Link is the central character of Twilight Princess. He has a humble beginning; a simple farm-boy, who becomes the new, well equipped and skilled hero of Hyrule. From the small and secluded Ordon Village, the young Link is suddenly thrust into a series of events after everything took a wrong turn, setting him on a wild an exciting adventure to save Hyrule. This time, he’s able to transform into a majestic wolf with the help of the power of the Gods he holds within and also with the help of an odd imp named Midna.

He sets off to find the Fused Shadows, in attempt to rival the power of the current King of Twilight, Zant. The quest turns out to be tedious and riddled with danger, but with the help of Midna, Zelda, most other characters and his own courage, he becomes the new hero.

The princess of Hyrule who you meet rather early in the game. She identifies herself as the cause of the Twilight that is currently engulfing the whole of Hyrule. It was she who had surrendered to the powerful Usurper King, Zant, basically making him the new ruler of the land. After this, she is imprisoned in one of the castle’s towers. She seems to know Midna and Link in some way. Dressed in a dark robe, she meets Wolf Link and reunites with Midna after the two escaped from the dungeon and into the tower. With her Triforce of Wisdom, she was able to tell what kind of magic was keeping Link in his wolf form after Zant sealed it. She also told both Link and Midna of how to break it. Like the main character, Link, she too is blessed with the power of the Gods, enabling her to keep her form while in the Twilight.

Midna is the little imp that helps Wolf Link in the castle dungeons early on in the game. She rides Link while he’s a wolf and helps him to use his newfound abilities. For most of the game, her true intentions and nature are concealed. However, her initial intentions are altered over the course of the game due to the selfless acts and natures of both Link and Zelda. She is one of the Twili, a race descended from wielders of powerful and evil magic who were banished to an alternate dimension by the three Goddesses. When Link is in Hylian form, she becomes a shadow, his shadow. She is powerful enough to teleport Link to various parts of Hyrule, as well as teleport extremely large objects.

The King of the Twilight. Denied the Twilight Realm throne when he was skipped over in favour of Midna. Enraged, he lost trust in the royal family, adding to the fact that he hated how the Twili were trapped in the Realm like “insects in a cage”.He was able to take the throne by using sorcery that had never been seen before in the Twilight Realm, granted to him by his ‘God’, Ganondorf. He appears as a serious, powerful being with an odd, cone-shaped helmet with intricate designs. Zant is intent on stopping Link and Midna from returning the light to Hyrule and ending his reign, and therefore gives them no end of trouble. However, later on, it is Zant’s own Shadow Crystal that allows Link to transform into his wolf form with ease.

The powerful Gerudo King makes his way back from the depths of the Twilight Realm, alongside his pawn, Zant, returning to cause havoc in Twilight Princess. He appears in some flashbacks as a massive, floating flame. He was banished to the Twilight Realm by the Ancient Sages when he maliciously murders one of them with the sword that was meant to execute him. While in the Realm, he makes a deal of power with Zant, giving him his new powers, allowing them to take over both realms. By some ‘divine prank’ Ganondorf, also, is blessed with the power of the Gods.

Telma is the owner and operator of a bar that is open almost 24/7 in the south end of Hyrule Castle Town. She is also part of a small group of adventurers who want to help save Hyrule, as according to her, the guards around aren’t really the best people to depend on in times of trouble. Telma is also the person who cared for Ilia after she had been kidnapped from Ordon Village. Later on in the game, Link can return to her bar where the group of four adventurers sit at a table and try to solve the problems of Hyrule. On this table is a map that has markers, which will eventually lead Link to where he has to go next to find the Mirror Shards.

The father of Colin, one of the youths from Ordon. He is a friend of Link’s and supposedly good at wielding a sword. Initially, he was set to take the trip to Hyrule, but instead, passed the deed to Link at the beginning of the game. During the youth’s kidnapping, he is injured in a scuffle with the Bulblins, but still sets out to find them. He then disappears until after Lakebed Temple is complete, where one can meet him in Telma’s bar. He wears an armoured disguise, taking it off when he is spoken to a second time. He has apparently been connected to the group for a long time. Later on, he becomes a necessary ally, as he helps Link enter the Sacred Grove for the second time with a Golden Cucco, which leads up to Link entering the Temple of Time.

