#zelda but specifically phantom hourglass | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

batrogers · 3 months

Text

So, which Links pay their taxes, for real?

This is a somewhat fast and loose approximation of my recall of historical taxes, who paid them (or didn’t) and how, how they were collected and from whom, and what kind of taxation was even possible under different governments. This is pulled from a couple decades of study into historical society and books I’ve read on feudalism, the social duties of knights, and government structure and instability in both medieval Europe and the Ottoman Empire, among others.

Notes on organization:

1. While this is a response to a Linked Universe post, I am going per game not per Link because a few games must be split. The implications about taxes are drastically different between LttP & LbW, and Minish Cap & FSA. I also wished to include Spirit Tracks bc it’s fun. I am not linking the inspiring post, because I don't believe in attacking people for a ten minute list just because it twigged my history brain.

2. I am excluding games in which Link is not implied to be a tax-paying resident of the country he’s in, so Majora’s Mask, Oracle of Ages & Seasons, and Phantom Hourglass are not included.

3. There are usually overlapping taxes in a society. Here I will mostly address taxes on residents, on vocations or landownership, whether they can pay in coin or in kind, and if they have a household that would pay tax for them.

4. I have placed Hyrule Warriors in Child Timeline here for a few reasons, mostly related to army structure implications, the martial norms of the game and the two preceding ones (large standing armies in FSA and HW; mentions of “prolonged wars” and very military flavoured royal regalia in Twilight Princess.) Obviously this doesn’t strictly mean anything or oblige agreement, but its my habit to do so and I wished to explain the choice.

I apologize so much for how long this is. If you wish to read it in a different format, it's also on AO3. This is 2000+ words. I suppose if you click, I hope you enjoy.

A note on Knighthood:

Knights were a specific, highly trained profession often (but not always) associated with landownership, either someone who was in the household of the landowner, or who was the landowner themself. The trappings of knighthood (weapons, armour, and horse) were quite expensive and belonging to a family of knights implies a specific degree of social status in and of itself.

While a sovereign can in theory bestow any title they want on anyone at any time, usually this requires that there be some service rendered for which this is a gift. (Fucking them, or just being hella attractive, counts.) Because of this, there is a wide variety of things “Knight” can mean, but here we will presume it means some degree of professionalism and attachment to a social status that is both someone who collects taxes from subjects and pays them to a sovereign in turn.

IIII

Skyward Sword =

There is no evidence of centralized government in Skyward Sword, therefore the taxes are going to whoever is in charge of the settlement. They were likely paid in kind (material goods), although Skyloft does have coin. Given we know who’s basically running Skyloft, we can guess they were paid to Gaepora, and at least one tax-funded organization: the Knight’s Academy.

Did students pay taxes? Graduates might be exempt from some taxes if still in service to the city. Afterwards, given he’s usually presumed to be married to Zelda, we can say Link is either paying taxes (or hearing about it personally at dinner), and/or helping collect and distribute taxes to others.

Or, even funnier, setting taxes on the new community because they need supplies to build it.

Minish Cap =

There is a central government in Minish Cap, because they have a monarch! This is probably a small territory: some “kings” have a few villages and fields and that’s it, but it is a castle which requires taxed goods to function because it’s not producing its own.

Link’s grandfather is a blacksmith, and also alive therefore if the census tax is paid per household, Link has nothing to do with it. If its paid per business, he’s an apprentice or employee so it’s still paid by his grandfather. Depending on which taxes were being paid when, they might pay coin or in kind (eg. Labour or goods produced.) While people absolutely did lie and cheat and not pay taxes, I expect the con artistry didn’t involve “refunds” in a modern sense, but that’s probably tax history specialization territory...

Four Swords =

This game doesn’t have enough of a framing story to comment on its social structures, but is superficially similar enough to Minish Cap we can assume the situation matches.

Ocarina of Time =

We literally see Talon paying his taxes in kind in the game. Like, you can’t pay milk as a lump sum so delivering it reliably to the castle could be counted towards his taxes, or he’s getting paid enough for it that will be paying for it later. Either way, supplies are delivered from Lon Lon Ranch by its owner who is still alive after the game and presumably will continue to be responsible for it until he is no longer owner of Lon Lon Ranch.

(Malon likely is a valid heir to Lon Lon Ranch. There is no reason to assume marriage affects her legal claim to Lon Lon Ranch. It is not common for a woman to lose her property in marriage – British law is the exception to historical norms – so even if Talon died she could still be sole and/or primary owner of Lon Lon Ranch, whether or not she is married.)

Link starts out the game not even on a Hyrulean census, with no property to his name, and no social connections. He is not paying taxes because he does not legally exist. Until he is counted on a poll as a resident of either Castletown or Lon Lon Ranch, and until he’s considered an adult (usually by means of acquiring personal property or skill of any value) he’s unlikely to be taxed.

Now, if we include into the assumed connections to the Hero’s Shade who died in elaborate plate mail we get a very different answer. Someone who owns elaborate plate mail of that sort has significant money. He may have received it as a gift for service to the crown, but if so it likely wasn’t the only gift. Plate mail is often associated with knights; a knight of some consequence is likely attached by some means or another to property. Knights under a King usually collected taxes for them... So, in a world where Link has platemail and is a valued knight of the Hylian Crown he may also, like Skyloft, be the person collecting taxes to pass them on. Whether or not that means he now technically owns Lon Lon Ranch by means of owning the land it’s on.... I leave that up to you.

Wind Waker =

Outset Island most likely operates like Skyloft: there is a headman or prominent family who collects surplus to give as aid, either in terms of money or food or services. Within that space, Link living with an invalid grandmother and also underage sister was probably one of those families receiving surplus as social support, possibly on top of whatever his grandmother was still capable of in her old age.

However, Link is implied post-game to leave with Tetra. What taxes did a ship and its crew owe? Harbour dues, customs, and other duties! This varied a lot and was usually addressed whenever someone docked at a controlled port. Often questions were asked about where the materials came from, more or less scrupulously. Sometimes people cared if you just happened to have something without a sound origin, that you had taken from someone else... like we see Tetra’s crew doing in-game...

It may indeed be possible Tetra (and her crew) are wanted for tax evasion and Link gets to be included in that, whatever his age.

Spirit Tracks =

This boy works for the centralized government’s transit system. If he doesn’t pay taxes, it’s because he doesn’t owe taxes because he’s working a tax-funded job and likely has been since he was an apprentice. He is possibly also union and knows the local tax law in extremely nuanced detail. He will judge you for not paying your taxes.

Twilight Princess =

The start of the story is also framed around the village blacksmith making some kind of tax-like offering to the royal family and setting Link up to take it. This is likely not a normal tax, but it does tell us that Ordon Village is considered a designated social unit within Hyrule and therefore we may assume that “Ordon Village” is a taxable entity in its own right. Link, as a resident of Ordon Village, would pay his portion of the village’s tax to the Mayor who arranged for its delivery. If Link marries Ilia, you can expect once again this is someone who either hears about taxes over dinner, or is helping collect them.

If Link leaves and moves to Castle Town, he’d have the joys of all the things large city residents pay for, up front or not, that village residents who are not transporting food and goods long distances but those will be sales and customs taxes, not per-person taxes based off the census or his vocation.

Four Swords Adventures [Game + Comic] =

Link’s family is explicitly positioned as either a knight family, or a legacy castle guard family with close personal ties to the royal family. He also has a living father, who is implied to survive the game/comic. As such, with Link a minor, he’s not paying taxes because he’s not liable for taxes. He also may be paying taxes by means of collecting taxed goods from the lands over which his family has ownership and paying a portion of that income to the Crown themselves.

