User:KrytenKoro/Universe of The Legend of Zelda series

The universe of The Legend of Zelda series, first depicted in The Legend of Zelda, released on February 1986 for the Famicom Disk System, is the backdrop for the adventures of the boy-to-hero protagonist Link. During the game, Link progresses through nine dungeons, which have since become a staple of the series, having appeared in every game.

It consists of several parallel worlds, including the Sacred Realm, the Twilight Realm, and the world of Termina. Most of the story occurs in the "Light World", which consists of many lands presided over by the kingdom of Hyrule.

Many recurring areas of Hyrule appear throughout the series, such as the Lost Woods, Death Mountain, and Lake Hylia. Several games in the series take place in lands surrounding Hyrule, including Link's Awakening, set on Koholint Island, Majora's Mask, set in Termina, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, set in Holodrum and Labrynna respectively, and The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, both set on the Great Sea, the remnants of the flooded Light World.

Formation of Hyrule

Hyrule was formed by the goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru. According to Hylian legend as depicted in Ocarina of Time, Din created the physical geography of the realm, Nayru set forth the laws that would govern the land, and Farore created the many races who would uphold the law, as well as the flora, and fauna that inhabit the world. Once the goddesses had completed their tasks, they departed for the heavens, and left behind them three golden triangles. Into these they put their power to govern all things; this relic became known as the Triforce. The realm itself was eventually named after its dominant race, the Hylia.

Triforce

The Triforce (トライフォース, Toraifōsu) is a fictional triangular relic that features throughout the series as a nearly-omnipotent sacred item representing the essences of the Golden Goddesses, and is often referred to as the "Golden Power". It is made up of three smaller triangles known as the Triforce of Wisdom, the Triforce of Power, and the Triforce of Courage. Each of these embody the essence of their respective goddess, and bestow certain boons on their bearers. As shown in The Legend of Zelda and The Wind Waker, each piece can be further subdivided, though they seem to become powerless in this state.

In most of its appearances, the Triforce or its pieces manifest as a crest on the hands of their bearers. These crests will "resonate", or glow, when in the presence of each other, and the Triforce pieces may emerge from their bearers.

When united, the Triforce allows one who touches it to make a wish that will last until they die or someone else claims the Triforce. However, if the one who finds it does not possess a balance of the three virtues it represents, the pieces will split into its three components and the finder will be left with the one which represents the characteristic they value most; the other two pieces will do likewise with two other characters "chosen by destiny".

The Triforce first appears in The Legend of Zelda, in which Link acquires it after defeating Ganon inside Death Mountain. It is explained within the game that Ganon gained it through theft.

Ganon's acquisition of the Triforce of Power is more fully explored in Ocarina of Time. According to the story, he heard of the legend of the Triforce some time before the events of the game, and lusts after it as a tool to use to subjugate Hyrule. Though the young hero Link and the Hylian princess Zelda learn of his desires and attempt to thwart him by retrieving the Triforce first, they instead act in his favor by inadvertently allowing him to enter the Sacred Realm. Though he is only able to attain the Triforce of Power, it allows him to conquer both the Sacred Realm and Hyrule, turning them into a Dark World and a World of Monsters, respectively; meanwhile, the Triforce of Courage goes to rest with Link and the Triforce of Wisdom with Zelda. Although Ganon is eventually defeated by Link and banished to the Sacred Realm by the power of the Seven Sages, each character retains their piece of the Triforce. However, it is revealed in The Wind Waker that after Link fell into Termina during the intro to Majora's Mask, his piece of the Triforce was left behind and shattered into eight pieces.

In the backstory to Twilight Princess, it is revealed that the restoration of Ganondorf's dark magic, through the malice and evil of the Twili leaked onto the execution grounds, activates his Triforce of Power and allows him to survive his exeution at the hands of the ancient Sages. After Ganondorf is defeated at the end of the game, the Triforce of Power seems to leave Ganondorf, as the crest disappears from his hand.

Interestingly, the Triforce is never directly named in Twilight Princess, though its bearers are called those "chosen by the gods"

Triforce of Power

The Triforce of Power embodies the essence of Din, the goddess of Power, and amplifies the physical and magical power of its bearer immeasurably. It is usually associated with Ganon, who often uses it to help conquer Hyrule or come back from death.

Triforce of Wisdom

The Triforce of Wisdom embodies the essence of Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, and amplifies the wisdom and mystical powers of its bearer. It is usually associated with the myriad Princess Zeldas.

Triforce of Courage

The Triforce of Courage embodies the essence of Farore, the goddess of Courage, and seems to amplify the courage and adventuring skills of its bearer. It is usually associated with the myriad Links.