Auru is one of the adventurers who is part of Telma’s group, and he looks like the oldest one. He seems interested in the Desert Province of Hyrule (the infamous Gerudo Desert) and the powerful magic that it holds. Auru, has a lot of knowledge about the desert, Arbiter’s Grounds and what it houses: “…the worst criminals the land has ever known.” He gives Link some vital information, while helping him gain access to that province. He once saved the life of the cannon operator, Fyer, who now owes him a favor. This ends up with Link taking a free flying ride from the cannon aimed at the edge of the Gerudo Desert. Auru also seems to have or have had some links to the royal family; aside from his name being similar to Rauru, the emblem of the Triforce is visible on the front of his garments.

Another one of Telma’s group, Ashei is more manly than most men. She was raised in the mountains by her father, who was a former knight of Hyrule. He raised her as a son, and not a daughter; trained in the fighting arts by her father. At first, Ashei is seen carrying a long-sword, but later own, she sports a quiver of arrows and a bow. She knows little of manners and comes off as slightly blunt person with a masculine personality. In fact, she is quite helpful, aiding Link to access Snowpeak by drawing him a sketch of a Yeti holding a red fish. The Zoras recognize the fish as one that Prince Ralis used to catch frequently. She seems to have a derogatory view of the soldiers of Hyrule, stating at one point that the land was empty of ‘men of valor’.

Also a part of Telma’s group, Shad is not one who skillfully fights like the rest. Despite this he carries a dagger tucked between the pages of his book. It could be that he is simply not adept at using it, or he dislikes using it, or it’s just there for some sort of protection. His special area is the knowledge of Hyrule. He continues his father’s work by studying the ‘Sky Beings’ or Oocca , beings that he believed were the precursor to all Hylians. His knowledge of the Sky Beings’ writings helps Link find odd and ancient statues all around Hyrule, eventually leading him to the Sky Cannon and the City in the Sky. Shad’s manner of speech is very formal, although it could be said to take on an excitable tone when he comes to speaking about his areas of interest.

One of Link’s closest friends, who grew up alongside him in Ordon. She apparently loves animals and takes care of Link’s horse more than he does. She is kidnapped along with the rest of Link’s friends early on in the game by the boar-riding beasts and is eventually taken to Hyrule Castle Town, via Impaz from the Hidden Village. When she is kidnapped, she loses her memory, which Link help recovers before heading out—or rather, upwards—to the City in the Sky, by recovering certain items. Ilia gives Link the Horse Call, a whistle in the shape of a horseshoe, which allows him to call for his horse without searching for the special grass-whistle.

Fyer is the person with the cannon attraction at the base of Lake Hylia. The building he is standing in front of is actually a large, floating cannon. He offers strange cannon rides for a small fee. One shot has enough power to launch a person up to the same level as the Great Bridge of Hylia; useful when Link needs to get to higher ground while not in Wolf Form. Fyer eventually helps Link take the ‘Oasis flight’, which launches Link into the Gerudo Desert. Later on, he repairs the Sky Cannon for Link, and is amazed at the technology, but wonders how it would work, as he saw no ignition system. From this, it can be said that he is an expert on large, moveable cannons.

The pint-sized brother of Talo. He has a serious demeanor and a head for economics, sarcastic and blunt comments, and seems to be more mature than the rest of the group. His voice is heavier than the rest of the children, making him seem as if he’s a grown man trapped in an infantile body. Malo first sets up shop in Kakariko Village, in an abandoned store. There, he sells such wares as the Hylian Shield, and the Hawkeye, later on.

Some of the Goron Elders from Death Mountain come down to ask for donations to help repair the Eastern Bridge. Once that is paid off, they want to raise extra money so that Malo Mart could expand and move into Castle Town. Donate to this cause, and he’ll take over the expensive, snobbish shop in Hyrule Castle Town where the Magic Armour will be available at a now, more affordable price. Visit the Malo Mart today!

