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Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on April 08, 2003, 06:33:59 AM
Hi there.  I have been reading the boards for about a week now before I actually decided to register an account, and I have found many arguments as to what takes place where in the timeline of the Legend of Zelda.  Being a Zelda fanatic myself, I have tried to figure out the chronological order behind the events that take place in Hyrule for some time.  I have spent many a night searching on Google, Yahoo!, etc.; and I now present to you the information I have found thus far, in deep analytical detail.  Please note that this post will more than likely contain spoliers for every game - however, only those spoilers relating to the Wind Waker will be highlighted, as it is the Zelda you most likely have not finished.  Spoilers relating to the Wind Waker will be highlighted as such: This paragraph contains SPOILERS!, so you may skip over any information you may not want to see.  You have been warned.

Link I
Our chronological journey begins with Ocarina of Time.  You may argue that everyone knows it's the first game in chronological order, but I'm setting out to prove everything I post here, so let's look at why we can be so sure that it is the first.  The instruction manuals for this game and A Link to the Past tell us that three goddesses descend from above and create the world of Hyrule from the chaos that they found.  When their work was complete, they returned to their home, and the Triforce was left at the point they departed from.  This became the Golden Land.  We learn, during the course of the game, that as each race of Hyrule grew and evolved, they each came to desire the Triforce.  Their greed caused them to begin the Great War, which came to a conclusion when the King of Hyrule began peace negotiations with the other races.  During the Great War, Link's mother is badly injured and dies upon entering Kokiri Forest - the Great Deku Tree takes pity on her and allows her son to grow up as a Kokiri.  Thus, the events of Ocarina of Time occur - this is the Imprisoning War that we read about in the instruction manual for A Link to the Past, where the gate to the Golden Land is accidentally opened, and Ganondorf Dragmire acquires the Triforce.

This paragraph contains SPOILERS!
Of course, there are many problems with the logic that causes us to come to this conclusion.  You might argue that the stories of Hyrule's creation are different in the OoT and LttP manuals, but they are essentially the same, the one in LttP's manual is merely more detailed, providing information we learn in OoT while playing the game.  Also, the LttP manual states that the Master Sword was forged to resist the Triforce's magical power, and states that Ganon was the reasoning behind this action, however this error can be summed up as a lack of historical accuracy on the part of the Hylians, as the LttP manual states that the Book of Mudora is a collection of legends and lore, or basically the Hylians history book, so several centuries had passed before the history of the Imprisoning War was actually written, and details were no doubt lost through generations.  This also explains why the 7 sages are referred to as "Wise Men", and why the Hylians think it was a gang of thieves (led by Ganondorf) that opened the gate to the Golden Land.  No doubt that Hylian historians would never be so bold as to blame the rise of Ganon on their beloved Hero of Time (assuming his legend carried on to the LttP time period).  As for Link returning to his childhood in the end of OoT, this does not create 2 realities in Zelda - as we see when we get to Hyrule Castle in Wind Waker, Ganon can still control his army while he is imprisoned, and it is only when the King of Hyrule casts a spell on the Master Sword that Ganon's evil magic cannot continue to harass the Hylians.  This explains the different looks between the castles in OoT and WW, as the OoT Hyrule Castle was still destroyed by Ganon's minions in the 7 years when Link actually aged normally.  The reason the Hero of Time didn't defend the people when Ganon returned (thus the need for the flood, and the spell on the Master Sword), was because so much time had passed at that point that he was likely already dead of old age.

This paragraph contains SPOILERS!
Next we have Majora's Mask, this is a side quest young Link embarks upon after being sent back to age normally.  Contrary to popular belief that the Hero of Time lost the Triforce of Courage when he was returned to being a child, I believe that it was when he first enters Termina that this occurs.  This is because Ganon is sealed away even when Link returns to being a child, which leads me to believe that so long as a Triforce bearer doesn't leave Hyrule or the Golden Land/Dark World, the Triforce is his/hers permanently, and can be passed down through the generations (which explains why Tetra has a piece of the Triforce of Wisdom).  When Link left Hyrule and entered Termina, the Triforce of Courage broke into 8 pieces, which were scattered across the land.  Since it was part of a relic of the goddesses, the pieces washed up in the Great Sea for the Hero of Winds to find.

Link II
This paragraph contains SPOILERS!
OK, now we have the Wind Waker, I won't go into that much detail on it.  In the opening sequence, we learn that Ganon arose again after his defeat in OoT, but the Hero of Time didn't not appear to stop him (most likely because he was dead).  The goddess flood the land of Hyrule, and voila - we have the Great Sea.  Even more time passes (so this game is must be more than a century apart from adult Link's time).  During this time, the custom of dressing like the Hero of Time when you reach the age at which he set off on his quest to save the world (I remember reading somewhere that the exact age is 12, I don't remember where).  About half way through the game, we learn that Hyrule still exists beneath the ocean, and by removing the Master Sword we free Ganon from the restraints on his power.  In the end, we learn that Ganon began with noble intentions, wanting the Gerudo to have peaceful, happy lives, so he sought the Triforce.  He was corrupted by it's power, as that was the strongest desire in his heart.  In the end, Link plunges the Master Sword into Ganon, an act which we would assume actually kills Ganon (this information becomes vital when I introduce the next games), and the Master Sword is left at the bottom of the sea, thus Hyrule is washed away forever.  However, we assume it returns when the Master Sword is eventually retrieved (and it must be, as we acquire it in LttP).  Link III  Next are Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, occuring one after another (which game comes first is a matter of opinion and doesn't effect the overall chronology in any major way).  The reason this occurs after WW is that when you play both games one after another, the final boss is Ganon, who is brought back to life through the sacrifice of Onox and Veran.  Wind Waker is the only game where Ganon appears to actually die (at this point in the timeline, I'll reveal later in my analysis why I don't think these games occur after LoZ or AoL).

Link IV
This paragraph contains SPOILERS!
Now we come to A Link to the Past.  The manual itself states that the game takes place many centuries after the Imprisoning War, and since it has been established that the events of OoT are those same events described by the account of the Imprisioning War in the LttP manual, this game occurs now.  After defeating Ganon in LttP, Link sets out for new adventure, to hone his skills as a warrior.  This is when Link's Awakening occurs.  My research has brought to my attention that the official Nintendo guide for LA itself actually states that LA takes place shortly after LttP.  Link V  Finally, we have the Legend of Zelda, and then Adventure of Link.  The reasoning for this order is that I have found that the AoL manual states that it is the same Link from LoZ, and he has aged (to around 16 or 17, I don't remember).  In LoZ, so I have read, Link acquires the Triforce of Wisdom (during the course of the game) and the Triforce of Power (when he kills Ganon at the end of the game).  I have also read that in AoL, Link acquires the Triforce of Courage.  This is basis of my arguement that OoS and OoA take place sometime between WW and LttP, since Ganon apparently dies in WW, but is in almost every game after it in the timeline.  Also, you would think that since Link (in AoL) has all three pieces of the Triforce, that therefore he is all-powerful, and could be immortal (as the Triforce can grant any wish).  It would be interesting to see what might happen after AoL, but that would require that the Triforce leave Link, and he is best qualified to protect it.  This is unlikely, however, as i removes the solid ending point of the timeline where evil is no longer a threat and Hyrule can prosper under the watchful eye of Link.

Well, that wraps up my chronology of The Legend of Zelda series.  I hope you enjoyed it, and found it insightful.  However accurate I may be, remember that this is just a series of games, don't let the backstory ruin your enjoyment of one of the best video game series ever made.  I'd just like to add that my generational numbering of the various Links is based solely on how each one looks, and is only based in information when the series actually provides us with that information.  Thanks for reading, I'm off to play some more Wind Waker.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: rodtod on April 08, 2003, 02:34:51 PM
damn, excellent post GC Master. be sure to check out this thread if you haven't already. it's covering the same topic: whether or not the Zelda games follow a certain timeline.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: odinfire on April 08, 2003, 03:00:25 PM
Yeah I have too say nice post.  Unfortunately I raised a few questions regarding this same idea in a thread earlier and I fear they wont be answered.  Please check out this thread also as I really would like some futher insight...

