The Myths of Ancient Hyrule

[Duke Serkol]

Oh man, this takes me back...

after Ocarina of Time was released, I naturally became obsessed with its backstory.

ALttP had described the Hylia as a once great people chosen by the gods that thinned and disappeared over the course of time with OoT only depicting their last days. I longed to see the time in which the Hylia really flourished, when prophecies were made and temples were built (due to the architecural style of AoL, I liked to imagine the ancient Hylia, at the height of their civilization, to have had a society like that of ancient Rome, in terms of architecture, clothing, lifestyle and politics... and yes, the Zora were initially ahead of them. I sort of cast them in the role of the Ancient Greek). When the kingdom was founded even and when the Master Sword was forged.


historyofhyrule.com/publications/book_novel_lttp/pages/007.jpg
Let us really go back.

So I wrote game storyline concepts about it. Now Skyward Sword has come about and... well, pretty much showed nothing of that while at the same time making my game concepts not fit within canon anymore. Interestingly, the only thing that really matches is that there were knights on flying steed, though of different nature (this lucky guess was based on the guardians of the Triforce in AoL's Great temple and the design of the Hylian Shield).
And yes, this was written long before Skyward Sword was announced, before Twilight Princess even (and it shows: no interlopers to be found here... at some point I even considered updating it to include them). I finished writing what follows sometime after Soul Calibur II was released.

But anyway, yeah, seeing as SS makes most of this incompatible with canon, I don't really think I'll ever bother to turn any of it into actual games.
So, for your enjoyment, here's my fan-concept for a trilogy meant to show the Kingdom of the Hylia from its humble beginnings to its darkest hour, passing through the apex of its glory.
As you can see, I did not think of titles for the specific games and the third one is largely incomplete (lacking even definite and well integrated main character and villain and with a possible "main plot" being just hinted at, while the rest is devoted to wrapping up the trilogy and leading into OoT). This last part could probably have been improved dramatically after Twilight Princess came out by focusing it on the war involving the Interlopers... but I chose to do something completely different with that.
The bit about the "shattered hero" was a last ditch attempt to, in one stroke, explain why some greenclothed dude named Link is always charged with saving the world and give some backstory to the Fierce Deity Mask (oh and yeah, the starring characters are not green clad mutes named Link. Like, OMG right?)
Several elements from part 2 were also put together as an afterthought (like the Spiritual Stones and Ocarina).

But anyway, for those of you who don't mind the above too much, enjoy if you will


The Myths of
Ancient Hyrule


Part 1.

During a sermon, a village of Hylians (imagine it as a primitive Etruscan village but everything made out of wood, no stone buildings yet in Hyrule, though Zora and gerudo may have some) is pillaged by Molblins. Eventually they are driven back by the priest’s magic but not before harm was done. The village’s chief (and founder) complains to his young red eyed friend (the starring character, who comes from a different tribe) that there is little use in belonging to the people chosen by the Goddesses if they are so vulnerable. He wishes to seek the Triforce to right this wrong, but the village’s priest refuses to reveal the location where the gate to the Sacred Realm lies, telling him that no one will be allowed in it until the man worthy of the divine relic appears. However, just then, one of the Oracles arrives into town to give him a message from the gods: he is to protect the people from the world’s perils. The Oracle then departs, leaving him intimidated yet eager to fulfill his holy duty. To make the Molblins pay, he rounds up a group of villagers and decides to set the Molblins’ forest on fire. Once they enter the forest though, they soon enough end up being divided and lose their way. While desperately wandering across the forest the two friends enter a clearing with a huge tree. The tree speaks to them and changes their mind about burning the forest. Instead he encourages them to travel the world and learn of a way to protect themselves from the Molblins.
The two then undertake a long pilgrimage to distant places, during which they encounter the savage Gerudo people (descendants from a once great empire which worshipped an evil goddess yet knew of the Triforce, now divided in tribes constantly struggling to hold onto their lone male), their long time enemies the civilized but arrogant and conservative Sea Zoras (seemingly ignorant in spiritual matters, especially the Triforce), and the simple but resourceful Gorons. Along the way, the starring character turns out to be a natural fighter (to his own surprise) and is approached by the elusive and malevolent Wizzrobes (attracted by the Hylians’ strong magic). He deceives them and learns some of their skills before returning to his friend. The latter instead is gradually changed from uncouth farmer trying to be a warrior to capable diplomat. Eventually he realizes that for the Hylians to be safe, all of their people must unite as the Zora, but armed with the skills of the Gorons, the determination of the Gerudo and most importantly the values inherent to his own people. They had to spread wisdom, grow powerful and temper their hearts with courage.
It was a difficult task as he was hindered by the hostility of the local clergy and their Templar Knights of the Triforce (guardians of the gate to the Sacred Realm since the beginning of time) who fear he may abuse of his powers. However, with his first followers he begins to drive off the raids of Molblins and their town grows in size and influence. The latter enraged, prepare for a larger onslaught under the guide of the Wizzrobes’ doyen, but this is just the incentive the village leaders need to unite under the guide of the starring character’s friend and the Molblins are driven back. At the end of the battle, a new kingdom is born.
In the epilogue, the first King of Hyrule is finally offered by the Goddesses’ Oracles (leaders of the clergy) to enter the Sacred Realm and rule with the Triforce, but he declines, feeling he would not be worthy of Divine Might. The Knights of the Triforce become Knights of Hyrule and the starring character, takes an oath of loyalty and returns to his own tribe to teach them what he has learned. He is the first of the Sheikah, the sworn protectors of the Royal Family.



