Great Sea (The Legend of Zelda series)

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The Great Sea is the fictional setting of the video game The Wind Waker of The Legend of Zelda series.

Contents 1 Physical Geography 2 Human Geography 3 Races and governments 3.1 Koroks 3.2 Humans 3.3 Gorons 3.4 Hyrule Royal Family 3.5 Rito 3.6 Pirates 3.7 Fishmen 3.8 Ganon 4 Islands 4.1 Outset Island 4.2 Windfall Island 4.3 Dragon Roost Island 4.4 Forest Haven 5 Dungeons 5.1 Dragon Roost Cavern 5.2 Forbidden Woods 5.3 Tower of the Gods 5.4 Forsaken Fortress 5.5 Earth Temple 5.6 Wind Temple 6 References

[edit] Physical Geography

By the time of The Wind Waker, Hyrule has been sealed beneath the ocean, and only a collection of mountaintops are visible above the water. These mountaintops form the islands of the archipelago known as the Great Sea.

There are many islands, the largest of which are Outset Island, Dragon Roost Island, Windfall Island, Greatfish Isle, Forest Haven and the Forsaken Fortress. Some of these major islands are obvious references to places in the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time and bear similarities to these places in their locations, cultures, inhabitants, etc. There are large expanses of the ocean between each island. Underneath the ocean, however, part of Hyrule is still intact.

[edit] Human Geography

On the islands of the Great Sea, local commerce is quite advanced. Most of the food is gathered from fishing and small farms. There is also a large trade boom with the Gorons, who live somewhere outside the game's boundaries.

There is only one major town in the Great Sea, on Windfall Island. However, a large pirate base did exist in the northwest corner of the Great Sea until Ganondorf took it over. A large tower is erected about halfway through the game's duration, in the center of the ocean, but barring that, there is not much else of considerable importance, except the small settlements on Outset, Dragon Roost, and the Forest Haven. There was once a similar settlement on Greatfish Island, but it was destroyed before Link ever visited it.

[edit] Races and governments

The governments of this time are neither powerful nor large, usually limited to nothing larger than local governments consisting of a village mayor or elder. Part of the reason is that there are very few people (and a lack of dry land) in the post-flood world, but there are still many diverse races living in and around the Great Sea.

[edit] Koroks

The Koroks live on a small island with the Great Deku Tree, who is generally believed to have been the Deku Sprout in Ocarina of Time. Under the orders of the Great Deku Tree, the Koroks move throughout the archipelago, planting forests in the hope that it will allow the expansion of the mountaintops to create one large island, combining all the current ones. It is heavily implied that the Koroks have descended from the Kokiri. The Great Deku Tree claims their appearance changed to adapt to living on the Great Sea.

[edit] Humans

Normal humans are now much more common, differentiated from true Hylians by the fact that they do not have pointy elf-like ears. They work and live in small merchant vessels around the ocean, but are mainly based in Windfall Island, where they enjoy trade with the other races around the Great Sea. There is a small group of humans living on Outset Island.

[edit] Gorons

The Gorons now live in some unspecified place outside the boundaries of the Great Sea. On Greatfish Island, there are traders who are clearly Gorons dressed up ready to trade with people, labeled as merchants, they bear some Goron symbols on their clothes. On their Nintendo Gallery figurine, it is stated that their favourite food is rocks. It is theorized that the Gorons are near extinction due to Hyrule being flooded, as their prime nourishment source, rocks, are no longer in abundance as most of Hyrule lies under water and the islands made of rock are small and far apart. If Link forcefully wafts the Deku Leaf next to the merchant, their hats fall, and it is certified that they are actually Gorons.

[edit] Hyrule Royal Family

The Hyrule Royal Family still exists, but has no influence whatsoever on day-to-day affairs, as Princess Zelda is unaware of who she is, and the ancient King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule generally stays at the bottom of the ocean, though he can possess a boat known as the King of Red Lions to conduct business above the waves. It is unknown whether this is a form of telekinesis or if the King is able to transfer his essence to and from the boat itself. Regardless of how he inhabits the King of Red Lions, Daphnes is chained to Hyrule. The King of Hyrule and Princess Zelda do, however, still hold the parts of the Triforce of Wisdom.