Interesting, this could also tie into something I’ll mention in more detail below but one form of “evading taxes” can be “refusing to do labour.” If he is from a family whose young men are supposed to provide service to the Crown in the form of military labour, “leaving” is a crime.

Hyrule Warriors =

In this game, Link explicitly starts as a base soldier. It is possible for soldiers to be a form of population tax (and/or control) especially in larger kingdoms or empires. He likely did receive regular pay, but he might also have been considered legal property of the Kingdom, eg a slave. Either way, his upkeep was entirely from the taxes that went into the coffers, whether it was in food or kind. Post-game, he’s likely been involved in rebuilding which again would be in large part executed by taxed goods and labour. He might even be part of the apparatus collecting or setting taxes, especially if he becomes close with Zelda herself.

Link to the Past =

Link is explicitly stated to belong to a knight family, with an adult family member who is (arguably) alive at the end of the game. If he is paying taxes, he’s paying them from taxes paid to his family. Not paying your taxes as a knight family is infinitely more suspicious than not paying them as an individual, because then your monarch wonders what you’re using that money for. Is it rebellion? It better not be rebellion.

Link Between Worlds =

THIS Link is a Blacksmith apprentice. He does not have any known adult family. He may be assessed as part of the household he is apprenticed to; he might be assessed as independent depending on his age and where he is in his training and what the local tax law looks like. If there is a guild he may be assessed by means of his membership... but that may also be a separate tax from what he’s paying per the census. He could likely avoid it altogether, because he’s not exactly important at this age and social rank.

Ravio, on the other hand, is in some way involved with the Royal Family of Lorule (Hilda is personally betrayed he left.) However, Lorule is a failed state. There is no means by which they can collect taxes, nor distribute them... which is likelywhy Hilda has no control over her guards. (People aren’t very obedient when not getting paid.) Recovery to a state where taxation is reliable and people feel it’s worth doing will be a long road.

Zelda I & II =

Same as above: Hyrule is a failed state, at best in the process of recovery in Zelda II. People likely do not trust the tax collectors who do exist to pay their dues to the Crown vs keeping it for themselves. This is a matter of power rules. Link, a minor with no property, is likely of zero interest to anyone unless they sell children. In Zelda II, where he lives close enough to approach Impa with a question, he may be paying taxes if he has a vocation or he may be helping work in the castle, which brings us back to he’s collecting, distributing and/or paid by taxes.

BOTW & TOTK =

Hyrule here is NOT a failed state because they do not have a central government attempting to exert control. Here, things are more like Wind Waker or Skyward Sword: village mayors or prominent families control local taxation. There is limited intercommunity interactions, which are likely a matter of market tax. Link, if he settles in Hateno village, would be accountable to them.

In TOTK, we do see some kind of centralization: there’s the joint effort to construct Lookout Landing and the monster patrols, both of which would require outside support until local agriculture begins. Which communities contribute is hard to say, but most villages at this time are more than prosperous enough to spare the means. A new settlement would reduce overcrowding, increase the land available to farm, and so on: all good things for a prospering world.

(This does NOT imply they are re-establishing the monarchy. None of these groups call themselves “royal”. They’re monster patrols, not royal guards, and Lookout Landing, not a new Castletown. The location has access to already-quarried stone and trade routes going for it, after all.)

Given how Link behaves in both games, it seems likely he would contribute whatever surplus he acquires to these efforts. Out of every Link, I think he is the most likely to be cooperative with taxation... although there may be some arguments about what his taxable means is. Should this be paid in rupees or bokoblin guts? Let’s negotiate!

TL;DR =

Taxes vary wildly across time, space, regions, and forms of government. While some Links live in similar social circumstances, we have at least four really distinct categories: the Knights, the failed states, those with vocations, and the villagers. Similarly, many forms of taxes are for social support, things that Link tends to be characterized as valuing in the games. When people refuse to pay, they either do not see the request or authority as legitimate, or do not have the means to do so.

IDK it’s just infinitely funnier to me to say “Wind Waker Link is wanted for tax evasion because Tetra has never paid a harbour duty tax in her life” vs stating the evasion without cause. All the best!

57 notes · View notes

undercityrezident · 19 days

Text

I was just thinking about how important these companions often are to their respective games, and I wondered how well they could integrate into new ones, whether these games would be tied to the game of the companion's origin or not.

This need not be a vote for your favourite companion (though you can if you want), but it could also be for one you think deserves to have their story expanded, if their personality or concept would lend itself well to another style of Zelda game, or if you think their presence would make for a great hook for another great story!

Reblog to get this out there or to shout out your cool ideas if you have specifics in mind!

#The Legend of Zelda #Legend of Zelda #TLOZ #Rez Rambles #I wanted to put “New idea” or “Missed character” as separate options #But alas there are only so many options I can put on this!#But please I love seeing people be creative with their answers! So feel free to reblog talk about cool scenarios you'd have in mind!

44 notes · View notes

jazzjlan · 4 months

Text

ok look, this has been scratching my brain the past few days and i had to let it out, fair warning though it's not THAT shocking it just fascinates me and i was going insane as the damn linebeck stan i am

midway through this blog i just checked the zelda wiki and hyrule historia again and found out 100 years passed since then, so just a small warning this is all BEFORE i found out about the 100 year gap between the games, and theory's rather going with the more "logical" 70-80 years

This is basically related to Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, and specifically Linebeck himself. Based on some rambles of mine one random night at 4 am, with no prior research but facts from Hyrule Historia, and autism.

In Spirit Tracks, you come across Linebeck III, who looks very similar to Linebeck himself from Phantom Hourglass. He gives you a letter from his grandpa, which is signed "Linebeck Senior". Initially I thought; "Is his grandpa Linebeck's father? Is Linebeck this guy's dad, then?" But turns out I was wrong.

I was reading Hyrule Historia the other day (i have the french version, hence the french screenshot underneath) and it says that Linebeck III is not only Linebeck's descendant as mentioned in-game but also his grandson. Therefore, Linebeck Senior is in fact the guy we all know (and love) from Phantom Hourglass.

don't worry, i got you covered, put a translation at the top as well

But then I was confused. I asked myself; "Wait, how did Linebeck ALREADY have a grandson???"

Putting Linebeck aside, if we pay close attention to Niko, the silly hehe pirate from Tetra's crew who appeared since Wind Waker, we notice that he's aged up, from possibly a child/teen to a grandpa. I'd like to pretend Niko's around 14-15 during TWW and PH.

So if we think about it, a lot of time has passed since the events of Phantom Hourglass, let's say 70-80 years. we love you grandpa niko

Anyway, going back to Linebeck, let's say he's in his 40s, and so is Linebeck III (maybe younger, he seems like it), and if we still say that the average human life expectancy is 80 years, that means Linebeck III is born when his father's the same age, being 30-40 years old.

If we take this same pattern with Linebeck (Senior) and his child (Linebeck II), that means...

Linebeck's a father during the events of Phantom Hourglass???

i'm honestly shook over this fact idk why. it's just so funny to me to think of linebeck as a dad, seeing his personality and the way he acts and so on. i just always see him as some bitchless pathetic stinky garbage man LMAO

With whom did he even have this child? Jolene? Who knows?

