they are the majority race in Holodrum and Labrynna.

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess a village called Ordon Village is located south of Faron Woods. Except for Link, all its inhabitants are generic humans. They are farmers and apparently quite successful, since products from Ordon Village can even be found in the most northern regions.

There are several instances within the series where Hylians may be referred to as "humans". In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, for example, all of the human looking races within the game are called humans, and the same occurs within The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. However, it is also important to note that these games never use the term "Hylian" to refer to the same race that it refers to in other games.

Hylians

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One generation of Princess Zelda, a well-recognized Hylian

Hylians (ハイリア族, Hairia-zoku) are an elf-like race of humans from the fictional world of Hyrule.

Hylians were the first race to establish organized civilization in ancient Hyrule, though in Twilight Princess, the Oocca are said to have created Hylians. Unlike several other races in the series, Hylians tend to live in highly populated cities. The term "Hylian" generally refers to a member of the Hylian race, as opposed to "Hyrulean", which refers to any inhabitant of Hyrule. According to the original A Link to the Past instruction manual, Hylians were born with magic-infused blood, endowing them with psychic powers and skill in wizardry, while according to the Japanese manual, these powers are gifts from the gods. The manuals also claim that the Hylians' long, pointed ears allow them to hear messages from the gods. In Ocarina of Time, most Hylians seem to live within the fortified walls of Hyrule Castle Town or the small, neighboring village of Kakariko. Besides living in the bustling marketplace, other citizens of the kingdom inhabit territory outside of the protected city.

Notable Hylians

• King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule
• Link
• Princess Zelda
• Tingle

Hylian language

Hylian is also the name of the constructed language created by Nintendo to be used by the Hylians. The characters are composed mostly of squarelike symbols and dots with a small amount of curved or diagonal lines, and changes slightly from game to game. The written form of Hylian is derived from Japanese hiragana, katakana, and romaji in its first appearances, though is based on English in Twilight Princess.

Hylian first appeared in A Link to the Past, though just identified as "the ancient language of the Hylians". Its written form was made up of nonsensical symbols that had to be translated by Link using the mysterious "Book of Mudora" to progress in the game.

In Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, the scripting appeared on signs, gravestones and more. While no official translations or character sets have been released by Nintendo, some fans have created versions themselves by observing and translating the inscriptions in the game and on the game's box art.

On Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the intro sequence had paintings with the language below it, and later in the game the whalelike creature Jabun spoke it to the King of Red Lions. Once the game is finished there is an option for a second quest, in this version of the game all Hylian speech is translated. In Japan, an explanation on the Hylian alphabet was printed on the back of the instruction manual, proving that the language is actually written like Japanese, but using different symbols.

In Twilight Princess, the language is represented by an alphabet based directly upon the Latin one, and the Hylian language in the game is in English. The script used in The Wind Waker is used on tombstones in Kakariko Village Graveyard in Twilight Princess.

Kokiri

File:Kokiri Males.png

Male Kokiri

Kokiri are a humanoid fairy folk from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time who inhabit the Kokiri Forest. Cautious, child-like, and secretive, the Kokiri believe that they will die if they leave the forest (this is seemingly contradicted by the Kokiri appearing in the Lon Lon Ranch in one scene, however; it is implied in other ways that this misinformation has been fed to them by the Great Deku Tree). Therefore, most Kokiri never leave the forest and know nothing about the outside world and instead, only the magics of the forest.

Though they appear as children, the Kokiri are actually ageless and never grow old. This idea could be influenced by the story of Peter Pan, as he never grew old and had a guardian fairy watching over him. Each Kokiri has a guardian fairy that plays the role of friend, parent, guardian, and teacher. They are watched over by the Great Deku Tree, and later Saria, the Sage of Forest, but Mido is their "boss". In the manga, it's been confirmed that Kokiri feed on the fruit of the forest.

The Kokiri are "the spirits of the forest" and were likely created by the Great Deku Tree. All Kokiri seen wear green tunics and have pointy ears, and the males wear green hats while the females have green headbands. There have been two records of Kokiri sages known to have aided the legendary hero Link. The first is Saria, the Sage of Forest in Ocarina of Time and Fado, the Sage of Wind in The Wind Waker. Fado does not make an appearance in the Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time for some reason, but instead has a recycled name from another Kokiri who had the name first: a blonde, twin-bunned female on the large stump in the Kokiri Forest whose name isn't revealed in the game.

