Shad

Shad is a scholarly, formal associate of Telma and a member of The Group. His father was a scientist who studied the Oocca. Shad, in his profession, continued his deceased father's studies. During the quest involving the last Mirror shard, Shad becomes a vital part of Link's quest by accidentally chanting an ancient Sky Being spell that restores power to the Dominon Rod after Link's journey to the Hidden Village. After this, Link is able to fetch many examples of Sky Writing in the Ancient Sky Book, and Shad is able to complete spell and restore access to a broken Sky Cannon. Link must then warp the Sky Cannon to the repairman Fyer so he can journey to the City in the Sky.

The game does not allow Link to warp the Sky Cannon while Shad is present, so Shad must be asked to leave. This is painful for him, as his entire life's research has been dedicated to studying the Sky Beings and the Oocca. (After doing this, Midna says, "I wonder if I put him off?") However, he later thanks Link for his assistance, saying that he never would have made it as far as he has without him.

He is the only member of The Group to send Link a letter.

According to the official strategy guide for Twilight Princess, Shad's father -- in addition to his work concerning the Oocca -- was employed as a royal butler at one time.

Notable Glitch
Shad was involved in a fatal glitch which completely halted any attempt to further the game's plot. The glitch has been fixed in later copies of the game, though it still exists in earlier copies. When the game is saved in the room with the broken sky cannon beneath Renado's house and reloads the game, Shad disappears. Link must talk to him in order for him to leave the room so Link can warp the cannon. However, Link cannot engage conversation with Shad in any way; thus, the plot cannot advance and the game must be restarted. Even deliberately killing Link does not help, as the game restarts in the room. Link cannot leave the room, for Shad appears and blocks the way, asking Link where he is going. When he blocks the way, he doesn't appear after that to talk with Link.

Trivia

 * An interesting thing about Shad are the similarities he bears to Mako from the Wind Waker. This includes their round eyeglasses, as well as how the two of them keep a blade in their books. This may be more than an allusion. As Shad is a one of the members of "The Group" who serve the Royal Family and Mako is a member of the Tetra's pirate crew who are alluded to be the descendants of the royal servants, the two could share a common ancestor.

Appearances

 * The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess