Hyrule

Hyrule is a world soaked in magical energies, rich with culture and lore, as well as the mystic arts. For countless and untold eons, this world has existed as a monument to the works of the Gods, and was forged from the unformed chaos by the Goddesses long ago in a time before time.

Culture:

The culture of Hyrule is varied; depending on the region and on the race. The most prominent races of the planet are the Hylians and Hyrulians. The former are the ancient race gifted with great magical powers, chosen by the gods to govern the world. Hyrulians seem to be Hylians of lesser power and of thinner bloodlines, and since at times a distinction is made between the two terms, one must conclude that there is a difference in groups. Both are marked by wide bright eyes and elongated pointed ears. Various different regions have variations of ears, but a commonality is large and swept back, almost similar to cats, though some regions have ears that sweep out to the side, almost deerish in appearance. Both Hylians and Hyrulians bear three hearts, a fuctionality that grants them very long lifespans and a built in "back-up" in case one heart fails. As an old nursery rhyme tells:

"Three Hearts we do depend,
one for each Goddess,
to whom our souls we send."

The royal family of Hyrule are Hylians, and this family has ruled for uncounted ages. It is unknown truly when the tradition of naming the princess "Zelda" began, but the earliest recorded child of that name was just before what, in one timeline, was the Cataclysm in which Ganondorf of the Gerudo stole the Triforce and conquered Hyrule. However, due to the actions of the Hero of Hyrule, this timeline is no longer the true future of Hyrule, but does still exist as its own continuum.

The Gorons of the mountains are a simple people, living in their caves, but are also master crafters and blacksmiths. It is believed that in later years, they somehow spawned a more hylian-like race that have been at times nicknamed "dwarves." The main notable members of the dwarves are the two blacksmiths of Kakariko Village who reforged the Master Sword for the Hero of Hyrule during the days of the Twin Worlds War (Link to the Past). They are known as well to flourish in the countries of Labrynna and Holodrum, as well as in the alternate dimensional world of Termina, though in that world, they live in the snowcapped mountains instead of the dead lava tubes of Death Mountain.

The Zora are a noble and peaceful race, living in the oceans and holding loyal alliances with the Hylian Royalty. They are a member of the empire that spans the world, and they will, in trying times, stand by their allies. However, a sub-species, the River Zora, or "Zola," are of nasty tempers and very hostile to outsiders. Many of the River Zola serve Ganon, although it's unknown as to whether this is their choice or not. Both races are well spread throughout all of Hyrule, and the Ocean Zora also exist in the alternate world of Termina. The leader of the Hyrule Zora is King Zora, but as to if this is his true name or a title name taken on upon assuming the throne is not yet known.

Living in the deserts are the nomadic Gerudo tribes. Afflicted with a curse that prevents all male births save but once every hundred years, the female nomadics almost resemble the Earthen Amazon tribes, but they seem less hostile to the male gender. In fact, it was quite an event when the Gerudo would journey from the deserts to acquire mates so that their kind would prosper. Of the Hylian-like races in Hyrule, Geurdo are an oddity, for they have blunted round ears and large sloping noses, and all have deep red hair. Gerudo royal bloodlines tend to have smaller noses, almost like those of Hylians, but all Gerudo have wide sunset yellow eyes, save the exile Ganondorf, who bears eyes the color of red blood. It is a theory, on the matter of male births, that the TwinRova witches are the ones who cursed the Gerudo with this affliction, as it is known that they raised Ganondorf.

Most hostile of the humanoid races are the moblin clans. Short tempered, violent, and always looking for a fight, these doggish creatures have always had a natural enmity towards the Hylians. One theory holds that, being the Hylians are very catlike, perhaps this is a parallel to feline and canine rivalries. The moblins live in small tribes, and at times will be hostile towards each other, but will always band together for a fight against their natural rivals. It seems that they quickly took up worship of Ganondorf, being that they are at the forefront of his armies.


Religion:

The beliefs of the Hyrulian races are very uniform, and it is thought that, due to a very obvious proof of the divine origins of the world, there is little doubt as to how Hyrule came to be. Most prominent in Hyrulian religion is the Three Virtues; Power, Courage and Wisdom. As the symbol of these united forces, there is the Triforce, a piece of their divine power that the Goddesses left behind to guide Hyrule into a golden age.

As the beliefs hold true, Hyrule was once unformed chaos, a mass of potential floating in the endless sea. The Goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru descended from the heavens and forged the chaos into the world of Hyrule. Din, Ruby Goddess of Power, burned into being the earth, dying the mountains red and bringing power to the force of Life. Farore, Sapphire Goddess of Courage, painted the skies, drew forth the seas, and brought form to the force of Life. And Nayru, Emerald Goddess of Wisdom, poured knowledge and wisdom into Life, granting intelligence and instinct to all beings, and drew forth the plants from the earth. They then each created a race to uphold their principles. Din created the mountain born Goron, masters of raw power and the Flame. Farore gave birth to the sea-faring Zora, brave and noble beings. And Nayru breathed into being the Hylians, wise and destined to govern the planet. The three were told that the world, and all other races within it, was bound to the fates of those three races. With their work completed, the three goddesses departed, but left behind, kept in a Sacred Realm of Light, the symbol of their power; the Triforce.

Legends and prophecy often told, since then, that one day, a dark shadow from the sunburn sands would claim the sacred power of the Goddesses, but that from the forest lands would come a hope in the form of a green-clad child. However, prophecy can only tell the road that must be traveled, not the end of the journey, so no scholar or savant can tell who shall win in the final Great War to come.