Personally, I just think it's funny to think of Jolene's being after Linebeck's ass because of that child he possibly abandoned. But that's not the canon reason why she's after him, that being just pure revenge.

honestly i'd like to think of it like that it's just hilarious like "LINEBECK FOR FUCKS SAKE WHERES THE CHILD SUPPORT"

However, if we delve into the more canon timeline, being ST happening 100 years after PH, that would mean that Linebeck possibly had his child after finding land, by the end of PH. It's either that, or he could just be much older than I thought (like, maybe 60?) and he's already had his child.

and niko's old as fuck and somehow still thriving

wild

thanks for listening to my rambles baibaiii

50 notes · View notes

bluesdesk · 2 months

Text

Second half! You might have noticed they're in chronological order (minus the CDI that I forgot to put under the first games) to be totally impartial.

Also, the next polls won't have the tag Linked Universe as they're general Zelda and not specifically LU

LINK TO THE OTHER HALF

#lionessposts #zelda #the legend of zelda #nintendo #link #linked universe #linkeduniverse #tloz

20 notes · View notes

ordon-shield · 10 months

Text

Animated Zelda Adaptions

With recent discussion of an animated Zelda film to follow the Mario movie, I got to thinking about ways to adapt different Zelda games into animation. While a Zelda movie wouldn’t necessarily need to be an adaption of a specific game, with the variety of styles the series has gone through over the years, they’d need to pick one to go with — so here’s my thoughts.

Zelda 1/Adventure of Link/A Link to the Past/Link’s Awakening

I’m putting these four together because I think they could all be adapted into animation the same way — based of the original official art, in the style of an 80s cartoon (just with a bit more of a budget). Each game could be a season of a TV show, expanding on the somewhat limited plot by making it episodic and using the extra time to expand on the characters and world within that format.

Ocarina of Time/Majora’s Mask

For these two, I think stopmotion in the style of Laika (known for Coraline & Kubo and the Two Strings) would work the best (or using 3D stylised to resemble stopmotion, like the Lego Movie). The OoT style doesn’t seem like one that would translate to 2D very well, and I think it would be fun to borrow some ideas from the Link’s Awakening remake for the Switch and have the character designs stylised so they look almost like action figures. While Ocarina of Time would have to be a movie, Majora’s Mask just wouldn’t work in that format, since the sidequests are so vital to the overall story, meaning a one season series would probably be the best way to adapt it.

Oracle of Ages/Seasons

I’ve never played these two myself, but I think going more ‘anime’ with them would work well, although it would be fun to work in the pixel art of the original games somehow. Like the other Downfall Timeline games, these ones would would work best as a TV series — maybe three seasons, one for Ages, one for Seasons, and one for the linked games ending but adding in extra story where Link travels between Holodrum and Labrynna. For an animation studio, someone suggested Toei Animation, who apparently did the animation for the LA remake.

Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass/Spirit Tracks

Wind Waker, the one that got me thinking about animated Zelda in the first place! I think this is the only Zelda game that would work with Illumination due to its more cartoony style, although other studios like DreamWorks would also work. Although if it was done in 2D, based on the official art, Cartoon Saloon would definitely pull it off. Wind Waker would work pretty well as a movie with pretty minimal changes needed to the plot, and Phantom Hourglass/Spirit Tracks could make up a Zelda trilogy.

Minish Cap/Four Swords Adventures

Leaving out the original Four Swords due to its complete lack of story — I think these two would work with a similar style to the Wind Waker trilogy, although I’d definitely prefer them to be 2D over 3D. Minish Cap would definitely work as a movie, but I’m not sure about FSA, it probably depends on how much is pulled from the manga.

Twilight Princess

Much like Ocarina of Time, I don’t think the Twilight Princess artstyle as it is would work in 2D. Based on their work like Wolfwalkers and Screecher’s Reach, I think Cartoon Saloon could definitely replicate the vibes of the original game in a more cartoony style. Alternatively, they could go full anime with this one — although it would definitely work better as something more inspired by 90s anime and its more realistic proportions.

Skyward Sword

Initially I was leaning towards Ghibli and while it would definitely work, just doesn’t feel right to me. Maybe Toei again? I’m not too familiar with Japanese animation studios, but Skyward Sword is definitely a good fit for the typical ‘anime’ look. Also I don’t think 3D would work here.

A Link Between Worlds

While technically a sequel/remake to A Link to the Past, the differences in art style make me feel that this one should have its own look — preferably 3D so the contrast with Link’s painting form is strengthened.

Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom

These ones have got to be Ghibli, there’s no question about it there. The big question is do you make them each a series, or a movie with a number of timeskips? Either one has benefits and downsides.

75 notes · View notes

hopeymchope · 9 months

Text

The Legend of Zelda and shipping

I can't understand people who are like "I only ship Link in every game with one single character ever." What the hell... HOW?!

This seems to be most most common with people who ship Zelda/Link or "Zelink" — always wanting every Zelda to be with Link, because they're the main characters, though the phenomenon does exist with Malink and some other ships as well. And that’s not to hate on Zelink and Malink, because I love them! SPECIFIC INCARNATIONS of them, I mean.

Because there are a bare minimum of EIGHT different incarnations of Link, and you can’t tell me you think every single dude named Link has chemistry with/should have romance with every single girl named Zelda. Like EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.? I just can't with that. It's unfathomable, IMO.

I mean, OKAY, let me back that up: I get that people find it romantic to think that these are like... some kind of soulmates who always find each other through every reincarnation ala Hawkman and Hawkgirl or something, but it's not like they even display the same personality traits or share memories or something in each version of themselves. They just... act like totally different people quite regularly. Because by all accounts, they are.

Furthermore... shit - if we assume the incarnations are all descendants of one another and the same descendancy lines keep hooking up with the same partner lines, at what point do we wind up becoming dangerously incestuous with this repeated pairing? Because that shit seems INEVITABLE in such a case…?

NAH, my fam — I believe each Link and each Zelda are their own person, with their own traits. Their only unifying truth is that every person Link will ALWAYS look best in a green tunic and matching green, pointy flop-hat. (Sorry; I don't make the rules. Facts is facts.)

With that in mind, these are my sundry ships for various Links. And I apologize in advance for the fact that they're all boringly het. :P

Skyward Sword — Zelink, absolutely. Childhood Friend Romance always gets me right in the heart. I love these two together. The casual playfulness and fondness they display. The lengths they'll go to in order to see each other/protect each other. And although Zelda loses some of her distinct personality when she learns she's a reincarnation of Hylia, she gets her groove back near the end, so it's all good.

Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask/SC2 — Malink with a bullet. The singing farmgirl and the boy without a fairy, two people who felt alone in the world and find each other. The nicknames! "Don't be long, fairy boy." The fact that you can declare your romantic intentions for Malon while you're still a fucking KID! The Gossip Stone that tells you how much Malon pines to be saved from her daily life by a hero on a horse! It's SO GOOD.

Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass — I'm only mentioning this era because this Link is an ACTUAL CHILD. He's like, what? EIGHT? Maybe ten, if we're feeling generous? So I just want to say: Yeah... I just can't bring myself to ship this literal child with anybody. It ain't RIGHT.

Link's Awakening — Marink. If you weren't feeling these two by the time their sunset beach conversation wrapped up, I don't know what to even say to you. This was probably my first serious ship from playing the TLoZ games. Plus this ship is a good reason why the original black-and-white Game Boy version's secret ending is actually the best version of that bonus scene.

