An Interesting Thought...

There isn't really going to be much detail in this thread, since it's based on a single observation that just came to mind that I find to be uncannily interesting.

The "Twilight Realm" is said to be Hyrule "covered in shadows", correct? Some delving into the content of the Shadow Temple in OoT revealed the following quotes:

Originally Posted by Sheik

This is the melody that will draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time...

This is, of course, referring to the Nocturne of Shadow. But look at the description of the song--it will "draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time..." This sounds remarkably like the effects of the spreading "power of darkness" in both TWW and FSA. And, presumably, TP.

Originally Posted by Shadow Temple

The Shadow will yield only to one with the eye of truth, handed down in Kakariko Village.

The eye of truth gives the user the ability to pierce shadows, apparently. In the context of OoT, I always thought this meant illusory magicks, but, after looking at some similar gameplay mechanics in some of the TP trailers surrounding wolf Link, I'm not so sure. I think that the "Shadow" spoken of here is a literal shadow, like the Twilight in TP. Of course, when I was looking at this, I stumbled on a picture of Bongo Bongo, which I found remarkably similar to some art of a Twilight enemy from TP. Take a look (hint: look at the "eyes" ):


I think that there are enough similarities between the Shadow Temple lore and the Twilight that we can deduce that the two might be connected somehow. Of course, the fact that Zelda seems to be wearing a robe bearing the Sheikah insignia only supports this conclusion. Maybe the Sheikah themselves are connected to the Twilight somehow?

The connection between the Sheikah and the power of Shadow is certainly established in OoT, but not always in the way we think (see the quote). As far as we know so far, the Sage of Shadow banished Shadow away, suggesting it has a metaphorical power to repel Shadow.

Originally Posted by OoT

Have you heard the legend of the "Shadow Folk"?
They are the Sheikah...the shadows of the Hylians.

One of my old theories was that "Shadow" represented the servants of evil; forms of darkness that existed outside of Ganon. I think we know that Bongo Bongo was alive before Ganondorf took the Triforce of Power. Vaati, in my old opinion, was another form of Shadow.

Perhaps we should start some analysis on the meaning of "Shadow"?

I don't really see the similarities between the two eyes, but I know where you're coming from. They both have "lid"s that look like flowers.

Interesting observation, Lex (May I keep calling you Lex? I'm too used to it ). Though I must admit I am on the fence on the whole darkness issue. Either the Twilight is yet another incarnation of darkness, with darkness being the source of evil rather than the effect, or there is an actual cause for its spread. As I mentioned in the Wiki, it has often been speculated that the Twilight may be a result of Ganon's power or aura leaking out of the Evil Realm and into Hyrule. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.

The Twilight (and the Dark World in general, it seems) doesn't have to spread as a result of Ganon's power, per say, since Veran, Onox, and Twinrova all seem somewhat adept in spreading it themselves--it just has to be spread by dark powers, or those with evil hearts (I'm not sure which is the more prominent feature, to be honest). The Sheikah wield shadow powers, as the "shadow folk", and can control the Shadow--it's not a fargone conclusion to guess that they might be, though perhaps inadvertently, behind the spreading Twilight, and Ganondorf merely abuses this for his own ends.

Oh, by all means, you're right. Ganon isn't the only one capable of spreading shadow. But given Nintendo's confirmation that Ganon will appear in TP, as well as TP's confirmed place in the timeline (between OoT and TWW), you'd be hard-pressed to imply that, despite our limited knowledge of TP's storyline, it's too early to say the most likely reason for the Twilight's spread is Ganon himself. Not that other theories can't be valid, of course. It's just this one is at the forefront for the time being.

Well, the idea would, of course, be that Ganon is manipulating the powers of the Sheikah (powers of Shadow vs. powers of Darkness, if you get my meaning) to his own ends, since he himself is still sealed, and, as TWW implies, when he is sealed, until the seal is properly removed, his magic is sealed with him. So it would still be Ganon--but he wouldn't be accomplishing his goal through his own power. One of the themes of his strategy throughout the OoT-TWW arc is manipulation of his opponents. In OoT he manipulates Link first to open the Door of Time and second to draw Zelda into the open; in TWW he manipulates Link into drawing the Master Sword and removing the seal.

Wait, was it Ganon that got Link to draw the Master Sword in TWW? I remember it was the King pushing him most of all, unless Ganon just let him run around, knowing he might be the one to do it. You'll have to forgive me, as I haven't played TWW in a very long time.

Originally Posted by DarkenZero24

Wait, was it Ganon that got Link to draw the Master Sword in TWW? I remember it was the King pushing him most of all, unless Ganon just let him run around, knowing he might be the one to do it. You'll have to forgive me, as I haven't played TWW in a very long time.

It seems, from this quote, that Ganon was counting on Link drawing the Master Sword, and had full knowledge that it had lost its power. Since the King and Ganondorf seem to know each other, I would imagine that the King's strategy of going for the Master Sword would have been quite predictable:

Originally Posted by TWW

My name is Ganondorf...And I am the master of Forsaken Fortress. By the way, boy... When you drew that sword of yours out of its pedestal... Did you by chance notice how all of the monsters frozen in time down there suddenly began stirring again? Do you understand precisely what that means? ...I highly doubt you do. Foolish child. While that sword is indeed the blade of evil's bane, at the same time, it has long played another role... You see, it is also a sort of key... a most wretched little key that has kept the seal on me and my magic intact! By withdrawing the blade, you have broken that seal...

You cannot defeat me with a blade that does not sparkle with the power to repel evil! What you hold is useless. Go back to the world below, and tell that to the pathetic fools who made this blade! Its power is gone, and its edges are dull!

I like it. You know I don't agree with you on the Ganon-Twilight thing, but otherwise this is excellent.

Now, that "world below" quote has got me thinking.

Originally Posted by darthcucco

I like it. You know I don't agree with you on the Ganon-Twilight thing, but otherwise this is excellent.

You'd be silly not to agree. Aonuma has already confirmed, as jhurvid pointed out, that the Twilight is the "Dark World."

Interesting thing you have disovered. It seems very possible Shiekah are connected with the Twilight. I think the way they are, sneaky, never allowing people to be close to them (referring to Shiek and Link, but I could be wrong), seem to like the shadows, and must have something to do with Bongo Bongo. Since Impa sealed him away, he could have killed most of them.

Maybe its possible Bongo Bongo revived or something, and during the time between that he evolved into that thing from TP?

Originally Posted by LionHarted

You'd be silly not to agree. Aonuma has already confirmed, as jhurvid pointed out, that the Twilight is the "Dark World."

He said that the Twilight is a dark world, or similar to the dark world. I forget which.

It is "the dark world", but its mechanics will be different.

Wrong. He says "the dark world in twilight princess". He means the twilight, because it is a dark-ish world.

Describing "the dark world in Twilight Princess" is akin to describing "Hyrule in Twilight Princess." Same place.