Always looking for opportunities to prove how brave he is, his foolishness sets events in motion, allowing Link to reach the Forest Temple. When the children are found in Kakariko Village after the kidnapping, he takes up the highest lookout point; the rooftop of a building built almost at the top of the surrounding cliffs. Eager to wield weapons, he is always looking for trouble. Talo looks up to Link, and would like to wield a sword just like he does. Other than that, he is quite immature and is often mean to Colin. Later, he respects Colin much more after he saves Beth.

Part of the Ordon children crew, Beth harbors a crush on Link and disdain for childish antics. Beth makes out Talo and Malo to be immature. She thinks Colin is just not cut out to be the hero he wants to be, but her view of him changes when he saves her from being kidnapped by King Bulbin in Kakariko Village, and begins to have a crush on him, instead. A joyful girl who dreams of visiting the city one day. She is apparently best friends with Luda, Renado’s daughter, from Kakariko village.

Colin is a shy boy from Ordon who looks up to Link and Ilia, seeing them both as much better role models than the rest of the older children. He dreams of one day being brave like his hero, but suffers taunts from the other children, specifically Malo and Talo. In a moment of courage, he shoves Beth out of the way of King Bulbin’s path, but is kidnapped as bait in her stead. Tied to a pole, he remains King Bulbin’s prisoner as Link is lead in a desperate chase across Eldin Field, and a climatic showdown on Eldin Bridge.

Link rescues Colin, who appears to be sorely wounded. However, after witnessing his courageous act, the other children give him their respect and become desperate to help him.

The owner of the ranch that Link works on. He spends his days tending to, and occasionally losing, his goats. Fado is a simple, friendly person and he usually needs Link to round them up in the evening. When Fado needs him, he would go up to Links house and call out with a loud ‘Hey!’. Returning later on in the game and herding his goats for him will earn Link a Piece of Heart.

His house is also off limits: Link is never able to enter it. No matter how far the player has progressed in the game, the door always remains locked.

Ilia’s father and the leader of Ordon Village. Said to have sumo-wrestled with the Gorons and won by using a little trick. When Link has trouble getting pass the defense to climb Death Mountain, Renado sends him to Bo to learn the finer points of sumo, and to learn how he was able to defeat the massive Gorons.

He was supposed to be the one to travel to Hyrule in the first place, but for some reason, he sent someone else in his place. He also seems quite fond of Link, and does not hesitate to help when Link comes to him when trying to climb Death Mountain. If you talk with some Gorons later on in the game, they will talk about the times when Bo sumo wrestled them.

A little girl who considers herself a princess. Agitha lives in the eastern thoroughfare (western thoroughfare on the GCN version) of Castle Town and can sometimes be found in the flower patch just outside the southern gate, looking for bugs. Although a bit delusional, she is kind and caring. Agitha is not afraid of Wolf Link, thinking of him as a puppy, she asks him to play with her. She’s having a ball, but the guests are nowhere to be seen, so it’s your job to round up the little guests: twelve pairs of Golden Bugs. Collect them and bring them to her for money and larger wallets.

After you collect and bring her all twenty-four bugs, she rewards you with the Giant’s Wallet. If Link leaves her castle when he still has his bugs, she will whisper “I know you have more bugs!”.

He literally sold his soul for gold, and now he’s made of it. Cursed Jovani and his cat, sit in solitude and despair in a secret treasure room accessible from the rafters of Telma’s bar and the little south western grotto where cats gather. After being the victim of the wicked Poes’ ‘Midas touch’, he begins to value his humanity over his wealth. When Link first meets him, he asks Link to collect twenty Poe souls, in hopes of breaking the curse. When Link does so, Jovanni gives him a bottle of Fairy’s Tears. However, although he is able to move, he is still made of gold. He asks Link to collect the last fourty Poe souls, making it sixty in total. After that, Gengle, Jovanni’s cat, will give Link two-hundred rupees every time he returns to him.

Crabby old doctor who lives and works in Hyrule Castle Town. Early on, when Link first meets him, he refuses to treat the sick Prince Ralis, but he tried to treat Ilia. Later on, he becomes an important part in the trading sequence for items to help recover Ilia’s memory. He apparently owes Telma a lot of rupees; so much, that he has no choice but to help Link in his quest for Ilia’s memory.

A fortune-teller who’s situated right next-door to Agitha in Castle Town. She has a flair for theatrics and is able to tell you the locations of Heart Pieces if you ask her to tell you about what’s in store for your love life. Asking about ‘Career’ will point you in the direction that you need to go next to advance in the game. Although she seems to be a fake, due to her odd acting during the fortune-telling, her information is very valuable. It is possible that she is a Sheikah; she has red eyes and the symbol on her forehead.

When you ask her for Career or Love she will say either, “Wait, loading takes a while.” and “What am I talking about” reversed in spelling.

Proprietor of the S.T.A.R. game in Castle Town. He believes that his game is near impossible to beat, and that he will get rich by using this method in Castle Town. Win his little games to upgrade your quiver. There are three girls outside his tent who get all giddy for Link once he wins.

None of Castle Town’s animals seem to trust Purlo, as he seems to be a crook more than a businessman. He has an odd resemblance to Tingle from previous games; even sporting a similar green hat and blue clock and even has Tingle’s little mole. Purlo is also allergic to dogs, which make him fear Wolf Link more than the fact that he’s a wolf.

The cowardly shopkeeper in Kakariko Village. He has a bomb shop, and reopens it when the path to Death Mountain is open again. He panics very easily and has trouble keeping his mouth shut at times. Barnes sells three types of bombs: normal bombs, water bombs and bomblings. He gets the normal bombs first, as soon as trade reopens between Kakariko and the Goron Tribe. Water bombs are acquired just before Link is required to enter Lakebed Temple. Unlike normal bombs, these can be used underwater. Bomblings come after Lakebed Temple. First seen in the Forest Temple, these critters are used for far away explosions, as they are able to follow or walk up to a target and explode. They can only be used on land.

Barnes also offers a buy-back policy if you only have one bomb-bag. He does not permit lit lanterns in his bomb shop and has a special tap for extinguishing them.

The Shaman leader of Kakariko Village who takes care of the kidnapped Ordon children. He is vital in helping Link on his quest, the recovery of the Zora child and Ilia’s memory. Although he is good-natured about it, Telma’s advances make him uncomfortable. When he gives you his letter for her, he specifically states that he does not want to see her.

Due to certain characteristics, he seems to be of the Sheikah tribe; however, he does not react or respond when shown the Sheikah statue or when Gor Coron describes the tribe’s history while in his presence. It could be that he is a Sheikah, but does not know it. Dark skin and brown eyes hint at Gerudo ancestry while his clothes are eerily similar to Zant’s.

Patriarch of the Goron tribe. He was confined deep within the Goron Mines when he was possessed by the power of the Fused Shadow piece, turning into Fyrus, the Twilit Igniter. Only by collecting the key shards from Goron Elders Amoto, Ebizo and Liggs in the mines can you hope to save him. He is a proud Goron, and very strong, abnormally larger than the rest of the Gorons. Towering over most of the characters in the game, he is very frightening in appearance, but he does not hesitate when it comes to helping others. Later on, he becomes a strong ally, using his amazing strength to gain access to the Hidden Village, then giving a few pointers on how to defeat the enemies within.

The temporary leader of the Goron Tribe as Darbus is confined deep within the mines. He is a supposed expert at sumo, and challenges Link to a match to see whether he is worthy or not of entering the sacred Goron Mines. At first, he doubts Link’s ability, but gives him a chance after knowing what Link probably went through to climb Death Mountain. However, after he is beaten he commends Link on his skill and strength. He then tells the story of what happened to Darbus in the Mines, and begs Link to rescue him, as he believes that one as strong as Link can make the patriarch come to his senses. Later on in the game, he becomes one of the people who help recover Ilia’s memory.

