Zora

:This article refers to the friendly race. For the enemy variety, see .
The , also known as the Zora Tribe, are a race in . The Zora are an aquatic folk who possess fish and amphibian like traits, including fins, webbed feet and gills, which allow them to swim and thrive underwater. Zora can come in many shapes and sizes, but are most commonly depicted as humanoids with long tail fins on their heads and finned appendages on their arms and legs. They are protectors of water.
Prior to their debut as a friendly race in , Zoras were present in older titles as a hostile enemy. These Zora appear radically different, appearing more reptilian and more fish-like than human. Both kinds of Zora have appeared throughout The Legend of Zelda series following their debuts, with the Zora race appearing almost exclusively in the 3D console games. In and , the only games where both good and bad Zora coexist, the enemy Zora are referred to as "River Zora" to distinguish them from the peaceful race.
==Characteristics==
Zora are normally found in or near large bodies of water, but very rarely stray far away from them. due to their nature. In Hyrule, Zora live in the Zora's Domain, a large cavernous fountain that is connected to the Zora River, which flows directly to Lake Hylia; it is common to see Zora within these areas as well. Zora, however, do not solely live in fresh water, but can also thrive in salt water, such as the Great Bay Zora of and the sea Zora of . In contrast to the enemy Zora in the early 2D titles, the peaceful Zora appear more distinctively humanoid than monstrous. Most individuals (but not all) have fins attached to their limbs and a tail at the back of their head, making their head alone resemble a fish. However, Zora also came in various shapes and sizes, with some lacking the head fin and others, like King Zora, having a rotund appearance. Some Zora possess fins that greatly resemble the folds of clothing, such as the case with Rutela. Their skin color ranges between white, blue and gray, but few have also appeared bright red or brown as a seemingly rarer variant.
Zora lay Eggs which hatch into tadpole-like young. Their Eggs hatch one to three days after they are laid, provided that the water they lie in is of a proper temperature, and that the Eggs that were laid at the same time are together. While they resemble tadpoles when they first hatch, they become humanoid even before reaching adulthood as seen with both Princess Ruto in and multiple Zora children in .
Zora are known to have long lifespans, with Sidon being a child 100 years before and a young adult in the game's present, which indicates a de-accelerated aging process. The King Zora in is the same individual in the game's past and present times, 400 years apart. Zora are considered young until they reach triple digits. Zora children age in such a way where even as young adults they can still appear to be children before reaching a growth spurt. As Zora age, they hold themselves to higher standards of speaking as a matter of pride.
Zora have a strong sense of duty for history and order. Because they do not travel far from sources of water and are protective of Zora's Domain, they have limited interaction with other races.
Zora primarily subsist on fish and other marine life, and many are skilled fishers. They can swim against the current and even up waterfalls.
The Zora have maintained positive relations with the Hylians since ancient times. However, in the timeline of Hyrule's decline that bond gradually fades.
The Zora, along with Hylians and Gorons, have often be called to watch over Hyrule.
Women of their royal family have been given the crucial role of sages in times of need. In addition, when the sacred realm was sealed, the Zora were entrusted with guarding the Spiritual Stone of Water.
Zora do not have individual homes, instead sleeping in large communal pools within Zora's Domain. This seems to only apply to Hyrule's Zora, as the Zora of Labrynna and Termina do have private dwellings.
The Lanayru Great Spring in the era of contains a wealth of ore, and so the Zora have become crafters of beautiful stone buildings and metal jewelry and equipment.
All Zora possess the ability to manipulate water.
After the Imprisoning War prior to , Hyrule fell into decline. By the era of the Zora's once close relationship with the Hylians had soured. They grew hostile to outsiders, and their physical appearance changed to reflect this, turning them into enemy Zora. In this same era, friendly blue Zora still exist beyond Hyrule in the neighboring kingdom of Labrynna. Several generations later in the time of , Queen Oren attempted to return peace between the Zora and Hylians, but they split, with half pledging loyalty to her and half rebelling in violent fashion. Despite the queen's attempts to return the Zora to their former glory, this hostile faction of Zora grow stronger over time, and by the era of , the Zora are outright monsters.
