Snowhead and the Lands of the North
“Well, it seems you may have the strength to change the fate of this land as I had expected. But the road ahead is even more challenging. Many trials await you. Please watch over these Gorons around you. Their land is doomed to be smothered in snow and ice forever. It will become a land where no living thing can survive. Without courage and determination, you surely will collapse from the extreme conditions. But if that courage and determination burns bright within you, then that’s another story."
— He Who Soars, Majora’s Mask
— He Who Soars, Majora’s Mask
Picture Credit: http://jaikart.deviantart.com/art/Legend-of-Zelda-Majoras-Mask-Snowhead-Temple-575470680
Roads to any Goron settlement are often among the most difficult roads to be found in any Legend of Zelda game, and the reasons for this can be revealed after only a moment’s thought. As with select other peoples and civilizations within Termina or Hyrule, the Gorons are fiercely independent, and surprisingly secretive, given their often-revealed good nature. Because of the essence of their associated element, they are also passionate, rather traditional, and, at times, given to stubbornness or even obstinacy. As one of the oldest peoples in all of Zelda, Gorons are a deeply historical people, deriving both morals and meaning from past events, figures, and stories. Goron villages reflect all of these values, often being hidden away in mountains, with traditional hierarchies and roles, yet with an exuberance given to art, competition, and performance that likely seems, to many outsiders, incongruous with their nature. The Goron Village of Majora’s Mask exhibits all of these characteristics and more, though their land has been thrown into utter turmoil because of deep climatic change and the death of one of their most beloved citizens and leaders.
The gate to the mountain from Clock Town is styled after an arch, and made with ice-blue bricks. A tiled pathway leads away from the gate, and is studded with green and blue gems, ultimately leading to a broken bridge. Likely broken by falling stones, the bridge is now nowhere to be found, and the land underneath its ruins is a forest of frozen mushrooms patrolled by maturing Dodongos. Because no path is forever closed, Link is eventually able to access the other side of the canyon and make his way into the mountains.
As He Who Soars so correctly admonishes Link, the path leading to the north is long, and marked by extreme cold. The initial road is winding, though gentle in incline, and dotted with sparse conifers and boulders of ice and rock. Wandering upward, Link is but a dot of green in a world of whites and greys. Snow may be a natural occurrence in the mountains, but each element has its season to flourish and decline; however, the cold blanketing the land of the Gorons is anything but natural. As with all organisms, Gorons need heat to survive. To a people so dependent on warmth, the coming of an everlasting winter means only a slow decline and eventual death. Due to the corruption of Snowhead Temple, the northern region of Termina has been enveloped in an unceasing field of ice and cold winds. As Link climbs, the temperatures fall further, and he comes to the first and only true shelter on the path up the mountain.
As He Who Soars so correctly admonishes Link, the path leading to the north is long, and marked by extreme cold. The initial road is winding, though gentle in incline, and dotted with sparse conifers and boulders of ice and rock. Wandering upward, Link is but a dot of green in a world of whites and greys. Snow may be a natural occurrence in the mountains, but each element has its season to flourish and decline; however, the cold blanketing the land of the Gorons is anything but natural. As with all organisms, Gorons need heat to survive. To a people so dependent on warmth, the coming of an everlasting winter means only a slow decline and eventual death. Due to the corruption of Snowhead Temple, the northern region of Termina has been enveloped in an unceasing field of ice and cold winds. As Link climbs, the temperatures fall further, and he comes to the first and only true shelter on the path up the mountain.
Pictures of the Mountain Smithy and an alpine chalet.
The expanse of land surrounding the Mountain Smithy is the heart of Snowhead, being the point in which all paths have their beginnings. The southern road leads back to Termina Field, the eastern road to Goron Village, and the two northern routes to Snowhead Temple and the Goron Graveyard. A small stream and two larger pools of water cross and vein the northern half of the village, and two created structures dominate the landscape. The smaller structure is but a simple footbridge, though it is important inasmuch as all bridges are to be counted precious. The other is the Mountain Smithy, sitting in the middle of this open plain. It is not a large dwelling, though it represents both home and hearth to the only two people living in this valley. Made of brick, wood, and stone, a humble, single-room construct is sheltered under vast eaves, and is watched over by a great chimney so necessary to the livelihoods of those that live within. Partially modeled after a Swiss chalet from the alpine regions of Switzerland, this cabin mirrors both the elements of construction, and several stylistic aspects of these Swiss cabins. While the eaves are much steeper in the Mountain Village than on most true chalets, strong gables are still a feature of this home, and the heavy wooden façade is rustically decorated and carved, showcasing the warm interior glow of a quaint set of windows. [1] To my mind, at least, few architectural styles augment a cold, mountainous landscape as perfectly as do Swiss chalets, with their balconies, warm-colored woods, and grounded designs, and this makes the Mountain Smithy seem so completely at-home in its surroundings in the bleak northern region of Termina.