An interesting note is that all named Kokiri, except for Saria because she was named after a town from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, have their names created from the concatenation of 2 words from the solfege musical scale "do re mi fa so la ti do." Mido = Mi + Do, Fado = Fa + Do, etc.

It is hinted in The Wind Waker that the Kokiri changed into the Koroks, due to statements by the Great Deku Tree and Fado. The words "Kokiri" and "Korok" are also very similar.

Notable Kokiri

• Fado (Ocarina Of Time)
• Fado (The Wind Waker)
• Mido
• Saria

Koroks

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Koroks

Koroks are a race from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. They come from an area called the Forest Haven, but spend most of their lives away from it. They have wooden-like bodies (somewhat similar to Deku Scrubs) and wear what look like masks made from various types of leaves, as they have no real face, as can be seen by positioning the camera to look behind the leaf (Although this could just be a graphical oversight). Koroks are very light, and can travel on the wind by using sprouts as propellers.

Most Koroks actually spend most of their lives far away from Forest Haven, planting the seeds of the Great Deku Tree; they only return to Forest Haven once a year, for an annual ceremony held when the Great Deku Tree bears seeds so they can take off again. The only Koroks that do not leave are Makar (who plays his violin at the ceremony) and Hollo (who studies potion-making and uses Boko Baba Seeds to concoct his brews).

The Great Deku Tree states that the Koroks once had different forms, and Makar (a Korok) carries the same violin that once belonged to Fado, the Sage of Wind (a Kokiri), and is destined to be his successor, though in the Japanese text of The Wind Waker, "descendant" is not used in the context of a direct relative, but rather Makar is a descendant of the Sage bloodline. This would strongly imply that they are a more natural manifestation of the Kokiri.

Notable Koroks

• Makar

Merfolk

It is not clear whether the Merfolk really exist. In Link's Awakening, Link met a Mermaid named Martha (located in Martha's bay). For returning her necklace, she gave him one of her scales, which could be used on a statue of a mermaid. However, it should be noted that Link's Awakening was a dream, and therefore, Martha is not real. Since it is unclear whether Koholint and its inhabitants are completely made up by the sleeping Wind Fish or rather are part of its memories, it is not certain whether they really exist. Merfolk don't appear in any other game, but there's an item called the Mermaid Suit and a cave called the Mermaid's Cave in Oracle of Ages.

Notable Merfolk

• Martha

Sheikahs

The Sheikah were an ancient clan of ninja-like warriors that swore to protect the Hylian Royal Family, often referred to as the "shadows"' of the Hylians. At the time of Ocarina of Time, the supposedly one of few true living member of the tribe is Impa, Princess Zelda's nursemaid. Little is known of the tribe, but it has been implied (and is most likely) that the Sheikah were incredibly agile and had magical prowess similar to Hylians.

From the few facts that have been established about the Sheikah in the games and game manuals as well as pictures, we can assume that the Sheikah had red eyes, as Impa has red eyes in the Ocarina of Time and so does Zelda in her Sheikah guise. Impaz in Twilight Princess also has red eyes, and is implied to be descended from Impa, though it is not explained whether or not she is a full-blooded Sheikah.

Notable Sheikahs

• Impa

Skull Kids

The Skull Kids are a race that appear in the Lost Woods in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and in the Sacred Grove in Twilight Princess. They are suggested (by Navi. However, Skull Kids are not the only possible example of creatures being warped by Kokiri Forest; according to a young Kokiri that Link meets on one of his sidequests, people become Stalfos when they get lost in the forest

The most famous Skull Kid is The Skull Kid from Majora's Mask, who is possessed by Majora's Mask and is the friend of two Fairies named Tatl and Tael. This Skull Kid said that Link smells like the fairy boy who knew Saria's song in Ocarina of Time, suggesting that he is one of the Skull Kids Link could meet in that game.

In Twilight Princess, a Skull Kid is the guardian of the Sacred Grove, and Link must play a game of hide-and-seek with it twice in order to advance in the game. The Skull Kid in this game bears a trumpet instead of a flute, and blows it to summon minions called Puppets, of which there seems to be an unlimited amount. The Twilight Princess Skull Kid also has a purple, leathery face, with red eyes and a scarecrow-like visage, while the Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask Skull Kids have simple wooden faces with glowing yellow features that seem to be merely outlines.

