Arbiter's Grounds (Dungeon)

*This article is about the Dungeon in* Twilight Princess*. For the location in* Breath of the Wild*, see Arbiter's Grounds.*

### Other appearance(s)

* *Link's Crossbow Training*
* *Hyrule Warriors*

### Reward(s)

* Access to the Mirror Chamber
* Mirror Shard
* Heart Container

### Boss(es)

*Twilit Fossil:* Stallord

The **Arbiter's Grounds** is the fourth dungeon in *Twilight Princess*, it is an abandoned prison gladiator arena.

## Entrance to the Grounds

The Arbiter's Grounds is located at the far end of the Gerudo Desert. Link reaches the Dungeon after infiltrating the Bulblin Camp and defeating King Bulblin. The entrance to the Grounds itself is uninhabited, except for an Imp Poe that appears at night on one side of it.

## Themes and Navigation

The Arbiter's Grounds was a prison built to house Hyrule's most ruthless criminals while they awaited trial, execution, or exile to the Twilight Realm. It has a connection to the Spirit Temple in *Ocarina of Time*, with both containing a statue of a woman wrapped in a snake. The Mirror Chamber, home to an ancient relic known as the Mirror of Twilight, stands atop the ruins of the Arbiter's Grounds, where the sacred council of the Sages presides over the cursed Grounds, conducting trials and executions of convicted criminals. Its appearance from afar resembles the Roman Colosseum, but inside it resembles an Egyptian tomb.

The Dungeon contains four floors and two basements. The first section is very similar to the Forest Temple in *Ocarina of Time*, as it requires tracking down and defeating four unique Poes in order to light four torches and proceed into the inner sanctums of the prison. Link must use his Wolf Form to learn the Poe Scent and follow the Poes' essence, which helps him seek them out. After destroying each Poe, one of the four torches in the main room becomes lit; once all four torches are lit, a door leading deeper into the prison opens and Link is able to advance to the second part of the Dungeon, where new and different types of obstacles and objects await him, including metallic rails that Link can ride along once he obtains the ancient device known as the Spinner.

The Arbiter's Grounds teems with the undead. Its halls are haunted by vengeful Enemies, from Stalfos and Stalchildren to Gibdos and Bubbles, and even a pack of Ghoul Rats. Link also encounters swarms of Poison Mites, which threaten to slow him down and pull him under the pits of Quicksand that fill the Dungeon. The Spinner is protected by the Dungeon's Middle Boss, Death Sword, a vengeful spirit that haunts the sword it once wielded in life. In addition to riding rails to access otherwise inaccessible areas, the Spinner is necessary for activating a Switch which allows Link to make his way to the Boss. There are two Pieces of Heart that Link can obtain in the Dungeon.

Deep within the Arbiter's Grounds lies the remains of a fierce beast, Stallord. Its skeleton is reanimated when Zant unexpectedly appears and stabs the Scimitar of Twilight through the creature's skull. Link is able to defeat it using a combination of the Spinner and the Master Sword. After clearing the Dungeon, Link can obtain a Heart Container and progress to the Mirror Chamber outside, where the Mirror of Twilight is found.

### Minor Enemies and Traps

* Blade Trap
* Bubble
* Ghoul Rat
* Gibdo
* Moldorm
* Poe
* Poison Mite
* Rolling Spike Trap
* Stalfos
* Stalchild
* Staltroop

## Other Appearances

### *Link's Crossbow Training*

Non-Canon Information

In *Link's Crossbow Training*, the Arbiter's Grounds is the location of two stages. The first is in Stage 1, which is played as a Ranger level. Link can freely roam the area to destroy the 25 Bulblins during the set time allotment. This task takes place outside of the Dungeon in a network of fences, towers, gates, and ruined stone walls. The Bulblins, wielding clubs, will rush towards Link, though they are not much of a threat, as one shot eliminates them. Bulblin Archers can be found mostly in higher vantage points along walls and in towers.

The second occurrence is in Stage 7, and is actually set inside a hallway of the Dungeon. The Targets rotate in and out of range from the ceiling in the first scene. The second moves Targets along the Spinner rails towards Link. The final area normally encountered is set immediately before a doorway with Gibdos constantly rising from the Sand. An alternative end scene can be unlocked by shooting the Scarecrows eight times and bursting the head for 1000 points in the first two scenes. This ends the stage at the opposite end of the chamber's hall facing a wall. No Gibdos will appear, but several Targets and bonus gold colored Targets will fill the screen.