This Thread
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on April 08, 2003, 06:31:11 PM
Thank-you for your praise.  I really didn't set out to do anything more than post my opinion on my favourite game series and the events that occur in it.  I was just passing the time waiting for a contact to meet me on MSN Messenger, and thought that I should share my opinions with those who shared my love of the series.  rodtod, I found your post in that other thread to be quite well written itself.  Your interpretation of the real life events behind the legend is right on the money, and I advise anyone who reads this post to click on the link rodtod has provided.  As for your questions, odinfire, my answers to them are listed below in the order in which you asked them.

1) First of all, just as we are never given any evidence that Link and Zelda "shack up", as you put it, we are also never given evidence to the contrary.  Every time they meet (through each generation), the scene conveys a deep emotional bond between the two - at least that is my interpretation of it.  But we never see anything that suggests that they go off and have sex, so we are left to determine that on our own.  As for Link returning to being a child and creating an endless cycle in time by meeting Zelda for the first time over and over again, I don't believe that is the case.  Once again we aren't given any evidence of what exact time Link returned to (and you addressed that in your question, somewhat), just that he went to see Zelda again when he got back.  I personally think he returned shortly after the incident with the well, and since that technically occurs after Link has pulled out the Master Sword for the first time, then he has already met Zelda.  This theory also gives Zelda and Impa time to safely return to Hyrule Castle once they aware Ganon is no longer a threat (through the power of the Triforce).  And I know what you mean about the series continuity giving you a headache, that's why I researched it and finally put together what you have read above, to simplify things.

2) Hylians have pointed ears.  Not all of them, but you definitely see Hylians with pointed ears in OoT after you leave Kokiri Forest.  Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Talon and Malon have pointed ears, and they definitely aren't Kokiri.  As far as I know, the original Link's mother's identity is never revealed, but I don't believe any of the Link's and Zelda's are related.  I don't know why most of the Links' heritages are ignored, or if the grandmother in WW is any relation to any important characters from OoT and MM.  We do, however, know that this Link is not a descendant of OoT Link, as that has been stated in many interviews.  As I said in my first post, I believe OoT Link died of old age before Ganon returned to plague the land - it makes sense, why come back to face your better when you have eternity to wait for him to die so you can return and reak havoc.  As for how grandma got the Hylian shield, the text that describes it (in OoT) says that it is used by the Hylian guard, I believe you can see some with that shield, but I don't remember.  So, someone that once lived on Outset owned that shield and gave it to grandma, she found it washed up on the shore one day, or it was salvaged by grandma or someone on Outset and it found it's way to grandma.  This is really up to our imaginations.

3) You didn't number this one, but it amused me so I'll throw it in for fun.  You asked why is it Hylian and not Hyrulian, well, that's like asking why it's Dutch and not Hollander or Hollandish.  It's just the way things are.

And I'd like to add that I'm honoured that a 30 year old is requesting my help for these answers.  I'm just a first year college student, and only 19.  Anyway, in closing, keep the questions coming and I'll post a reply A.S.A.P.  Tell any other Zelda enthusiasts you know about this thread.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on April 10, 2003, 11:00:10 AM
Well, nobody has added their comments/questions since I last posted, perhaps because this thread has gradually gone down the page as other threads were posted in.  I would let this post just continue to fall off the radar, but since two other users have complimented my efforts on it, I have decided it is worthy of the life I had originally given it, and so I will strive to keep this post going until the bitter end.  Or, in other words, bump.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on April 11, 2003, 10:07:03 AM
Hmm .................. still no new posts.  Well, I'll give it another shot before I go on vacation - don't be surprised/upset if I don't get back to you anytime over the next week as I'll be on vacation and won't have access to a computer.  Well, that's my two cents, I hope you'll read this thread and add a post to it.  Bump.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Chipopo on April 20, 2003, 08:46:06 PM
A headache to make sense of it all, but I appreciate the effort.  

...One thing though...Actually a few....

In LttP, the maidens you rescue in each dark world dungeon divulges some knowledge on the whole timeline theory.  One speaks of "The Great Cataclysm", essentially saying that whenever one of evil rises to obtain the Triforce, a boy is more or less created to destroy it.  

Why wasn't 'a new Link' created when Ganon set out to plague the world in darkness years after OoT?  

The maiden also says that the hero must be of the Royal Gaurds bloodline.  If that's to be believed, then Links Grandma (Or Grandpa, which could very well be the Pictographer on Windfall with some of the hints he drops...) would have to be the descendants of the Royal Hylian Gaurd.

It's a shame that incessant "Waa Waa WindWakers too t3h kiddy" threads are thriving while this one sinks like a stone.

And I'm not sure that Hyrule Castle looking different in WW is necessarily due to it being destroyed; it could just be a part of the anime style.  But your theory is as plausible as any other.  I think it makes perfect sense that the royal family would pay homage to The Hero Of Time.


   
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Ninja X on April 21, 2003, 06:57:59 AM
Good chronology.  

One thing I know I've read somewhere is that Nintendo wanted to restart the Zelda series on the N64.  Thus, Ocarina of Time is arguably the first in the series, it seems.  Whenever I think about the storyline of the Zelda series, I'd take out the predecessors to OOT.  Basically, I'd only consider OOT, Majora's Mask, and The Wind Waker.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Hostile Creation on April 21, 2003, 12:43:41 PM
Well, that's a good timeline, but I've found it best to try not to ponder the world of Zelda too much.  There are never actually contradictions, but it's extremely difficult to place everything.  The things I'm sure about?  MM comes shortly after OoT.  Shigeru Miyamoto said that they imagine there's a different Link for every adventure, but these games are obviously the same Link.  I suppose Awakening and one or both of the NES games fit together as well.

The Oracle games are the same Link, but I don't think that one is directly involved with any of the others, aside from general legend or reincarnation or whatever.  I think LttP took place a long time before OoT, though perhaps not as long as the gap between OoT and WW.  Lttp obviously cannot come after OoT, since the world flooded and everything.  I'm too lazy to get into details, but my main problem is that I haven't played Zelda one or two, so I can't really say much else.

Interesting thing.  You can search for a homemade rpg called Nigsek.  It's about this monster that splits into two men to try to save the hero of time from being assasinated at infancy.  I haven't played it through, but what I saw was interesting and delved into the Zelda timeline a good bit.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on April 21, 2003, 01:54:30 PM
I posted this on the Overclocked Remix forum a little bit ago, so i thought i would share it with you guys too.


remember zeldaII:adventure of LINK?
well, the sleeping zelda in that game, is ZELDA 1
because she sleeps eternally in north castle, all future princess' of hyrule, are named zelda.
-remember her-

Ocarina of time
ZELDA II-LINK I-GANON I
link seals ganon into the golden land, only to be forgotten

Majora's Mask
LINK I - you know the story. alternate land, no ganon, no zelda, no triforce-but still an ok game nonetheless.

Wind Waker
LINK II- ZELDA III - GANON I
king daphne floods hyrule and it is forgotten
LINK II may or may not be a relative of LINK I, but they do share the bloodline of the knights of hyrule.
LINK II stabs ganon, freezing him in stone-in time. not unlike ancient hyrule.
LINK II and ZELDA III rebuild hyrule

Link to the Past
LINK III-ZELDA IV- GANON I
on a distant land, a new gerudo male is born...agahnim
Agahnim communicates with Ganon I and frees him inside the dark world/golden realm
LINK III defeats (not kills) GANON I

Oracle Series
LINK III - ZELDA IV - GANON I
the oracle series actually makes alot of sense. its all based on the triforce's tests.
AGES - wisdom SEASONS - power
if you beat them both, GANON I comes back, and link defeats him. the triforce however floats in the air...morphs into three seagulls that fly out to sea...link hopes inside his raft and ways goodbye to hyrule...the windfish can be heard in the distance.