==History==
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In , the Zora all live in the Zora's Domain, located in northeastern Hyrule at the end of Zora's River, where their domain is guarded by the impassable Sleepless Waterfall. The Zora folk are responsible for guarding the in Lake Hylia, which the Zora River flows into, as well as the Zora's Fountain, the source of the River's water, on behalf of the Royal Family of Hyrule. Due to their close servitude, the Hyrulean Zora have been allies to the Royal Family for years. Lord Jabu-Jabu, who resides in the Fountain, serves as their patron deity. King Zora leads the Zora as their monarch ruler. The latter has a young, elegant daughter, Princess Ruto, who is left in charge of preparing Jabu-Jabu's meals.
As a child, Link visits the Domain in search of the Zora's Sapphire, the Spiritual Stone that was passed down by the Zora, as well as hearing that Ruto was in danger. Link saves Princess Ruto from Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly, after she is swallowed by Jabu-Jabu due to being cursed by Ganondorf. As a reward, she entrusts the young hero with the Zora's Sapphire as her engagement to him.
Seven years later, after Ganondorf came into power as the Evil King, Morpha had caused the Zora's Domain and all of its residents to become frozen in ice. Sheik had managed to rescue Princess Ruto, who had then went to the Water Temple to save her people, but it is the Hero of Time who ultimately destroys the evil inside the Temple and thus saves Zora's Domain. His efforts also awakens Princess Ruto as the Sage of Water (which forces her engagement with Link into an indefinite hold). Although Link had defeated Morpha, Zora's Domain never recovers in-game, as Ruto explains it will take time to thaw. Only during the ending are the Zora found to be thawed. Princess Ruto as a Sage, aids Link in the final battle against Ganon.
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In , the Zora live in the Great Bay region of Termina, where they congregate in the Zora Hall as their home. The Zora Hall is also the home to The Indigo-Go's, a famous Zora band. The band was planned to play at the Carnival of Time in Clock Town, but suddenly had to cancel when Lulu, the band's lead singer, lost her voice when she laid some Eggs. However, the Eggs were shortly stolen by the Gerudo Pirates. Mikau, the band's guitarist, had tried to recover the Eggs, but was beaten by the Pirates and left gravely injured in the coast. Link eventually finds Mikau and pushes him to shore, but he passes away, and after being healed, his soul is encased into the Zora Mask.
Wearing the Zora Mask allows Link to transform into Zora Link in the resemblance of Mikau. Under the guise of this form, Link retrieves the scattered Zora Eggs, allowing Lulu to recover her voice and to subsequently open the way to the Great Bay Temple.
The Great Bay Temple is implied to be an important location to the Zora folk. It is said that should anything happen to the Temple, a disaster will befall the Bay and the Zora descendant of the Temple's protector. The Zora also have their own writing system.
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Although Zora do not live in Holodrom in , one Zora appears during a Linked Game. The Zora can be found inside the Hero's Cave, searching for a place to build a new Domain under King Zora's orders, but cannot find any place that exceeds Labrynna's seas. They will request that Link reports back to King Zora their findings by telling him a Secret, which will prompt King Zora to upgrade Link's Sword.
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 features both the Zora race and enemy Zora, and distinguishes between the two as sea and river Zora, respectively. The peaceful sea Zora live in a Village in the southern Zora Seas of Labrynna. One sea Zora in the Village refers to the river Zora as "savage and vulgar", making it clear that the two groups have no social connections to each other. As in , the sea Zora's guardian is Lord Jabu-Jabu.
In the past, the Zora Seas were polluted due to a curse inflicted by Veran. The pollution had made the Zora population fall ill and disrupted their way of life. The pollution had also made the Zora King fall sick, becoming deceased in the present. His death left the Zora with no ruler ever since. This becomes an issue in Link's quest, as Link cannot enter Lord Jabu-Jabu and find his Essence of Time without the King's consent. Link purifies the ocean in the past by rescuing the Fairy Queen and cures the King's illness with a Magic Potion, allowing the Zora King to become well and survive into the present.
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Because the ethereal waters of the Great Sea could only be inhabited by monsters and Fishmen, the aquatic Zora were forced to evolve into the skyfaring Rito in the events prior to . The only actual Zora who makes an appearance is the spirit of Laruto, the deceased Sage of Earth, whose prayers gave power to the Master Sword to repel evil. Laruto was killed by Ganondorf's minions to dispel the Master Sword's power. Link, the Hero of Winds, meets her in spirit long after her death in the Earth Temple, who tells him to find her descendant and the next Sage of Earth, Medli. 
A stained glass window in Hyrule Castle's basement floor depicts Princess Ruto as the Sage of Water from Ocarina of Time.