### *Hyrule Warriors*

Non-Canon Information

In *Hyrule Warriors*, the Arbiter's Grounds appear in the Gerudo Desert stage, although it is much smaller, being reduced to three halls and two Keeps. It sometimes serves as the headquarters of Forces in various maps of Adventure Mode and Legend Mode.

## Trivia

* The Hylian text on the Dungeon Map and the Map of Hyrule shows the name of the Dungeon as **Arbiter's Keep**.
* Gerudo typography appears commonly on the markings on the walls of the Dungeon, implying that the Gerudo were involved in the Dungeon's construction. This typography also appears particularly prominent around the resting place of the Spinner and locations where it is designed to be used.
* Besides the Imp Poe in Jovani's House, the four Poes inside the Grounds are the only ones that must be defeated in order to proceed in the game.
* Each Sage residing in the Mirror Chamber corresponds to a Sage from *Ocarina of Time* regarding their emblems, representing the six Sage Medallions that need to be retrieved in that game, except for the Sage of the Water Medallion, whom Ganondorf had slain.
* Throughout the Dungeon, images of the Triforce can be seen in places such as above the first Locked Gate and above the great door closed by the four Poes. One room also contains three torches in a triangle shape.
* Four of the Sage Medallions' symbols - Water, Spirit, Fire, and Light - are inscribed above the doorways in Arbiter's Grounds.
* A picture of Arbiter's Grounds can be found in Snowpeak Ruins, in the room that Yeta is sitting in.
* Arbiter's Grounds is the only Dungeon in the game (aside from Hyrule Castle) where Princess Midna does not create an exit portal after the Boss is defeated.

## Nomenclature

The word "arbiter" is another word for a judge or a mediator, an authorized person who makes and passes judgment to settle conflicts.

## Gallery

* The Arbiter's Grounds seen from the Gerudo Mesa at night from *Twilight Princess*
* The central chamber of the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess*
* A statue found within the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess*
* Another statue found within the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess HD*
* A texture found on a wall inside the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess HD*
* A second texture found on a wall inside the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess HD*
* A wall decorated with Gerudo letters in the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess HD*
* A circle design in the Arbiter's Grounds from *Twilight Princess HD*
* A design found on a wall in the chamber where Stallord is fought from *Twilight Princess HD*

## References

1. ↑ "*The Gerudo Desert once held a prison built to hold the worst criminals this land has ever known... The criminals who were sentenced to death were sent directly to the underworld by a cursed mirror that was kept in the prison... Now that prison is condemned, and even the road leading to the desert is impassable.*" — Auru (*Twilight Princess*)
2. ↑ *Encyclopedia*, Dark Horse Books, pg. 45

**Dungeons in *The Legend of Zelda*  Series**

***The Legend of Zelda***

Level 1 **·** Level 2 **·** Level 3 **·** Level 4 **·** Level 5 **·** Level 6 **·** Level 7 **·** Level 8 **·** Level 9

Dungeon Listing

***The Adventure of Link***

Parapa Palace **·** Midoro Palace **·** Island Palace **·** Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea **·** Three-Eye Rock Palace  **·** Great Palace

Dungeon Listing

***A Link to the Past***

**Light World**

Sewer Passageway **·** Eastern Palace **·** Desert Palace **·** Tower of Hera **·** Hyrule Castle Tower

**Dark World**

Palace of Darkness **·** Swamp Palace **·** Skull Woods **·** Thieves' Town **·** Ice Palace  **·** Misery Mire **·** Turtle Rock **·** Ganon's Tower
Palace of the Four Sword

Dungeon Listing

***Link's Awakening***

**Main Dungeons**

Tail Cave **·** Bottle Grotto **·** Key Cavern **·** Angler's Tunnel **·** Catfish's Maw **·** Face Shrine **·** Eagle's Tower **·** Turtle Rock **·** Wind Fish's Egg

**Mini-Dungeons**

Moblin Cave **·** Kanalet Castle **·** Ancient Ruins

**Optional Dungeons**

Color Dungeon (**LADX** | **LANS**) **·** Chamber Dungeon (**LANS**)