Notable Skull Kids

• Skull Kid (Majora's Mask)

Wind Tribe

The Wind Tribe is a group of people who live on the Cloud Tops and guard the Palace of Winds. They also built the Wind Ruins and the Wind Fortress in south western Hyrule. They are skilled at finding kinstones and seem to have a connection with the Minish who built the Armos statues that guard the Wind Ruins. They use the wind to travel. These people might have been kicked out by Vaati since he is seen dwelling in the Palace of Winds later. The Guardian of the Wind Ruins in The Minish Cap is called Mazaal and is almost identical to Gohdan, guardian of the Tower of the Gods in The Wind Waker. In the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Manga, there is a bonus chapter where Link meets a child who seems similar to the wind tribe. However, the book calls their race the "Watara". So far, that is all that is mentioned about them.

Keaton

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A Keaton as seen in Majora's Mask

Keatons are magical, yellow foxes with multiple, black-tipped tails, black-tipped ears, and slanted, closed eyes. Their design is based on that of the mythical kitsune. Keatons recognize each other by the sheen of their tails.

Keatons made their first appearance in Ocarina of Time. Link could participate in a sidequest which included selling the "Keaton Mask", which displayed a Keaton's face, to a soldier guarding the pass to Death Mountain. The guard claims that the mask is for his son (though the guard wears it for the duration of the game), and that the Keaton is "a popular character". Many media at first claimed that this was a reference to Pikachu, though this was never verified.

The Keaton Mask appears again in Majora's Mask, where it is used by Kafei to disguise himself. By helping Kafei with his troubles, Link can obtain the mask for himself, allowing him to use it to lure out a (figuratively) real Keaton that hides in various clumps of bushes. Though this Keaton laughs at Link for his feeble attempt to trick it, it challenges Link with a short quiz that, if answered correctly, will reward Link with valuable prizes.

In The Minish Cap, Keatons are bipedal, fox-like enemies that appear in yellow and violet hues. They attack by dashing at Link and using knives.

Minish

Minish (known to Hyruleans as Picori) first appeared in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. They are a tiny race smaller than the size of a thumb, who came from another world and later settled in Hyrule; this world can be reached once a century, when a door within Hyrule Castle courtyard opens. It is said that when monsters threatened mankind, the Minish gave a legendary sword and a golden light to a courageous man, now known as the Hero of Men, destined to ward off the monsters. They have faded into a Santa Claus-like myth over the past centuries, with parents telling children that they are only seen by good, well behaved children, and most adults doubting their existence. However, the Royal Family of Hyrule guards the secret that the Minish do exist, and that they have small societies all over Hyrule that are accessible via shrinking portals. Most of the Minish in Hyrule came from the first portal opening and seem uninterested in returning to their world. The Minish' goal is to please humans; hence they stay in Hyrule to help humans with day to day tasks such as shoe making and bread baking. It is also explained that the Minish place objects under rocks and weeds to "please people", which explains how the objects such as Rupees and items appeared under these objects during the series. There are several different types of Minish, defined by where they live.

Types of Minish

• Forest Minish - They are the most common type of Minish found in Hyrule. They delight in making humans happy by hiding helpful items and Rupees under grass and rocks all over Hyrule. They also harvest Pico Blooms and leave them where humans can find them (human use the Pico Bloom's nectar to make Picolyte). Forest Minish often wear red caps. Some Forest Minish appear to wear clothes made from grass & leaves, others do not. Some also appear to have feather-like tails.
• Town Minish - These Minish like humans so much that they moved from Minish Village into Hyrule Castle Town itself. They make their homes in the rafters and walls of buildings in the Town of Hyrule. They try to make humans happy, though it sometimes backfires. Some even work alongside humans (usually without their knowledge), like in Rem's Shoe Store (a reference to the folkloric myth of small fairies or brownies helping cobblers in the night). In Wheaton & Pita Bakery, the Town Minish may be responsible for the Kinstones sometimes being found in the Bakery's pastries. Town Minish wear clothes made from fibers. Their clothes come in different colors, the most common of which is blue. Other colors include: Red, Brownish-green, & pink. The rarest color (according to one Minish) is yellow. Town Minish also don't seem to have a feather-like tail at all.
• Mountain Minish - A rare type of Minish that live in Mount Crenel. There are seven Mountain Minish (eight including their mentor/leader Melari). These seven Minish are the students of Melari that followed him from their home in Minish Village to Mount Crenel so they could be closer to the iron ore they use in their metallurgy. As a result their lives revolve around mining ore & working with metal. They seem to wear eye-protectors and appear to be much stronger than other Minish. They seem to enjoy singing while they work.
• Otherworld Minish/Ancient Picori - Are a type of Minish that live in a world that exists outside the world of Hyrule. All the Minish that exist in Hyrule are descended from this group of Minish, as the Minish themselves are not of Hyrulean origin. These Minish were responsible for the creation of both the legendary Picori Blade & the Mythical Light Force. They seem extremely knowledgeable in magic and ways to combat evil. None of these Minish appear in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. The ancestral Picori (Minish) are honored once a year in Hyrule during the Picori Festival.

