Happy Mask Salesman
Race | ||
Games | ||
Location | Ocarina of Time |
The Happy Mask Salesman is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series. He travels across Hyrule and Termina collecting and selling masks. Some of his masks are very rare and powerful. Many of them can transform Link, and the most famous, the spirit-possessed Majora's Mask, can give anyone who wears it unbelievable power. The Mask Salesman's real name is unknown, and much of him is a total mystery. He has a very unpredictable personality, and will go from happy to extremely angry in seconds. He also seems to be able to do some magic, as is shown in Majora's Mask when he makes an organ appear, then plays the magical Song of Healing.
Ocarina of Time
The Happy Mask Salesman first appears in Ocarina of Time, where he runs the mask shop in the Hyrule Castle Town Market. He asks Link to go out and sell his masks, and for every mask he sells he can get a new mask. This is an optional side quest called the Happy Mask Side Quest. If Link sells all four of the masks that the salesman wanted him too, Link gets to take the Mask of Truth, which allows him to read Gossip Stones.
The Mask Salesman is never seen outside his shop in this game, and it is unknown where he goes after the seven years when Ganondorf takes over. However, he does appear at the party at Lon Lon Ranch at the end of the game.
Majora's Mask
The Happy Mask Salesman plays a more significant role in Majora's Mask. When Link, trapped as a Deku finds himself in the Clock Tower of Termina's Clock Town, he is interrupted by the Happy Mask Salesman. The latter offers him a deal - if Link can retrieve the Ocarina of Time Skull Kid stole, he will help Link use it to return himself to his Hylian self. In return, he wants Link to also get back the "precious mask" that the imp stole from him. However, he claims to be "a very busy fellow" and requires the mask within three days.
When Deku Link gets the Ocarina, and turns back time, the Mask Salesman remembers the deal, and teaches Link the Song of Healing, which turns the curse into a Deku Mask which Link can don and doff at will. However, when finding that Link did not get the mask, he becomes unhinged, and starts shaking Link violently. He then tells Link the story of the mask, Majora's Mask - about its true power, how the tribe of ancient ones who used it sealed it away, then how he himself became obsessed and went to "went to great lengths to get that legendary mask". With it stolen, he warns that getting it back is crucial to the survival of Termina, and claims to still believe that Link can still get it back.
He remains in the Clock Tower for the remainder of the game, and will comment on the various masks Link obtains if shown them. In the closing cutscene, he appears retrieving the now powerless Majora's Mask, and disappears with it after saying some parting words to Link.
The Happy Mask Salesman is somewhat of a disturbing character in that he is perpetually smiling (except for one small instance), has sudden mood swings, and seems to change his position without having to move. When the Moon crashes into Termina, and the game is over, you hear the chuckle of the mask salesman, and the words:
"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"
Oracle of Ages
The Happy Mask Salesman can be found in his shop, located on the outskirts of Lynna City just west of the present-day Nuun Highlands. Link learns that the Salesman is extremely hungry, and asks if Link will give him something to eat.[1]
As part of the Trading Sequence, Link will obtain the Tasty Meat from the Tokay cook on Crescent Island. In exchange for the Tasty Meat, the Happy Mask Salesman will give Link the Doggie Mask, which will later be traded to Mamamu Yan.
Trivia
- In Majora's Mask, the Happy Mask Salesman has a Mario mask on his backpack.
- The Moon Children in Majora's Mask look like the Happy Mask Salesman as a kid.
Gallery
References
- ↑ "I'm so hungry my stomach hurts. AHH! I'M HUNGRY! Pardon me. I just thought you could help." — Happy Mask Salesman, Oracle of Ages.