Taking first the eastern path to Goron Village, the road quickly opens up into a large crater, with two central islands. Normally, this crater holds a pristine alpine lake, and the islands grow green with life; but in this perpetual winter, all has turned to ice, and the way is more treacherous. Indeed, so frigid is this depression in the mountains that the Goron Elder was enveloped in snow and frozen in place while out walking. In saving him, Link learns a new melody called the Goron Lullaby, which is a quieting melody capable of giving both calm and rest. Looking once more over our shoulder, we can see that this isolated mountain vale holds great beauty, whether during still spring or serene winter.
The principal character in this chapter of the adventure is a Goron hero named Darmani. Considered the greatest warrior of his time, he fell tragically to his death while exploring the area around Snowhead Temple in an attempt to locate the source of his people’s plight. He is remembered fondly by nearly every Goron in this village, and this settlement and its people are what he attempted so daringly to save. Situated in one of the uppermost parts of the mountains, the village has a commanding view of distant peaks and clear skies. The nook in which it rests appears to have been carved out by skilled hands, and these cliff walls likely afford great protection from frigid winds and blowing snows. This cradling of the village in the arms of the mountain paints a most warm, gentle picture.
The principal character in this chapter of the adventure is a Goron hero named Darmani. Considered the greatest warrior of his time, he fell tragically to his death while exploring the area around Snowhead Temple in an attempt to locate the source of his people’s plight. He is remembered fondly by nearly every Goron in this village, and this settlement and its people are what he attempted so daringly to save. Situated in one of the uppermost parts of the mountains, the village has a commanding view of distant peaks and clear skies. The nook in which it rests appears to have been carved out by skilled hands, and these cliff walls likely afford great protection from frigid winds and blowing snows. This cradling of the village in the arms of the mountain paints a most warm, gentle picture.
In itself, the Goron Village is a rather complex circuit of earthen pathways connected by wooden bridges and climbing ramps. The two steep domes of the Goron Shrine dominate the landscape of this hollow, and these footpaths connect and encircle each of them in turn. Small circular windows shine light into the interior complex, miniscule openings make ventilation possible, and two large metal chimneys allow heat and smoke to escape, ensuring clean air for the inhabitants. The masonry of the lower exterior is a collection of uneven stones, with two bands of multicolored rock (green, red, and white, as we saw with the Deku and their designs) circling each drum, assumedly providing the structural support for the walls and domes. The domes, when not covered in a layer of snow, are of the same blue stones as the gateway out of Clock Town, and each is capped with a sapphire-blue gem.
The Goron Shrine is the name given to the interior of the structure, and it is the home of most Gorons during the winter season. As the door inside is only open for short periods during the winter, Link must time his entrance carefully, lest he be left outside to brave the cold and ice. Once inside, we see that the blue stones creating the domes are actually translucent, giving an almost underwater tint to the light. The Elder has his chambers here, wherein his son can also be found, and all the sacred trappings of the Gorons can be found within. Like Goronia in Ocarina of Time, the settlement is underground and multileveled. Rough stone makes up the majority of the masonry, and the center of the complex is an open space where gatherings may take place at necessity. Familiar paintings embellish the floors and walls here, some merely strings of color, while others depict the more traditional Goron and Dodongo relationship in vivid hues. Goron faces decorate the chandelier, and a large carven visage clings to the wall, and is crowned with what looks to be ice. Angular designs, almost runic in nature, and pictures reflecting those same Māori facial tattoos as those exhibited in Darunia’s chambers in Ocarina of Time all provide continuity of Goron art and architecture across the universe. [2]
The Lone Peak Shrine is a most curious place. Floating to the east of the village, a series of hovering rocks creates a path to a large platform and cave, barely visible in the white expanse. A blue passageway leads to a warm natural grotto, marked with boulders, growing plants, and a treasure chest containing the Lens of Truth.
Perhaps the strangest piece of Goron architecture and spirituality is made manifest in the Goron Graveyard, high in the cliffs near the Mountain Village. So far as we know, the graveyard only houses one spirit: that of Darmani. Whether he is the only Goron to have died, or whether this is a mausoleum to his memory and his alone, is ultimately unknown. We know little of Goron death practices, and the Goron Graveyard reveals very little. Built on a natural hot spring, the water has ceased to flow into this cavern, as Darmani’s tombstone has been placed atop the spring. The floor is a vivid green, suggesting that moss or algae has slowly covered the warm, damp surface; the middle is as yet untouched by this moss, and shows a highly-decorated floor of grey stone. Its patterns are geometric and floral, and its rather curvilinear designs stand opposed to those more angular designs seen elsewhere in Goron Village. Further embellishments on the floor and the bases of the purple, black, and white spikes call to mind Celtic designs, like knots and entwined rope. The walls of this cave are purple, and the lowest portion of the wall is covered in a repetitive depiction of the Goron Ruby, done in relief. Above these rubies are smoke-like carvings, giving the impression of steam rising off the water, or of the fumes from a fire made with still-living greenery. In the ceiling, a hole in the center of the chamber allows a pure, white light to flow in, which comes to rest on the grave of Darmani, illuminating the hero’s visage, as well as his final epitaph.