Dungeon Listing

***Ocarina of Time***

**Child Dungeons**

Inside the Deku Tree **·** Dodongo's Cavern **·** Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly

**Adult Dungeons'**

Forest Temple **·** Fire Temple **·** Water Temple **·** Shadow Temple **·** Spirit Temple **·** Ganon's Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Ice Cavern **·** Bottom of the Well **·** Gerudo Training Ground

Dungeon Listing

***Majora's Mask***

**Main Dungeons**

Woodfall Temple **·** Snowhead Temple **·** Great Bay Temple **·** Stone Tower Temple

**Mini-Dungeons**

Swamp Spider House **·** Pirates' Fortress **·** Oceanside Spider House **·** Beneath the Well **·** Ancient Castle of Ikana
Moon Dungeons

Dungeon Listing

***Oracle of Ages***

**Main Dungeons**

Spirit's Grave **·** Wing Dungeon **·** Moonlit Grotto **·** Skull Dungeon **·** Crown Dungeon **·** Mermaid's Cave **·** Jabu-Jabu's Belly **·** Ancient Tomb **·** Black Tower (Turret)  **·** Room of Rites(**OoS** | **OoA**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Maku Road **·** Great Moblin's Keep **·** Ambi's Palace **·** Black Tower (Rescue Zelda)  **·** Hero's Cave

Dungeon Listing

***Oracle of Seasons***

**Main Dungeons**

Gnarled Root Dungeon **·** Snake's Remains **·** Poison Moth's Lair **·** Dancing Dragon Dungeon **·** Unicorn's Cave **·** Ancient Ruins **·** Explorer's Crypt **·** Sword & Shield Maze **·** Onox's Castle  **·** Room of Rites(**OoS** | **OoA**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Great Moblin's Keep **·** Hero's Cave

Dungeon Listing

***Four Swords***

Chambers of Insight **·** Sea of Trees **·** Talus Cave **·** Death Mountain **·** Vaati's Palace

**Anniversary Edition**

Realm of Memories **·** Hero's Trial

Stage Listing

***The Wind Waker***

**Main Dungeons**

Forsaken Fortress **·** Dragon Roost Cavern **·** Forbidden Woods **·** Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple **·** Wind Temple **·** Ganon's Tower

**Mini-Dungeons**

Fire Mountain **·** Ice Ring Isle **·** Ghost Ship **·** Savage Labyrinth

Dungeon Listing

***Four Swords Adventures***

**Whereabouts of the Wind** — Lake Hylia **·** Cave of No Return **·** Hyrule Castle

**Eastern Hyrule** — The Coast **·** Village of the Blue Maiden **·** Eastern Temple

**Death Mountain** — Death Mountain Foothills **·** The Mountain Path **·** Tower of Flames

**Near the Fields** — The Field **·** The Swamp **·** Infiltration of Hyrule Castle

**The Dark World** — Lost Woods **·** Kakariko Village **·** Temple of Darkness

**Desert of Doubt** — Desert of Doubt **·** Desert Temple **·** Pyramid

**Frozen Hyrule** — Frozen Hyrule **·** Temple of Ice **·** Tower of Winds

**Realm of the Heavens** — Realm of the Heavens **·** The Dark Cloud **·** Palace of Winds

Stage Listing

***The Minish Cap***

**Main Dungeons**

Deepwood Shrine **·** Cave of Flames **·** Fortress of Winds **·** Temple of Droplets **·** Palace of Winds **·** Dark Hyrule Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Royal Crypt

Dungeon Listing

***Twilight Princess***

**Main Dungeons**

Forest Temple **·** Goron Mines **·** Lakebed Temple **·** **Arbiter's Grounds**  **·** Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time **·** City in the Sky **·** Palace of Twilight  **·** Hyrule Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Lantern Caverns **·** Cave of Ordeals **·** Cave of Shadows (**TPHD**)

Dungeon Listing

***Phantom Hourglass***

**Dungeons**

Temple of Fire **·** Temple of Wind **·** Temple of Courage **·** Ghost Ship **·** Goron Temple **·** Temple of Ice **·** Mutoh's Temple

**Master Dungeon**

Temple of the Ocean King

Dungeon Listing

***Spirit Tracks***

**Dungeons**

Forest Temple **·** Snow Temple **·** Ocean Temple **·** Fire Temple **·** Sand Temple

**Master Dungeon**

Tower of Spirits

**Mini-Dungeon**

Lost at Sea Station **·** Tunnel to the Tower **·** Take 'Em All On!