Twilight Princess — Ilink. Is there even any other contender worth mentioning? The writing and direction of the cut scenes makes it pretty clear that Link and Ilia are sweet on each other. You barely even meet Zelda in this game, and the only other option would probably be, well... Midna? You know - your partner imp that spends most of the game trash-talking you for her personal lulz and repeatedly slamming her body weight down HARD onto your spine? Mm, I’ll pass.

youtube

Breath of the Wild/Age of Calamity/TotK — Miphlink/Miphalink, no items, FINAL DESTINATION. Their story makes my heart just ACHE. The flashback to Mipha healing him up... Mipha's diary (OMFG that diary)... the Zora armor and its descriptions... holy SHIT, fam. And even if that story DIDN'T melt me into a complete puddle, Zelda put herself out of consideration by stealing my fucking house. I don’t understand why she pulled that, but given her privileged upbringing, I doubt she understands the value/expense of home ownership. So maybe she thought this was like yoinking a french fry. :P

Haven't Played — The only major entry I haven't played yet is "Spirit Tracks" on the DS. So I can't speak to that incarnation at this point. But the two things I can say is A) The Zelda/Link relationship sure appears cute? but B) This is also the same style of Link seen in Wind Waker, so I won't be surprised if she's supposed to be a LITERAL CHILD again (and therefore not a shippable character for me).

#tloz #the legend of zelda #linkshipping #link #zelink #malink #marink #ilink #miphalink #miphlink

75 notes · View notes

anicomicqueen · 1 year

Text

Zelda Theory: Fi the Fairy Queen

Okay, so this post by @twilight-linkess inspired me to move forward with a theory I had. This got way too long. Ye who travel onward beware. Here there be theories.

The gist of my theory is that Fi is a fully matured Fairy Queen and that Fairy Queen is a specific species of fairy. I also think Fi and all fairies (Fairy Queens, Great Fairies, Fairies, etc.) are raised to help heroes with their magic. With Fi, I think she excelled as a fairy which ended with her earning the title of “Sword Spirit.” And maybe was specially chosen for her particular set of skills to be the Fairy that would inhabit the Master Sword for thousands of years.

If this is of interest to you, I have some more to say...A lot more to say.

So first things first.

Here is a Fairy Queen from The Wind Waker:

And here is an image of Fi from Skyward Sword:

These two look so so so so similar. Everything from base color palette to hair and nearly unreadable facial expression, with solid color eyes. The biggest difference being that the Fairy Queen from Wind Waker looks like a child but is apparently “much older,” according to the ZeldaWiki.

But if Fairy Queens were a specific subspecies of fairies, they could potentially have a lifespan of tens of thousands of years, meaning even if she is “old” by Hylian standards or Zora standards, or what have you, she could theoretically still be a child by Fairy standards.

The Fairy Queen and Fi also have similar powers.

The Fairy Queen in Wind Waker has weapon based abilities. I have yet to play WW, but according to the wiki, her specific ability is she imbues arrows with ice or fire powers.

Maybe each type of fairy has their special magic category. Fairy Queens are weapon/item related. Great Fairies are health or armor related, depending on the refinement of their ability. Regular Fairies are healing powers only. Etc.

And going off that, maybe at a young age, Fairy Queens would still have elemental or weapon-based magic, but would only be able to supply a smaller bit of magic to weapons and items such as adding elemental attacks.

Then as Fairy Queens age, they refine their subset of powers and undergo some form of coming of age ceremony where they are finally able to adopt a weapon form or are able to more powerfully perform elemental attacks. Like I dunno, harnessing the wind perhaps? Which takes us to the Gale Boomerang.

First, take a look at some details on the Gale Boomerang:

And some details on the Master Sword:

And some details on Fi’s body:

These inlaid gems are notably missing from the child-like Fairy Queen from Wind Waker, supporting the theory that she has yet to undergo her coming of age to become an item or weapon meant to aid the hero.

Fi on the other hand would have already undergone her coming of age, and based on her very terrible social skills and obsession with percentages, she was probably a prodigy even among Fairy Queens, resulting in her being specially chosen by Hylia to be a Sword Spirit. Tasked with assisting Hylia in creating one of the most powerful type of weapons heroes will use: A blade that seals darkness.

In Fi’s case, she was to become the Goddess Sword/Master Sword. But maybe the Four Sword, Lokomo Sword, Phantom Hourglass Sword, Great Fairy Sword, and Fierce Diety Sword are also Sword Spirit weapons crafted by a god and a Fairy Queen.

Anywho, that was a bit of a tangent, so what about the Fairy of Winds? What do they have to do with this again?

Well, Fi is a spirit that inhabits the Master Sword, which can talk to Link (and Zelda).

And the Gale Boomerang is another weapon with a spirit that can also talk to Link (and probably Zelda).

If both of these items are weapons with spirits bound to help the hero and they can both talk to the hero who wields them, (given that they still have enough strength and energy to do so), isn’t it possible that the Fairy of Winds and Fi are the same type of being? In this case, Fairy Queens?

If so, the Fairy of Winds may have at one point been able to manifest a physical body like Fi’s does in Skyward Sword after they inhabited the Gale Boomerang. Which I think is a pretty neat idea.

And I like to think that if the Fairy of Winds were able to manifest, she would have similar diamonds on her chest and head, she would probably be dressed slightly different, and she would probably have different base colors.

And—

Wait...

There is another weapon that can do all these things as well now that I think about it.

I’ll be right back.

Okay.

Look ye upon Ghirahim:

Did you notice he also has those diamonds? And the hair? And the eyes? And he can turn into a weapon? And he can talk to the hero as well as the person who wields him?

Because he can!

Which means...

That’s right!

Ghirahim would ALSO have to be a Fairy Queen. Or a Fairy King, perhaps?

Ahhh!

((Okay, future Ani here. This all starts to devolve into pure insanity and headcanon from here on so like, if you’re anybody is still around and still reading, feel free to stop reading now. Or carry on. Thanks for reading this far. 😅 ))

Okay hear me out. But like, what if Fairy Queens/Kings are all inherently good from the beginning? Because their purpose is to help heroes. That would mean there is a chance that Ghirahim was at one point good. Possibly really good at performing Fairy Queen/King magic even. Maybe even a contender for being chosen as the spirit for the Master Sword. Maybe he resented the fact that Fi was chosen over him and Demise saw the opportunity to act, corrupting Ghirahim forever.

Or maybe Ghirahim was the first Sword Spirit, but was eventually forgotten after Fi came into being centuries later. The new and improved Ghirahim. And then Ghirahim and Demise both fell to the darkness of envy, corrupting both of them forever as Fi and Hylia took center stage among the gods.

Man, I have many new headcanons about an entire race of Fairy Queens and Kings that I need to make more notes about now.

All I can think is that they train for millennia to hone their skills as children, then as they get older they must undergo their own trials, just as Link must in the various games. This is turning into an anime in my head now...I have a problem.

But seriously!

Maybe the better they perform in their trials, the more glorious the weapon they turn into.

So for the Fairy of Winds, they weren’t the top of their class like Fi or Ghirahim who earned the Sword Spirit title, rather they earned the opportunity to be a magic item that would forever be passed down among heroes to aid them in their quest. Maybe they couldn’t be a Sword Spirit because their elemental magic was too good to be anything but an item tied to their area of expertise.

And like, what if as the years go by, the magic drains the fairy of their vitality?

Everything gets more difficult with age.

Even for fairies.

That’s why the Gale Boomerang speaks only once to Link in TP. She is old and tired, but still willing to help, even if this is the last of her magic.