Link's Awakening - courage
LINK III
yeh, that's right. links awakening is the third part in the oracles//triforce series. link defeats the nightmare, and the windfish is set free. the triforce however, was not meant for LINK III. the triforce returns to hyrule; LINK III is nowhere to be found, but he does eventually return.

slight break...there is actually a ton of information here, between these two games i mean. ill talk more about that later.

The Legend of Zelda
LINK IV - ZELDA V - GANON I
Ganon has been waiting for what seems like an eternity in the golden realm. saving his energy for his escape.
He returns to hyrule, and seizes the castle. he obtains the triforce of power, but zelda manages the break wisdom into eight pieces.
the triforce of courage, was never recovered by the king of hyrule.
LINK IV comes from a distant land, recovers the triforce of wisdom, saves ZELDA V and kills (kills) ganon.

Adventure of LINK
LINK IV - ZELDA V -ZELDA I - GANON I
impa tells LINK IV of the first zelda, when LINK IV questions her about the strange mark on his hand. she can only be awakened with the full triforce. GANON I's minions are everywhere, with one drop of LINK IV's blood, GANON can return.
Impa gives link a box; it contains crystals and a message from an ancient warrior--LINK III.
LINK III is the one who hide the statues inside the palaces, he is the old man waiting in the great temple at the end of the game.
LINK IV eventually finds out that the triforce was within him the entire time, he returns home and awakens ZELDA I. she thanks him and dies.
LINK IV and ZELDA V rule over hyrule with the complete triforce forever, but LINK IV only has to bleed to make GANON  return.

well, i hope that cleared some things up. there is a lot more, maybe someday ill type the entire thing up.

EDIT: in case anyone is wondering, four swords does fit in the timeline. but im tired, ill get back to it someother time.

if you think there are holes in the timeline--ask. im sure i can clear up anything someone throws at me.

NOTE: trying to connect the zelda series is very fun and all. Even though it may have happened the way i have it explained, i still imagine the legend of zelda as, well, legends. I imagined that the Links are not connected, some of whom may not even be named Link. they are legends passed down in hyrule--imagine little hylians telling stories around a fire, or a series of novels written by some historian. thats the legend  of zelda.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Hostile Creation on April 21, 2003, 02:13:21 PM
Whoa.  I agree with your note on the bottom, but cool timeline.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: ThePerm on April 23, 2003, 08:16:48 PM
my theory is when link finally returns to his childhood then he never pulls out the triforce of time and ganon never gets to become the king of evil.....when he returns to the past its in between defeating zora and zelda's departure.....they could base a whole game on the 7 years of link....also...whos to say some stuff wotn happen again in a different way.

also when he returns he doesnt have the ocarina...he left it with future zelda.....who sent him back to the past. Majora's Mask takes place three months later....and during that time zelda gave link the Ocarina of Time.

there is a parodox...but link isnt in one of the parodoxes..
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Evilmanman on April 26, 2003, 05:33:49 AM
There is only one thing that confuses me.

In Ocarina of time when you first see the master sword Navi maks a point about the Master Sword being legendary. If the master sword was created to counter the triforce, then there must have been a reason (and possibly a hero) before OoT for it to be forged.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: ThePerm on April 26, 2003, 11:42:37 AM
perhaps the hero of times mysterious father.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: temjin11 on April 28, 2003, 02:22:07 PM
You know,  we still also have to keep an open mind about what games might come next.  So far, I haven't sen anyone leave any open spots for new games.

Anyways...

I think all orders of the games are cool, cause it makes you think.  It also makes you think this way: in the wind waker, there were no gerudos or anything, the gorons were almost extinct, and the zoras and kokiris evolved.  I dont think it makes sense for oracle of ages to come after WW, because there are zoras, and thriving goron populations.  plus Id like to know in these timelines why there are cuccos, then pigs, then cuccos again. It makes no sense.

But thats my opinion...
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: temjin11 on April 28, 2003, 02:27:46 PM
Another note:

It makes sense that Zelda 2 is last for 2 reasons:

1) It leaves an opening (just diregard the last post for a bit) at the very end.

2) The town's names are named after important people in the legend of zelda timeline, like the town of ruto or darunia.

...but that is just one of many opinions
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: ThePerm on April 29, 2003, 08:01:01 PM
ok ill put it like this all gameboy original games are dreamed.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Sir Kero on April 29, 2003, 09:46:10 PM
wow. how'd I miss this thread? oh right, I'm lazy and antisocial.

I think GC Master has pretty much assembled the best Zelda timeline humanly possible. It seems to me that Nintendo doesn't really care how it all fits together.. as Danny said, they're legends, so the details or reality of the events aren't important to the story. The same is very much true of King Arthur, who is believed to have been several people shortly after the Roman occupation (and then some French guy added a bunch of weird stuff like the Lancelot/Guinivere affair. meh).

Regarding the timeline, I pretty much disregard all non-Miyamoto games, especially Capcom's two, though he did act as advisor. Miyamoto said that there's a different Link for each adventure, and aside from ZII:AoL, it's true that he's never re-used any Link in another game. Starting from that thought, why do Zelda games have to be about Link? it seems like they have to go to extra trouble to fit Link into new situations after rescuing Zelda... they could explain the Master Sword's mysterius origin, and if it's true that OoT's Link was the first then there must have been some other hero(es) involved. They could also deal with the sleeping Zelda, though obviously a game about that couldn't have a very good ending. I'd personally just like to see some other kinds of characters having adventures in Hyrule (as great as Link is.. er... Links are).

One final thing... Am I alone in wanting there to be another Zelda 2 style game? it'd be great for a side story (no pun intended, honest). Would people see it as being too similar to recent Castlevania games?

Edit: for there/their mixups (I need to stop posting so late at night)
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: ThePerm on April 30, 2003, 01:04:45 PM
im working on a flash video that explains the origins of the eagle symbol you see pretty often
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on April 30, 2003, 02:36:06 PM
i always thought it was a pheonix.
you know, like thunderbird from link ii

oh yeh. and i would like a new zelda ii style game.

anyway, its my belief that all the gameboy games -AoL, OoS, OoA (yes, i include capcoms games. i mean, they are official.)  are all quests from the triforce.
think about it.

Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 03, 2003, 06:16:02 AM
Well, I had thought that this thread had seen the last of it's days, and now I return to find it has filled out since I last left it.  My apologies for not responding sooner.  I'll try to check this thread more often, but I can't make any promises (as I work 6 days a week, have whatever social life one can have built around that work, and I'm trying to find time to date a girl I just asked out who also has a busy work schedule).  Anyway, enough about me, on to the replies.

Chipopo: I know what you mean, it is a huge headache to try and figure the timeline out, that's why I posted this to begin with - so people could just read it and either agree with it or disagree and find another theory that they like better.  As to why a new Link didn't arise when Ganon returned and the goddesses had to flood Hyrule, my best theory for that is the OoT Link was still around at that time, nearing the end of his life (or possibly already dying), and that 2 Links can't exist at the same time.  I have a few other theories but I think other information from the games themselves disproves them.  I think it's safe to say that all the Links are descended from the Royal Guards' bloodline, as we are never given any information to disprove that in the other games.  Thanks for the compliment, and I share your feelings on posts that proclaim this game to be "kiddie".  I doubt Wind Waker would have the emotional impact it has without the cel shaded graphics.  And you're absolutely right about the Royal Family paying homage to the Hero of Time; I'm sure if we got to see more of Hyrule than just the castle and Ganon's Tower, we would see many more Hero of Time statues.  Oh, and I wasn't aware of these hints Lenzo drops, I haven't paid as much attention to him as the main plot, when did you come across this info?

Ninja X: Thanks for the compliment.  I like your analysis, it causes way less headaches.