Part 2.

Centuries later, guided by just Kings, a Council of noblemen and the Oracles, Hyrule is flourishing. Magic has become an integral part of everyone’s life, the Knights of Hyrule on the back of their griffins soar above the large capital that has been built around the gate to the Sacred Realm (like ancient Rome, almost the size of a big city of nowadays, think four kilometers of diameter) in which fairies live alongside with Hylians and neighboring people willingly bow their heads before its greatness. Even the rebellious and marauding Gerudo, now united again with their only male as king.


historyofhyrule.com/publications/book_novel_aol/pages/002.jpg
This style must have been "in" at some point.

Yet, the roots of corruption manage to undermine this peace. The Wizzrobes have managed to obtain acolytes among the Hylians, even members of the council. This is especially grave because the King’s position is no longer what it used to be, as they renounced to more and more of their power in favor of the council.
Eventually the future of Hyrule comes to rest on the shoulders of its young prince as he uncovers the ploy of a corrupted council member to assassinate and overthrow his gravely ill father and enter the Sacred Realm to obtain the Triforce. The opportunity to do this, being that the old temple gateway to the Sacred Realm was to be soon demolished for a greater one to take its place. Desperate, he asks the Oracles for advice and the Goddesses tell him to search for the seven wise ones that are scattered among the people of Hyrule (-not- those of foreign lands) and have them build the new temple as well as forge a sword embedded with divine might through their prayers, one that only those with a faithful hero's values could wield, so that it would protect the Triforce from those unworthy of it.
On this long and difficult quest, fate would have an ex-convict who won his freedom in the arena to join him (and eventually find redemption).


What do you figure Hyrule was like when this thing was built?

It also would consist in finding the metal to forge this blade, as one of the sages would suggest for one special fragment of blue metal; one that came from a different world, could be easily molded through magic and only those with noble intentions could hold (and this errand does take him through the lands of other races).
But eventually the prince manages to gather the seven and, without further help from the now captive Oracles, they realize what they have to do: seal the entrance to the Sacred Realm. They do so while the prince fights and slays the corrupted councilman, and his friend buys more time by stalling the others. The sage Rauru is sealed inside the Sacred Realm to reside in his Temple of Light as a guardian to the divine relic. Directed by the prince, two of the sages and their leader (the original incarnation of Kaepora Gaebora), pray with their instruments to empower the sword of divine might, and the latter closes the door of time using the prince’s ocarina. The remaining three seal it with spiritual stones given by the other races’ guardian spirits (and later returned for them to keepsake, so that no one alone would have the key to the Sacred Realm). Realizing they can no longer escape justice, the rebellious councilmen surrender. The new gateway temple is, because of a prophecy the Oracles shared with the Sages during the game, labeled the Temple of Time.
In the epilogue, the prince succeeds to his father and rules wisely, bringing Hyrule to the peak of its civilization; but he expresses concern about how weak the council has grown after many of its members died or were imprisoned and what would happen if it was unable to balance the wrong decisions of a king. The Wizzrobes realizing their brightest days are at an end, decide to pass their legacy on to the two young and beautiful witches from the desert.



