99 replies to this topic

[LDGM]

medli with the zora emblem on her red overcloak

Every new Zelda game causes new discussions about the storyline to arise. One of the most prominent debates caused by The Wind Waker is one about the Zora-Rito relation.

In the game, Link meets the spirit of the former Sage of Earth, Laruto, who is a Zora. She asks Link to find to find "the one who carries on her bloodline", as that person is destined to become the new Sage. This descendant turned out to be a Rito girl, Medli.
This has led people to believe that some time before The Wind Waker, the Sea Zoras, or a group of them, evolved or transformed into the Rito. Other evidence for this theory includes the absence of Sea Zoras in a setting in which they should be plentiful, the fact that the Rito were confirmed within the game to not have always been aerial creatures, and the appearance of the Zora Emblem on the clothing of Medli and Komali. It should also be noted that the Koroks, another race in The Wind Waker are explicitly stated to having been a different race once, confirming that the races of the Zelda Universe can significantly change.

There are arguments against this theory though. The main counter-argument is that the Sages presented in A Link to the Past and Four Swords Adventures are supposedly the descendants of the Sages in Ocarina of Time. This opens the possibility that Medli has a Zora ancestor because of interbreeding, and that Zora may not be a common ancestor of the race. Furthermore, several other races have also been absent in some of the games that did display their confirmed habitats. The reason for such "inconcistencies" is unknown, but it is thought that the developers sometimes choose to omit elements of the world of Hyrule if they can't find a proper role for them in a specific game. Finally, some have questioned the idea that an aquatic race, which has previously seemed to be able to live in salt-water, would change into a birdlike race when the whole world is flooded. This is countered by the claim that the seas are too rough or empty. Finally, if interbreeding between species is possible, the Zora symbol on the Ritos' clothes could be explained by Medli's heritage.

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well, after reading what i have found on this theoty so far i'd like to see if we can expand or discuss it. i've added a poll to see if we can decide. i personally think that zoras did evolove into ritos, but i'd like to hear your opininions too.

regards - LDGM

[Wicker Basket]

The answer is already yes, we shouldn't need more proof for that. What I wonder (unrelated) is how Fierce Deity became evil (see topic: THE GREATEST FIND I HAVE EVER FOUND).

[AarghZombies]

Yes, I think they did 'evolve' from the Zora. I think that TWW is set a significantly large time in the future for this to have happened. If the Kokiri have changed so much, why not the Zora as well?

Anyone, one school of though does say that modern day birds are descended from ancient fish, so it is entirely possible.

[Sahaqiel]

As well as the fact that in Wind Waker, it states a DIRECT RELATION from Zora to Rito.

"Rito Crown".
Once owned by a Zora princess.

Srsly.
Sahaqiel

[Musicale Personna]

I haven't decided. I mean, it's a good theory, but for some reason I'm not buying it. It just seems so far-fetched to think that a race of "mermaids", as my friend calls them, could evolve into bird-people. It's a bit more understandable with the Kokiri and Koroks; doesn't the Deku Tree say that they were enchanted? I can't remember, I haven't played WW for almost two years now. But still, I am sticking with the "one-of-Medli's-personal-ancestors-was-a-Zora" thought. It's easier for me to accept. I suppose it could really be that the universal ancestor of the Rito is the Zora, but I suppose someone will have to ask Nintendo first to find out. And even then, they'd probably say that the fans have their own theories and it's not really an important detail.

[Goron Merchant]

@ Saha: When does it say that?!

[Sahaqiel]

My bad. Got "Ruto" mixed up with "Rito".
"Ruto Crown
Some say this regal crown was worn by a princess of Zora."
As such, I'm going to replace my previous claim with the following points.

The Rito are a monarchy, just as the Zora were.
The Rito's tribe's name is exceedingly similar to Princess Ruto's name.
Their symbol is the same as the Zora's, save for the circles.
There are no fish in the Great Ocean in Hyrule, so an evolution to birds might have been necessary.

Et cetera.
Sahaqiel

[Goron Merchant]

Not to mention Laruto is Medli's ancestor. That either suggests cross-breeding or evolution, or both.

[Umbreon]

There are arguments against this theory though. The main counter-argument is that the Sages presented in A Link to the Past and Four Swords Adventures are supposedly the descendants of the Sages in Ocarina of Time. This opens the possibility that Medli has a Zora ancestor because of interbreeding, and that Zora may not be a common ancestor of the race. Furthermore, several other races have also been absent in some of the games that did display their confirmed habitats. The reason for such "inconcistencies" is unknown, but it is thought that the developers sometimes choose to omit elements of the world of Hyrule if they can't find a proper role for them in a specific game. Finally, some have questioned the idea that an aquatic race, which has previously seemed to be able to live in salt-water, would change into a birdlike race when the whole world is flooded. This is countered by the claim that the seas are too rough or empty. Finally, if interbreeding between species is possible, the Zora symbol on the Ritos' clothes could be explained by Medli's heritage.

One thing is wrong there. THE SAGES MENTIONED IN A LINK TO THE PAST ARE THE ONES IN OCARINA OF TIME NOT THEIR DESCENDANTS, the seven ladies on the other hand ARE the descendants if the seven sages of old.

[Young Link Addict]

No they're differnt because TWW is 100 years after OoT, and TP is about 200 years atfter OoT. How can they change from zora to rito to zora again in 100 years.

That's all I have to say about that. For now.