Zelda franchise strategy guide/Locations/Termina

Termina (タルミナ, Tarumina, Talmina) is a fictional land in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It is composed of various environments ranging from swamps and forests to mountains and canyons, all of which surround the main city at its center, Clock Town, in each of the cardinal directions. Termina is an alternate world of the land Hyrule, and as such shares many characteristics, while also featuring a lot of unusual differences. Its name is derived from the Latin terminare meaning "to end", presumably a reference to the land's fated destruction unless Link intervenes.

Geography of Termina

Geology

Termina resembles an ancient city-state. The lively central city of Clock Town governs the surrounding area, but in the four cardinal directions there are regions outside the jurisdiction of the central city. The Southern Swamp is located south of Clock Town; it is a forested, swampy area inhabited by Deku and ruled by the Deku King. To the north are the tall mountains of Snowhead, the realm of the Gorons. To the west is the Great Bay, which is populated by the noble, fish-like denizens of the water, the Zoras. Also to the west, bordering the Great Bay, is the fortress of the Gerudo Pirates. To the east lie the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Ikana, which houses mostly Stalchildren and other undead creatures.

Social geography

Civil human activity is concentrated in Clock Town and (less so) in Romani Ranch, although there are small numbers spread throughout the other regions as well. Goron activity is centered in the Goron Village in the Northern Mountains. The Zoras' turf ranges all across the bay, but is centralized in Zora Hall. The Gerudo are seldom seen outside of their fortress on the coast of Great Bay. Deku businessmen and mad Dekus are spread sparsely across the land of Termina, but Dekus are typically found only in the Southern Swamp and the Deku Palace. The defunct kingdom of Ikana is inhabited mainly by the undead, except for a ghost researcher and his daughter, as well as a thief named Sakon.

Areas of Termina

Clock Town

Clock Town is the central hub of activity in Termina, located in the exact center of the land. Inhabited mostly by humans, Clock Town is divided into four major sections: North, East, South and West. There is also a minor area called the Laundry Pool. In each of the main sections there is a guarded gate that blocks a path leading out of town. The town's most notable feature is the Clock Tower for which the city is named; it is located in the exact center of town.

South Clock Town is the town's main plaza. It is connected to all four of the other sections of the city. Every year, the Festival of Time occurs in South Clock Town. The only true building in South Clock Town is the Clock Tower, which is the major attraction and main location of the Festival of Time. Each year at the festival, the tower opens and the top of the tower becomes accessible. There are several empty booths, which are left behind by some of the merchants attempting to flee the impending apocalypse. Branching off from South Clock Town is the Laundry Pool, where Kafei has made his hideout behind the curiosity shop.

East Clock Town is mainly used as both a residential and a recreational area. There are a few game stores, designed for enjoyment, as well as an inn and a "Milk Bar". East Clock Town is dominated by the Stock Pot Inn, an operational hotel which sports a large bell. It is also home to the entrance of the sewer tunnel that leads to the Astral Observatory. The Mayor's House is also located in East Clock Town.

North Clock Town consists of a large park which covers the entire area, except for a Great Fairy Spring. There are always children playing in the park and there are occasional sightings of a Keaton fox. According to the owner of the bomb shop, muggings often occur in this area of town, such as the mugging of the lady who owns the bomb shop, by Sakon the Thief.

West Clock Town is the city's main commercial center. It includes various stores, such as the Curiosity Shop, a pawn shop that is only open at night. Another shop is run by the owner of the Curiosity Shop that deals in basic items. There is also a bomb shop, where Powder Kegs are available. The local post office and a bank are located in West Clock Town, as well as a lottery and the sword training ground. At night, in the game, the two twin dancers from the Gorman Troupe practice their dance for the Carnival of Time.

Termina Field

Termina Field is the name of the large, spacious overworld that encircles Clock Town. A system of roads spanning the field connects Clock Town with the other regions of Termina, including Snowhead, Great Bay, Ikana Canyon and Woodfall. The southern part of the field is lush and very grassy. The southwestern part of the field is also lush and grassy, and is aptly the location of Romani Ranch. The northern part of the field is snowy and features strange, rocky formations that resemble giant mushrooms. The western part of the field is sandy, like a beach, and has two large fountains in front of the western gate to Clock Town. The eastern part of the field is lined with stone pillars and is exceptionally barren, resembling a desert. The Astral Observatory is located in the southeastern portion of the overworld.

