Welcome to the Legends Archive. This section serves as a special collection of pieces of script from throughout the Zelda series. These particular quotes are tales of key events that shaped the civilizations of the Zelda Universe. As the lore is often mentioned only once or twice, by word-of-mouth from in-game characters, most stories are easily forgotten. The Legends Archive preserves these stories for those curious about the various myths that go beyond the events depicted by the Zelda games' main storylines.
So without further interruption, we present to you the lore of the Zelda Universe.
Click the legend you wish to see from the list below:
The Legend of ZeldaThe Legends of Hyrule
The Secret of Koholint Island
The Triforce
The End of Hyrule
Majora's Mask
The Four Giants
The Carnival of Time
Chronicles of Vaati
Ganon's Trident
The Picori Blade and the Light Force
The Fused Shadow
The Twili
The Oocca
The Legend of Zelda
Scene: Prologue (Instruction Booklet)
It is said that a long ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce. However, the king too was a child of man and he died. Then, the prince of the kingdom should have become king and inherited everything, but he could inherit the Triforce only in part.
The Prince searched everywhere for the missing parts, but could not find them.
Then, a magician close to the king brought him some unexpected news.
Before he died, the king had said something about the Triforce to only the younger sister of the prince, Princess Zelda. The prince immediately questioned the princess, but she wouldn’t tell him anything. After the prince, the magician threatened to put the princess into an eternal sleep if she did not talk, but even still, she said nothing.
In his anger, the magician tried to cast a magic spell on the princess. The surprised prince tried to stop him, but the magician fought off the prince and went on chanting the spell. Then, when the spell was finally cast, Princess Zelda fell on that spot and entered a sleep from which she might never awake. At the same time, the magician also fell down and breathed his last.
In his grief, the prince placed the princess in this room. He hoped that someday she would come back to life. So that this tragedy would never be forgotten, he ordered that every female child born into the royal household shall be given the name Zelda.
The Legends of Hyrule
Scene: Prologue (Instruction Booklet)
The legends say the mythical gods of Hyrule had as their chosen people the Hylia. These ancient people left scrolls that are the primary source of the legends...
The Creation of Hyrule
According to the Hylian scrolls, the mythical Gods descended from a distant nebula to the world that was and created order and life. The God of Power dyed the mountains red with fire and created land. The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature. And the God of Courage, through justice and vigor, created life-the animals that crawl the land and the birds that soar in the sky. After the Gods had finished their work, they left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but marvel portion of the essence of the Gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide the intelligent life on the world of Hyrule.
Although it was an inanimate object, the Triforce had the power to bestow three titles which gave the person who received them great powers: The Forger of Strength, The Keeper of Knowledge, and The Juror of Courage. From its hiding place in the so-called golden land where the Gods placed it, the Triforce beckoned people from the outside world to seek it in the hope that someone worthy of these titles would find it.
With their magic infused blood, the Hylian people were endowed with psychic powers and skilled in wizardry. It was also said that there long, pointed ears enabled them to hear special messages from the Gods, so they were held in high esteem by many people in Hyrule. Their descendants settled in various parts of the world and passed on their knowledge and magical lore to all people. But in its passing, the lore was often distorted or lost altogether...
Gates to the Golden Land
In Hyrule, there are many Hylian buildings which are mentioned repeatedly in the Legends. These buildings, which now lie in ruin, pale shadows of their former splendor, are closely tied to the Triforce. Some were said to have the Triforce itself...
If it were only a symbol of the Gods, the Triforce would be coveted by many. But a verse from the Book of Mudora made the Triforce even more desirable:
”In a realm beyond sight,The sky shines gold, not blue.
There, the Triforce's might
Makes mortal dreams come true."
Many aggressively searched for the wish granting Triforce, but no one, not even the Hylian sages, was sure of its location; the knowledge had been lost over time. Some said the Triforce lay under the desert, others said that it was in the cemetery in the shadow of Death Mountain, but no one ever found it. That yearning for the Triforce soon turned to lust for power, which in turn led to the spilling of blood. Soon the only motive left among those searching for the Triforce was pure greed.
One day, quite by accident, a gate to the Golden Land of the Triforce was opened by a gang of thieves skilled in the black arts. This land was like no other. In the gathering twilight, the Triforce shone from its resting place high above the world. In a long running battle, the leader of the thieves fought his way past his followers in lust for the Golden Power. After vanquishing his own followers, the leader stood triumphant over the Triforce and grasped it with his blood-stained hands. He heard a whispered voice: "If thou hast a strong desire or dream, wish for it..." And in reply, the roaring laughter of the brigand leader echoed across time and space and even reached the far-off land of Hyrule. The name of this king of thieves is Ganondorf Dragmire, but he is known by his alias, Mandrag Gannon, which means Ganon of the Enchanted Thieves.