The same problem can be seen with Fi in BOTW. It’s why Fi can no longer manifest a physical body and can rarely speak anymore. 10,000 years was a long time, even my Fairy Queen standards. She finds herself resting more frequently and for longer intervals, but she has a duty. What if she feels like Link falling was her fault in her old age? (I’ve seen fics on this and they have been great, btw.)

Maybe in the next game, Link will have to put Fi to rest and transfer a new Fairy soul into the Master Sword. Or maybe another sword will need to be forged with a new Sword Spirit.

Ya know....just some thoughts I’ve had. Definitely revamped after that comic.

I’m hyped.

Thanks for reading!

83 notes · View notes

twilightducky · 7 months

Text

So I was thinking on the bus ride home from college...

Who is the most inexperienced Link?

There's different ways you can look at this question, like how many journeys they've been on, their combat knowledge, and how old they are.

Well there I am to bring on my opinions.

I personally think the amount of adventures one has been on is crucial. So this would rule out:

Legend (5 adventures I think)

Time (2 adventures)

Hyrule (2 adventures)

Wind (2 adventures) (I think phantom hourglass is the same link)

Four (2/3 adventures)

Taking this into account the most inexperienced Links would be:

Sky

Warriors

Wild (TOTK isnt cannon yet in LU)

Twilight (not including Links crossbow training)

Now which of these links is least experienced? Well... I personally believe its Twilight.

Here's my reasoning.

Warriors may have been on one journey, but he's a trained knight AND captain.

Sky went to knight academy. Meaning he was trained in the way of the swordsman.

Wild was also a trained knight. And worked specifically for princess Zelda (meaning he was really really good) (I'm not too sure how his loss of memory comes into the fact though.)

What about Twilight?

He was a farm boy. Worked on a ranch and lived a simple life. He's only been on 1 adventure, and his only sword training wouldve been from Rusl, and the Hero's shade.

Yes one could claim Wind in the most inexperienced due to age- but he's been on a whole other adventure than twilight-

But hey those are my opinions- feel free to share information I might've missed because I sure as hell didnt wanna take the time to research-

#linked universe twilight #linked universe #lu chain

53 notes · View notes

waywardsalt · 1 year

Text

everything about bellumbeck makes me go insane. i don’t even know how to express half of it. the way everyone is in mortal danger during that fight. linebeck is forced to try and kill link right after saving his life. the one time he’s actually taking part in a boss battle with link he’s the boss he’s fighting. the way bellum seems to take his time grabbing him. the fact that bellumbeck never really pays any attention to ciela and bellum just grabs and restrains her instead of putting her out of commission or straight up killing her. one of his attacks is a spin attack much like link’s and we can assume that linebeck has probably seen link do a spin attack at some point. the way bellumbeck’s helmet is designed to look vaguely similar to linebeck. if bellumbeck kills you when you have a purple potion it plays the same sting as when a phantom catches and attacks you. this is the second time this link has had a sword fight with another human as his final battle but this time he is effectively fighting alone. of the main cast linebeck is the most detached from the rest of the group and is the only one to be an enemy. bellumbeck’s helmet opens after some attacks and right before he’s defeated. linebeck’s character theme utilizes harpsichord and excludes piano and bellum’s boss theme utilizes piano and excludes harpsichord. bellumbeck’s theme includes both and for the first half and near the end of the song they play the exact same melody at the same time. linebeck is suggested to be unable to fight or properly protect himself in battle for the entire game and then in the final boss in a twisted, awful way he finally gets a chance to be a competent fighter capable of defending himself. does any of this make sense

#there is no central thesis to any of this im just frothing at the mouth about bellumbeck #loz #legend of zelda #phantom hourglass #linebeck #bellum #bellumbeck #salty talks #btw. re-fought bellumbeck for this. which is more of a chore for me than it sounds.#on my 100% ph file i never take the save before bellumbeck so that i can do all of the three bellum fights over and over so uh.#had to speed through the temple of the ocean king lol #but it also allowed me to sit down and listen to bellum's boss theme a few times through #hi when i figured out that for most of bellumbeck's theme the piano and the harpsichord were basically playing the same thing it was. bro #i felt like id come across something really cool. idk #i love bellumbeck's theme so much despite being a musician im not good with aural skills or picking up on little musical things #screaming crying throwing up etc etc #i almost said a thing abt the instruments playing linebeck's theme in the final boss theme are not heard in bellum or linebecks themes #but the brass that plays it once i believe is similar enough to the brass in linebeck's theme that it kills that statement #bc of the lack of extra info abt bellum or linebeck i like to lean into drawing comparisons or parallels between them #most of the stuff i didnt say relies heavily on my specific interpretations of characters and plot and headcanons so i left it out #i cant say anything about the key of bellumbeck's theme since i cant find reliable sheet music and my aural skills are dogshit #correct me if im wrong (probably am) based on the piano sheet music you can find on ninsheetmusic linebeck's theme is in g minor #its in g minor in one i found on another site too #or something. i hate minor keys #bellum's battle theme and bellumbecks theme arent there but. linebeck's theme is in some kind of g minor key #PROBABLY take this with a fucking grain of salt despite being a fucking musician i had to find my major scale cheat sheet to check this #after some extra research (for like five minutes) cant find sheet music for the final boss but from the little i could find #i thiiiiiink bellum's battle theme is c major #this means nothing i just had fun applying what little music theory knowledge i have

103 notes · View notes

lunarsilkscreen · 6 months

Text

Phantom Ganon, Skull Kid, Hero's Shade (I need to stop writing about Zelda, but the floodgates are open)

What do these three characters have in common? They are all Link64's best and only friend. Though, he didn't know it at the time.

Remember the mask quest and playing ocarina with the skull kids in the woods? The same woods where it's legend that people become stalfos, so Kokiri don't travel there.

He's kind of rude to Link64. But here's the sad part, unlike the Kokiri, The skull kids don't exist in the future, even though the stalfos do. (Nor the Stalchilds which stalk Link outside of the woods, which could be *interpreted* as death stalking Link from the very beginning. OR it could be interpreted as his friends tagging along. [Who're kind of rude, and annoying. But they don't know better.])

Skull Kid, the Z64 Skull Kid, the one you trade masks with, the one you teach scarecrow's song to. That one, I think Becomes phantom Ganon. Because he was bound to Ganon when he passed through the woods and installed a Gohma into the Deku Tree. And was chosen specifically (like the other temple Bosses) to grow into the temple protectors.

Watch the defeat of Phantom Ganon. It's incredibly sad, even the words he chooses to speak during his death are incredibly sad. And this, I think is why.

He encourages Link to defeat Ganon, and admits that he was just a stepping stone, but he never takes off his mask, and he does his best not to let Link know the truth about his friend.

(Shout out to the Painting Magic being connected to a link between worlds. Cool connection and decision to use that idea in the game.)

*But Link is the Hero's Shade*! You are definitely screaming. Because it was written in the Hyrule Historia. Even if all the rest of that is true. The Hero's Shade connection is dumb.

Evidence; Koroks can change their appearance. Like the Tanuki in Japanese Lore. If they are Kokiri, (Like the connection to the Deku Tree suggests) AND One of the Deku Trees is likely the incarnation of the Kikwi elder from Skyward Sword (Which is as close as we get to Tanuki in Zelda.) Then it stands to reason the stal children AND the Skull Kids can all be directly related to the Kokiri.