Southern Swamp

Woodfall

The Southern Swamp, also known as Woodfall, is a poisonous swamp in southern Termina. Woodfall's chief species, the Deku Scrub, has established a civilization in the swamp, at the heart of which lies the Deku Palace and Woodfall Temple, the Deku's place of worship, as well as the root of the poison leaking into the swamp's waterways. Local places of business include a Swamp Tourist Center, where Link can pay for a boat tour of the swamp; the Magic Hag's Potion Shop, where a number of potions are sold; and the Swamp Shooting Gallery. Other areas of interest include the Woods of Mystery, a maze-like wood which is very similar to the Lost Woods in Ocarina of Time, and a house with a large underground area housing Gold Skulltullas. Woodfall itself is an apparently extinct volcano that bears strong resemblance to Death Mountain, due to its smoke ring. It is purple in color.

Woods of Mystery

As with the Lost Woods in Ocarina of Time, Link must take the correct path through the Woods of Mystery, or he will be sent back to the entrance; the correct route depends on which day it is. The Woods of Mystery are home to many Snappers.

Deku Palace

The Deku Palace is royal residence of King Deku and the royal family. It contains the King Deku Scrub's chamber and two inner gardens where a Magic Bean salesman lives. To the left of the Palace is a catacomb where many Deku Shrubs reside, and also where the Butler will race Link for a mask.

There is an ongoing rivalry between the Monkeys who inhabit the woods and the Deku of Woodfall, and the poison in the water only makes matters worse.

Northern Mountains

Snowhead

The Northern Mountain area, known as Snowhead, is the area with the highest altitude in Termina. Snowhead is home to the Goron race, who have an igloo-shaped city on the snowy slopes. On the outskirts of the city is a cabin in which resides a blacksmith. Near the Smithy's house, high on a cliff, is the final resting place of Darmani, a place near a hot spring that provides warmth in the bitter cold of Snowhead. The Gorons' temple is Snowhead Temple, a peak in the mountain range surrounded by a huge chasm. Snowhead Temple is the site whence a bleak, endless winter is originating, which threatens the Gorons' way of life.

Goron Village

The Goron Village is the main home of the Gorons. It consists mainly of a meeting chamber, the Goron Shrine, and a Powder Keg shop. There is a shop inside the meeting grounds, as well. It is also interesting to note that there is a certain location in the village where Stone Tower, which is located in another area of Termina, is visible.

Western Ocean

Great Bay

Termina's large coastline, Great Bay, is a peaceful and serene setting (save the fact that the beaches are infested with Leevers). The entrance immediately leads to a beach, with a fisherman's hut on the shore, and kayak-like boats on the sands. Outside of the beach on the water rests the Marine Research Lab. The marine researcher who resides there is well informed on the plight of the Zoras. North of the Lab in the bay lies the Gerudo Pirate fortress, which has proficient security, and is very difficult to enter. Down the beach, and through a cave, is an extension of the beach. Above the waterfall there is a catchment where two beavers live; further up the river that leads to the waterfall is their dam, where they make their home. This area also leads to the entrance of Zora Hall, a concert venue and the home of the famous Zora band, the Indigo-gos. Even further from shore is Pinnacle Rock, a murky place teeming with huge sea snakes, and further still the Great Bay Temple, home of Gyorg, from which stems the pollution and heat in the ocean that prevents the Zoras from hatching their eggs. This area also composes a stage in Super Smash Bros Melee.

Marine Research Lab

A lab situated in the Great Bay, the Marine Research Lab contains a large pool for the Zora Eggs. The building is bulbous with a large hook on the top.

Pirate's Fortress

The Pirate's Fortress is the main hideout of Aveil's Gerudo Pirates. Between the walls and the inner fortress is a moat patrolled by motorboats, and a complicated aqueduct system leads from the moat into the fortress. The pirates have four of the Zora eggs, as well as the Hookshot.

Zora Hall

The Zora Hall is the main residence and concert hall of the Indigo-Gos. Outside the Zora Hall, on an area called Zora Cape, is the residence of the Great Turtle. Each of the songs playing in the individual band members' rooms is from a previous Zelda title.