Hostile Creation: You're right, we shouldn't ponder too much about the world of Hyrule, as it's difficult to figure out how things are supposed to go and causes many headaches.  You're right that the OoT and MM Link are the same, and of course the Oracle Link is the same through both games.  However, the Link's Awakening player's guide (from Nintendo) actually states that it is the LttP Link in that game, gone to train and hone his skills.  And then there's the LoZ Link, also in Adventure of Link.  LttP comes long after OoT because the Imprisoning War is a legend in LttP's time, and you play that war in OoT.  The land could be unflooded (by some evil magic or whatever) in a later game, and of course there is Wind Waker's ending (which I won't talk about so I don't spoil it).  I'm interested in this Nigsek - can I get it using Kazaa, or do I have to search for it on the Internet?

dannyjclark: Interesting timeline you have created there.  However, I'm sure OoT is the first game chronologically, as I seem to recall Miyamoto saying that in an interview at some point (though I can't remember it exactly).  Adventure of Link can't be the first because Link has the whole Triforce at the end, so then there would be nothing that could beat him and no evil could stand against him.  Other than that, you bring up some valid points.  You're statement about it being all legends passed down by the Hylians is completely true, and basically how most of the inaccuracies can be explained away.

ThePerm: Interesting theory.  However, Link could have received the Ocarina of Time again from Zelda after he returned to see her at the very end of OoT.  And I think Link's Awakening is the only game that takes place in a dream, although I think that the land you travel there could actually be inside the Wind Fish.

Evilmanman: Good question.  I think the Master Sword was forged for the sole purpose of having a way to defeat anyone who obtained the Triforce just incase they were corrupted by power lust and became evil (like Ganondorf).  And it's a legendary blade because of that and that only the hero destined to fight evil can wield it, just like Excaliber was a legendary blade.

temjin11: You're right, I didn't leave room for any new games in my timeline.  The reason for that is I have only a vague idea of where they would fit, and I don't want to hazard a guess in case I'm wrong.  If you would like to know where I think new games will fit, post and ask me.  And I agree with your analysis of Zelda 2 being last, you're right, the towns are named after the sages (and Mido), and towns are named after important people, not the other way around (well, usually not).

Sir Kero: Thanks for the compliment.  I have to add, though, that you missed this post because I gave up on it when it seemed it's time had passed.  I too would like to see a side story game that doesn't star Link, I think it would be a great GBA game (since you mentioned Castlevania, and that is where they're all coming out these days).  Oh, Miyamoto and Aonuma have said that you could consider it to be a different Link in each game, not that it definitely is.  My research showed the games I grouped together to have the same Link.

Well, that's all for now, I have to go to work.  I hope to hear from you all again soon.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 03, 2003, 07:24:20 AM
ah!
GameCube Master
I think you miss understood me!
I didn't say the actual Adventure of Link took place first.
If you read the manual, Impa tells Link the ancient legend of sleeping zelda.
Zelda I was attacked by her brother and a dark wizard; they were looking for the triforce. The wizard puts Zelda into a deep sleep--he dies soon afterward. Then, Zelda's bother locks her up in North Castle. She is to be forgotten, at least until a cure can be found. Finally, Zelda's brother demands that every royal hylian princess of hyrule have the name 'Zelda'

That's it though. Adventure of Link really belongs at the bottom of the timeline--I put it there. But, AoL's story belongs in front.

Get what I'm saying?
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 03, 2003, 06:40:13 PM
Yes, apparently I did misunderstand you.  And you might very well be right, perhaps this first Zelda was actually the OoT Zelda's mother.  They would have been related someway if what you are saying is the correct iterpretation.  So yes, I understand what you mean now and I admit that it is a valid possibility.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Gibdo Master on May 03, 2003, 07:03:13 PM
The opening story for AoL can not happen before Ocarina of Time. The first time the Triforce was ever out of the Golden Land was when Ganondorf stole it during Ocarina. In order for the opening story for AoL to take place before Ocarina someone would already have had to have gotten it before Ganondorf did. The next problem is that the whole opening story for AoL talks about how the King hid the Triforce of Courage. Well in Ocarina Link is the one who inherits the Triforce of Courage after the Triforce splits up when Ganondorf touches it. So what happened the Triforce of Courage just came out of it's hiding place during Ocarina and WW only to go back to the Great Palace so AoL Link could find it? Doesn't make much sense does it. No part of AoL's story can take place before Ocarina. More than likely the whole sleeping Zelda thing happens in the middle of the chronology.  
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 04, 2003, 08:19:05 AM
I knew there was a reason I didn't agree with dannyjclark's theory of part of AoL taking place before OoT, I just couldn't recall it at the time of my post as I had just been through a long hard day of work.  Gibdo Master is right, the part of the story that involves the Triforce of Courage makes the theory impossible (unless you are willing to allow a series of improbable evenst to occur, as Gibdo Master has already stated).  The part of AoL's story could happen earlier in the chronology than the actual events of the game, though they would have to make a Zelda game where Zelda is put to sleep via sorcery and does not awaken when Link rescues her.  So I still believe that AoL's events happen last, though I admit there is the possibility of the first part of the story occuring earlier.  The instruction manual does say that it's the LoZ Link you're playing as in AoL, though, so that's why the actual game is last.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 04, 2003, 06:14:50 PM
i said nothing about the triforce leaving the golden land.
it doesnt have to leave the golden land in order for my theory to occur (and shouldnt because it's impossible)
and you are mistaken. the triforce of courage was never even in the Great Palace. It was inside link the entire time.

i think you two aren't understanding me or something. so ill try and make a bigger, better, timeline.

but, in order to clear this up.

I'm not talking about the entire opening storyling to AoL, just the very, very beginning. The crystals and palaces don't even come into play until after Lttp. Nothing happens with the Triforce. Zelda just knows where it is, she doesn't have it.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Gibdo Master on May 04, 2003, 07:20:37 PM
Man you seriously need to read the manual again and play the game because you're way off.

The whole reason why Zelda was put into the sleeping spell was because she knew where the King hid the Triforce of Courage and she wouldn't tell the Prince where it was. In order for the King to hide the Triforce of Courage I suppose it would have to be out of the Golden Land huh. Also the Triforce of Courage was NOT in Link the whole time. If you had actually beaten the game you would know that just before you fight Shadow Link there is some midget thing holding the damn thing above his head. After you beat Shadow Link the Triforce of Courage then falls into Link's hands while the little midget dude stands there pissed off.

The whole freaking point of the game was that Link had to get the Triforce of Courage from the Great Palace so that he could have the whole Triforce and then awaken Zelda from the spell. Did you just happen to miss that bit or something?

For your reading pleasure I have posted the part that deals with this from the AoL manual.

Quote

It is said that 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 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."

"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 share its maximum power.  Of the three, I have left Power and Wisdom in the kingdom.  But the Triforce of Courage I have hidden for a reason. Not everybody can use the Triforce.  It requires a 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 young man 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 is 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 you must first fight the guardians and undo the 'binding force.'  When you have defeated the guardians, which I made to prevent 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.here'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 the 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."
Also click here to see screen shots from the end of AoL.

Now please apologize to us because you are wrong.    
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 04, 2003, 07:40:33 PM
Hey, thanks Gibdo Master, I actually just got finished reading my zelda manuals, which were under my bed of all places. I got online to type this out and a saw your post. So, thanks. You're right, and I can prove it.

Alright. I've decided to actually type up a timeline. This will probably be a long post, so grab a mountain dew or something.

oh yeh. watch out for spoilers.

      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 her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world. Farore's rich 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 the basis for Hyrule's providence. Where the Triforce stood became sacred land.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Now here is something you may not agree with. During one of the wars between the races of Hyrule, the Queen escapes with her son into the forest. She dies but her son is spared. Making Link I and Zelda I brother and sister.

In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule, the Great Deku Tree served as the 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. Link I to be exact.

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 Great Deku Tree and broke the curse.