Dungeon Listing

***Skyward Sword***

**Main Dungeons**

Skyview Temple **·** Earth Temple **·** Lanayru Mining Facility **·** Ancient Cistern **·** Sandship **·** Fire Sanctuary **·** Sky Keep

**Mini-Dungeons**

Waterfall Cave **·** Inside the Great Tree **·** Pirate Stronghold

Dungeon Listing

***A Link Between Worlds***

**Hyrule**

Eastern Palace **·** Tower of Hera **·** House of Gales **·** Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace

**Lorule**

Ice Ruins **·** Swamp Palace **·** Thieves' Hideout **·** Dark Palace
Skull Woods **·** Turtle Rock **·** Lorule Castle

Dungeon Listing

***Tri Force Heroes***

**Woodlands** — Deku Forest  **·** Buzz Blob Cave  **·** Moblin Base  **·** Forest Temple

**Riverside** — Secret Fortress  **·** Abyss of Agony  **·** Cove of Transition  **·** Water Temple

**Volcano** — Blazing Trail  **·** Hinox Mine  **·** Den of Flames  **·** Fire Temple

**Ice Cavern** — Frozen Plateau  **·** Snowball Ravine  **·** Silver Shrine  **·** Ice Temple

**Fortress** — Sealed Gateway  **·** Bomb Storage  **·** Training Ground  **·** The Lady's Lair

**The Dunes** — Infinity Dunes  **·** Stone Corridors  **·** Gibdo Mausoleum  **·** Desert Temple

**The Ruins** — Illusory Mansion  **·** Palace Noir  **·** Lone Labyrinth  **·** Grim Temple

**Sky Realm** — Floating Garden  **·** Deception Castle  **·** Dragon Citadel  **·** Sky Temple

**Den of Trials**

Forest Zone  **·** Flooded Zone  **·** Scorching Zone  **·** Frozen Zone  **·** Fortified Zone  **·** Desert Zone  **·** Shadow Zone  **·** Baneful Zone

Level Listing

***Breath of the Wild***

**Main Dungeons**

Divine Beast Vah Ruta  **·** Divine Beast Vah Rudania  **·** Divine Beast Vah Medoh  **·** Divine Beast Vah Naboris  **·** Hyrule Castle  **·** Final Trial (**TCB**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Trial of the Sword (**TMT**) **·** Yiga Clan Hideout

**Ancient Shrines**

Akh Va'quot **·**
Bosh Kala **·**
Chaas Qeta **·**
Daag Chokah **·**
Dagah Keek **·**
Dah Kaso **·**
Dah Hesho **·**
Daka Tuss **·**
Dako Tah **·**
Daqa Koh **·**

Daqo Chisay **·**
Dila Maag **·**
Dow Na'eh  **·**
Dunba Taag **·**
Gee Ha'rah **·**
Gorae Torr **·**
Ha Dahamar **·**
Hawa Koth **·**
Hia Miu **·**
Hila Rao **·**
Ishto Soh **·**

Ja Baij **·**
Jee Noh **·**
Jitan Sa'mi **·**
Joloo Nah **·**
Ka'o Makagh **·**
Kaam Ya'tak **·**
Kah Mael Shrine **·**
Kah Okeo Shrine **·**
Kah Yah Shrine **·**
Kam Urog Shrine **·**
Katah Chuki **·**
Katosa Aug  **·**
Kay Noh **·**
Kaya Wan **·**
Kayra Mah **·**
Ke'nai Shakah **·**
Keeha Yoog **·**
Keh Namut **·**
Kema Kosassa **·**

Kema Zoos **·**
Keo Ruug **·**
Ketoh Wawai **·**
Korgu Chideh **·**
Korsh O'hu **·**
Kuh Takkar **·**
Kuhn Sidajj **·**
Lakna Rokee **·**
Lanno Kooh **·**
Maag Halan **·**
Maag No'rah **·**
Maka Rah **·**
Mezza Lo **·**
Mijah Rokee **·**
Mirro Shaz **·**
Misae Suma **·**
Mo'a Keet **·**
Mogg Latan **·**
Monya Toma **·**
Mozo Shenno **·**