Pinnacle Rock

A large structure in the open ocean with treacherous waters that will return Link to the entrance, Pinnacle Rock is home to several massive sea snakes.

Eastern Canyon

Ikana Canyon

Ikana Canyon is a barren, desolate, and forlorn area which few but the dead call home. Ikana has a large river flowing through it, which leads all the way down to the Southern Swamp. The ancient castle of Ikana can be easily seen in the distance, but its main gate is closed forever. As Link travels along the river, he will find the Music Box House, a strange dwelling with a waterwheel that makes the music heard in the house play. Also near the river is Sakon's Hideout, a seemingly impenetrable cave in which the thief Sakon hides all of his stolen goods. Further up the hill, Link can see the gigantic Stone Tower, a rock stronghold that dwarfs everything else in the vicinity. There is also a well delves deep into the chilling underworld of Ikana. Near this is a cave full of water, where the river originates.

Ikana Graveyard

The Ikana Graveyard is the graveyard of the deceased soldiers of Ikana who live as Stalchildren. The only living resident is the gravekeeper, Dampé, who only comes out during the day to avoid Stalchildren who wander around at night.

Under the Grave

By having Stalchildren demolish a grave, Link can find two Iron Knuckles, a Piece of Heart, the Song of Storms, a bottle, and a Big Poe.

Ikana Castle

Ikana Castle is the cursed residence of Igos du Ikana, and the main gates are eternally closed. Link must either access this sub-dungeon through the sub-dungeon Beneath the Well or through a crack in the outer wall. Link must complete puzzles to allow light into the dungeon, something that is a recurring theme for solving puzzles in this dungeon and which can be used to slay many of the undead residents.

Stone Tower

A large tower that leads to the Stone Tower Temple. It contains numerous pressure switches that require the use of Elegy of Emptiness to activate. It was the opening of the Stone Tower that caused the dead to become restless and return to this world.

Beneath the Well

Reminiscent of the Bottom of the Well in Ocarina of Time, Beneath the Well is an aptly named sub-dungeon found at the bottom of a well. This sub-dungeon is inhabited by Gibdos, which came to life because they have unfulfilled earthly desires. Giving them what they want enables Link to proceed further in the dungeon. The Mirror Shield is hidden in this dungeon. The area beneath the well was once the inner garden of Ikana Castle.

Other

Underground

Underneath Clock Town, there is a series of catacombs that leads to the portal from Hyrule. The Clock Tower interior houses the entrance to the tunnels, but the other end seems to be accessible from the Hyrule side only.

Temples

Termina contains four major temples, one in each cardinal direction. Each one houses one of the Four Giants, and each became a dungeon after the Giants were imprisoned in them by the Skull Kid. Four masked guardians were placed by Skull Kid to ensure that the Giants were not awoken from their slumber.

Woodfall Temple

A large temple in the southern swamp of Woodfall, dedicated to the Southern Giant. The evil Odolwa, who resides in the temple, is poisoning the waters of the Southern Swamp, and has imprisoned the Deku Princess in the temple.

Snowhead Temple

A large temple in the northern region of Snowhead. The temple is vertically oriented. The evil within the Snowhead Temple is causing a permanent winter in Snowhead.

Great Bay Temple

This temple located in the Great Bay. It appears to house a sophisticated piping system to transport water. The evil in the Great Bay Temple is causing the water to be murky and warm, which may eventually kill the Zora eggs, as they thrive only in cold water.

Stone Tower Temple

A large temple located in Ikana Valley. The evil within the temple is causing the dead to become restless and wander the area.

Races and government

Humans

The humans living in Termina are the most populous race in the land. They are identical to their Hylian counterparts but have somewhat different beliefs. They quite possibly have no knowledge of the Triforce or the Three Goddesses. Instead they honor the Four Giants who are patron deities to the land of Termina. They also seem to be more technologically advanced than the Hylians. While they live almost everywhere in Termina, their population is largely centered in Clock Town, which is located in the center of Termina.

It is interesting to note that the humans that live throughout Termina are the only race that worries about the impending apocalypse (i.e. the moon crashing into Termina). It can be argued that the reason the humans are preoccupied with the moon is that it disrupts their tourism, is threatening the Festival of Time, and that every other race is too preoccupied with its own problems about the moon. Frequent lines uttered by the humans in Clock Town are things like "The moon's gotten bigger."

Dekus

In Termina, the Deku race is far more advanced than its Hylian counterparts, who seem to have no civilization whatsoever. The Dekus in Termina reside in the Southern Swamp, and they have a great palace in the southernmost region. They are ruled by a monarchy; their king is a very large Deku Scrub whose "hasty decision-making" often leads to trouble. The Dekus have a sacred temple called Woodfall in the central area of the swamp, which appears to be an extinct volcano that somewhat resembles Death Mountain. Only Dekus are permitted entry to the temple, in contrast to the Hylian Dekus who are much more barbaric then their Termina counterparts. Aside from those Dekus that serve the Deku Royal Family are the merchants that roam the land of Termina. An interesting thing about the Dekus is their ability to fly using helicopter-like flowers that they carry or wear on their heads. They also seem to have a poor relationship with the monkeys who inhabit the swamp.

Woodfall, Snowhead, Great Bay, and Ikana Canyon all have individual, unique problems which are all rooted in their temples, and each is rectified once Link defeats the boss. The problem the Dekus of Woodfall face is that their temple is seeping poison into the swamp, and the problem is only intensified because the Deku Princess is held captive by the boss of Woodfall Temple, leading the Deku King to believe that the monkeys are at fault.

Once Odolwa, the monster boss inside Woodfall, is defeated, the water returns to normal and the Dekus make peace with the Monkeys.

The lifestyle of the Dekus seems to both mirror a medieval lifestyle and an entrepreneurial one. Dekus usually live inside the palace or in the catacombs to the east, occasionally leaving their living grounds to visit the temple, but it seems that many Dekus live outside of the Southern Swamp. In the beginning of the game, the Business Scrub to whom Link trades the Moon's Tear seems to have a home that is not in the Southern Swamp. There are Dekus living everywhere in Termina—several reside in Clock Town, one lives in Snowhead, and even one of the denizens of Zora Hall is a Deku. The Butler also says that his son left Woodfall a long time ago.

Gorons

The Terminan Gorons are somewhat different from the Hylian Gorons. The Hylian Gorons live on an active, and therefore hot, volcano, while the Terminan Gorons live in the Snowhead Mountains, where they experience seasonal variations, including extreme cold. During Link's visit to Termina, the climate of the Gorons' habitat is severely affected due to an evil curse. The curse causes a great blizzard to cover the mountains, causing even the hardy Gorons great hardship. Most of the Gorons' hardship revolves around having to deal with the endless winter, and having to cope with the death of their beloved hero, Darmani. The Terminan Gorons are a tribe presided over by an elder. Terminan Gorons have turned their ability to curl up into a ball and roll around into a sport known as the Goron Races. The Gorons of Snowhead live in a double-igloo type structure simply known as Goron Village. Like all Gorons, they enjoy eating rocks. They even appear to have their own version of Dodongo's Cavern, where they gather rock sirloin to eat.

The Gorons suffer from the cold brought on by the evil inside Snowhead Temple, and as soon as Link defeats Goht, the boss of Snowhead Temple, spring will return to the land and the majority of the snow will vanish. For instance, the snow covering the mountain village will turn into springtime grass, and the thick blanket of snow covering the twin islands (outside the entrance of the Goron Racetrack) is turned into a massive pool of water which can be further explored by Zora Link.

The Gorons live in a far more society-influenced lifestyle than their Hylian counterparts. The lifestyle of the Snowhead Gorons slightly mirrors that of the humans in clock town. The Gorons have a residential district where they hold meetings and have a Powder Keg shop, as well as a shop inside the meeting grounds. Outside the district is a far more recreational area, known as the Twin Islands, that houses the entrance to the Goron Racetrack, which gives major insight into the lifestyle and hobbies of Gorons.

Zoras

The Zoras of Termina live in the Great Bay Region, and their main residence is Zora Hall, an offshore island-cavern. In Termina, they tend to be more friendly with outsiders than the Hylian Zoras, and they even have a famous band called the Indigo-Gos. Unlike the Zoras of Hyrule, the Zoras of Termina live in a salt-water environment. In this game, Zoras are born from eggs that must be kept at a certain temperature for them to hatch. Zora children are born without legs or arms, indicating that they might go through an amphibian metamorphosis. Unlike the Zoras of Hyrule, the Zoras of Termina do not seem to have any sort of government at all. Unlike the Zoras inside Zora's Domain in Hyrule, there is no king or princess inside Zora Hall. The Hylian Zoras are also more civilized while the Termina ones are more wild.