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In , the Zora live in Zora's Domain, upstream from Lake Hylia. Many can be found down along the Zora River as well as in Lake Hylia proper, caring for and patrolling the Lake. These Zora guards wear fish-shaped helmets over their faces and carry halberds with them. The bottom of the Lake is sacred to the Zora folk, where the Lakebed Temple lies at its depths. The Zora serve as the protectors of this Temple.
When Wolf Link arrives to Telma's Bar in Hyrule Castle Town, he finds Ilia with a Zora boy who is facing death. Link travels to Lake Hylia to investigate a possibly related incident, and upon arriving in Zora's Domain, finds that it is frozen with all the Zora encased in ice, similar to the events of Ocarina of Time. Using the Twilight Portal that opened above the Domain, Wolf Link and Midna warp a Molten Shard that fell in Death Mountain into the Domain, destroying the ice and thawing the Zora trapped inside. Shortly afterwards they are approached by the spirit of Zora Rutela. She explains that their Domain was raided by Zant's minions and herself executed as an example to her people. The absence of a ruler throws the Zora into chaos. Link is told that if he can help her save her son, Prince Ralis, and bring him back to the Domain, she will aid him in his quest.
After restoring light to the Lanayru Province, Link as a Hylian helps Telma and Ilia take the Zora prince to Kakariko Village, where Renado heals him. After Ralis is saved, Queen Rutela makes a final appearance as she guides Link to her late husband's grave. She commends the Hero of Twilight for bringing her son to Kakariko, as the village is sacred to her people and where they are laid to rest. There she bestows him the Zora Armor, allowing him to swim underwater and reach the Lakebed Temple.
After completing the Lakebed Temple, Zora can also be found in Death Mountain's hot springs.
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In , the Zora live in Zora's Domain, located in the Lanayru region of Hyrule. One hundred years ago, the Zora were spared the damage caused by the Great Calamity. While crossing Inogo Bridge, Link meets Sidon, the prince of the Zora. He claims that they are in need of a Hylian and leads Link to the Domain. Once there, it is revealed that the is responsible for the heavy rainfall, having been reactivated sometime before Link's arrival.
Interestingly, the Zora seen in have a range of physical features, resembling a variety of marine life. Sidon himself resembles a hammerhead shark, and the elderly Muzu resembles a manta ray. And as well, King Dorephan's appearance seems to be based on that of a blue whale. They can also be found in a variety of colors, unlike in previous games. Due to the appearance of both Zora and Rito, It is unknown if the Rito are descendants of the Zora in this game, as they are in .
Ten thousand years ago the Zora with help from Hyrule built the Rutala Dam to create the East Reservoir Lake. Thanks to this construction, Hyrule was no longer plagued by devastating floods, though due to the downpour Vah Ruta was generating, the reservoir filled to the point where the dam was on the verge of bursting, which would cause a flood.
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Both Sea Zoras and River Zoras make an appearance in the game, with one point of the game requiring Zelda and Tri to act as mediators for a negotiation between the two parties. This marks the first time both varieties of Zora appear together since .
==Other Appearances==
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In , while Zora do not appear in-person, there is a reference to their existence. The landmarks Fish Head (Cape Treasure) and Muddy Fish Head (Gooey Swamp) are statues resembling a Zora's head. A Zora is also depicted on Madame Scratchcard's scratchcards.
=== Series===
In , Zora appear as a Trophy and a Sticker. In , they also appear as a Trophy.
====Trophy Information====
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====Sticker Information====
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In , appears as a with the ability, Boomerang Equipped, which gives a a at the start of a battle.
==Trivia==
*The Zora hatchlings are likely a visual pun based on the Japanese word , which means "tadpole", but can also mean "musical note".
*While Zora do not appear in and , several Treasures make reference to them, including the Ruto Crown and the Zora Scale, the latter of which only appears in .
*In an interview with Nintendo of Europe, Eiji Aonuma said that he would be a Zora if he could choose to be a Goron, a Deku Scrub, or a Zora.
*According to The Great Hyrule Encyclopedia formerly hosted on Zelda.com, the were highly evolved from fish that swam in , which was blessed by the during the .
*Princess Ruto's engagement with the Hero of Time in Ocarina of Time marks the first and only time in the series a Zora falls in love with a race other than theirs, which in this case, a Hylian.
*In the Japanese version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Zora's trophy states that their other appearance is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. For unknown reasons, it was changed to The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in western releases of the game.
==Nomenclature==
==Gallery==
==See Also==
* Crest of the Zora
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