A disturbing, cuckoo-like creature with a humanoid-shaped face and sort of an egg-shaped head. She is lost in Hyrule and ventures about with her son, often getting in some trouble in the process. Lend her a helping hand in the dungeons and she’ll grant you a speedy way in and out of the lengthy labyrinths until you return her to her home in the City in the Sky. The feature enables the player to save their progress within a dungeon, rather than starting from the beginning of it.

When Link exits a dungeon before the boss is destroyed without using Ooccoo, she is replaced in Link’s inventory with Ooccoo’s Note. The note says “Ooccoo has things to do, so she will remain here. If you return let’s get together!” She is in every dungeon because she’s looking for a special item called the Dominion Rod, which would help her get back home. Link, however, does all the work for her by finding the Rod and Sky Cannon, which helps Ooccoo and Link go to her home: the City in the Sky.

An old woman and only remaining resident in the Hidden Village, last in the line of an ancient tribe sworn to serve the royal family. As she is the last resident, she says that she cannot leave as it is her duty to wait on the “messenger to the heavens” and hand over the Ancient Sky Book to that person. She claims that her name comes from the founder of the village.

Her race is not stated, but it is heavily implied to be Sheikah, as the features of pointy ears and red eyes point in that direction, and she was the former owner of the wooden statue which depicted the Sheikah eye symbol.

She becomes a prisoner in her own house when Bulblins attack and take over the village. Ilia was also brought here when she was kidnapped, and the old woman befriended her. She helped Ilia escape a little while later, but remained behind until Link rescues her, bringing news of Ilia in the process.

Yeto is a Yeti who lives in the Snowpeak Ruins with his wife, Yeta, who owns a shard of the Mirror of Twilight. During Link’s first visit to Snowpeak, he is preparing reekfish soup, as Yeta has fallen ill. He does not speak very fluent Hylian, and his sentences are usually short and childlike, often including an “uh.” Yeto, who is unaware of all the stray food in his household, also enjoys snowboarding down the mountain toward the ruins. For some odd reason, he wears a horse’s saddle as a hat. If Wolf Link approaches him, he expresses interest in eating him, but Yeta interrupts him, saying that eating meat isn’t good in the morning.

It should also be noted that Yeto cooks a mean soup, once all the ingredients are in it, Link can recover eight hearts by drinking a bottle.

The wife of Yeto, and quite minuscule in size compared to him. She has fallen ill because of the Mirror Shard she keeps in the master bedroom. After Link obtains the Ordon Pumpkin and Ordon Goat Cheese for Yeto’s soup, Yeta becomes strong enough (after drinking the soup) to lead Link to the Mirror Shard. However, once she’s there, the power corrupts her, transforming her into the dangerous Twilit Ice Mass, Blizzeta.

At first, she appears to have a human-like face, while her body is seemingly wrapped in a thick blanket—although, whether this is fur or a blanket is not known. She also never shows any sign of having arms. Yeta is an expert snowboarder, more so than Yeto, as she uses her own body to slide, instead of a ‘board’. Beating her in a race will grant you a well-earned Piece of Heart, but watch out, now, she’s a tricky one.

An expert angler at Lake Hylia’s Fishing Hole. She believes herself to be the descendant of the legendary, itchy fisherman from Ocarina of Time, as she continuously scratches herself. For just one-hundred rupees, she will join Link in a boat (the same canoe in her shop that she claimed was for her and her boyfriend) on the lake, and will give him fishing advice. Apart from fishing, she also allows Link to participate in a game called ‘Rollgoal’ where the Frog Lure can be unlocked.

Hena has a brother named Coro and a sister named Iza who both runs their own business. It should also be noted that Hena keeps her hair different from her siblings: Coro and Iza both have afros. She also has a pet bird named Purdy.

