Termina

Termina (タルミナ 	Tarumina) is the land where the story of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask unfolds. After restoring Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link embarks on a journey to find a "friend" he had lost after the Imprisoning War. However, he is ambushed in the Lost Woods by a Skull Kid wearing a strange mask known as Majora's Mask. Chasing after the Skull Kid, Link falls down a huge hole inside a tree, and wakes up in Termina.

Because many of the people and creatures Link meets here are very similar to the inhabitants of Hyrule, Termina is often thought of as a parallel world to Hyrule, although this is never stated in the game. The official Zelda website encyclopedia states that Termina is a universe created when the magic of the gods slipped through the cracks in time and space. However, in Termina, the races do not have a common king that runs the land, but they have individual leaders. The Terminians are more advanced than the Hylians, but do not seem to have as much faith in the gods as the Hylians do. Every year they celebrate a big carnival in the center of the land, which is the city Clock Town. They do this in honor of the Four Giants who, according to legend, created the land and still guard it. The Triforce is not mentioned when Link is in Termina, so it is believed that it does not play a part in their lives or history.

The name 'Termina' is possibly derived from the english word 'Terminal', Meaning 'Will perish soon'. This is probably referencing to the apocolyptic nature of the Game.

Physical Geography
Termina's central city is the lively Clock Town, located in the middle of the country. The landscape is very different from one area to the next. Immediately west of Clock Town is the Great Bay. To the north of Clock Town are the mountains of Snowhead, south is where the Southern Swamp is located, and to the east of Clock Town is the Lost Kingdom of Ikana. If Link looks at Termina from the furthest point away from the coast, Pinnacle Rock, it appears that the land is surrounded by water making it either an island or a peninsula. This means that the kingdom of Ikana is probably not the furthest point east and that there is presumably an eastern coast.

Terminan Geography
Terminan activity in Termina is concentrated in the large area that is Clock Town, and unlike the monarchy in Hyrule there is a mayor. However, there isn't any evidence of farming, so it may be possible that their food comes from the sea. Another possibility is that the different races trade with each other for resources; the Gorons produce bombs, the Deku produce natural goods (Magic Beans, Deku Nuts, etc.) the Zoras produce fish, and the Terminan Hylians provide services and finished goods. Terminan Hylians live mainly in Clock Town and only a few live elsewhere, such as Romani and Cremia, who live on Romani Ranch to the southwest of Clock Town. Gorons live in the mountains, Zoras live in the sea to the west, and Dekus live in the swamps of the south. There does not seem to be one ruling race, but each races' home is like a city-state, each with its own government system and traditions.

Clock Town


Clock Town is the apparent center of Terminan affairs, geographically located in the exact center of the land. Inhabited mostly by Terminan Hylians, Clock Town is divided into 5 sub-sections: North, East, West and South, as well as an area known as the Laundry Pool. East Clock Town consists of a few carnival-like games, the Mayor's Residence, the Stock Pot Inn, the Milk Bar, and the entrance to the Bombers' Hideout. North Clock Town consists of a large park which takes up the entire area, except for a small Fairy Shrine in the corner. There, occasional sightings of a Keaton in the park can be witnessed. West Clock Town is the city's main commercial center. It includes various stores, some of which are of questionable legal status, such as the Curiosity Shop. West Clock Town is also where one can find the local Post Office and the bank, as well as a Lottery Shop. South Clock Town is the town's main hub. It is connected to all four of the other sections. Every year, the Carnival of Time occurs in South Clock Town, making it a cultural location. A large Clock Tower is in the center of South Clock Town, hence the name "Clock Town".

Termina Field
Termina Field is a large mainly treeless area that encircles Clock Town and borders Termina's various mountains, valleys, and bodies of water. A system of roads spanning the field connects Clock Town with the other regions of Termina, including Snowhead, Great Bay, Ikana Valley, and the Southern Swamp. Although vegetated mostly by various grasses, Termina Field is far from topographically featureless. Many species of animal life populate the area, chiefly ChuChus. Termina Field is the perfect place for a horse ride.

Snowhead Mountain


The Snowhead Mountains are the pinnacle of height in Termina. Snowhead is home to the Gorons, who have made a city on the snowy slopes. The Goron Village consists of many cavernous-like areas cut into the mountains, most notably the Goron Shrine. Outside the borders of the village lies the Mountain Village, a small area, which is home to the Mountain Smithy and two swordsmiths named Zubora and Gabora who can improve your sword for a price. On a cliff overlooking the Mountain Village is the Goron Graveyard. It serves as the final resting place of the great Goron hero, Darmani. The Goron's temple is Snowhead Temple, a huge peak in the mountain range surrounded by a huge chasm. Snowhead Temple is where the bitter, endless winter torturing the Gorons stems from.

Southern Swamp
Southern Swamp is a swamp in Southern Termina. Southern Swamp is very aquatic and lush, and it has an abundance of wildlife. Southern Swamp's chief species are the Deku Scrubs. who have a palace nestled deep in the Swamp, near Woodfall. Woodfall Temple is the Deku Scrubs temple of worship, and is the root of the poison leaking into the swamp waterways. There are places in which other races live, and their businesses are high on platforms. One is the Swamp Tourist Center, where you can get a boat tour of the swamp, and the other is the Magic Hags' Potion Shop, where a number of helpful potions are sold. Other areas of interest include the Woods of Mystery, a maze like wood which is very much like the Lost Woods in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and the Swamp Shooting Gallery, in which Link can test his skills with his Hero's Bow.