Notable Minish

• Ezlo
• Vaati

Oocca

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Concept art of the Oocca race

The Oocca have yellowish Cucco-like bodies with pale-white, human-like heads. Oocca children look like human heads with wings in place of where the ears would be. They were first introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

The Oocca dwell in the City in the Sky, located in Hyrule's sky. However, the Oocca don't seem to maintain nor to have created the city for it doesn't seem to be designed for them (although, since they seem to walk on walls just as well as on the floor, this doesn't seem to pose a noticeable problem) and the Oocca Ooccoo could only return there with Link's help-or, more specifically, the broken-down cannon Link located and subsequently had repaired by Fyer. As implied by Shad in Twilight Princess, the Oocca created the Hylians and once had good relations with the Hylian Royal Family.

They may be inspired by the birds in the print Another World by M. C. Escher

Notable Oocca

• Ooccoo
• Ooccoo Jr.

Rito

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Quill, an adult, male Rito

The Rito (or "Bird People") are a race of bird-like humanoids in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Their main dwelling is on Dragon Roost Island, where all known Rito live. A tribal elder acts as the leader, of who has numerous followers and elaborately dressed guards. They could be related to the Zoras of Ocarina of Time. Rito are adept flyers and are capable of great speeds. Full-grown Rito can transport humanoids for a short time

No Rito is born with wings. The chick (as a wingless Rito child is called) must journey to the tribes' guardian deity, the great dragon Valoo, to attain one of his scales which enables the Rito to grow wings. It is treated as a coming-of-age ceremony among the Rito to journey to the great Valoo to receive a scale.

Rito are viewed by outsiders quite dubiously. Some Rito have an inscrutable intolerance directed towards them. Still, Rito are widely accepted among Hyruleans as mail carriers, as only they can traverse the seas without the aid of cumbersome ships.

The Rito are somewhat similar to the Watarara race of the Zelda mangas (which are considered non-canon). The Waterara had a similar gaining of wings past a certain age and the same chieftain leadership structure.

In The Wind Waker, a Rito named Medli tells Link that the Rito were once without wings. It is also revealed in The Wind Waker that she is a descendant of the Zora sage Laruto. However, in the Japanese text of The Wind Waker, "descendant" is not used in the context of a direct derivative.

The word "Rito" may be an anagram of "tori", the Japanese word for "bird."

Notable Rito

• Medli
• Prince Komali
• Quill

Subrosians

Subrosians are a mysterious race from the subterranean world of Subrosia, featured in the game The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons. They have large, glowing eyes, and always wear hooded cloaks, somewhat like Jawas. In Subrosia, their currency is "ore chunks" instead of rupees. They are nearly impervious to heat, and can often be seen "hot-tubbing" in lava pools. Subrosians also do a dance called the Subrosian Dance. If one does the Subrosian Dance well he can win many prizes such as a Boomerang and the Strange flute. They find outsiders strange and sometimes do not even understand their Logic. The world of Subrosia is connected to the land of Holodrum through a number of vortex-looking portals. The Temple of Seasons, which was thought to vanish when Onox made it sink into the ground, was instead to be found in Subrosia. Link must return to this temple four times in order to complete the quest. In Subrosia there is a Smithy where Subrosians combine Blue Ore and Red Ore to create Hard Ore, a rare raw material used to make special items such as an Iron Shield. They supposedly reappear in the Tingle RPG.