And that the warning that *children become stalfos* for the Kokiri wasn't for Link, but for the Kokiri. (Or just a silly reminder for Link that he is never alone, because the Kokiri follow along as stalchild)

*BUT HOW DOES THAT MAKE SKULL KID THE HERO'S SHADE?*

Who else would both be *still alive* and *a skeleton* to teach Link, if Link is a reincarnation, and his soul stays with him? *That is the divine lore, Zelda, Link, and Ganon always have the same Soul*

Or do they? Am I making an assumption here? I'm not quite certain anymore, but I feel like I'm probably on the right track.

The alternate reasoning is that Rauru the Owl is *also* a former Link. Since they both share that same *mentor* slot. But that's never explicitly stated like it is with the Hero's Shade.

Think about it; no Link carries the gear the Shade does. No Link fights like a stalfos, even though they serve to train him early on. And therefore, all the stalfos (and by extension; Poes) could have served to be training Link the way forward.

One more reason; in Z64, the only place we see wolfos is in the woods. And that's how Wolfos and Stalfos are *linked*.

-OR- *maybe* the Hero's Shade is Link, in the same way Shadow Link is Link.

It's also worth noting, that Sometimes Stalfos are directly ordered by Ganon to Kill Link , and other times, such as in skyward sword guardians and Phantom Hourglass, they're controlled to protect something important, or divine relics.

Which links explicitly to what I just said, and why Phantom Ganon could *in fact* be the Hero's Shade.

Don't take my word for it.

21 notes · View notes

somasoa · 2 months

Text

The Family of the Hero: A Thorough Analysis of the Canonical Bloodline Shared by Every Link in the Legend of Zelda Series - Part 2 of 2

Click HERE for the first part of this article!

Tri Force Heroes

Tri Force Heroes is a black sheep in the series, as it does very little in trying to connect to any kind of overarching lore or story that is present within the Zelda chronology. However, tidbits of information associated with the Knights of Hyrule can still be found even in this entry.

For starters, we see the return of certain sword techniques, such as the Sword Beam and the Great Spin Attack. These techniques are performable by wearing certain attire, such as the Sword Master Suit - Sword Saint’s Armor (剣聖のよろい) and the Spin Attack Attire - Great Spinning Slash Attire (大回転斬りの甲冑).

剣の力が倍になる服。剣士の魂が宿った剣使いのための一着。剣の力が倍に!剣からビームも!

Clothing that doubles the power of the sword. This is a suit for sword users with the soul of a swordsman in it. The power of the sword is doubled! Beam from the sword!

Flavor Text for the Sword Master Suit (Tri Force Heroes) - Translated by Sidier

Interestingly enough, the Sword Master Suit, which provides Link with double damage and sword beams, is stated to have the soul of a swordsman in it. Swordsman (剣士) in this context is the exact same Japanese term used when describing the Knight’s Crest, or Swordsman’s Emblem (剣士の紋章) from The Wind Waker, and the Swordman’s Scrolls from Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, both of which were items that allowed Link to enhance his swordplay. This further shows how it is possible for the skills of the Knights of Hyrule to be implemented into articles of clothing or other items like scrolls, such that when those items are utilized, the sword skills can be performed by those in possession of said items. More interesting, however, is the description of the Dapper Spinner, or the Mysterious Roll Knight (怪傑ロールナイト).

繰りだ出せ高速回転斬り!華麗に素早く回転し幸運を引き寄せる騎士連続で必殺技高速回転斬りの発動だ

Launch the High Speed Revolving Slash! The knight spins quickly and gracefully, attracting good luck, and launches a series of special moves in rapid succession.

Flavor Text for the Dapper Spinner (Tri Force Heroes) - Translated by Sidier

この服は俺の…いやみんなの憧れ様の衣装なんだ! あのすばやい回転斬り…子どもの頃よくまねしたもんだよ…

This outfit is my...well, everyone's dream outfit! That quick spinning slash... I used to imitate it when I was a kid…

Daily Riches Owner (Tri Force Heroes) - Translated by Sidier

When wearing the Dapper Spinner, it’s possible for Link to perform a Quick Spinning Slash (すばやい回転斬り), which allows Link to perform a spin attack without charging up. This is identical to the Quick Spin (クイック回転) as mentioned in Ocarina of Time and performed in Skyward Sword. The Dapper Spinner’s japanese name, the Mysterious Roll Knight (怪傑ロールナイト), as well as the Japanese description, also explicitly calls the original wearer of the attire a knight. While it’s been proven that the Quick Spin is not specific to the Knights of Hyrule and can be performed by anyone, it still shows that the technique is associated with the concept of knights.

Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild adds our final nail in the coffin on establishing the Knights of Hyrule as descending from the original Hero from Skyward Sword. At the Rito Stable, Link can find the second volume of the Rumor Mill, a book that provides information about locations and items around Hyrule written by a journalist named Traysi. In this book, Link can read the following:

この剣を手にできる者は勇者の血を受け継ぐ者だけ…なーんてウワサがあるこの剣名もなき深い森の中に隠されとるっちゅう話やで～気にはなるけどうちのオトンもオカンもどうみても勇者の血統って感じちゃうしウチにはあんまり関係なさそうやな…

There's a rumor that the only people who can get their hands on this sword are those who inherited the blood of the Hero ... There's a story that this sword is hidden in a deep forest with no name. I'm curious about it, but my father and mother don't seem to have the bloodline of a Hero, so I don't think it has much to do with us ...

Rumor Mill: Volume 2 (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

This tells us that the only people who can wield the Master Sword are those who descended from the Hero. This means that every Link who has wielded the Master Sword - minus the original - descended from the previous Hero, meaning every single Link in the series can trace their bloodline back to the very first Link. In short, the bloodline of the Knights of Hyrule begins and ends with Link, finally bringing us full circle on how the lineage of the Knights of Hyrule is both the bloodline that originated from the Hero as well as generates the Hero. The fact the Knights of Hyrule are connected by blood is also referenced by the fact Link was born into knighthood in Breath of the Wild, as established by Zelda during the events of the game:

……御父上の跡目を継ぐべく騎士の道を選び練磨を続け……

...In order to follow in the footsteps of your father, you chose the path of a knight and continued training...

Zelda (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

Interestingly enough, we also learn in this same conversation that the Knights of Hyrule now undergo a new name - the Imperial Royal Guard Family.

それでも周りの人達から「お前は近衛の家に生まれたのだから絶対に騎士にならねばならない」と言われたら……

But if the people around you say, "You were born into the Imperial Royal Guard family, you must absolutely become a knight [...]"

Zelda (Breath of the Wild) - Translated using DeepL

This is due to how, in the era of Breath of the Wild, the most elite Knights of Hyrule are given the privilege of becoming members of the Imperial Royal Guard, a group of knights that are shown to protect the royalty of Hylia, as shown in The Champion’s Ballad DLC and Age of Calamity, who we learn in the game that Link was the youngest captain of in the history of Hyrule.

The Knights of Hyrule are also explicitly referenced in certain item descriptions such as the Knight’s set of weapons.

ハイラル王家に仕えた騎士が使っていた盾金属製の頑丈な作りで激しい戦闘にも耐えられる重量があるので扱いにはそれなりの腕前が必要

A shield used by knights in the service of the Hyrule royal family. Made of sturdy metal and heavy enough to withstand fierce combat, it requires a certain amount of skill to handle.

Flavor Text (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

We also see the return of the Hylian Shield, using the design from Skyward Sword. The in-game text describing it mentions its association with the Hero.