The Zoras are suffering from pollution and an increase in temperature of the water, both of which threaten the future of the Zora civilization. The pollution makes it very hard to swim underwater, clouding vision and hindering speed. The sudden increase in water temperature is preventing the Zora eggs, which need very cold water, from hatching.

Zora Hall seems to be more like one big living area for the Zoras, and they use the Great Bay for recreation.

Gerudo

The Gerudo also reside in Termina, but unlike their desert counterparts of Hyrule, they live on the waters of Great Bay and make their livings as pirates rather than thieves. Little is known about the history of the Terminan Gerudo, but it appears that, like the Hylian Gerudo, the race is either primarily or entirely female. The Gerudo pirates inhabit a large fortress in the Great Bay area. They occasionally come into conflict with the nearby Zoras, as is seen in the game when they steal Lulu's eggs from her. They also are consumed by greed. Link sees Aveil, their leader, fantasizing about the riches that they will obtain from the Zora Eggs, she having been persuaded by the Skull Kid that the Zora Eggs would make them rich. Curiously, they have been seen using motorboats and cannons, which suggests that they are more technologically advanced than their Hylian contemporaries.

The Beings of Ikana

Little is known about what the people of Ikana were like in life, except that their kingdom was under constant war. It is presumed that the Ikana died out long before the Skull Kid got his hands on Majora's Mask. Once the Skull Kid opened the Stone Tower, an evil aura started to infest the land and cause the dead to become restless and return to life. It is believed that the Ikana were possibly human, possibly the Terminian counterparts of Sheikah in Hyrule, but in the game, they take on the forms of Stalfos, Poes, Garos, and other undead enemies. Poes are reminiscent of those from the graveyard in Kakariko Village (a thriving settlement formerly consisting of Sheikah and most recently inhabited by humans). Poes are the evil ghosts of deceased humans, Sheikah, and Hylians. The Ikana were ruled by a monarchy, with Igos du Ikana as their last king. When Igos du Ikana was resurrected (presumably by Sharp the Composer) he took the form of a Stalfos, as did his guards, his general Skull Keeta, and his entire army. Other entities took the form of Poes, such as the composer brothers Sharp and Flat (the latter was betrayed by the former). Still others took the form of ReDeads and Gibdos. The mummified Gibdos somehow ended up residing underneath the well, while the Redeads reside mainly in the castle. A certain Gossip Stone in Termina reveals that the ReDead of the palace were once the dancing troupe, hence their dancing when Link wears the masks of a Gibdo or a Garo, or the Captain's Hat. An enemy group from a foreign land, the Garo ninjas, spied on Ikana in their lifetime and continue to do so in death. When one defeats a Garo, they reveal a piece of information and then blow themselves up. They seem to have one or more masters (there are three Garo Masters that appear in the game). An odd, one-eyed, cloaked man appears in Ikana and gives Link information.

Based on the architecture of the Ikana race, the Ikana were probably based on the Incan civilization. In addition, there is a resemblance between the words "Inca" and "Ikana", although it is also possible the name was based on the Japanese word "ikan", which means "regret".

The only living beings in Ikana include the ghost researcher and his daughter, Pamela, Sakon the thief, Dampé the gravedigger, and a Terminian Business Scrub.

Legends

Carnival of Time

The Carnival of Time is central to the Terminan calendar. On this day, people wear handmade masks for good luck and walk along a walkway from the festival tower to the Clock Tower, where they sing an ancient song to the Four Giants to wish for a good harvest and luck in the year to come. Anju's Grandmother tells Link that if a couple dedicates two masks to the sun and the moon and get married on the day of this annual festival, their marriage will be a prosperous and a happy one.

The Carnival of Time bears a striking resemblance to Central and South American Saint Mask festivals.

The Four Giants

Anju's Grandmother also tells Link of the history of Termina and the dissolution of the one race into four different races. She also tells the story about the Skull Kid and his lost friendship with the Giants.

The Four Giants seem to be inspired by either the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism, or in the Guardians of the directions, similar deities in Hinduism.

See also

• The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask