Level 1: The Eagle
Level 1: The Eagle is the first dungeon Link will traverse in The Legend of Zelda. It is found by going one to the right, four up, and then one left from the Starting Screen, which will take Link to the entrance. This dungeon holds the first of the eight Triforce Shards, and Link must travel through the dungeon all the way to the end, where he will meet up with the Boss of the dungeon, Aquamentus. After defeating Aquamentus, Link can collect the first Triforce Shard and leave.
Items
There are two different items that Link can obtain in this dungeon. The first is the Bow, which can be found in a side-scrolling section of the dungeon. This side-scrolling area can be accessed from a staircase in the room that's at the northern most point in the dungeon. It cannot be used, however, until Link has bought the Arrows from any of the shops around Hyrule. The price for these Arrows is 80 Rupees. After Link has purchased the Arrows, every time he shoots one, he will lose one Rupee. This mechanic is used instead of an inventory number, i.e. the Bombs, for unknown reasons. The second item Link can obtain in this dungeon is the Boomerang, which is one of the most useful item in the game. It can be used to stun larger enemies and kill smaller ones. Unfortunately, this type of Boomerang only travels half the screen. However, later on Link will receive and upgrade, the Magical Boomerang, which travels the full length of the screen. The Boomerang is found, from the entrance, two rooms up, one room left, one room up, and finally two rooms right. Here, Link will encounter three Red Goriyas. After defeating all three Goriyas, the Boomerang will appear to the upper portion of the room.
Enemies
Being the first dungeon in the game, the enemies in this dungeon are easily the most simple enemies found in the entire game. They include:
- Enemies in Level 1: The Eagle
Aquamentus
- Main article: Aquamentus (The Legend of Zelda)
The Boss of The Eagle is known as Aquamentus, who is a green dragon that shoots fireballs at Link. This battle takes place right before the room where the Triforce Shard is located, and Aquamentus is standing right in front of the door. With the Wooden Sword, it takes a total of six hits to kill Aquamentus. If Link gets hit by one of the fireballs shot from Aquamentus, he will lose half a heart, same if he comes in contact with Aquamentus. After defeating it, Link will collect a Heart Container and head into the next room, where he can collect the first Triforce Shard.
Old Man Location
The Old Man can be found in this dungeon, in the room farthest to the left. Inside, he will say, "EASTMOST PENNINSULA IS THE SECRET".[1] It is not known exactly what he meant by this, but most believe it has to do with either the location of the Triforce Shard in this dungeon, which is found in the room that is farthest to the right, a.k.a. East, or it could have to do with the location of a hidden Heart Container which is found in the Overworld in a screen that is in the top-right corner of the map.
Dungeon Map & Compass
This dungeon features the first ever edition of the Dungeon Map and the Compass.
Compass
The Compass is used to show Link the location of the Triforce Shard, which is represented by a flashing circle on Link's map. It found, from the entrance, up two rooms and right one room. Inside this room, there are multiple Keese that are seemingly protecting it. Link can choose to be brave and battle these enemies in combat or to be a coward and get the Compass and run. Either one results in Link obtaining the Compass.
Dungeon Map
The Dungeon Map is used to show Link the layout of the dungeon on his sub-screen. It is particularly useful is Link is looking for the Bow, as it is located in a room that is not on Link's way to the Triforce Shard, kind of like a detour section. The Dungeon Map is found, from the entrance, two rooms up, one room left, one room up, and finally one room right. Inside, Link will see a lot of Gels patrolling the area. The Dungeon Map can be seen on the floor in the middle of the room.
Keys & Locked Doors
Inside The Eagle, there are a total of six Small Keys that are scattered throughout the dungeon. These keys can be found by defeating all the enemies in a specific room, or by killing a specific Stalfos which was holding onto a Key. Using these Keys, Link can unlock each and everyone of the six Locked Doors that are also found in the dungeon. It is a perfect combination, six Small Keys and six Locked Doors.