   "Well done, Link! I knew that ye were worthy of carrying out my wishes. A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse on me. Employing his vile, sorcerous energies, the evil one is searching for the sacred realm connected to Hyrule. For it is there that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, that contains the essence of the gods. Whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishes 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." <-- Zelda  

Link and Zelda meet eachother and decide to find the Triforce before Ganon (Yeh, there's only one.) does. Link collects the two remaining spritiual stones and returns to Hyrule Castle. Zelda is riding on a white horse with Impa; she (Zelda) throws the Ocarina of Time into the moat surrounding Hyrule Castle Town. Ganon chases after her.
Link picks up the Ocarina and enters the Temple of Time. There, he finds the Legendary Master Sword. (If you want to know why it's legendary...Long ago, the five races of Hyrule were not united. Hyrule was not a peaceful country. Wars broke out all over and the Master Sword was forged because of the fighting. Since then, Hylians have made peace with all races of Hyrule, except one--the Gerudos.)
As Link pulls the sword from it’s' pedestal, a seal to the Golden Land is opened. Ganon enters it and steals the Triforce. Link is placed in the Chamber of the Sages for seven years.

Link returns to Hyrule and awakens the sages. He then travels to Ganon's Castle to save Zelda and all of Hyrule. The sages use their power and banish Ganon to the Golden Land forever; although, he does vow revenge. Link is returned to his normal time. He returns to the peaceful land he once knew. A land without Ganon. And from this second little timeline, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask takes place.
I will not really go into the story line; although it is an official game, it does not really have anything to do with the major timeline.

We have a problem now. Link does not exist in the Hyrule we know, he is in a different Hyrule at a different time, his own time. So how does the bloodline of the hero continue? Zelda.

Years later... (Long enough for Link and Zelda to "shack up" [haha] and not be considered incest--for all you who want to know.)
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The boy's ( Link I from Ocarina of Time) tale was passed down through generations until it became a legend...
But then...a day came when a tall wind began to blow across the kingdom.
The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed away by the hero...
returned once again to bring destruction to the kingdom.

The people of the land prayed for a new hero, but they received none.
And so the evil broke free and destroyed the kingdom...
...only few chosen by fate survived.

The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind's breath.
On a certain island, it became customary to garb boys in green when they came of age.

Link II collects the missing peices of the Triforce of Courage, rejuvenates the Master Sword, defeats Ganon, and creates a glimmer of hope for a future Hyrule. Link II along with Tetra (Zelda II) After King Daphne Hyrule made his wish, the Triforce vanished back to its' resting place. The Golden Land. Ganon is not dead, he is trapped inside the Golden Land.

The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

Hyrule has been rebuilt for a while now and a new hero is born. Ganon is still imprisoned in the Golden Land (now the Dark World) but has gotten his hands on the Triforce. Link III rescues the decendants of the original sages, defeats Ganon and finally recovers the entire Triforce. Hyrule is peaceful for a long while. Oh yeh, Zelda III is in here too.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
These games are also known as the Triforce Chronicles

The Triforce makes Link go through a series of tests: Power, Wisdom, and Courage
That's right. Holodrum, Labrynna, and Koholint don't exist. Which answers many questions; namely, the absense of Zora's and Gorons.

If someone where to beat both Oracle games, and defeat Ganon, they would see the Triforce turn into a seagull and fly over the ocean. Link follows close behind on a raft, waving goodbye to the people of Hyrule. If one listens closely, they may even hear the Windfish.

The Windfish. Did you ever wonder what in the hell this thing was?
In Ocarina of Time the Zora's existed and a fish named Jabu-Jabu was among them.
In Wind Waker the Rito people were descendants of the Zora.
Now if one was to logically put two and two together, they would probably figure out that the Windfish is a decendant of Jabu-Jabu--and his relative Jabun.

Ok, back to the subject at hand...

After Koholint disappears, Link does not return to Hyrule immediately. These tests really changed him. He doesn't really have a desire to be a hero anymore.

Time passes, but, before the original Legend of Zelda begins, something happens.
On a far away land, an aging Link III hears about the return of Ganon. He sets out for Hyrule.

About a year ago, I wrote a movie script (which I just now uncovered from my old harddrive) for the following story, and as it turns out, I originally intended for the beginning of Zelda II to start here. I'll post the script after this post, for your enjoyment.
Ok, in order to understand, read the following post, please. for your own sake.

I'll end here, and then start again with the conclusion.  
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 04, 2003, 07:49:59 PM
Episode I

BLACK SCREEN

A drop falls down from the center of the screen. Followed by a second, a third, and a fourth. The camera finally pans down and we see a pile of black ash, surrounded in blood. Red smoke begins to rise from the ashes. Ganon is being resurrected by his thieves.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

WIDE SHOT
There is a piece of yellow paper flowing in the wind next to the edge of a forest.
ZOOM TO PAPER
It keeps floating, the camera follows. Finally it gets stuck onto the side of a tree. The camera zooms into the wording, which it illegible – ancient Hyulian looks nothing like English. As the camera picks up the wording, a voice is heard. The voice is saying what is written on the paper.
RAURU
“To the Finder. My name is Rauru. (Pronounced RA-ROO) I am an ancient sage and protector of the land of Hyrule. I am dying. There is an evil man who has destroyed what was once the land of Hyrule. But in order to understand this, one must know the history of events prior to this attack.”

FADE OUT

FADE IN
Rauru narrates while images and short clips of the creation fade in and out from the center

Before life began, before the world had form, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the goddes of Power, Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the goddess of Courage.
Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world. Farore's rich 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 the basis for Hyrule's providence. Where the Triforce stood became sacred land.
There is a sacred realm connected to Hyrule. For it is there that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, that contains the essence of the gods. Whoever holds the Triforce will have their wishes become reality, but it will reflect the image of the holder’s soul, and if the person is impure then the Triforce will split into its’ three parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage. These three parts will transfuse with the most appropriate receiver.

FADE OUT

Rauru still narrates will pictures and video clips of this story fade in and out.

Years ago, a legendary hero embarked on a quest of enlightenment; he needed answers. He never returned, nor did the sacred Triforce. The land of Hyrule had prospered ever since the hero, Link, set out to sea; Evil was shattered, and there was no use for a hero any longer. Truth became legend, and legend became myth; the saga of Link was long forgotten -, as was the Triforce.
The former princess of Hyrule was forced to marry the prince of Calatia and her young daughter is also named Zelda. The King should have rightful ownership of the Triforce, and will stop at nothing to find the sacred relic. He suspects that Queen Zelda knows where the Triforce rests, and will not stop questioning her until the Triforce is in his possession.
There is another man who has held the Triforce previously. He is Ganondorf Dragmire; now known as simply Ganon. He was killed by Link many years ago, but his followers live on. If Link’s blood is poured over Ganon’s ashes—he will return.
A familiar voice asks the legendary hero to return to Hyrule; evil is coming once again and Link feels it…

FADE OUT

BLACK SCREEN
-Light blue text is seen at the bottom of the screen
* Music is heard softly in the background
“It’s been a long time.”
There is a pause, almost like the speaker is listening for an answer.
“Something is coming, I can sense it.”
“We need your help.”
FADE OUT

CUT TO HYRULE FIELD - NIGHT
A figure is seen riding on a horse, the shot then zooms out to see another rider in the distance.
-   A chase ensues. During the chase, the opening credits fade in and out on the screen, in various places. The credits will continue until Link finds the Master Sword.
* The music is loud now. Different shots of the riders are shown, they are getting closer to each other.
-   The rider in front gains more speed and a distance between the two is clearly shown.
-     The front rider seems to disappear, fading into the distance. It seems that the second rider fell back on purpose. He leaps off his horse and runs into the surrounding forest. As he runs toward the forest the front rider appears again, chasing Link to the forest wall.
LOST WOODS
-   We see shots of the figure’s legs running through the woods, also shots of his body and head. You can hear him panting.
-   The figure comes to the clearing, there is a strange light coming from somewhere. He walks through the clearing and comes to the end, he pushes some branches aside. We then see a shot of his eyes - they grow wider.
-   Now there is a shot of his body, the figure removes his hood. It is Link, the legendary hero who has been chosen by the goddesses themselves. He is still gazing at something, we zoom out to reveal a sword in a pedestal on the other side of the screen. FREEZE FRAME
The Legend of Zelda : Knight of Hyrule
   Part One -The Hero Returns-
Fade Title Out.