Part 3.

As predicted by the previous epilogue, Hyrule has been governed by foolish Kings and the Hylia are now in decline, their very blood has begun to lose its magical properties. The government has grown almost tyrannical, part of the city lies in ruin abandoned and ignorance has again spread among the masses. Even the location of the gate to the Sacred Realm has been forgotten by most. Only the Royalty and the Clergy knows. It is a time of violence, and a great castle has been built to grant them shelter.
It is not without reasons as the other races, growing restless under the Hylians’ rule, begin to lust for the mythical Power of Gold, the Triforce. Before long Hyrule is plunged into a fierce civil war. Years later, during the most dramatic moment of this conflict, the story unfolds.
…
(The main plot could be about preventing the revival of the Fierce Deity and the Goddess of the Sand that was responsible for his fall from grace; thus leading to the banishment of the mask containing its power and the coming of the “shattered hero”)
…
Growing suspicious of the Sheikahs, who tried several times to warn him about the foolishness of his decisions, the King sends them to fight against impossible odds. The starring character (possibly the son of Raven from the Oracle of Ages manga) realizes this and rushes to warn the Sheikah before they can engage combat. However they are all too aware of the king’s intentions, they simply accepted his decision in order to stay faithful to their oath. Thus the Sheikah fight… and win their battle, but only a handful of them survives. They will add the tear to their symbol. Yet, despite their valiant efforts, the capital is put under siege.
Frustrated at his failure to obtain the keys to the Sacred Realm, the King goes insane. Scorning the Oracles’ warning about his arrogance (as he believes the Gods have done nothing to help his decaying kingdom) he claims to be a god himself before the people of Hyrule, who cheers for him in fear of his wrath. However, it is the Goddesses’ wrath that befalls Hyrule. Death Mountain suddenly erupts and the capital is quickly enveloped in flames and pillaged by the invading races. The remaining Knights of Hyrule eventually push them back.
The Oracles are told one last omen: the decline of the Hylia and raise of an Evil King who would seize the Triforce; the Gods never again speak to them. The King still seeks to obtain the Power of Gold believing it to be the only way to save his rule, and in his insanity he has his servants pour molten gold onto him. He dies and his young child succeeds to the throne. After passing their knowledge to the few surviving Sheikah, the Oracles depart from Hyrule to administrate their remaining powers from safer lands but they have hope, for in their last message, the Gods also promised redemption for the Royal Household and saviors for Hyrule, two children of destiny.



That concludes the trilogy.

After Twilight Princess (and Minish Cap) came out, I did however write down a few alternative ideas, scrapping part 1 completely and trying to rework part 2 and 3 into a one era, two games epic, this time starring Link (and again trying to provide a backstory for him as a recurring entity). This time around I sort of anticipated what Nintendo did in SS with [spoiler]Ganondorf, except this previous incarnation that begins the cycle is still only a man, not some embodiment of all evil like Demise.[/spoiler]
Again, the latter part isn't as good as the first (especially the above "plot twist" doesn't really seem enough to wrap it up) and I couldn't really think of anything to give this first iteration of Link closure.