The Imprisoning War
I do not know what Ganon wished for from the Triforce. However, in time evil power began to flow from the Golden Land and greedy men were drawn there to become members of Ganon's army. Black clouds permanently darkened the sky, and many disasters beset Hyrule. The lord of Hyrule sent for the Seven Wise Men and the Knights of Hyrule, and ordered them to seal the entrance to the Golden Land. The Triforce, being an inanimate object, cannot judge between good and evil. Therefore, it could not know that Ganon's wishes were evil; it merely granted them. Suspecting that Ganon's power was based on the Triforce's magic, the people of Hyrule forged a sword resistant to magic which could repulse even powers granted by the Triforce. This mighty weapon became known as the Blade of Evil's Bane, or the Master Sword. It was so powerful that only one who was pure of heart and strong of body could wield it.
As the Seven Wise Men searched for a valiant person to take up the Master Sword, Ganon's evil army swarmed from the tainted Golden Land into Hyrule and attacked the castle. The Wise Men and the Knights of Hyrule combined forces to wage war on this evil horde.
The Knights took the full brunt of the fierce attack, and although they fought courageously, many a brave soul was lost that they. However, their lives were not lost in vain, for they bought precious time for the Seven Wise Men to magically seal Ganon in the Golden Land. All of Hyrule rejoiced at the victory that upheld peace and order over Ganon's evil and chaos. This war, which had claimed many lives, became known as the Imprisoning War in stories told in later centuries.
The Secret of Koholint Island
Scene: Link reads an inscription on the Face Shrine
TO THE FINDER...
THE ISLE OF KOHOLINT, IS BUT AN ILLUSION...
HUMAN, MONSTER, SEA, SKY...A SCENE ON THE LID OF A SLEEPER'S EYE...
AWAKE THE DREAMER, AND KOHOLINT WILL VANISH MUCH LIKE A BUBBLE ON A NEEDLE...
CAST-AWAY, YOU SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH!
The Triforce
Scene: Sheik speaks to Link after the Sages are reawakened.
If you would seek the sacred triangle, listen well...
The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart...the heart of one who enters it...
If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.
The Triforce...the sacred triangle...it is a balance that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom and Courage.
If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangle has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all.
But, if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage.
Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce...the part representing the force that one most believes in.
If that one seeks the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts.
Those two parts will be held within others chosen by destiny, who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands.
The End of Hyrule
Scene: Prologue
This is but one of the legends of which the people speak...
Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a prosperous land blessed with green forests, tall mountains, and peace.
But one day, a man of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself. With its strength at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom.
But then, when all hope had died, and the hour of doom seemed at hand...a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil’s bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light.
This boy, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time. The boy’s tale was passed down through generations until it became legend...
But then, a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom. The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed by the hero once again crept forth from the depths of the earth eager to resume its dark designs.
The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them...But the hero did not appear.
Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods. In their last hours, as doom drew nigh, they left their future in the hands of fate.
What became of that kingdom?
None remain who know.
Majora's Mask
Scene: The Happy Mask Salesman begs Link to retrieve Majora's Mask from the Skull Kid.
It is an accursed item from legend that is said to have been used by an ancient tribe in its hexing rituals.
It is said that an evil and wicked power is bestowed upon the one who wears that mask.
According to legend...
the troubles caused by Majora's Mask were so great...
the ancient ones, fearing such catastrophe, sealed the mask in shadow forever, preventing its misuse.
But now, that tribe from the legend has vanished, so no one really knows the true nature of the mask's power...
The Four Giants
Scene: Anju's grandmother reads a story to Link.
This tale's from long ago when all the people weren't separated into four worlds like they are now. In those times all the people lived together, and the four giants lived among them.
On the day of the festival that celebrates the harvest, the giants spoke to the people...
"We have chosen to guard the people while we sleep, 100 steps north, 100 steps south, 100 steps east, 100 steps west.
"If you have need, call us in a loud voice by declaring something such as, 'The mountain blizzard has trapped us.' Or 'The ocean is about to swallow us.' Your cries shall carry to us..."
Now then...There was one who was shocked and saddened by all this.
A little imp.
The imp was a friend of the giants since before they had created the four worlds.
"Why must you leave? Why do you not stay?"
The childhood friend felt neglected, so he spread his anger across the four worlds. Repeatedly, he wronged all people.
Overwhelmed with misfortune, the people sang the song of prayer to the giants who lived in each of the four compass directions. The giants heard their cry and responded with a roar.
"Oh, imp. Oh, imp. We are the protectors of the people. You have caused the people pain. Oh, imp, leave these four worlds! Otherwise, we shall tear you apart!"
The imp was frightened and saddened. He had lost his old friends.
The imp returned to the heavens, and harmony was restored to the four worlds. And the people rejoiced and they worshiped the giants of the four worlds like gods.
And they lived happily...ever after...
The Carnival of Time
Scene: Anju's grandmother reads a story to Link.