Rauru narrates a little during this part.
Rauru
“The great hero came back to his sword-- The Master Sword. This particular sword was created for one purpose – to destroy all that is evil. No ordinary person can weld this powerful blade. Only someone who follows in the bloodline of a Knight of Hyrule.”

AS LINK KNEELS AT THE HILT OF THE SWORD

“He never wanted to see this sword again, but he knows that the is the only one who can stop the coming evil.”

-   Link finally reaches the sword’s resting place, and falls to his knees. He clutches the sword- his old friend. A single tear drips down the hero’s face. He is not a fighter anymore, he has seen too much. He has looked the greatest evil ever known in the eye, and defeated it. There is much he doesn’t understand, and even though he doesn’t want to fight, he knows he must.
-   He stands up, grabs the sword with one hand, and pulls it out of the stone. He turns around quickly, and walks off. As he is walking out of the woods, we see a large owl up in a tree.

-   Link walks toward out of the forest and toward Hyrule castle.
PAN UP
-   The night sky is dotted with stars and no moon is in sight.
CUT TO ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   The figure is seen a little more clearly now, It’s not certain how he got up the castle wall.  His face is still dark, but an outline is seen. His green clothing is also seen.
-   They are not speaking, but instead using their minds. It seems as though Zelda does not want the conversation heard.
The volume of the music begins to rise.
-   Zelda and the cloaked figure are standing facing each other. Zelda is almost in tears at the sight of the figure, and she is clearly trying to hold herself back.

* Light blue text is seen where Zelda talks, and green text where the figure talks.

ZELDA
“Can you feel it?”
FIGURE
“…”
ZELDA
“The Triforce never came back.”
“Neither did you…”

-   The figure looks down and notices a ring on Zelda’s hand; she is married now, which means she is the Queen of Hyrule. Rauru says that Zelda is married and Queen, during his narration earlier.
FIGURE
“…”
   - Zelda notices a large gash on the figures arm.
ZELDA
“You’ve been attacked.”
FIGURE
“Thieves…”
ZELDA
“Do you think they are trying to resurrect…”
FIGURE
“Yes.”
* Music grows louder
CUT TO SKY
-   Far in the distance, a star grows. It is now in the shape of a yellow triangle. There is a flash of white light.
CUT TO ZELDA’S BALCONY- NIGHT
-   Link looks up toward the sky, notices the triangular star, and sticks his hand out from beneath the cloak. The mark of the Triforce is seen on his hand, it starts to glow.
CUT TO HYRULE FIELD - NIGHT
-   The other figure is seen walking through a clearing. His dark cloak flows in the wind.  
CUT TO ZELDA’S BALCONY
   -     Princess Zelda walks onto the balcony with the queen and Link. She has a puzzled look on her face as Link jumps over the rail. Just then, the King steps onto the balcony.
HYRULE FIELD
   -     Link comes walking away from Hyrule Castle.
-   He looks towards the sky – three bright comets are flying through the air. A red comet, blue comet, and green comet, they are heading east. Link follows.
HYRULE CASTLE
-   Queen Zelda and the king appear to be talking. Princess Zelda leaves for a moment. The camera zooms in on the king’s hand. He wears the same ring Zelda does.
THE KING
“Where is the Triforce Zelda?”
ZELDA
“I…I don’t know!”
THE KING
“I will find it, with or without your help.”

   -    The king stares at her for a moment, and then walks off.

SOMEWHERE IN HYRULE
-   We see the back of the hood of the other figure and the sky. In the sky are the three comets, the figure takes down his hood, revealing the back of his head, he quickly turns facing east and rushes off.

HYRULE
-   Link has warmed up to a sprint now, as he is running he looks up over his shoulder, the comets are there still coming down. Link plans to beat them to their destination, He knows exactly where they are going.

ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   Zelda gazes out of her balcony searching for signs of Link, a black figure with glowing eyes appears behind her. She feels his presence and slowly turns around.
THE GATE
-   Link approaches a gate, the comets are not seen yet, but its certain that he is heading their direction. He opens the gate and disappears. The comets are now seen flying through the sky.
-   A white light shines up vertically from the ground, as if something was leaving the realm of Hyrule.
TEMPLE
-   The figure is now seen walking down a dark stone hallway, a gold light is shining at the end.
TEMPLE ENTERENCE
-   Link is seen walking through a large opening.
-   Now he is running through the same hallway that the other figure was just moments before.
CHAMBER OF THE TRIFORCE
-   The camera pans around the room, its is completely golden, except for the ground, which is dirt.
-   The camera now pans up, the ceiling of the chamber is painted with white clouds and a golden sky.
-   Link then remembers the ancient poem- which is read by Rauru.
“In a realm beyond sight,
The sky shines gold, not blue,
There the Triforce’s might,
Makes mortal dreams come true.”
-   The camera is now facing the altar where the Triforce would be standing.
-   Link stares at it for a moment, then turns around.
-   The camera now faces the altar again, as the figure leaps out from behind it, with its sword drawn.

ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   The figure is now facing Zelda, and begins to talk.
WIZARD
“Where is the Triforce?”
ZELDA
   -    Stares blankly at the wizard, refusing to talk.
WIZARD
“I will find this Triforce – with or without your help.”
-     Zelda gasps, she realizes who the wizard is. The King had said the same thing to Zelda previously. We could get a shot of an outline of the Wizards face. But the wizard’s voice is different than the Kings.

CHAMBER OF THE TRIFORCE
-   The camera now faces Link, with the back of the figure’s head in the shot, Link stares in amazement at the appearance of his old nemesis.
-   The figure takes off the cloak. We now get a good look at him. He is Ganondorf, King of the Enchanted Thieves.
-   Link is still staring, he finally blinks, then squints. It is really Ganondorf. With that, Link clutches his sword, and attacks.
-   The fight goes on for a few minutes. Link is clearly shown on the offense, with Ganondorf wildly blocking Link’s fierce attacks. The rooms begins to shake as the two fighters stop, a golden light suddenly appears and engulfs the screen.
-   As the light fades down, both men are on the floor, as the Triforce stands on its altar, spining.  
ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   Zelda’s eyes open wide.
-   The triangle on her hand begins to glow. A strange blue light surrounds it.
WIZARD
“Tell me where it is!”
-     He looks toward Zelda’s hand, and notices the glowing triangle. His eyes grow wide, then his brow hunches forward in disgust.
-   He places his hand on Zelda’s forehead and disappears. His robe drops to the ground, he won’t be coming back…hopefully.
CHAMBER OF THE TRIFORCE
-   Ganon is standing right in front of the Triforce, he reaches for it. Just then, a sword comes across from the side and blocks his hands.
-   Ganon turns, and draws his sword. They begin to fight again.

ZELDA’S BALCONY
   This next falling scene is shot in slow motion, along with Ganon beating Link.
-   As the queen is about to fall to the floor, text shows up on the bottom of the screen. It says ‘Link’
CHAMBER OF THE TRIFORCE
-   Link and Ganon are still fighting, but right when the scene changes, Link looks over his shoulder, puzzled – Zelda is in trouble.
-   Ganon sees this, and strikes Link down.
ZELDA/LINK
The screen cuts back and forth in slow motion. Zelda and Link fall at the exact same time.

CHAMBER
Link blacks out. Ganon heads to the Triforce. He grabs it.
End of Part One
Fade Out.
No Credits, but a simple - to be continued…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A slow motion recap of Ganon grabbing the triforce fades in. It could even be in black and white; And maybe from a different camera angle from the first time.
As he grabs it…
-   Another golden light appears, this time, bigger, and faster. We hear a scream, it sounds like it is coming from Ganondorf himself.
ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   Zelda’s hand begins to twitch her eyes open but they are entirely blue. The Triforce of Wisdom split into her body just as she was dying; it is keeping her alive.