Great Bay
Termina's large coastline, Great Bay is a peaceful and serene setting. As you enter, you will find a nice beach, with the Fisherman's Hut on the shore, and kayak-like boats on the sands. Outside of the beach on the water rests the Marine Research Laboratory, a odd looking place with porthole windows and a large hook on the roof. Here you will find the Marine Biologist, who is well informed on the plight of the Zora. North in the bay lies the Pirates' Fortress, which has top- notch security, as is very difficult to enter. Down the beach, and through a cave, is an extension of the beach. Above the waterfall is a catchment where two Beaver Brothers live, further up the river that leads to the waterfall is the Waterfall Rapids where they make their dam. Swim down in the ocean in this area and you will gain entry into Zora Hall, the main chamber for the Zora, and the home of its band, The Indigo-Gos. Even farther out from shore is Pinnacle Rock, a murky place teeming with huge sea snakes, and further still the Great Bay Temple, home of Gyorg, and the stem of the murkiness and heat in the ocean that is preventing the Zora from hatching their eggs.

Ikana
Ikana is a desolate and forlorn area of Termina, where few besides the dead can call home. Ikana has a large river flowing through it, which leads to Southern Swamp if you follow it. The Ancient Castle of Ikana can be easily seen, but its main gate is closed forever. Along the river you can find the Music Box House, a strange dwelling with a waterwheel that makes the music playing in the house run. Also near the river is Sakon's Hideout, a seemingly impenetrable cave that Sakon hides all of his stolen goods. Further up the hill, you can spot the gigantic Stone Tower, a rock stronghold that towers above everything else. A deep well delves deep into the chilling underworld of Ikana. Near this is a cave full of water, where the river's source originates. Ikana seems to have been a thriving kingdom, until an evil curse was released upon the land when the Doors of Stone Tower were opened. The Ancient Castle of Ikana is now haunted by vicious monsters and the Stalfos versions of the King Igos du Ikana, and his two vassals. The castle can only be accessed from outside via Ikana's Well. Despite how the canyon may have appeared in its past, it is now a land of death and mournful memories.

Catacombs
The Catacombs are a series of tunnels underneath Termina that serve as the entrance to Termina from the Lost Woods in Hyrule. It has no inhabitants other than what seems to be a dead Deku, commonly speculated to be the Deku Butler's Son.

Terminan Hylians
The Hylians in Termina, sometimes called Terminans, are considerably different from those in Hyrule. They are more technologically advanced, as they use clocks and fireworks, and they are given no mention of having magical powers. They are considered to still be members of the Hylian race, however.

Deku
In Termina, the Deku Scrubs are far more advanced than Hyrulean Deku Scrubs, and they have a distinct culture and religion. They are run by monarchy, and their sacred temple is the Woodfall Temple, which only Deku Scrubs can access without magic. The Deku and the monkeys of Southern Swamp are hostile towards one another, and it is said that a monkey kidnapped the Deku Princess. The Deku are lead by the Deku King.

Gorons
The Terminan Gorons are very different from the Hyrulean ones. The Hyrulean Gorons live on the active, and therefore hot, volcano, Death Mountain, while the Terminan Gorons live in 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 as the Moon looms ever closer. Terminian Gorons are a tribe "ruled" by the Goron Elder, just like their Hyrulean counterparts.

Zoras
The Zoras of Termina live in the Great Bay Region. In Termina, Zoras are more open than Hyrulean Zoras, and they will leave their home to travel, which is easily shown by a very popular Zora band called The Indigo-Gos that like to play in Clock Town and other densely populated areas. They also live in saltwater, unlike the freshwater-inhabiting Zoras of Hyrule. Zoras are born from eggs, which must be kept in water at a certain temperature and kept together if they are to survive. Zora children are born without legs or arms, implying that they possibly go through an amphibian-esque metamorphosis. Unlike the other species, Zoras seemingly have no central government or even any government at all.

Gerudo Pirates
The Gerudo Pirates are apparently Termina's version of the Gerudo race of Hyrule, from which Ganondorf the Gerudo King of Thieves descends. Little is known about the history of the Gerudo Pirates, but it appears that, like the Hyrulean Gerudo, the race is either primarily or entirely female. The Pirates inhabit a large fortress in the Great Bay Area. The Hero of Time, Link, comes across the Gerudos after they steal the Indigo-Go's lead singer Lulu's eggs. Little is known about the Pirates' dealings, but it is apparent that they are technologically advanced with things such as motorboats and cannons, and have an interest in research, as seen from the myriad of specimens they house in tanks.

Ikana and Its People
While it is unknown if they were another race, there was once a civilization in Ikana, in eastern Termina, that died out due to a long history of war. The two ancient races of Ikana, the Ikana and the Garo ninjas, had a bloody past between them. The Ikana were led by Igos du Ikana, who now sits on his crumbling throne in the Ancient Castle of Ikana. Link explores the ruins of the Castle and the temple in Stone Tower in order to free the fourth giant in the evil guardian mask of Twinmold. Now a wasteland haunted by vengeful spirits, virtually the only living people there are the researcher of the paranormal and his daughter Pamela, as well as the grave keeper, Dampé. Tingle also stops by occasionally to peddle the usual map or two. Ikana is also the location of the hideout of Sakon the thief.

Mysterious Entities
There are a few other entities in Termina that used to be alive, but have long since perished. An example of this is the mysterious ghost dancer, Kamaro, who dances every night at midnight on the large mushroom-like objects just to the North of Clock Town in Termina Field, waiting for somebody to pass on his legacy which he was never able to complete. Other than that, his past is shrouded in mystery.

Carnival of Time
Also known as the Festival of Time, this is a festival central in 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 gods to wish for a good harvest and luck in the year to come. It is said that if a couple dedicate two masks to the sun and the moon and get married on this day, their marriage will be a prosperous and happy one. Told by Anju's Grandmother.

The Four Giants
Also told by Anju's Grandmother, this story is about the history of Termina and the dissolution of the one race into four different races. It also tells a story about the Skull Kid.

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