Gossip Stone: Should We Get More Insight on the Culture of Zelda’s Various Races?

Can you think of many particular instances of us learning about the backgrounds of the several races of Hyrule? I sure can’t. And I am not necessarily talking about their respective histories. Yes, the games and Hyrule Historia have given us a number of details on their origins, and even their evolution at times, but what about their lifestyles? Their culture? What the eat, how thy have fun, what their potential religions entail – there are plenty of things we could learn about them. It all just depends on whether Nintendo decides to tell us, and how they may tell us.

Join the discussion after the jump!

I believe that the most significant thing we have had a chance to examine among each race’s culture is food. There are missions across the series involving bringing characters of certain races foods that fit their specific diets, and some simple patterns emerge. The Zora’s seem to enjoy fish, the Gorons obviously prefer rocks, as detailed by those in Ocarina of Time that worry about Dodongo’s Cavern, as well as the multiple Gorons wanting Rock Sirloins. I believe that is about it, though, beyond the obvious diets of the human-like Hylia. Seeing what other creatures prefer, like the Rito, the Gerudo (in their usual desert climate), and the Deku, would be quite interesting, given that their respective societies and living environments would greatly effect their availability of food, as well as what types of side-quests Link could partake in to obtain some special foods for them.

What I most want to know more about regarding Hyrule’s diverse set of cultures is religion. There have been a number of references to deities throughout the series, many of which are only briefly mentioned. The Goddess of Time, the Sand Goddess, and the Mountain Goddess, to name a few; along with the actual Golden Goddesses, of course. Unlike Din, Nayru and Farore, though, the rest of the deities that are apparently worshiped by some specific group are not really confirmed to exist. Learning about these religious figures and the people practicing said religion could not only be fascinating, but could also teach us a bit about the architecture and temples associated with them. This would give some much-wanted context to many of the dungeons that just appear to be in the game for… reasons.

What do you guys think? What aspects of Hyrulian culture would you like to know more about, and what kinds of quests would work well as ways of learning? Drop a comment!