A LEGENDARY STORY
Updated 1/1/2005

The actual order in which the Zelda games were released by Nintendo actually has nothing to do with the continuity of the storyline or the development of Hyrule as the expansive world it is in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The Hyrulian timeline of the games is as follows: The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (N64), The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES), The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Game Boy), The Legend of Zelda (NES), and finally Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES). There is much debate amongst gamers regarding the connection between these games. Some people feel that the Links and Zeldas in each of the games are actually descendants or ancestors of previous incarnations of themselves. One thing is for sure, the Link in Zelda: LA is the same as the Link in Zelda: LTTP, and the Link in Ocarina of Time is the same Link that is in Majora's Mask. One may note that the NES versions of the Zelda series are so archaic their storylines provide little information regarding the overall connection to their future counterparts for the SNES and Gameboy. They, in essense, could be in a separate timeline.

(Excerpted from the Zelda:
Ocarina of Time Instruction
Manual N64
THE SAGA BEGINS (TIMELINE B)

A LONG TIME AGO...

Before life began, before the world had form, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the goddess of power, Nayru, The goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the Goddess of Courage.

Din, with ehr strong flaming arms, clutivated the land to create the Earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the Earth to give the spirit of Law to the World. Farore's rick soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.

These three great goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind the golden sacred Triforce. Since then, the Triforce has become teh basiss for Hyrule's providence. Where the triforce stood became the sacred land.


ENTER LINK HERO OF TIME AND PRINCESS ZELDA
In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule, the Great Deku Tree served as a guardian spirit. The children of the forest, the Kokiri, lived with the great Deku Tree. Each Kokiri had his or her own guardian fairy, except one. His name was Link.

Early one morning, Link was having a nightmare. It was the same nightmare he had every night. During a storm Link would find himself standing in front of a mysterious castle. A rider on horseback carrying a girl would race by. The girl would look at Link as if to say something. Then, another rider would appear. This big man clad in black would look down menacingly at Link. Link would awaken.

PROLOGUE

"Link! Hey, get up Link! The great Deku Tree wants to Talk to you!"

As Link opened his eyes, he saw a Fairy floating in front of him. This fairy's name was Navi. Navi was sent to summon Link to the Great Deku Tree.

"Oh Navi, Thou hast Returned!" said the Deku Tree. "Thank you, Link, for coming. Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares. A vile climate pervades this world. Verily, ye have felt it. The time has come to test thine courage. I have been cursed. I need you to dispel the curse with your Wisdom and Courage. Art thou prepared?

Link entered the Deku Tree and broke the curse.

"Well Done, Link!" I knwe that ye were worthy of carrying out my wishers. A wicked man of the desert cast t his dreadful curse on me. Employing his vile, sorcerious energies, the evil one is searching for the sacred realm connected to Hyrule. For it is there that one will find the devine relic, the Triforce, that contains the essence of the gods. Whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishers come true. Thou must never allow the desert man to lay his hands on the Sacred Triforce. Thou must never suffer that man to enter the sacred realm of Legend. Link, go now to Hyrule Castle. There, ye will surely meet the princess of destiny. Present t his stone to the Princess I have foreseen that she will understand everything."

The Great Deku Tree Gave Link the spirtual stone of the Forest, before dying. The Deku Tree's last words were, "The Future Depends on Thee, Link. Thou art courageous."


(Excerpted from the Zelda: A
Link to the Past instruction
manual and supported by
the strategy guide of
the same name)
THE CREATION OF HYRULE

According to the ancient 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 the 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 - animals that crawl the land and the birds that soar the sky. After the gods had finished their work, the left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but powerful portiaon of the essence of the gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide the intelligent life of 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 it's hiding place in the so called Golden Land where the gods placed it, the Triforce beckoned people from teh 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 the psychic powers and skill in wizardry. It was also said that their 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...

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 house the Triforce itself...

If it were only a symbol of the gods, the Triforce would be covered by many. But a verse from the Book of Mudora (a collection of Hylian legends and lore) made the Triforce even more desireable.

In a Realm Beyond Sight,
The sky shines gold, not blue
There, the Triforce's Might
Makes mortal dreams come ture

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 say that it lay in the cemetery in the shadow of Death Mountain, but no one ever found it. That yearning for the Triforce soon turned into a 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 gand of theives 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 drasped 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 theives is Ganondorf Dragmire, but he is known by his alias, Mandrag Ganon, which means Ganon of the Enchanted Theives.

