Who’s who in Hyrule: The people of Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game that creates a very immersive experience for the player. The map is expansive, the scenery is breathtaking, the story is compelling, and the quests, sidequests, and Shrines seem countless while playing. Players can easily put in hundreds of hours while questing through the game, working to rid Hyrule of the evil that is Calamity Ganon.

While playing as Link, you encounter numerous other characters from a diverse set of races within Hyrule. One of the most enjoyable parts of the game is how well-developed the various races and cultures are. I have played through each Legend of Zelda game, and I have to say that the diversity of Hyrule really is incredible in Breath of the Wild. It’s interesting to hear the story of how all of Hyrule’s population has survived in the 100 years since the Great Calamity and how they all play a role in helping Link fulfill his destiny.

Hylians 

Link is one of the many Hylians you will meet when playing Breath of the Wild. How do you know a Hylian when you see one? By the presence of their pointy ears, of course. Aside from this identifying feature, being led by the Hylian Royal Family, and worshipping the Goddess Hylia, not much is explored culturally with the Hylians.

Once prosperous prior to the Great Calamity, Hylians are one of the most prevalent races in Hyrule. While not technologically advanced in Breath of the Wild, the Hylians who survived the Great Calamity are incredibly resourceful and manage to live on in several towns and villages throughout the landscape. They are also shown to thrive as traveling merchants and adventurers.

Each Hylian village seems to have its own specialty and culture. It is clear to see that they have suffered a great deal since the Great Calamity, but they are trying to do the best they can to manage against the monsters roaming freely across the landscape.

While most of the Hylians you encounter are modest townspeople, the Hylian Royal Family is an exception. It is said they are descended from the Goddess Hylia, which sets them apart from the rest of the population and gives Princess Zelda the destiny of her divine powers. The Hylians across the land will benefit greatly from the end of the Calamity, as it will allow them to return to safety among their villages and travels. 

Sheikah

The Sheikah are a technologically advanced race that has historically served and supported the Hylian royal family. More than 10,000 years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild, the Sheikah created weapons that were responsible for sealing the Calamity, but unfortunately, they were forced to abandon their weapons and technology by the king of Hyrule.

All was not lost, however, as the ancient relics were left behind. And as we see in the game through Link’s memories, Princess Zelda was determined to research Sheikah technology and uncover its secrets to help defeat Calamity Ganon 100 years prior. Link encounters a number of Sheikah throughout his journey, and most of them are found in their home of Kakariko Village, which is located in the eastern part of Hyrule.

The Sheikah have a traditional way of dress inspired by East Asian garb, which makes it easy to identify them inside and outside of Kakariko Village. You learn about their history and stories via Link’s interactions with them. The Sheikah appear to be a long-lived people, which allows Link to meet Impa, Robbie, and Purah along his journey. This is significant because they knew Link and Princess Zelda 100 years prior to Link’s awakening in the Shrine of Resurrection.

Impa was Princess Zelda’s closest friend and an adviser to the royal family. After Calamity Ganon destroyed the castle, Impa became chief of Kakariko Village, which is where Link finds her. Impa’s older sister, Purah, was also a researcher alongside Robbie. Purah is the authority on ancient relics and can be found in the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, while Robbie is an expert on weapons and armor and is found in the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.

Without the technology of the Sheikah, which includes the Divine Beasts, Sheikah Slate, and a number of various weapons and armor pieces, Link would have a tough time defeating many of the enemies he encounters, including Calamity Ganon. The Sheikah Slate specifically allows Link access to a number of abilities that make navigating the terrain and identifying important items and enemies a lot more manageable.

In addition to the people of Kakariko Village, there are two other types of Sheikah that Link will encounter — the Monks of the Shrines that will help him on his journey, and the Yiga Clan that will attempt to hinder his progress as he makes his way through Hyrule.

Monks: These Sheikah were said to have had contact with the Goddess Hylia herself. The monks then put themselves into deep meditations for 10,000 years while waiting for the chosen hero to arrive and complete their trials.

Yiga Clan: Upset and betrayed by the King of Hyrule 10,000 years ago, this sect of Sheikah broke away from the traditions and beliefs of the rest of the race. They are a militant group that worships Calamity Ganon. Therefore, they try to stop Link from defeating him at any cost. Master Kohga is their leader. While they have a hideout in Karusa Valley within the Gerudo Highlands, Yiga can be found all over Hyrule, disguised as Hylians that will attack when spoken to. The Yiga are warriors who are very adept at stealth and also love Mighty Bananas.

Zora

Covered in beautifully colored scales and possessing fins, the Zora are a water-dwelling people that live in the Lanayru region in east Hyrule. Ever since the Great Calamity, the Zora have been dealing with a constant deluge of rain produced by the out-of-control Divine Beast Vah Ruta. While it may put a damper on things, that doesn’t stop the Zora from living.

The Zora have a strong culture and community. As you travel through Zora’s Domain, you will notice that there are no individual homes. The Zora live in communal pools, which suggests that they are a very close-knit people. The Zora have their own royal family and are ruled by King Dorephan.

They are one of the longest-lived Hyrulean races and many of those that still reside in Zora’s Domain remember Link. Though, many of the elder Zora have a somewhat difficult relationship with Link due to the Calamity of 100 years prior. The Zora champion, Mipha, was their beloved princess, and King Dorephan’s daughter. She was chosen to pilot Divine Beast Vah Ruta due to her unique ability to heal others. There are several Zora elders Link encounters that blame him for her death. Thankfully, not every Zora is hostile and they prove to be excellent allies.

Prince Sidon, Mipha’s brother, helps Link get the tools he needs to conquer Vah Ruta. Without his cooperation and guidance, it would be much more difficult for Link to get to Vah Ruta. Defeating the Divine Beast goes a long way to win Link favor with the Zora people as it ends the rainstorms plaguing their domain, which allows them to return to a better quality of life.