[edit] Rito

A strange race of avians, apparently descended from the Zora, the Rito, have developed a strong culture on Dragon Roost Island. They mainly serve as the postmen of the Great Sea, but are fairly populous. They have a strong relationship with the Humans. They are merely beaked humanoid beings until they are given scales by the Wind Spirit Valoo. Once a Rito receives a scale from Valoo, he or she grows wings. Until a Rito grows wings, he or she will use a Grappling Hook as a temporary substitute. It is commented that Rito women have a fascination with Golden feathers.

[edit] Pirates

Several pirate groups have sprung up around the Great Sea. They did have a large base in the north-west of the Great Sea before this was taken from them by Ganon. They plunder the ocean in search of treasure, of which there is certainly an abundance. One group of pirates is led by a young girl named Tetra. She has some knowledge of the ancient past of Hyrule and is searching a way to recover these ancient and valuable relics. They are loyal to Tetra, and they show some acts of nobility through the game, despite their profession.

[edit] Fishmen

Strange creatures which live in the ocean and draw maps. They like Beedle's All-Purpose Bait. They are very knowledgeable about the Great Sea and adept cartographers, however, they tend to hint and imply when talking to Link, instead of being concise and directly giving useful information. It is revealed that the Fishmen (or one particular Fishman) were in some way indebted to the King of Red Lions, although the actual details are not disclosed. One of the fishmen will allow you to participate in a game in which Link tries to strike the fishman with an arrow, whilst the fishman leaps from the sea at varying heights. Their prime purpose consists of drawing locations on Link's map if the location is not already there, they will only comply to this after a single helping of All-purpose bait.

[edit] Ganon

Main article: Ganon

Ganon seems to have somehow broken free from the seal which the sages placed on him during the events of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The opening cinematic suggests he is responsible for the destruction that forced the gods to flood Hyrule. He still has control of the Triforce of Power, and is actively seeking the other two pieces, with a large army of Moblins and other minions. He has taken over the Forsaken Fortress, and sent his minions to scour the Great Sea for Princess Zelda.

It is said that Ganon is the last Gerudo in the land.

[edit] Islands

The islands listed below are arranged as they appear on the map of the Great Sea in the game. Islands of particular importance to the plot are listed in bold.

Forsaken Fortress	Star Island	Northern Fairy Island	Gale Isle	Crescent Moon Island	Seven-Star Isles	Overlook Island
Four-Eye Reef	Mother & Child Isles	Spectacle Island	Windfall Island	Pawprint Island	Dragon Roost Island	Flight Control Platform
Western Fairy Island	Rock Spire Island	Tingle Island	Northern Triangle Island	Eastern Fairy Island	Fire Mountain	Star Belt Archipelago
Three-Eye Reef	Greatfish Isle	Cyclops Reef	Six-Eye Reef	Tower of the Gods	Eastern Triangle Island	Thorned Fairy Island
Needle Rock Isle	Islet of Steel	Stone Watcher Island	Southern Triangle Island	Private Oasis	Bomb Island	Bird's Peak Rock
Diamond Steppe Island	Five-Eye Reef	Shark Island	Southern Fairy Island	Ice Ring Isle	Forest Haven	Cliff Plateau Isles
Horseshoe Island	Outset Island	Headstone Island	Two-Eye Reef	Angular Island	Boating Course	Five-Star Isles

[edit] Outset Island

Located in the southwest corner of the Great Sea, Outset Island is the island where Link was raised. It is one of the game's larger islands, and is actually divided into an east and west section, connected by two bridges. In the lower areas of the island live the people of Outset. The population of the island is 11 people (including Link), and they live in wooden houses along the coast and walls. In the "back" of the island are two large cliffs, and a rope bridge connects the two cliffs. On the western cliff there is a rather mysterious forest that houses a fairy spring. On a lower cliff on the west side of the island is the Savage Labyrinth. There is also a lookout tower on the east side of the island. Link also retrieves Nayru's pearl in a concealed cave towards the rear of the island. The mystical beast, Jabun becomes an inhabitant here after leaving the Great Fish Isles, the seal to the cave can only be breached by firing bombs at the enterance.

[edit] Windfall Island

Windfall Island is the site of the game's main city. Located in the north of the sea, the city is located on a rather small area of land, but is built up rather high. There is a grassy plain upon landing on the island. On the far side of the plain is a Bomb Shop. There is a main gate to the city, and the path through the city winds up somewhat counterclockwise. The islands most notable feature is the ferris wheel (which is easily mistaken for a windmill) that also serves as a lighthouse. There are many important locations on the island, including the Potion shop, the photographer's home, the mansion, and the jail cell where Tingle is held. It is here where the most non playable characters inhabit, most of whom have some sort of storyline or backstory, Link can earn many valuables such as treasure maps and heart pieces via running errands relating to these characters.

The island bears a strong resemblance to Kakariko Village from Ocarina of Time, as seen by windmill-like ferris wheel, and a few chords from the Kakariko Village theme can be heard in the Windfall Island theme.

[edit] Dragon Roost Island

Located in the northeast of the Great Sea, Dragon Roost Island is a mountain-island that towers hundreds of feet above the sea. Its name comes from the fact that Valoo, a great dragon, makes his home at the top of the peak. The island is home to the bird folk, the Rito, who reside in a large cavern. behind the cavern withen the walls of the island is a spring filled with water, and beyond the spring lies the entrance to Dragon Roost Cavern, a magma-filled cavern that gives access to the top of the island. Bomb flowers also grow on the mountain. Also at the base of the mountain is a shrine to the Wind Deities, Zephos and Cyclos.

The island is generally believed to be Death Mountain in island form, and shares many similarities with the mountain of old. Bomb flowers grow in both locations, and the cavern the Rito reside in resembles Goron City in Ocarina of Time with several floors taken from the top. It is possible that the spring is the old crater that has since become devoid of magma.

[edit] Forest Haven

Located in the southeast of the Great Sea, the Forest Haven appears to be a humongous tree in the middle of the ocean. The island is, in fact, home to the Great Deku Tree, who lives inside the tree with the Koroks. From his central location flows forest water, which flows out of an opening in the side of the tree and into the sea. A little ways away from the main island is a smaller island where the Nintendo Gallery is located. Not too far away from the main island is an equally large island known as the Forbidden Forest, where the Koroks were once said to live. This island also takes the form of a giant tree, but in much worse condition than before. Link must use the Grappling Hook to gain enterance to the Forest Haven.

The Forest Haven is most definitely related to Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time. The fact that the background music throughout the island is a remix of the Kokiri Forest theme supports this.

[edit] Dungeons

[edit] Dragon Roost Cavern

This is the first dungeon of the game, and as the name implies, this a large cavern found inside Dragon Roost Island. The entrance to the cavern lies beyond the island's spring. The inside of the cavern is filled with lava and contains bomb flowers. The cavern actually extends to the very top of the island. It was in this dungeon that Link investigated what was making the dragon, Valoo, angry. As it turned out, Valoo's tail was being tormented by Gohma, a giant lava centipede. It was in this dungeon that Link received the Grappling Hook from Medli, after he had rescued her from a gang of Bokoblins and Moblins. Through the remainder of the dungeon, Link used the Grappling hook to proceed past previously unreachable places, and ultimately, he defeated Gohma with the help of the Grappling Hook.