Each year, the season of harmony begins when the sun and moon are in alignment. Paying homage to the way that both nature and time are tirelessly in the process of progressing, the Carnival of Time is when the people of the four worlds celebrate that harmony and request fruitfulness for the year.
For ages, people have worn masks resembling the giants who are the gods of the four worlds. Now, it has become a custom for each person to bring a handmade mask to the Carnival of Time. It is said that if a couple united on the day of the festival and dedicated a mask as a sign of their union, it would bring luck.
The centerpiece of the carnival is the clock tower, and on the eye of all the festivities, the doors to its roof are opened. From atop the clock tower roof, a ceremony to call the gods is held and an ancient song is sung.
All of these festivities for the Carnival of Time are held so that we may ask the gods for a rich harvest in the year to come!
Chronicles of Vaati
Scene: Prologue
Long ago, in the kingdom of Hyrule, a wind sorcerer named Vaati appeared.
Vaati terrorized the people of Hyrule and kidnapped many beautiful girls from their homes.
When all hope seemed lost, a young boy carrying little more than a sword appeared.
According to the legends, when the boy drew his sword, he split into four, the four-who-are-one worked together to vanquish Vaati.
The hero used his sword to bind Vaati in a remote area of Hyrule. The people christened the blade the Four Sword and built a shrine around it. There it remained undisturbed for many years.
Ages flowed by...
The wind sorcerer Vaati broke free of his prison and kidnapped Zelda, the princess of Hyrule.
Princess Zelda's childhood friend Link used the power of the Four Sword to defeat Vaati and seal him away once again.
And, for a time, the people of Hyrule believed that their land was safe...
Until...
Ganon's Trident
Scene: The Red Maiden reads an inscription inside the Pyramids.
Hm? That writing on those large rocks...
It's in an ancient tongue...Let's see if I can read it.
... ... ...
Seek...you...the world?
Seek you...power?
Does your...soul...despise peace and...thirst for...more?
Does your soul..cry...for...destruction and...conquest?
We...grant you...power to ruin...the world. The power of...darkness.
Evil...spirit of magic trident.
You are...the...King of Darkness.
... ... ...
Evil spirit...Spirit of magic? Trident? This indentation is in the shape of a weapon. Do you think the person who took this trident was...Ganondorf?!?
The Picori Blade and the Light Force
Scene: Link and Ezlo read the stained glass windows of the Four Sword Sanctuary.
A long, long time ago...
when the world was on the verge of being swallowed by shadow...
The tiny Picori appeared from the sky, brining the hero of men a sword and a golden light.
With wisdom and courage, the hero drove out the darkness.
When peace had been restored, the people enshrined that blade with care.
And the force of the golden light, embodied in Hyrule's princess, shone forth upon the lands.
The Fused Shadow
Scene: Lanayru warns Link of the danger of the Fused Shadow.
My name is Lanayru.
Your efforts have at last restored each of us light spirits in Hyrule.
O hero chosen by the gods...The dark power that you seek... It waits in a temple set in the bed of Lake Hylia.
...But before seeking it, you must now bear witness to something...and never forget it.
You must know that it was the will of the goddesses that we lock away the forbidden power...
When all was chaos, the goddesses descended and gave order and life to the world. They granted power equally to all who dwelt in the light, and then returned to the heavens.
The lands where the goddesses descended came to be known as the Sacred Realm.
For ages, the people lived at ease, content in mind and body... But soon, word of the Sacred Realm spread through Hyrule, and a great battle ensued...
Among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled at magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm.
It was then that the goddesses ordered us three light spirits to intervene. We sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered.
You know this magic...It is the dark power you seek...the Fused Shadow.
O hero chosen by the goddesses...Beware...Those who do not know the danger of wielding power will, before long, be ruled by it. Never forget that...
The Twili
Scene: Midna explains her ancestry to Link.
...Do you remember what the spirit said about the Fused Shadows? What do you think happened to the magic wielders who tried to rule the Sacred Realm?
They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses.
It was another world entirely...The antithesis of Hyrule, where the sun shines bright. Its denizens became shadows that could not mingle with the light. Eventually, most came to call it the Twilight Realm, and from it, none could return to the world of light...
They were forever doomed to live in the twilight, flitting in the half-light of dusk, mere shadows of Hyrule...
This is the history of the Twili as it has been passed down from our ancestors...
The Oocca
Scene: Shad tells Link about his latest research.
At the moment I'm absolutely entranced by the sky beings known as the Oocca. Yes, according to legend, Hyrule was made by the Hylians, who, as we all know, are the closest race to the gods. But also according to legend, long ago there was a race even closer to the gods, and some say these creatures made the Hylians. When they created the people of Hylia, they simultaneously created a new capital, a city that floated in the heavens. They dwelt there...and some scholars believe that this race lives there still, somewhere in the great sky.
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