Notable Subrosians

• Rosa

Tokay

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Tokay

Tokay are a race of lizard people who live on an island off the coast of Labrynna. The name 'Tokay' is derived from a species of gecko. They value possessions and are often quite deceitful. Tokays steal the player's items when Link becomes shipwrecked on their island in the Oracle of Ages. In order to retrieve his stolen items, Link plays minigames and trades with the Tokays. Because they have never been off Crescent Island, they think that outsiders are tokay as well (They refer to Link as a "Strange Tokay"). The Tokay once played a game called Wild Tokay, where one person throws chunks of meat to a number of passing Tokay. A prize was to be given to the player if he managed to throw meat to each of the Tokay.

Twili

The Twili (derived from twilight) are descendants of a tribe of sorcerers that attempted to seize control of the Sacred Realm after the creation of the Triforce. They were seized by the three Goddesses, Din, Nayru, and Farore, with the aid of the Light Spirits, and banished to a limbo known as the Twilight Realm. This event is actually the first and ultimate reason that made the Gods seal the Triforce in the Sacred Realm so no evil would be able to cover the world with eternal darkness with use of the "ultimate power". Over a long period of time, the Twili have evolved from their original forms to a unique, black and white, gentle-looking race. Two major characters of Twilight Princess, Zant and Midna, are members of this race. During Zant's quest for kingship, many of the Twili were transformed into monsters, leaving Link to revert those still capable of becoming Twili to their normal selves. In this form their skin is mostly black with markings on their bodies reminiscient of patterns seen in the Twilight Realm. Their faces, necks, and chests tend to be gray in a marked contrast to the rest of their bodies. The Twili have a stretched appearance, with long limbs, necks, and heads, and great variances in overall height and girth. It also appears that common Twili are incapable of speaking Hylian (the primary language of those who dwell in Hyrule) and appear to only be able to utter a moan when Link draws near.

Notable Twili

• Midna
• Zant

Yeti

The Yeti live in the cold northern regions of Hyrule. They were first introduced in Twilight Princess.

Yetis are covered in white fur except on their faces, hands and feet, which are a bluish gray color on males and brown on females. Male Yeti are about twice the height of an average Zelda humanoid and have a large, beaver-like tail. The males are very strong and can easily floor a Hyrulean. The only known female Yeti, named Yeta, is much closer to average Hyruleans in size (which could be because she is rather young, implied by Midna referring to her as a girl). She has no tail or visible arms and her body is droopy, similar in appearance to a sweater (though, Yeta could merely be wrapped in blanket, as she is rather sick when Link first encounters her).

Yeti speak Hylian but not very fluently. Though thought to be hostile, the Yeti are generous and kindhearted. They enjoy snowboarding down the mountains of their habitat.

Notable Yeti

• Yeta
• Yeto

Zoras

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A Zora in Twilight Princess

Zoras (Originally "Zolas", see Engrish) were originally fire-breathing aquatic enemies that appeared in the earlier, two-dimensional games of the series. With the arrival of Ocarina of Time, Zoras were reintroduced as a more intelligent, anthropomorphic race of peaceful creatures with a developed culture and society. As of Oracle of Ages, official terminology has been defined to differentiate the two species; the hostile enemies are known as "river Zoras" and the kindly humanoids are called "sea Zoras" (in the 3D Zelda games, Octoroks often serve the same purpose as the river Zoras). It is generally accepted that "Zora" refers to sea Zoras, as they are the more prominent of the two species, whereas river Zoras have been given other names such as "Zora's spawn" or "Zolas". The Oracle games are the only two games to feature both river and sea Zoras, and elaborate on the difference between them.

Biology

Zoras resemble other marine creatures in their body structure. Most of them wear no clothes, but certain members of their species do wear clothing, or (as shown by the guards in Twilight Princess) a helmet that completely encases their head. They are generally covered in silver scales, which give them a pale blue sheen from a distance, and they have dark blue spots on their extremities. Where humans might have long hair, average Zoras have rear-hanging caudal extensions of their heads shaped like the tails of dolphins, perhaps as a cephalized form of dorsal fin. These tails undulate periodically, which gives a Zora's head the unique semblance of a fish. In Twilight Princess, the 'dorsal-like fins' appear to be much smaller. Zoras have two large ulnar fins located distally on their forearms, and some have smaller fins at their ankles. They are sometimes depicted as having webbed feet and hands. They lack ears in the traditional sense, but do have pronounced noses. In previous games in the series, Zoras had no visible gills, yet could breathe underwater, but in Twilight Princess, Zoras had gills on their abdomen, analogous to the placement of lungs on a human. As with Deku Scrubs and Gorons, Zoras who are important to the storyline are physically distinct from the general public.