THE IMPRISONING WAR (TIMELINE A)

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 Seven Wise Men and the Knights of Hyrule, and orderd 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 Master Sword, Ganon's evil army swarmed from teh tainted Golden Land into Hyrule and attacked the castle. The wise men and teh 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 corageously, many a brave soul was lost that day. 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 COMING OF THE WIZARD, SECOND GREAT RISE OF GANON

Many centuries have passed since the Imprisoning War. The land of Hyrule healed its wounds and the poeple lived in peace for a long time. Memories of the vicious Imprisoning War faded over the generations...

So it is no surprise that no one was prepared for the new disasters that have recently struck Hyrule. Pestilence and drought, uncontrollable even by magic, ravaged the land. The king of Hyrule, after council with his sages, ordered an investigation of the Imprisoned Dark World (as the Golden Land had come to be known) but the wise men's seal was apparently intact. He offered rewards for anyonewho could find the source of these troubles. In answer to these summons a stranger named Agahnim came and quelled the disasters with a previously unseen form of magic. As a reward, the king gave him a new position as cheif advisor and heir to the Seven (Note: There seems to be an unfinished sentance between pages 6 and 7 of the instruction manual, continuing...) masses proclaimed him their hero. Peace had returned to Hyrule...or had it?

Of late rumors have travelled their whispering path with alarming frequency. Rumors saying Agahnim now rules the country with his magic... Rumors of strange magical experiments in the castle tower at night... The people of Hyrule were gripped with dread.

PROLOGUE

One night a girl's voice awakens you (Link) from your sleep.

She Telepathically pleads.
You jump out of your bed not knowing whether the voice was part of a dream or reality. Upon leaving your bed, you find your uncle, who should be fast asleep at this time, preparing to go out, girded for battle.

"I'll be back by morning." he says as he departs. "Don't leave the house."

You watch him leave with the family sword in hand and shield on arm. This is a night like no other... Who is Zelda? Where had your uncle gone and for what reason?

And so, on an ill-fated night, a new chapter in the legend of Hyrule's hero begins - a new chapter in The Legend of Zelda!

(Excerpted from the Nintendo
Power Link to the Past Players Guide

Back in the mists of time, before the era of The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link, Hyrule was a land of fabulous palaces and magic. It was also a troubled land, and divisions of Light and Dark were tearing it apart. The origins of this conflict lay even deeper in teh shadows of time, with the coing of the Triforce and the greed of Ganondorf, King of Theives.

To comprehend Hyrule and Link's desparate quest, one must first know the ancient legend of the Triforce. In the Golden Land where it was placed by the creators of the world, the Triforce beckoned to people. Ganon and his band of theives long searched for the secret entrance to the Golden Land. eventually stumbling upon it. Then Ganon defeated his fellows for possession of the Triforce.

In a period konwn as the Imprisoning War, the King of Hyrule brought seven wise men together to seal the door to the Golden Land, for Ganon's evil power had been spilling forth, causing corruption and darkness. The once peaceful land became a place of dreadful rumors of the coming magical enemy. At this time teh Master Sword was forged, but there was no hero valiant enough to wield it.

Before the wise men could seal off the Golden Land and the Triforce, Ganon's army surged into Hyrule and beseiged the castle. The Knights of Hyrule fought heroically, but the power of the Triforce controlled their enemies, giving them inhuman strength. The battle raged back and forth through the gate. Many foes fell in the tide of battle, but too many Knights also were lost. It seemed that they were beyond hope.

Then at the end of the day, the wise men finally succeeded in blocking the door to Ganon's Realm. With the power of their master removed, the enemies fled or threw themselves into the moat. Hyrule was saved and over the years the Golden Land, which then became known as the Dark World, faded from the memory of people.

The people of Hyrule may have forgotten about the Dark World, but the master of that evil land had not forgotten about hyrule. Ganon brooded in his prison, surrounded by reminders of his fall. He grew ever more bitter as the dark years passed like the wailing of cold winds on a winter's night. Ambition burned in his eyes, he would find a way to wreak vengence and claim total power.

Many centuries passed with Ganon and the Triforce safely locked away. Then the disasters began: plague, drought, quakes and fire. The King sought sage advice and a wizard named Agahnim stepped forth and ended the strange disasters. He became a powerful advisor to the King, but he kept his true plans to himself. It seemed like a Golden Age, but it wouldn't last

Once Agahnim had consolidated his power, he began to abuse it. First to fall victim were the ancestors of the seven wise men. The wizard imprisoned six maidens in crystal cocoons and they were never seen again. Then Princess Zelda herself was taken as she sent a telepathic plea into the night. The Hylian gift that enabled Zelda to send her message also allowed Link to hear her.