CHAMBER
-   As it disappears we see Link standing up, he then rushes towards the door. We see Link running through the hallway, followed by explosions and falling bricks. The temple is exploding.
-   
CHAMBER OF THE TRIFORCE
-   Ganondorf is seen hunched over in a pool of his own blood. The room is in shambles, it is blazing.
-   The top triangle on his hand is glowing a bright red.
-   He stumbles to his feet, his face covered in blood. What seem like horns have grown out of his head, he is turning into the monster that resides within his soul.
-   He looks to where Link had been laying- he is already gone.
FADE OUT
NORTH CASTLE
-   Zelda has her back turned to Link, and as she turns around, the look of horror on Link’s face is shown.
-   As Link caresses her face, Zelda begins to speak telepathically.
ZELDA
“The wisdom within me has shown me the future of Hyrule. I know what I must do.”
She pauses.
“Wait for him Link…you must wait.”
Link’s face is puzzled.
-   She raises her hands into the black sky as if reaching for the stars. A golden triangle appears from her hands, and it splits into 8 pieces. These pieces scatter to different corners of Hyrule. Link catches Zelda as she falls. She looks up at him her eyes are now normal. With her last moment, she wispers “I love you.” Her head then falls back with her eyes shut.
-   A tear drips down the middle of her closed eye. It falls about an inch, and doesn’t move after that. It almost resembles the ancient symbol of the sheika.
-   Zelda is seen on a stone bed, a single light beams down where she lays.
FADE OUT
NORTH CASTLE
-   Link is sitting in the room where Zelda sleeps. It could be days, months after Link’s encounter with Ganon. There is a box sitting next to him inside the box are 6 crystals and a blank piece of parchment. It looks like he had been busy since his last encounter with Hyrule. He begins the write on the paper.

Link is seen writing on the paper.
The Credits of Part II are written on the paper fading. Soft music is heard in the background. Then…
-   Words fade in and out on the screen : Rauru Narrates it.

You who'll control the Triforce in the future.
… I have decided to cast a spell on all of Hyrule.
… You are the beacan of hope for Hyrule.

-   As the words fade in and out the picture cuts in and out to the Gerudo Thieves walking in a large clearing, then finally hiding behind some nearby trees.
-   With that, the sticks the paper in the box takes it with one hand and his sword in the other.
ZELDA’S BALCONY
-   Link gives the box to Princess Zelda, and jumps off the side. Zelda stands there gazing at the sky.

FADE OUT

CUT TO

There is a shot of the paper in the forest.
“For it is here, reader, that my record stops. Link never returned nor was I ever able to sense his presence again.”
The paper blows off…

CUT TO
OUTSIDE HYRULE CASTLE
-   Link now sets out in search of the Great Palace. He is running.
BY THE SHORE
-   You see Link walking towards the water; the Great Palace is on the largest island in Hyrule.
GREAT ISLAND
-   The camera follows Link as he walks through some brush, he pushes away from leaves, revealing a large clearing. He starts walking toward it.
HYRULE CASTLE - DAY
-   You see a figure on a horse riding towards the castle. It’s Ganon.
LARGE CLEARING
-   Link walks towards the center of the plain, a desert man comes out, followed by another, then another, and another. The camera pans across Link’s face, there is no fear in his eyes, he already knows he’ll win this fight.
-   Thief fight. During this fight, the camera cuts to Hyrule Castle periodically.
HYRULE CASTLE
-   Zelda is standing on her balcony, she looks down and sees the man on the horse, and when she looks up, he’s standing right next to her.
-   He picks her up over one shoulder. She drops the box, Ganon does not notice.
Cut to
-   Ganon on horse with Zelda.
-   The camera picks up a close up of Zelda.
ZELDA
“Link…”
LARGE CLEARING
-   As Link walks toward the palace, he looks down at his sword. One side of the blade is covered in blood, his eyes water with fear. His brow lowers with anger, he looks at the sword one last time and throws it as far as the eye can see. He never did want to fight, this scene should show that.
GRAVEYARD
-   The sword lands in a graveyard, in the northwestern part of Hyrule. It sticks into the ground at the foot of a grave. The name of the grave is covered with ivy, but some of the writing is shown. “Hero of Time”
GREAT PALACE
-   You see Link walking in a large door, right after he walks in, it shuts with some weird green energy.
-   Link is walking down a hallway lined with torches. He walks into a large room. As he walks through he looks at the wall, the red insignia of the phoenix is on the wall, and it begins to glow-- Thunderbird. He walks out of this room, the door shuts behind him again.
-   The next room has two torches and a door; he walks in. There is a large mirror on the wall covered in dust; he wipes off the dust revealing his eyes.
-   He turns away, but his reflection is still shown in the mirror. The reflection turns black, small red glowing eyes appear.
-   He slowly walks out of this room into the room with the two torches and closes the door. Link stands in the center of the room, and gazes at his hand. The Triforce marking on his hand slowly fades away. There is a sadness in his eyes, he knows all he can do – is wait. He then sits down in the middle of the room to wait for the Knight of Hyrule.
As Link walks into the room and sits down, a voiceover of him speaks.
LINK
“I knew I was not destined to hold the Triforce of courage. I merely exist to show the real hero the way of the Triforce. I am no hero.”
SEA
-   The Great Hylian Ocean is shown. A single seagull flies by. The yellow paper blows into the scene and into the water.

FADE TO BLACK

CREDITS ROLL

Whew. ok. now, onto the conclusion...

As you probably may have guessed, this is where the original 8-bit Legend of Zelda begins.
Link IV finds all the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom, and defeats Ganon for the final time.

The Legend of Zelda II: Adventure of Link (yeh, the rest of it.)
Impa tells Link of the sleeping princess and all that jazz. Link is given the box with the note and the crystals; he sets out on his (final?) quest.
Link conquers all the palaces around Hyrule and finally makes his way to the Great Palace. There he meets Thunderbird and the shadow of Link III. The old man in the Palace is the Link III. The Triforce however, was not actually located inside the Great Palace, but Link's true courage had to be tested.

the end?
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 04, 2003, 08:17:03 PM
well, there you have it.
that's my theory at least, but i really don't see a point.
i mean, nintendo has said on many occasions that some of the games do not link to eachother.
as a said before...

trying to connect the zelda series is very fun and all. Even though it may have happened the way i have it explained, i still imagine the legend of zelda as, well, legends. I imagined that the Links are not connected, some of whom may not even be named Link. they are legends passed down in hyrule--imagine little hylians telling stories around a fire, or a series of novels written by some historian. thats the legend of zelda.

so, really, all this timeline crap is really pointless, but really really fun.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 06, 2003, 05:34:33 AM
Glad we finally managed to sort that out.  However, I have to point out that the Official Nintendo Player's Guide states that Link's Awakening is an adventure undertaken by the LttP Link, so the are connected.  And as for Nintendo saying that the Zelda games aren't connected, well then they shouldn't have written in the instruction manuals and player's guides that they are, because now they are contradicting themselves.  They even made a timeline on the Zelda web site for crying out loud (which was so very, very wrong based on even the slightest bit of written information in the previously mentioned manuals and guides).  I don't know about the OoT Link and Zelda being related, but there's no proof against it (that I can remember at the moment) so I won't comment on that.  I placed the Oracle games in my timeline at that perticular spot because I believe the new GBA Zelda that has been rumoured will feature the return of Hyrule, but Ganon will not be revived/reincarnated/whatever you want to call it because this happens when you play both Oracle games using the password system, and would also explain why you have to get the Master Sword through a password in that game - Farore (the Oracle of Secrets) must have to use magic to obtain it, breaking it's hold on Ganon.  But that's all just theory.  Oh, and Zoras and Gorons are in the Oracles games, contrary to what you have stated in your theory (not that you r theory isn't valid, but that statement is not correct).  You are right, in the end these are all just legends and not all of these people may be named Link (that's just the name Nintendo gave him, you can choose something different).  But this is fun, so let's continue.
Title: RE: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: boggy b on May 06, 2003, 07:03:30 AM
So, uh, where does the Game and Watch Zelda fit into all this?

Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 06, 2003, 09:26:12 AM
I actually wasn't aware of a Game and Watch Zelda, what is the story behind it.  You'll also note I didn't include Four Swords, partly because I don't own it and so I don't know the entire story, and partly because even if I did I'm not sure I'd know where it fit in the chronology.  Feel free to provide more information on this in later posts.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 06, 2003, 11:27:33 AM
oh, gamecube master!
I did not mean that the Zora and Goron people were not in the game, sorry, I guess I typed it wrong.
But because my theory states that the entire Triforce Chronicles are actually just a test and are not real, then that would explain why the Goron and Zora people are in the Oracle games and not mentioned anywhere later in the timeline.

Also, I have not been able to find any evidence disproving my theory of Link being brother and sister in Ocarina. Who would continue the bloodline of Link after Ocarina? He had to have had some relatives and with no mention of the Queen of Hyrule I assumed Link is indeed the original prince of Hyrule.

If the new GBA Zelda fits into the timeline, as you say it could, then parts of this theory could be invalid, but as of right now, I can't find any holes.

But all in all, the Zelda series is about the battle between good and evil. There could be hundreds of possible theories surrounding this.
Does anyone have any other theories? or something that could disprove mine? I'd really like to know, because this really is a lot of fun.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 06, 2003, 11:29:24 AM
oops.
sorry.  
double post
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: boggy b on May 06, 2003, 12:20:26 PM
Erm, you had to catch falling Zeldas or something :-)
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 07, 2003, 05:44:13 AM
dannyjclark: Well, yes, the way you typed it did seem to indicate that there were no Zora or Gorons in any of the Game Boy Zeldas, but as long as we've cleared that up there's no reason to dwell on it.  And you Triforce Chronicles theory does make sense, although it is also possible that those races just eventually died off, how we don't yet know (if that is the case).  Link's Awakening definitely takes place after LttP though, the LA player's guide states that it is the same Link, and since Capcom left it very vague as to when the Oracles games fit into the chronology, they at least must be kept out from any established connections (and LttP is established as being connected to LA as they star the same Link).  Since you haven't found any evidence against the OoT Link and Zelda being brother and sister, and I don't know of any information that goes against that theory, I'd like to know if anyone out there knows of anything we've missed.  Otherwise, that is an entirely plausible theory (and one that Nintendo will probably never prove either way).

boggy b: It sounds to me like this Game & Watch Zelda game is really just a mini-game, so unless there's an actual story to it, it wouldn't have a place in the chronology at all.  The same thing can be applied to Zelda characters appearing in the Smash Bros. series, as that also has no relevence to Zelda chronology.
Title: RE: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: boggy b on May 07, 2003, 12:23:12 PM
I want my Game and Watch Chronology, dammit, it's the most important of them all!

http://zelda.gamersuplink.com/other/gaw.html

Sorry, it seems it was a proper quest an' all. :-)
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 07, 2003, 12:47:06 PM
gamecubemaster
Well, in my timeline LA is still after Lttp, and they still feature the same Link.
And yes, I do believe the Gorons and Zoras died off but the memory of them will always remain in the Triforce, which is why they are in the Triforce Chronicles-Dreams.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 08, 2003, 04:31:54 AM
Alright, I'll admit the Game & Watch Zelda appears to actually be a quest, but none of the timelines or information I have found regarding Zelda reveal where this game would fit in the chronology, why don't you make a theory on that?  And I only mentioned that LttP & LA had the same Link because it appeared to me that you had put the Oracles games in between LttP and LA, but there is no solid proof that the Oracles games star the LttP Link.  Oh, one more thing, damn this thread is getting long!  Thanks for all the posts.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 08, 2003, 01:25:44 PM
well, at the end of the oracle series, link is shown riding away on a raft chasing the triforce, and you can actually hear the LA music.
that's proof enough for me.
besides, saying that the oracle games take place inbetween Lttp and LA doesn't ruin anything, it's still the same link and everything, the oracle games just explain the wierdness that is Link's Awakening
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 09, 2003, 08:52:55 AM
Considering that bit about the music being the same, youcould very well be right.  I just prefer to keep the Orcales games outside of the LttP and LA connection - or in other words, assuming your theory is correct, I still group the games together only where there is a proven connection (OoT and MM, WW by itself so far, LttP and LA, OoS and OoA, and finally LoZ and AoL), although I will say that your theory of the Triforce Chronicles being LA and the Oracles games being three dream based adventures is entirely plausible.  However, since you brought this up I went back and played the Oracles games again, as well as examining the manuals again, and I found that it says that the Triforce transports Link to Holodrum and Labrynna (in Seasons and Ages, respectively).  This is the one thing that causes me to doubt that the Oracles games occur in a dream, since it is revealed how Link came to be in these places.  I believe it also says (either somewhere in the manual, or at some point in the games) that Holodrum and Labrynna are neighbouring lands to Hyrule, which would therefore make them real places, not places conjured up by a dream.  So if these are real places, then it's more likely that the quest were real and not part of a dream.  Also, while we're on the subject of Zelda and quests that occur in dreams, I believe that Koholint Island actually does really exist, it's just inside the Windfish, and you can only get to it/away from it when the Windfish is dreaming.  But that's just another theory.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 09, 2003, 08:56:56 AM
I should have mentioned, the part about how Link came to be in Holodrum and Labrynna being explained is important because in LA we are only given a vague idea of what has happened - Link was sailing when a storm hit, his ship was damaged, and he would up unconscious on the shore of a strange island (Koholint).  So I think that if they really intended the Oracles games to occur in a dream, they would have been more vague about how Link got to those lands.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: dannyjclark on May 09, 2003, 12:22:55 PM
hmm, very interesting. Nice work!
But real or unreal, they are all three (Oos, Ooa, LZ) still quests from the triforce.
Hmmm....
I liked Labrynna! I think it would be fun to go back, or even, travel to all three lands!
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: GameCube Master on May 10, 2003, 11:51:38 AM
Thank-you very much.  I agree, LA and the Oracles games are definitely quests from the Triforce.  I wonder if the new Zelda GBA will let us return to Holodrum and Labrynna, since it is being developed by Capcom.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  Well, this post seems to be winding down, but hey, it had a good long life.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: NintendoKiD on May 20, 2003, 08:05:08 PM
Am I the only one things that the Old Man in The Legend of Zelda is Orca in Wind Waker? I swear they are EXACTLY alike if you look at it. They are both old men, both live in a town with Link, both give Link a sword, both have a beard, I mean cmon hehe.
Title: RE: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: JonTD on May 25, 2003, 11:30:26 PM
Click On Me

Just wanted to post a link to my post in that thread, where I argue that Wind Waker takes place AFTER the original Legend of Zelda.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: Gem of Forest on May 27, 2003, 01:16:50 PM
Sorry, but no. Wind Waker takes place 100 years (in our 100 years, and that means many generations in Hyrule) after Ocarina of Time.
The original Legend of Zelda and Ocarina of Time are basically the same story.
Title: The Legend of Zelda: The Chronology Behind the Legend
Post by: JonTD on May 27, 2003, 08:14:54 PM
Quote

Originally posted by: Gem of Forest
Sorry, but no. Wind Waker takes place 100 years (in our 100 years, and that means many generations in Hyrule) after Ocarina of Time.


I'm sorry, but that just doesn't hold. I mean, why bother with "Zelda" years and "human" years in the game? That's just stupid. And if many generations pass in just 100 years in Hyrule, then things are seriously messed up. Link aged much too slowly in the Ocarina of Time (or are you going to argue that they use separate years for birthdays than they use for actual recordings of events?).

And then you'd have to argue that they use a different system for years than the passing of the seasons... which really doesn't hold with what we know about the Deku tree. Seriously... 100 years is wrong; I don't really care who said it because the game itself says otherwise at several points.

That and all in-game evidence basically says Wind Waker took place much longer than 100 years after Ocarina of Time.

Quote

The original Legend of Zelda and Ocarina of Time are basically the same story.


Almost all of the Hylian based Zelda games revolve around a similar storyline (collect tri-force, get master sword, save Zelda, stop Ganon/dorf). That doesn't make them the same story.