勇者が手にしたという伝説と共に古よりハイラル王家に受け継がれてきた盾他を寄せ付けない圧倒的な防御力と耐久性を誇る

Along with the legend of the Hero that held it in his hands, this shield has been handed down in the Hyrule royal family since ancient times. It boasts overwhelming defense and durability that is unmatched by any other shield.

Flavor Text (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

This is interesting, as it establishes that the Hylian Shield is associated primarily with the Hero. This further elaborates on why the Knights of Hyrule are also associated with the shield. The Knights of Hyrule, as the descendants of the Hero, would bear the symbol of the shield associated with the legend of their heroic ancestor, and would come to be associated with the shield as well, as seen in Ocarina of Time.

The last important aspect of the Knights of Hyrule is actually a slight controversy. We see in the The Champion’s Ballad DLC, as well as the main game’s memories, that Knights of Hyrule are depicted as wearing the Soldier’s Armor, which as the name implies, is stated to be worn by soldiers, not the Imperial Royal Guard’s family. We also observe these knights using weapons from the Soldier’s set and not the Knight’s set of weapons, further complicating the context. Age of Calamity sheds light on this issue and provides clarification.

Age of Calamity

In Age of Calamity, the Soldier’s Armor issue is explained, where it’s revealed to be the attire of the Knights of Hyrule, who lead the lower ranking soldiers of Hyrule’s military. These lower ranking soldiers wear different armor into battle, such as Hylian Trousers instead of Soldier’s Greaves, and have no red plume on their helmet. This means the Soldier’s Armor is not worn by the basic soldiers of Hyrule but instead the Knights of Hyrule. We also observe Link using weapons from the Soldier’s set at the beginning of the game instead of weapons from the Knight’s set, despite being a Knight of Hyrule. This means that it’s likely the Knights of Hyrule are given the freedom to wield whichever weapon they’d like to, which is also suggested by the fact Link can use a variety of different weapons in Age of Calamity.

This clarifies the issue of Breath of the Wild, explaining that the Soldier’s Armor is actually the armor of the Knights of Hyrule, and the Knights of Hyrule as seen in the memories are given the freedom to use whichever weapons they want in the same way Link is in Age of Calamity. In fact, Age of Calamity all but confirms this, as the Hylian Captains are depicted almost exclusively using weapons from the Knight’s set, meaning that the knights who use weapons outside of the Knight’s set are a minority.

Speaking of, we also witness the Knights of Hyrule in combat, and we can observe them charging their blade to perform attacks, similar to how Link would when performing a Spin Attack. As we know, the ability to charge one’s blade to perform special sword skills is a technique exclusive to the bloodline of the Knights and has been passed down since antiquity. This shows that the Knights of Hyrule and their techniques still persist in Hyrule even in this far future of the series.

Tears of the Kingdom

As we move onto the most recent entry into the series at this time, the Knights of Hyrule still hold a presence in the series. Their most prominent appearance is actually the ghostly spirits of knights residing in The Depths, who offer Link weapons. Strangely enough, these ghostly knights most commonly appear under a set of monuments on the surface, which are dedicated to the memory of those who passed in the Great Calamity, the event that occurred 100 years prior that resulted in the fall of Hyrule Kingdom and the deaths of countless people, including a substantial amount of the Knights of Hyrule.

厄災で失われし御霊謹んで追悼す－ゼルダこの碑を捧げる－

We respectfully mourn the souls of those lost in the Great Catastrophe. -I, Zelda, dedicate this monument.

Monument (Tears of the Kingdom) - Translated by Sidier

It’s likely that, given the presence of these spirits under these monuments, that these are spirits of the Knights of Hyrule who had fallen in battle during the Great Calamity 100 years prior, and similar to Four Swords Adventures, the spirits of the knights still desire to aid the Hero in any way they can before passing onto the afterlife. The weapons they offer to Link also vary in origin and culture, again showing that the Knights of Hyrule were not restricted to using any specific weapons in the era of the Breath of the Wild related games.

While we encounter the deceased Knights of Hyrule in the form of their ghosts, we also meet their living descendants. In Breath of the Wild, we encounter a man by the name of Nell at Akkala Citadel.

We learn that he was a descendant of a member of the Hyrulean military, who died in battle at the siege of Akkala, which resulted in the collapse of the kingdom. Interestingly, Nell is actually wearing a damaged set of Soldier’s Armor. As we learned in Age of Calamity, this is actually the armor of the Knights of Hyrule, and we learn from the description of the armor in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom that the surviving sets that are undamaged were the ones that went unscathed during the Great Calamity 100 years ago.

あれはアッカレ砦といって大昔ハイラル王国がまだ健在だったころ…このアッカレ地方を守るために建設されたもので難攻不落の砦と言われていたそれがあの大厄災でハイラル城が焼かれ王と姫君をなくしたハイラル軍は…なすすべをなくしここを拠点にして最後の抵抗をしていたそうだだが暴走したガーディアンの猛攻を止められるわけもなく結局は陥落した…いわばここはハイラル王国が滅んだ最後の地だ [...] 私わたしの先祖せんぞもここで死しんだと聞きいてな一度いちどは弔とむらいをしたいと足あしを運はこんだのだが…

It's called Fort Akkale, and it was built a long time ago to protect the Akkale region when the Kingdom of Hyrule was still alive and well. It was said to be an impregnable fortress, but in that Great Catastrophe, Hyrule Castle was burnt down and the king and princess were lost. The Hyrule army, left with nothing to do, apparently used this as their base to make a last stand, but the Guardians went berserk. There was no way to stop the onslaught, and in the end it fell...so to speak, this is the final place where the Kingdom of Hyrule fell. [...] I heard that my ancestors died here, so I came here to offer my condolences...

Nell (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

最前線で戦う兵士のための兜金属製のしっかりした作りで高い防御力が特徴現存する物は大厄災時の破損を免れたものである

Helmet for soldiers fighting on the front lines. It is made of metal and has a high defensive strength. The surviving ones were not damaged during the Great Catastrophe.

Flavor text (Breath of the Wild) - Translated by Sidier

Because of this, we can glean that the armor Nell is wearing was used 100 years ago in the Great Calamity, due to it being damaged. Given that Nell’s armor was used 100 years ago, and he mentions that his ancestor fell in battle against the onslaught of the Calamity, we can deduce that the armor worn by Nell is the armor of his ancestor. As mentioned, the armor is shown to belong to the Knights of Hyrule in Age of Calamity. Therefore, Nell is a member of the Knight’s Family due to being a descendant of a fallen knight.

However, the connections don’t end there - if we can deduce that Nell is a Knight of Hyrule because of the above, what does that mean for the other characters we see across Tears of the Kingdom who wear ruined armor of the Knights of Hyrule? We see several characters in this entry, such as Sharce, Raseno and Scorpis, wearing damaged versions of the Soldier’s Armor, similar to Nell in Breath of the Wild.

Given that we can deduce Nell is wearing the armor of his fallen ancestor, we can also reasonably deduce that all of these characters in Tears of the Kingdom are also wearing the armor of their fallen ancestors. This would mean that these specific characters would be descendants of the Knight’s Family, and shows us that, even in the ruined future after the Great Calamity, the Knights of Hyrule have still survived and will undoubtedly flourish again alongside the restoration of Hyrule Kingdom.

Summary of the Knights of Hyrule

Let’s summarize what can be learned from looking at every mainline entry in the series that mentions the Knights of Hyrule.