Goron

When traveling to Death Mountain in the Akkala region in northeast Hyrule, you may spot what at first glance appears to be a moving boulder. You are in no danger, because these are not falling rocks; they are Gorons.

The Gorons are mountain-dwelling people able to withstand extreme heat due to their stone-like bodies. They are incredibly strong and can withstand the blazing magma, yet they’re also rather laid back and gentle. The Gorons live in Goron City on Death Mountain but can be found traveling throughout Hyrule as merchants and travelers.

Their diet consists of rocks — but amazingly, they don’t enjoy the taste of gemstones. Once thought of as worthless, Gorons realized the gemstones had value to other races and began mining and selling them, hence the Goron City Mining Company.

The Goron champion, Daruk, was a leader among his people. He was incredibly kind and had the unique ability to create a defensive force field around himself, which is why he was chosen to pilot Divine Beast Vah Rudania. Yunobo is one of the key Gorons that help Link get to Vah Rudania. The Divine Beast has been wreaking havoc upon Goron City by raining down magma bombs at various intervals, which is a dangerous way to live, even with Goron bodies able to withstand the extreme heat and magma.

Yunobo is a descendant of Daruk, but is not as brave as one may think he is based upon his appearance. He is quite timid, but he also possesses Daruk’s ability to shield himself from attacks, which proves useful during the ascent to Vah Rudania. Through all of the challenges they have faced since the Great Calamity, the Gorons with their big hearts and strength prove to be excellent allies.

Rito

If you are looking for the rulers of the sky, look no further than the Rito. A race of bird-like creatures that are skilled in aerial combat, the Rito live in the Tabantha Frontier near the frozen peaks of Hebra in the northwest of Hyrule. The village is constructed in such a way that the homes of the Rito, as well as their shops and inn, hang from a tall rock formation in Lake Totori.

Their village is perfectly suited to their flying nature. The Rito possess powerful wings that allow them to move effortlessly through the sky as they wield their bows and develop impressive aerial maneuvers. In addition to being skilled warriors, they also show musical prowess, which makes them gifted musicians, singers, and storytellers.

The Rito are not as long-lived as some other Hyrulean races, so there is no one in Rito Village that recognizes Link. The elder, Kaneli, does see the Sheikah Slate and believes Link to be the descendant of a Champion. Revali, the Rito Champion, was chosen for his impressive combat skills. His unique ability to create powerful updrafts that propelled him into the air proves to be incredibly useful for himself and, later, Link.

Teba is not a descendant of Revali, but he possesses many of the same qualities and is considered the most skilled warrior of his generation. He is at first untrusting of Link and his abilities but proves to be a valuable ally in helping Link get to Divine Beast Vah Medoh.

After the Great Calamity, Vah Medoh, began circling Rito Village and indiscriminately attacking nearby targets, it dangerous for the Rito to fly in the area. This restriction, of course, negatively impacting the Rito’s quality of life. Conquering the Divine Beast not only earns Link favor with the Rito, but it also helps them return to a more normal daily life.

Another important Rito that Link encounters quite a bit on his journey is Kass, a traveling bard. Kass’s songs either give Link clues about the events that have transpired in an area or help him find important locations. Kass was a student of the Sheikah court poet that was employed by the Hylian Royal Family prior to the Great Calamity. Additionally, he is the keeper of his teacher’s song and fulfills his vow to share it with the Chosen Hero. The Rito’s gifts in battle and song are incredibly important to Link along the way.

Gerudo

No Voe allowed. The Gerudo are an all-female tribe living in the Gerudo Desert in the southwest region of Hyrule. Identifiable by their red hair and brown skin, they are fierce warriors who are great allies to Link. The Gerudo have one of the most well-developed cultures within Breath of the Wild. They have their own chief, their own language, and their own pantheon of deities — they worship the Seven Heroines instead of the Goddess Hylia.

They also have a love for Sand Seals and use them to travel much like how Hylians use horses. The Gerudo believe that young women should not interact with men or it will lead to disaster, which is the reasoning for banning men — or Voe, in their language — from Gerudo Town. When women (Vai) are old enough, they are able to leave to find a husband. Gerudo Vai can be found all over Hyrule searching for love.

Ever since the Great Calamity, the Gerudo have been plagued by monsters in their desert and the threat of Divine Beast Vah Naboris. The Gerudo Champion chosen to pilot Divine Beast Vah Naboris, Urbosa, was the chief of the Gerudo before the Calamity. A fierce warrior and protector of her people, she possessed the power to command lightning.

Urbosa briefly mentions the connection between Ganon and the Gerudo and how she resents it. This connection is explored more in other games, but it is great to see the lore still alive in Breath of the Wild.

One hundred years later, Link meets with the new chief, Riju. Surprisingly, Riju is a child. her mother died when she was young, leaving her to take over as the Gerudo’s leader. While suspicious of Link at first, Riju and a senior member of her guard, Buliara, come to trust him as he helps their town, infiltrates the Yiga Clan Hideout, and conquers Vah Naboris.

By defeating the Divine Beast, Link frees Gerudo Desert from the unsafe conditions it created — intense sandstorms and lightning that made it dangerous to travel. With the gift of commanding lightning and protection from lightning from the Thunder Helm, the Gerudo show that they put their trust in Link to defeat the Calamity. 

Each race has incredible strengths and development within Breath of the Wild. The expansive nature of the game gives the player more time to learn about their cultures and how they come together to defeat a common enemy that threatens each race’s existence and way of life. The individual groups have also experienced their own troubles and triumphs since the Great Calamity. It will be interesting to see where the world of Breath of the Wild sequel takes us from here with each of the races of Hyrule.