[edit] Forbidden Woods

Located just outside the Forest Haven, the Forbidden Woods looks like a giant, rotting tree from the outside. Link had to use the Wind Waker baton and the Deku leaf to reach this secluded spot. On the inside the dungeon is filled with trees and vegetation of all varieties, as the dungeon adopts the customary plant theme. Some water rests in the lower levels of the woods. The Koroks said that they once lived in these woods when they took their previous forms (most certainly the Kokiri), and tree-like houses can be found in the woods. Link braved this dungeon to save Makar, who had fallen into the woods. He found Makar and had to save him from the giant plant, Kalle Demos. Inside the dungeon Link found the Boomerang.

[edit] Tower of the Gods

This humongous, white-walled tower rose out of the depths of the ocean when Link placed all of the Goddesses Pearl's on the Triangle Islands. Located roughly in the center of the Great Sea, the Tower of Gods is distinguishable from a large radius, given its distinct appearance. To enter it, one must have a boat, as the ocean water flows into the first floor of the tower. The first floor of the tower is somewhat flooded, but the floors above it are dry. Curiously, many of the enemies in the tower are statues such as Beamos and Armos. Most of the puzzles involve Link controlling small statues to help them reach a designated marker. At the highest chamber of the tower, Link fought Gohdan, the giant statue crafted by the gods, he is the only boss who is not actually an enemy of Link. After the battle, Link was transported to the top of the tower where he utilised the Grappling Hook to ring the giant bell that opened the path to Hyrule. It was inside this dungeon that Link found the Hero's Bow.

[edit] Forsaken Fortress

A dismal island located in the northwest of the Great Sea. The fortress, primarily, serves as an enemy stronghold for most of the duration of the game. The master of the island, and also the main antagonist, is none other than Ganondorf. It is heavily guarded from all points of entry, with many shipwrecks surrounding the area as ominous warnings to those that venture near. The security is so tight that Link had to be fired in via a cannon to infiltrate the fortress. Inside the walls of the fortress are many of Ganondorf's minions, including Bokoblins, Moblins, and thieving rats. The most fearsome enemy inside the fortress (excluding Ganondorf) is the Helmaroc King, who keeps close watch of the island from its roost when it is not on searching duties. Phantom Ganon also makes an appearance here.

Aside from its role as Ganondorf's base of operations, the Forsaken Fortress also protects a holding cell situated deep within the premises. It is here that two girls from Windfall Island, Maggie and Mila, and Link's younger sister, Aryll, were held for being suspected of being descendants of Princess Zelda. After saving Aryll, Link did battle with the giant bird, the Helmaroc King. It was in this dungeon that Link gained the Skull Hammer after battling Phantom Ganon.

[edit] Earth Temple

Located deep within Headstone Island in the south of the Great Sea, the Earth Temple was a once great temple that was ruined by Ganondorf's minions after he ordered the death of Laruto, the Zora sage. The inside of the temple is quite gloomy and lacks light, save for some light beams, emphasising the strong emphasis on mirror light reflection in the dungeon, in which many of the puzzles are centered around this technique and the acquisition of the Mirror Shield. Link ventured into this temple with Medli (who also has a reflective instrument), and at the end of the temple he fought Jalhalla, the King of Poes. Like the Wind temple, some puzzles also revolve around Link working in conjunction with his partner, Medli, and keeping her safe. The majority of the enemies in the dungeon are undead.

[edit] Wind Temple

Located deep within Gale Island in the north of the Great Sea, the Wind Temple served as the place where the Kokiri sage, Fado, once prayed before he was slain by Ganondorf's minions. Link ventured into this temple with Makar, and inside the temple he found the Hookshot and battled the giant Molgera, a sand-worm type monster apparently related to the Lanmolas of previous Zelda games. The inside of the temple was grassy and full of trees, which served as a basis of one of the puzzle themes. As the name suggests, the Wind Temple was full of wind currents, including a humongous fan in one of the largest rooms. Like the Earth temple, some puzzles involve Link co-operating with his partner, Makar, to achieve goals, and keeping Makar safe.

[edit] References

Places in The Legend of Zelda series v • d • e
	Great Sea · Sacred Realm · Termina
	Hyrule
	Ganon's Castle
	By game
	Ocarina of Time · Twilight Princess