Zora: Difference between revisions

The '''Zora''' is a recurring race of aquatic folk [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. There are two subspecies of Zora: River Zora and Sea Zora. Though named after their most frequented habitat, River Zora can be found in the sea and visa versa. Their main distinctions instead are their morphology and their temperament.

Zoras resemble other marine creatures. They have fins on both arms, and in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', Link uses them as some sort of [[Boomerang]]. Their head has a ''tail'' that stretches out on the back. Most of them are humanoid looking, but there are exceptions such as [[Toto]], King Zora, Ralis, etc. The males and females are hard to specify, since they look very similar and if the Zora isn't wearing clothes, it is almost impossible to judge. Rutela in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' looked more like a mermaid, and in that game, the Zoras had armor instead of being "naked".

As with [[Deku Scrub]]s and [[Goron]]s, the Zora usually have a larger purpose in the plot. The leaders have been shown to be a little different from the general Zora and male too, with the exception of [[Queen Rutela]] in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' who Link first encounters the ghost of after saving Zora's Domain. Toto in ''Majora's Mask'' is a respected manager of [[The Indigo-Go's]] and he is very round. King Zora XVI from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' is also very large and in a place of leadership.

The River Zoras are more monstrous-looking and haven't been shown as much. They like to fire energy bursts at Link. They have fangs and look more like monster fishes than Zoras. In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', the King of the Zoras was a River Zora. Many friendly River Zoras appear in ''A Link Between Worlds'', including the Zora Queen, Queen Oren, and the Zora underlings that wear capes.

[[File:River-Zora-LoZ-Art.png|230px|thumb|right|A River-Zora, a monster that Link fights in some games.]]

Additionally, Zoras who possess magical power have the ability to create electric fields around their bodies as a defense mechanism when swimming, much like electric eels. This ability has only been seen and used in ''Majora's Mask''. All Zoras are powerful swimmers – in fact, they are powerful enough to swim up waterfalls, as seen in ''Twilight Princess''.

Zoras have appeared in most games in the series. In the first few, they were enemies, whereas in later games they are a friendly race.

[[File:Zora sprite.png|75px]]

River Zoras are the only variety seen in the ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''. They hide underwater until Link comes near, when they will shoot fireballs at him. These fireballs can only be blocked with the [[Magical Shield]].

{{quote|Like Poseidon in his day, Zora ruled the waterways of Hyrule, controlling storm and calm, current and waterfall. Zora's Spawn answered only to him, and he determined who would use the Whirlpools that carried swimmers from place to place. Zora's special Flippers let swimmers tread in even the deepest waters, but they cost deeply.|Nintendo Power Player's Guide}}

[[File:King Zora XVI.png|x200px|thumb|left|''King Zora has round and much bigger form than other Zoras.]]

Seven years into the future, after Link withdraws the [[Master Sword]], he visits Zora's Domain and discovers that it is completely frozen over. After traversing the [[Ice Cavern (Ocarina of Time)|Ice Cavern]], he obtains the [[Iron Boots]] and can enter the [[Water Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Water Temple]]. In there, he finds Ruto, and once he defeats [[Morpha]], she becomes the Sage of Water.

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Link ventures to Zora Village after completing the [[Mermaid's Cave]] and obtaining the [[Mermaid Suit]], which allows him to swim and breath underwater. Upon traveling to the past age of Zora Village, Link finds that because of the pollution that fills the seas, thanks to [[Veran]], [[King Zora (Oracle of Ages)|King Zora]] has become very ill. In order to save King Zora's life, Link must bring him some [[Potion]]. King Zora rewards Link by giving him the key to the [[Eyeglass Island Library]], where Link then obtains the [[Fairy Powder]], use it to return the [[Fairy Queen (Oracle of Ages)|Fairy Queen]] to her former self, and ultimately have her to cleanse the seas of all the pollution. These acts gain Link the trust of King Zora to enter their deity [[Lord Jabu-Jabu]], which is actually the location of the seventh dungeon and [[Essences of Time|Essence of Time]].  

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[[File:Twilight princess zora.jpg|150px]]

File:Zora artwork.png|''River Zora artwork from the original The Legend of Zelda''

File:MM-ZoraMask.png|Zora Mask

File:Zora-Link-Model.png|Link under the influence of the Zora Mask