Lanayru Desert

Lanayru Desert

Games	Skyward Sword
Enemies	Ampilus Ampilus Egg Technoblin Moblin Hrok Electro Spume
Inhabitants	Ancient Robots
Items	Hook Beetle Gust Bellows Double Clawshots
Related	Lanayru Mine Lanayru Caves Temple of Time Lanayru Mining Facility

		We have arrived at Lanayru Desert. The terrain in this area changed dramatically as climate forces rapidly turned it into a desert. I have confirmed numerous areas of sinksand. Should you step in sinksand, you may be swallowed by the desert. Bodily danger has increased by 30%. As a safety measure, I recommend you check the terrain on your map with [+].

Geography

The Lanayru Desert is a large sandy area located within the Lanayru Province in Skyward Sword. It is connected to the Lanayru Mine to the south, the Lanayru Caves to the southwest, and the Temple of Time to the west. In the Temple of time rests one of the two Gates of Time. There is much sinksand throughout the area, which Link can run across, for a short time. In some areas, there are hidden paths just beneath the sinksand, which Link may walk on without fear of being pulled under. There are three power generators throughout the area. After Link activates all three, he will be able to access Lanayru Mining Facility in the center of the desert, which is connected to the Temple of Time underground.

The Past

In the ancient past, the Lanayru Province was once a life-filled, grassy region. Over time, however, the climate has changed drastically, turning the entire region into a massive desert. It also contained a harbor near the Lanayru Sand Sea, before it dried out and filled with sinksand. In the past, the region was rich in Timeshift Stones, which many Ancient Robots work to mine out of the land as a power source. There are still several scattered about the area, which Link can strike to activate. When activated, they cause the surrounding area to revert to its past time state. While areas are in their past state, many electronic devices have regained power, sinksand changes to solid ground, Ancient Flowers appear, Ampili revert to Ampilus Eggs, many long-dead enemies return to life, & Link may speak with Ancient Robots, interact with the new devices or plants to solve puzzles, or reach otherwise unreachable areas.

Story

Link first arrives in the Lanayru Province while searching for Zelda. When he descends for the first time, he finds himself at the entrance to Lanayru Mine, which leads to the entrance of Lanayru Desert. After passing through, he finds the Temple of Time, but a massive rock slide has blocked the entrance. Link learns from an Ancient Robot that the Temple of Time is connected to Lanayru Mining Facility underground. After finding the entrance and passing through the Facility, he arrives at the Temple of Time. There, he finds Zelda, Impa and the Gate of Time. Before they have a chance to talk, however, Ghirahim appears in an attempt to capture Zelda. Impa holds him back just long enough for Zelda to give Link the Goddess's Harp, and escape through the Gate. Ghirahim finally makes it past Impa, but Link rushes in to buy Impa the time she needs to follow Zelda through the Gate of Time. As she leaves, she tells Link to speak with the old woman at the Sealed Grounds, before passing through the gate and destroying it in the process.

Theory

Many people have theorized about Lanayru Desert becoming the Gerudo Valley/Gerudo Desert in some of the chronologically later games, such as Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess. Both hold environment similarities, such as being in a desert - some may believe that they are also, approximately, the same distance away from the Forest and Volcano biomes shown in the games. Despite bold speculation, Nintendo has not deemed this factually correct.

		This is Lanayru Desert. Over many centuries, the sand has covered nearly all remnants of the past. Some of the monsters of this region produce an electrical field that can paralyze anything that touches them. As a protective measure, I recommend using a Wooden Shield. You should also consider keeping a Revitalizing Potion or a spare shield in your pouch. I recommend you open your map with [+] and study the local terrain before you continue on.