Muwo Jeem **·**
Myahm Agana **·**
Namika Ozz **·**
Ne'ez Yohma **·**
Noya Neha **·**
Oman Au **·**
Owa Daim **·**
Pumaag Nitae **·**
Qua Raym **·**
Qaza Tokki **·**
Qukah Nata **·**
Raqa Zunzo **·**
Ree Dahee **·**
Rin Oyaa **·**
Ritaag Zumo **·**
Rok Uwog **·**
Rona Kachta **·**
Rota Ooh **·**
Rucco Maag **·**
Saas Ko'sah **·**

Sah Dahaj **·**
Sasa Kai **·**
Sha Gehma **·**
Sha Warvo **·**
Shada Naw **·**
Shae Katha **·**
Shae Loya **·**
Shae Mo'sah **·**
Shai Utoh **·**
Shai Yota **·**
Shee Vaneer **·**
Shee Venath **·**
Sheem Dagoze **·**
Sheh Rata **·**
Sho Dantu **·**
Shoda Sah **·**
Shoqa Tatone **·**
Shora Hah **·**
Soh Kofi **·**
Suma Sahma **·**
Ta'loh Naeg **·**

Tah Muhl **·**
Tahno O'ah **·**
Tawa Jinn **·**
Tena Ko'sah **·**
Tho Kayu **·**
To Quomo **·**
Toh Yahsa **·**
Toto Sah **·**
Tu Ka'loh **·**
Tutsuwa Nima **·**
Voo Lota **·**

Wahgo Katta **·**
Ya Naga **·**
Yah Rin **·**
Zalta Wa **·**
Ze Kahso **·**
Zuna Kai

**Ancient Shrines** (**TCB**)

Etsu Korima **·**
Kamia Omuna **·**
Kee Dafunia **·**
Keive Tala **·**
Kiah Toza **·**
Kihiro Moh **·**
Mah Eliya **·**
Noe Rajee **·**
Rinu Honika **·**
Rohta Chigah **·**
Ruvo Korbah **·**
Sato Koda **·**
Sharo Lun **·**
Shira Gomar **·**
Takama Shiri **·**
Yowaka Ita

Dungeon Listing

Shrine Listing

***Tears of the Kingdom***

**Main Dungeons**

Wind Temple  **·** Fire Temple  **·** Water Temple  **·** Lightning Temple  **·** Hyrule Castle  **·** Spirit Temple  **·** Gloom's Lair

Dungeon Listing

****Link's Crossbow Training****

**Level 1** — Ordon Target Practice  **·** Gerudo Stalfos: Defender  **·** Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger

**Level 2** — Goron Target Practice  **·** Zora River: Defender  **·** Skull Shooting

**Level 3** — Kakariko Target Practice  **·** Fruit Balloons  **·** The Great Bridge: Defender

**Level 4** — Zora River Target Practice  **·** Hyrule Castle: Defender  **·** Skulltula Forest: Ranger

**Level 5** — Oocca Target Practice  **·** Gerudo Moldorm: Defender  **·** The Shootout

**Level 6** — Ordon Target Practice 2  **·** Bridge of Eldin: Defender  **·** Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger

**Level 7** — Underground Target Practice  **·** City in the Sky: Defender  **·** Temple of Time: Ranger

**Level 8** — Horseback Target Practice  **·** Snowpeak Ruins: Defender  **·** Darknut Battle

**Finale** — Ranch Target Practice  **·** Sacred Grove: Defender  **·** Fossil Stallord Battle

Stage Listing

***Stages in *Hyrule Warriors****

Hyrule Field **·** Eldin Caves **·** Faron Woods **·** Valley of Seers **·** Death Mountain **·** Lake Hylia **·** Twilight Field **·** Palace of Twilight **·** Skyloft **·** Sealed Grounds **·** Temple of the Sacred Sword **·** Temple of Souls  **·** Gerudo Desert **·** Ganon's Tower
Forsaken Fortress   **·** Wind and Earth Temples

Stage Listing