The Knights of Hyrule, also known as the Knight’s Family, the Hylian Knights, and the Order of Knights, are a specific bloodline of brave and powerful people who often take up the vocation of knighthood to defend the Royal Family. The Knights of Hyrule faithfully serve the Royal Family, and are given special roles such as protecting the Royal Jewels, helping seal away the Dark Clan from Four Swords Adventures, and protecting the sages in the Imprisoning War.

The Hero can only appear from this bloodline when either the Royal Family is in danger, or an evil person has acquired the Triforce. This means that all appearances of the Hero are indubitably related by blood. In Skyward Sword, we learn that the Hylian Shield bears the crest of Link’s Crimson Loftwing, representing the Hero and serving as a symbol for him. This shield would later be passed on and known as a shield associated with the Knights of Hyrule, and Breath of the Wild establishes that for one to be the Hero, you must have the blood of the Hero in your veins. This would mean by necessity that Skyward Sword Link was the progenitor of the Knights’ bloodline, and the Knights of Hyrule both begin and end with the Hero.

The Knights of Hyrule also pass down special sword techniques within their family, with the most prominent of them being the Spin Attack and the Great Spin Attack, which only the other Knights of Hyrule are capable of inheriting. It’s suggested that the skills are innate to their bloodline, as some Links are capable of performing these skills without ever being formally taught. Some attacks such as the Quick Spin are associated with them, but we know that it is not exclusive to them.

The Knights of Hyrule can also be twisted into demonic monsters, as seen by the appearance of Darknuts, who are capable of performing techniques associated with the Knights of Hyrule as seen in The Wind Waker, and are associated with the Knight’s Crest, a symbol which is associated with the Knights of Hyrule as seen in Four Swords Adventures.

In the later era of the timeline, after the Imprisoning War in the backstory of A Link to the Past, the Knights of Hyrule were almost rendered extinct due to the mass casualties they suffered while protecting the sages. However, as seen in games like Oracle of Ages, their ranks are slowly building back up. In the distant future of the series, in Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom, we see that the Knights of Hyrule have persisted through history all the way to the present day of Hyrule, a testament to their unyielding loyalty to the Royal Family and unbreakable courage against the Demon Tribe.

Certain specific appearances of the Knights of Hyrule include: the Bumpkin family in A Link to the Past; the Hyrulean Knights in Oracle of Seasons; the ghostly Knights of Hyrule who are freed by the Links in Four Swords Adventures; the Blade Brothers in The Minish Cap; the Hero’s Spirit in Twilight Princess; and the Knights of Hyrule, both dead and alive, present in Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom. Also, every appearance of Link in the series constitutes an appearance of the Knights, as the Hero can only appear from within their family.

#zelda #legend of zelda #the legend of zelda #zelda theory #zelda lore #hyrule #link #nintendo lore #nintendo theory

10 notes · View notes

cerame · 1 year

Note

heehoo i loke your Links, stuff abt them plz??

Oh hi! Sorry I didn’t get to this sooner! I didn’t check my tumblr for a hot second oops

But yes I’d love to talk about them! For botw/totk Link, I’m waiting to actually buy and play the game before I fully solidify him. I’ll give a brief rundown of each of them here, but feel free to ask more about any specific Link :)

Skyward Sword:

Tired in multiple ways. He was more carefree before the start of his adventure, but there are a lot of reasons to be concerned about these days, especially when you’re babysitting your reincarnations, some of which are older than you

That’s not to say he doesn’t know how to chill out and sit back. Given permission, he will instantly drop all responsibilities on whoever is left to deal with it

23 y/o

Huge sweetheart once you get him to stop worrying about things

Potential nicknames: Cloudy, Floater, Feathers

Minish Cap/Four Swords/Four Swords Adventures

I have an explanation for the timeline nonsense I swear. Don’t worry about it

Generally friendly, enthusiastic, and thoughtful, but he has his moments of absolute impulse. Knows far more than he should… probably. He very much enjoys being mysterious just because he’s a little gremlin

He hates being timed

20 y/o

Potential nicknames: Forge, Smith, Mini

Is currently undergoing a redesign

Ocarina of Time/Majora’s Mask

He’s in his edgy teen phase. Moody and has disdain for authority, but he’s still got that undeniable kindness in him. Avoids attachment but just can’t help himself

Mostly homeless, as he’s usually traveling, but he’s always got a home at Lon Lon Ranch with his friend Malon. Kakariko likes him, too.

17 y/o

Potential nicknames: Mask, Eyepatch, Sapling

A Link to the Past/the Oracle games/Link’s Awakening

Most people’s first impressions of him are that he’s quite untrusting and melancholy and that he’s very competent. Once he gets used to someone, though, he’ll open up and mess with them like an annoying sibling. Very clever, knowledgeable, and a jack of all trades. Curiosity will be his downfall

Helps his Uncle run the apple orchard. Has expanded it into farming berries as well

17 y/o

Potential nicknames: Collector, Cartographer, Pinky, Apples

A Link Between Worlds/Triforce Heroes

Very cheerful and friendly. Highly skilled in the arts, though he hasn’t had the chance to mess with yarnwork yet. Low self-esteem but only expresses it in the most concerningly casual ways

Fantastic liar. He fully blames Ravio for this

19 y/o

Potential nicknames: Artisan, Painter, Mirror

Zelda 1/Adventure of Link

At first glance, he is already done with everyone's bullcrap, but really he's a very patient and considerate guy. He is incredibly blunt about things, though. Not as suspicious of people as he probably should be, but hey, what's one more crazy thing happening?

Loves discovering new things. Has a soft spot for soft things like pillows and fairies. Tone deaf.

21 y/o

Potential nicknames: Mage, Explorer, Adventurer, Calatian

Twilight Princess

Generally quiet and reserved but will step in when he deems it necessary. Skilled at keeping the group wrangled. He is fiercely protective of his loved ones and is not as responsible as he comes off as

Doesn't turn into a wolf often. Alternates between helping out Mayor Bo with Ordon and taking commissions for the Resistance

24 y/o

Potential nicknames: Goatherd, Farmer

Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass

Friendly in a loud, boisterous sort of way, but when it comes down to it, he can quiet down and become reliable and responsible if he needs to. Fairly easygoing until he sets his mind onto something, in which case, he's going to accomplish his goals one way or another

Finds the others while mapping out the new continent, so for all intents and purposes, he basically goes missing. Does not like birds.

27 y/o

Potential nicknames: Pirate, Sailor, Sea Dog

Spirit Tracks

usually soft-spoken and polite, but will get a bit louder the more comfortable he is. Much better at puzzles and mechanics than swordfighting. Still works as a royal engineer and is good friends with his Zelda

He sees dead people :/

15 y/o

Potential nicknames: Engineer, Piper, Steam, Conductor

Hyrule Warriors

snarky in a friendly way and will joke around to lighten the mood, but he can be perfectly serious when he needs to be. A natural and skillful leader. Loves kids and dabbles in fashion

Regrets that he has to leave his era’s Hyrule because he’s got a duty to the kingdom, but his Zelda insisted that he went. After all, he’s got his duty as a hero, too

32 y/o

Potential nicknames: Commander, Sir, Ser

Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom

very honest with his emotions and thoughts, and he will habitually go off and do things on his own without waiting for anyone else. Doesn't quite understand social conventions

Thought the others were either very creative yiga or very lost travelers when he first met them

20 y/o

Potential nicknames: Archer, Survivalist, Champion

#tloz #loz #legend of zelda #loz au #linkverse #asks

96 notes · View notes