The gender of common Zoras is not well defined in the video games, as their physical appearance is not wholly conclusive on the matter. Princess Ruto and Lulu are notably female, having distinctly rounder body features and the fact that Lulu was married and Ruto wanted to be married to Link. The Zora Queen (Queen Rutela) in Twilight Princess is also female. Her appearance is different from that of Princess Ruto as she lacks Ruto's wide head and extra eyes. Her head and face are much more humanoid (her overall appearance seems to be based off that of mermaids), and she has what appear to be scale-like growths which give her the impression of having hair. She seems to have a distinct red coloration/aura, although she appears as a ghost and thus her coloration in life is not truly known. In Twilight Princess, a Zora referred to as 'she' helps with the river boat-rental on the Zora River. This female Zora slightly appears to have a pinkish tint to her, perhaps to help clarify her gender. It is also noting that many of the Zoras encountered in Twilight Princess can be seen within a body of water, and their bodies eminate colorful glow, possibly a form of bioluminescence, that the Zoras on land do not show (this may also be the case with the female Zora that helps run the Zora River's boat rental). Laruto the former Earth Sage in The Wind Waker, who is also female isn't as noticeably female as Ruto or Rutela, though her dress indicates she is female. Many of the Zoras in Twilight Princess had female voice acting, though it was nondistinct. Also in Twilight Princess Prince Ralis is male and bears the same similarities to his fellow Zoras aside from being Zora royalty and thus having his own distinct appearance.

Certain other features of the Zoran anatomy are revealed when the player can inhabit the body of the Zora Mikau in Majora's Mask. When Link assumes his streamlined Zoran form he can swim with great ease and agility, using his forearm fins to perform barrel rolls or to jump out of the water. Moreover, these fins are specialized for Link's fighting needs. They can grow larger to serve as sharp-edged weapons similar to swords, and even be projected as twin boomerangs; they retract again when not in use. Link's right fin also grows to become his shield when defending. Additionally, Zoras who possess magical power have the ability to create electric fields around their bodies as a defense mechanism when swimming, much like electric eels. This ability has only been seen/used in Majora's Mask. All Zoras are powerful swimmers (in fact, powerful enough to swim up waterfalls).

It is also revealed in Majora's Mask that Zoras lay eggs to reproduce. Zora eggs need to be kept in cold, clean water in order to develop healthily, and every egg from the same clutch must be kept together in order for them to hatch. Newborn Zoras are tadpole-like with a circular body and a long, skinny tail ending in a fluke. There are occasions when Zoras fall in love with Hylians, as Ruto with Link, however it's still unknown if Zoras can breed with Hylians.

Culture

Zoran life revolves around water, and though they can live both on land and in the water, they prefer the water. Beyond routine swimming and fishing activities, Zoras are very reverent and respectful to nature and other races while maintaining their own cultural identity in seclusion. In Ocarina of Time, they possess the Zora's Sapphire, the Spiritual Stone of Water, and are thus an integral part of Hyrulean history. Zoras are also known to enjoy music, such as the stylings of "The Indigo-Go's." It is also revealed in Twilight Princess that Kakariko Village is sacred to the Zora and that it is where all Zoras of royal decent go to be buried when they die.

Zoran government is monarchial. King Zora was present in Ocarina of Time, along with his daughter Princess Ruto. In Oracle of Ages another King Zora ruled the local Zora population. In Twilight Princess, the spirit of the former Zora Queen, named Queen Rutela, asks Link to find and save her son, Prince Ralis. Rutela also mentions that her husband, King Zora, died some time ago. Even the river Zoras are shown to have a monarchial system, as the first King Zora ever in series (A Link to the Past) was a river Zora. Among other details, the Zora Royal Family is responsible for maintaining order among their people, overseeing care for Jabu-Jabu (in Ocarina of Time and Oracle of Ages) and assuring that the waters upon which he and all creatures rely are clean and pure.