Still, for completeness sake here they are:


I would like the most to see the peak of the Hylia civilization. That is, the time during which they built all the great structures found in ruins during later games.
Hyrule would be (in architecture, clothing, lifestyle) very much like ancient Rome (after all, they did build a Coliseum over Gerudo ruins as we've seen in TP).
The People of Hyrule would be under the direct guidance of the Wind Tribe and all would have been peaceful for as long as can be remembered. But this begun to change in recent years. People have started coveting the might of the Triforce, the relic that can grant any wish.
One of these people is Link, a young Hylian boy. He embarks upon a quest to find an entrance into the Sacred Realm, no matter the cost. In the first half of the game, Link explores savage lands, infiltrates sacred temples, spies and possibly even steals, anything to reach his goal. And he makes it. At last the whereabouts of the Sacred Realm are known to him. Getting there will be an adventure in its own right but he is confident he can make it. That is when he dies. A clan of Dark Magic users from a different world, who were also after the manuscripts Link obtained catches up with him and he is hopelessly overpowered by the Fused Shadow and killed by the clan's leader.
However, as life slips out of his form, his spirit is visited by the three Goddesses. They offer him a choice, whether to die and accept the consequences of his unethical life, or amend to that by accepting to be their champion destined to protect Hyrule over the centuries any time it is threatened by evil. Obviously Link accepts. Before parting the Gods tell him that he is one of three and to seek out the one that chose and accepted this fate solely out of goodwill.
Link is revived and blessed with divine powers, but rather than protect Hyrule as he promised, he seeks revenge. He learns that his murderers are from a land known as Termina, so he heads there (he manages by spying the enemy movements). Once there, he soon finds out that the magic users are invading Hyrule with a horde of monsters, but that doesn't deter him from his purpose. He reaches the enemy fortress, in the Teki kingdom and lays waste to hordes of Garo (their soldiers). However as he once more faces off against their leader, he his stripped of his power by a mask the villain places on his face (and that molds itself to his image). This could happen because he had left the world of the Gods that gave him this power. Driven by mortal terror and with a good deal of luck, Link manages to escape with his life and returns to Hyrule. There he is made to witness the devastation that the enemy hordes have wrought while he was chasing after revenge. Filled with regret, he does what he had been told, he goes to seek out the one that shall help him. Obviously it's Princess Zelda. Through her prophetic visions, she leads him to encounter the Minish who grant him their gifts. Thus armed, Link sets out to seal away the monstrous minions of the dark magic users. This together with the devastation wrought by Link in Termina, seems to have halted the enemy's plans, and thus ends the first game. Disheartened by the behavior of their Hylian wards, the Wind tribe leaves for the skies, but promises the royal family to remain in contact through intelligent birds that will deliver messages to their guardians, the Sheikah (yeah, I need to integrate the Wind Tribe better into all of this ).

In the second game, the threat of the magic users presents itself anew. Unable to rely on their hordes of monsters, their leader has resorted to turning his own subjects into monsters known as Shadow Assassins.
Unfortunately, Link having used it to seal the monsters, is left without a sword. It is then that three Oracles from the Gods appear to Link and Zelda. They instructs them to gather a group of Sages (Hylian Sages) that will then proceed to create a more powerful twin of the Sacred Blade, the Master Sword as they name it, empowered through prayers to the gods (each Sage praying with a different instrument, Zelda's being a blue ocarina). However, to truly be complete the Master Sword needs three special stones. These spiritual stones are also key to allowing the Light Spirits, protectors of all light in Hyrule to intervene and stop the invaders. Link manages to gather the stones, but the ritual that involves them and the spirits (unlike the empowering of the Master Sword) requires time.
So Link goes off to delay the enemy from laying their hands on the Triforce, getting there only moments before their leader can set his hands on it (yes we finally get to see and roam the Sacred Realm). Link then (once again) fights with him to the death. He wins, of course, but his foe with his dying words reveals that he is the last of the three, and that in time he will unfailingly return to seize the might of the gods. In the end, Zelda informs Link that together with the other sages she will erect a temple to seal off the entrance of the Sacred Realm, to help protect the holy Triforce, and that his sword will serve as the final key to the seal. Link hands the sword over to her as well as the Light Force, so that it can be passed down through the Royal Family's line.



And that's that. Any manner of feedback would be very appreciated

This post has been edited by Duke Serkol on Jun 10 2012, 01:27 AM

[Tuf Pic]

Sounds interesting, Serkol...

This post has been edited by Duke Serkol on Jan 17 2012, 04:42 AM

[Duke Serkol]

Thanks... but don't quote huge posts whole like that.