The Fishing Hole itself is a spectacle to behold: a beautiful, enchanting oasis where weary travelers can relax and unwind. The season changes every time Link exits and re-enters.

An injured Zora prince found in Castle Town and escorted to Kakariko by Link, Telma and Ilia. He was attacked by monsters while on his way to Hyrule Castle Town, to plead help for the frozen Zora’s Domain from Princess Zelda. Because he was away from the water for so long, he remained ill and in need of immediate treatment from Renado, the Shaman of Kakariko Village.

As his mother is no longer alive, he has to take the helm as soon as he recovers. He helps Link to get on the path to Snowpeak later on, by giving him a special coral lure for the fishing rod. After this, he remains in the Domain, welcoming Link any time he returns, and offering the traveler to make himself at home.

The beautiful Queen of the Zoras and mother of Prince Ralis. She appears as a specter to Link, pleading with him to save her son’s life. Link would then guide the sick Zora, Telma and Ilia across a dangerous field filled with Bulblins who are equipped with their flaming arrows.

After doing this, she rewards Link with the location of the Zora Armour, which was crafted by her deceased husband. Her death was a message from Zant to the Zora people.

Prince Ralis also mentions to Link that she appeared to him in a dream and explained who Link was and what he looked like. Rutela’s theme is a haunting version of the Serenade of Water, a song from Ocarina of Time.

The determined (and seemingly, the only) deliveryman for Hyrule’s post system. He delivers his mail post-haste, always finding you when you’ve got mail. He can often be found in some of the most bizarre spots in Hyrule, pondering over a letter or location. He seems to love his job, having his very own fanfare when he hands over a letter, made with his own voice.

The Postman of this game possesses many mysterious qualities; he somehow recognizes Link while in his wolf form, and will call out to him when he has mail, regardless of the fact that Link may be running around in his wolf form at the time. Not only that, but he seems to have the amazing ability to get down to the bottom of the challenging Cave of Ordeals, something that even Link has trouble accomplishing.

Perhaps there’s some secret postman shortcut known only to him…?

The tall, clown-like proprietor of the ‘Flight-by-Fowl’ attraction at the top of Lake Hylia. He is Fyer’s brother and a former circus actor. He will send you floating down to an island stacked with treasure chests, for a modest fee, of course. He is more excited about his job than his brother, appearing to be the opposite of him; while Fyer is short, pudgy and bored-looking, Falbi is tall, thin and energetic.

If you throw all his cuckoos off into Lake Hylia, he will say “Whu, where did all my cuckoos go? Well, I guess you’ll have to learn how to fly by yourself, partner”.

It is said, by the cuckoos in Kakariko village, that Falbi used to mistreat the white cuckoo, but proof of this is never shown.

A Bulbin lord that Link encounters and fights against quite a few times during his quest. He is a relatively new villain to the series, and lords over a seemingly never-ending army of Bulblins, small, green humanoid beings in bandit-like clothing. King Bulbin is usually seen riding Lord Bulbo, a large, bluish-skinned, armored boar with sharp horns. Although beastly on the outside, he seems to be clever able to learn from his mistakes.

The King first appears in Ordon Village, clearing the way for the approach of the Twilight. He kidnaps the children and leaves Link behind, probably thinking him to be dead. He later returns to hold Colin hostage in Kakariko village, making Link chase him across Eldin Field and unto the Bridge of Eldin, where a life or death jousting-style match takes place. He makes another appearance on the Great Bridge of Hylia, having lost a horn from the previous scuffle, but equipped with shields to protect himself from Link’s sword. When he is defeated, he snaps the other horn. Later, Link enters a one-on-one battle with him before entering the Arbiter’s Grounds. During this, he wields a large, two-handed axe and does not ride Lord Bulbo. But still shows signs of being clever; he sets the place on fire when he is defeated.

Finally, you meet the brute in Hyrule Castle courtyard. Once again, he wields the axe, and appears to be much tougher and faster than before. After overcoming him for the last time, he will reveal that he’s more humane than he looks, surprising Midna into near-speechlessness in the process.