Zoras honor Lord Jabu-Jabu, a giant fish, as their guardian and water spirit. As such, he is assigned attendants to feed him with smaller fish and care for his well-being, which Princess Ruto did in Ocarina of Time. He is immensely large to the point that one could become lost in his innards, which function as a dungeon twice in the series. Jabu-Jabu's supposed incarnation in The Wind Waker, Jabun, is likewise a revered water spirit and protector of the seas. However, the Zora race is absent from the game (except for the spirit of Laruto), and Jabun only appears to give Link Nayru's Pearl and send him on his way.

Locations

Zoras have appeared in different places throughout the games of the series:

• In Ocarina of Time, Zoras primarily reside in Zora's Domain, while some appear in Lake Hylia where the Water Temple is situated. Although they do not reside in the sea, they are the type of Zora that later got known as sea Zoras. Princess Ruto and King Zora appear in this game as the royalty overseeing Zora's Domain. King Zora holds sway over the waterways of Hyrule, notably Zora's River, and made a concord with the king of Hyrule to keep the river pure in return for peaceful seclusion at its headwaters. Lord Jabu-Jabu lives within Zora's Fountain, the source of Zora's River, with Princess Ruto as his dutiful caretaker.

• In Majora's Mask, Zoras are found primarily in Zora Hall in the Great Bay, which is more of a concert hall (for the Indigo-Go's) than a residence like Zora's Domain. The Zoran royalty is absent in Termina and culture of the Hyrulean Zoras is not paralleled. It is possible that other Zoras and Zora homes are found further out in the bay or at sea, beyond the boundary of where Link can swim.

• In Oracle of Ages, most Zoras live in Zora Village, a small underwater settlement in the western Zora Seas, which Link can access with the Mermaid Suit. In this village, King Zora rules from his underwater palace near where Jabu-Jabu is enshrined. In Present time, King Zora has perished due to Veran's poisonous bubbles on the sea. He is still alive in the Past, albeit gravely ill, while Jabu-Jabu is still a baby. In Link's quest for the Essences of Time, it is his duty to cure King Zora in the Past in order to be granted access to the mature Jabu-Jabu's belly in the Present. A few Zoras live outside of Zora Village, including a lone, elderly Zora in a grotto on the Coast of No Return and a Zora in a linked game of Oracle of Seasons, who both provide items that help power up Link's arsenal. Notably the old Zora was the one to find Link's broken Noble Sword and in the linked game, Zora royalty must also "sharpen" it to become the Master Sword.

• In Twilight Princess, Zoras again primarily reside in Zora's Domain, while some appear in Lake Hylia. Although they do not reside in the sea, they are of the same species as the sea Zoras and are the only species of the two present in the game. Zoras are first seen as spirits when Link falls into the mostly dried out Lake Hylia, and it is later turned out that the rest have been frozen solid in Zora's Domain. Link eventually saves the Zoras from the ice, and meets the ghost of Rutela, a Zora Queen who was executed by Zant. She asks Link to save her injured son, Prince Ralis. Rutela then gives him the Zora Armor as a reward, which is necessary to get into the Zora's sacred Lakebed Temple. After Zora's Domain thaws, some Zoras can be seen relaxing in the hot springs of Death Mountain. Like in Ocarina of Time and all other games the Zoras appeared in, there is only one model for unimportant males and females.

Notable Zoras

• Evan
• Japas
• King Zora
• Laruto
• Lulu
• Mikau
• Prince Ralis
• Princess Ruto
• Queen Rutela
• Tijo
• Toto

Zuna

In Four Swords Adventures, a green-skinned race that lived near the Gerudo but deeper into the desert was introduced. The name may be derived from "Suna," the Japanese word for "Sand." The Zunas ancestors were the builders of the Pyramid and may be creators of the Trident of Power found inside the Pyramid. The inscription on the stone tablet behind the Trident shows that it was designed for evil purposes by an evil race. One of the maidens says to Link that a dark tribe tried to invade Hyrule, but were defeated and sealed inside the Dark Mirror, found inside the Temple of Darkness.

The Zunas dress is quite different to that of the Gerudo: some of them wear white ankle-length cloaks and a white turban that has what appears to be a Roc's Feather sticking out of the top. Others wear red ankle-length cloaks that cover their mouths and a red turban that has a red headress hanging down from it. There is also a small white flower atop the red turban.

See also

• Characters in The Legend of Zelda series