Having received Zelda's message, Link felt compelled to save her, but his uncle forbade him to leave the house. Link's uncle thought that the lad's courage outweighed his common sense, yet he knew that something had to be done to save Zelda. Turning away from Link, he gripped his sword. He knew a secret entrance into the castle, although he didn't know the way out.

Link couldn't tell how much time had passed since his Uncle had left - a minute? and hour? The only thing he knew was that Zelda had spoken to him. He had to help her! Taking the lap to light the way, Link stapped into the lashing rain and headed toward the castle.

As link floundered about in the storm, he heard a second telepathic message from Zelda telling of a secret route into the castle. When he found the entrance, he also found his uncle inside, wounded and unable to carry on. Link took his Uncle's sword and promised to return.

(Excerpted from the Legend of Zelda
instruction manual for the NES
THE DARK AGES (THIRD RISE OF GANON)

One day, an evil army attacked this peaceful little kingdom and stole the Triforce of Power. This army was led by Ganon, the powerful Prince of Darkness who sought to plunge the World into fear and darkness under his rule. Fearing his wicked rule, Zelda, the princess of this kingdom, split up the Triforce of Wisdom into eight fragments and hid them throughout the realm to save the last remaining Triforce from the cluthes of the evil Ganon. At the same time, she commanded her most trustworthy nursemaid, Impa, to secretly escape into the land and go find a man with enough courage to destroy the evil Ganon. Upon hearing this, Ganon grew angry, imprisoned the princess, and sent out a party in search of Impa.

Braving forests and mountains, Impa fled for her life from her pursuers. As she reached the very limit of her energy she found herself surrounded by Ganon's evil henchmen. Cornered! What could she do? ... But wait! All was not lost. A young lad appeared. He skillfully drove off Ganon's henchmen, and saved Impa from a fate worse than death.

His name was Link. During his travels he had come across Impa and Ganon's henchmen. Impa told Link the whole story of the princess Zelda and the evil Ganon. Burning with a sense of justice, Link resolved to save Zelda, but Ganon was a powerful opponent. He held the Triforce of Power. And so, in order to fight off Ganon, Link had to bring the scattered eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom together to rebuild the mystical triangle. If he couldn't do this, there would be no chance Link could fight his way into Death Mountain where Ganon lived. Can Link really destroy Ganon and save the Princess Zelda? Only your skill can answer that question. Good luck. Use the Triforce wisely.
(Excerpted from the Zelda:
Link to the Past Players Guide
THE CAPTIVE

(Note Verbatim from Official Nintendo Player's Guide: "Although the Legend of Zelda appeared first in the series of Zelda adventures, it actually takes places many years after the third game. In this time, Hyrule has declined, becoming a rustic land with few remaining signs of its earlier glory. The land was overrun, and ganon was to blame. At the heart of the conflict lay a missing piece of the Triforce and Princess Zelda)

Of how Ganon came by the Triforce of Power no tale is told. When she discovered that Ganon had acquired a piece of the Triforce, though, Princess Zelda broke the Triforce of wisdom into eight pieces and hid them. She knew a hero was needed to challenge Ganon so she sent her nurse Impa to search throughout the land, even as Zelda herself was captured.

During her quest, Impa long evaded Ganon's reach but in a forest glade sho too fell into his clutches and would have been carried off if not for the heroic actions of a passing youth named Link. Once the villians had been driven away, Impa told the young man about Zelda's Secret. Then, unable to hold back her tears, she told him how the Princess had been taken captive.

No sooner had the youth heard the tale of Zelda's sorrow than he ledged to defeat Ganon and rescue the Princess. He set off at once, knowing only that he had to collect the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom. At every turn in the path he met monsters and other evil soldiers of Ganon who challenged him in battle.

Link's first task was to find the hidden dungeons where Zelda had secretly hidden teh divided Triforce. Many of the entrances were disguised, and only by using all of his wits and the scraps of hints that he picked up along the way was he able to succeed. Inside the dungeons, he met countless enemies, for Ganon's minions had taken hold of even the most remote chambers.

After countless adventures, Link gathered all eight pieces of the Triforce of wisdom then he scaled Death Mountain and gained entrance to spectacle rock. Ganon's great maze dwarfed any that Link had yet encoutnered. In a hidden chamber he discovered a magical Silver Arrow and taking the prize he traced his way through the maze until he came face-to-face with Ganon himself. The battle between youthful hero and villainous foe raged across the chamber, but Ganon remained invisible, seemingly unaffected by the cuts of Link's sword. As Link began to tire, he tried a last, Arrow to the test. The bowstring sang and the arrow flew straight. Ganon was destroyed.

With the defeat of Ganon, Link's mind turned to the purpose that had driven him here - the rescue of Princess Zelda. One chamber remained to be explored and Link pushed ahead. Here Zelda greeted him and the pieces of the Triforces of Power and Wisdom were reunited.

With the destruction of Ganon and the power of the Triforce restored, peace reigned once more in Hyrule. Princess Zelda now ruled the land, and the coutnry prospered. It seemed as if the shadow of ganon had been destroyed forever. but the youthful hero of the age remained ever vigilant. Wherever Link roamed he looked for signs of Ganon's return, for he could not believe that he had truly banished evil from the land.
(Excerpted from the Zelda
II: The Adventures of
Link instruction manual for
the NES
THE SLEEPING PRINCESS (THE MIDDLE AGES)

Hyrule was on the road to ruin. The power that the vile heart of Ganon had left behind was causing chaos and disorder in Hyrule. What's more, even after the fall of Ganon, some of his underlings remained, waiting for Ganon's return. The key to Ganon's return was the blood of Link - the valiant lad who overthrew the King of Evil. Ganon would be revived by sacrificing Link and sprinkling his blood on the ashes of Ganon. Meanwhile, Link remained in the little kingdom of Hyrule and lent his hand to its restoration. But circumstances did not look very good.

One day, a strange mark, exactly like the crest of the kingdom, appeared on the back of Link's hand as he approached his 16th birthday. The worried Link, went to Impa, Princess Zelda's nursemaid who was shocked and frightened when she saw the birthmark. When she regained her composure, she took Link to the North Castle.

There was a door in the North Castle called "the door that does not open." Only the descendants of the Impa family who served the king knew how to open the door. Impa took Link's left hand and pressed the back of it against the door. There was a sound of a lock falling open, the door slowly creaked open and there on an alter in the middle of the room lay a beautiful woman. "Here lies Princess Zelda." Impa began to speak calmly.

"Link, the time has come when I must tell you the legend of Zelda handed down in Hyrule. 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 asleep 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 be given the name Zelda."

From the stand next to the alter where Princess Zelda lay in a deep sleep, Impa took six crystals and a scroll with the same crest and handed them to Link. "For generations, my family has been handed down these things which have been set aside for a time when a great king will come. They are written in an ancient script that no one can read now. But you who have the crest may be able to read it. It is said that the key to uniting the Triforce is hidden there. Now it is time for you to read it."

Link glanced at the scroll half in doubt, but what do you know? Although he had never seen the letters before, he found that he could read them as if they were talking to him. This was written on the scroll.

"You who'll control the Triforce of the future. I shall hand down to you the secrets of the Triforce. There are three kinds of Triforce -- Power, Wisdom, and Courage. When these three are brought together, the Triforce will show its maximum power. Of the three, I have left Power and Wisdom in the kingdom. But the Triforce Courage I have hidden for a reason.

Not everybody can use the Triforce. It requires strong character with no evil thoughts. But an inborn special quality is also necessary. Unfortunately, I have not found such a person during my lifetime.

Therefore, I have decided to cast a spell on all of Hyrule. A crest will appear on a youngman with that character who has been brought up correctly, has gained many kinds of experiences and reached a certain age. But, what will happen if someone else uses the Triforce before then? If it misused, it will produce many evils.

The Triforce of Courage is hidden in the Great Palace in the Valley of Death on the largest island in Hyrule. However, to enter there you must first fight the guardians and undo the "binding force." When you have defeated the guardians, which I made toprevent enemies from invading the six palaces in Hyrule, set a crystal in the forehead of the statue you find. When you have set crystals in all of the statues in the six palaces, the "binding force" placed on the Valley of Death will be removed and you will be able to enter the great palace. There, you must fight the last guardian. And you can obtain the Triforce only by defeating that guardian."

There's nothing to fear. You are the one to get the Triforce. You are the beacon of hope for Hyrule."

Impa implored Link, who raised his head slowly after reading the scroll. "The magic spell cast upon Princess Zelda will sure to be broken if the Triforce is used." "Please, Link. Unite the Triforce and save the princess. And bring back peace to Hyrule." Link nodded silently in approval, and left the room after taking a long glance at the altar. Then, with a magical sword in his left hand and a magical shield in his right, he set off alone on his long travels.

At that time, Ganon's underlings were calling up new allies from the Underworld, and were beginning to work devilishly towards the revival of Ganon.


THE ODYSSEY OF HYRULE