Only a short distance remains between the mountain valley and Snowhead Temple. The road to Snowhead, like the first ascent upward, is not quite steep, though it is far narrower and more perilous. Gaps open up in the pathway, and a yawning crevice to the right of the path makes travel slow and footsteps careful. Snowhead Temple is in the utmost north, and consists of a raised island in the middle of a vast, empty crater. Four smaller islands float among the blackness, but they are inaccessible, and pale in comparison to the crowned mountain that rises out of the dim caldera. It is here that Darmani lost his life, blown into the depths by a fell wind. Playing the Goron Lullaby to a restless spirit calms the winds, and allows Link to tread a narrow, winding bridge up to the temple façade. The base of the temple appears to be natural, and seems simply a large upthrust of rock and ice. A cleft in the exterior acts as an entryway, and the only artifices appear to be the rising pathway and the helm of spikes atop the temple itself.
Though the initial chamber is small compared to many rooms of the temple, it is representative of much of the temple’s architecture and design. As with all the dungeons in Majora’s Mask, this one features a stone engraving of Majora’s Mask in the center of the floor. Around it are arranged six shapes of ice, curving over the stone emblem like the rib cage of some great beast. Snow has blown in from the outside and covered much of the floor, but the blue-and-white stone walls of the temple are still plainly seen, as is the organic nature of much of the structure. The doors as seen in the next room are of a heavy metal, and surrounded by brickwork of different colors and patterns. They are set-in to the natural stone of the walls, and represent only minimal changes to the untouched cavern walls. Indeed, the vast majority of this holy place, as with nearly every other Goron spiritual location, is of raw stone, standing complete as nature created it. And while there are creature-made objects in this temple, and scarce embellishments upon certain walls and platforms, they are rare. Bridges and scaffolding comprise the majority of constructs in this temple, and the main chamber, an enormous cylinder around which the entirety of the edifice is constructed, is the primary example of this minimalism. Half-completed bridges jut from the walls on each floor of this complex, and a large platform in the center of the room rises and falls depending on which switches are pushed, and when. Similar to this platform, other tiles exist throughout the temple, adorned with arabesque designs of flowers, leaves, and suns, and these serve much the same purpose of rising and falling, allowing people to access previously inaccessible locations. Why they are decorative far and above anything else within this temple is unknown, and their artistry is redolent of that found within the Goron Graveyard, seemingly foreign as it was.
One further style of art presents itself in this dungeon, and it can be found upon certain blocks, engaged columns, and wall panels; it is incredibly striking, because nothing in the realm of Termina even approaches it remotely in terms of its oddity. Like the Art Deco movement of the early-twentieth century, which sought to bring the design elements of “exotic” cultures (specifically those of tribal Africa and ancient Egypt) into the architecture vocabulary of the West, this design is precise and bold, with delineated geometric designs and indulgent use of primary colors. [3] These panels call to mind Egyptian hieroglyphics, as in the real-world Art Deco movement, and blur the line between human language and mere embellishment. Nothing else like this can be found in Termina, let alone among the Gorons who worship at Snowhead, which makes this a most curious artistic experience.
Through the final door, Link steps out onto a raceway. Encased in a prison of ice is the temple guardian, Goht, a robotic monstrosity that, when awakened, weaves his way around the track, almost mindlessly, as he tries to stop Link from expelling the persistent winter enveloping the land. With ramps, inclines, descents, and packed-earth walls, this path shows almost perfect similarity to the Goron Racetrack found farther down the mountain. Most strikingly, both raceways are decorated with hanging flags, colorful and reminiscent of competition. Why such flags would be found in both locations is a perfectly logical question, and likely means there is either a competitive element to Goron spirituality, or a sacred aspect to Goron competition. As Link defeats Goht, the winter is dispelled, and spring returns, which means the reopening of the Goron Racetrack, a return to normalcy, and the reawakened passion and vibrance that invariably accompanies warmth and life.
Through the final door, Link steps out onto a raceway. Encased in a prison of ice is the temple guardian, Goht, a robotic monstrosity that, when awakened, weaves his way around the track, almost mindlessly, as he tries to stop Link from expelling the persistent winter enveloping the land. With ramps, inclines, descents, and packed-earth walls, this path shows almost perfect similarity to the Goron Racetrack found farther down the mountain. Most strikingly, both raceways are decorated with hanging flags, colorful and reminiscent of competition. Why such flags would be found in both locations is a perfectly logical question, and likely means there is either a competitive element to Goron spirituality, or a sacred aspect to Goron competition. As Link defeats Goht, the winter is dispelled, and spring returns, which means the reopening of the Goron Racetrack, a return to normalcy, and the reawakened passion and vibrance that invariably accompanies warmth and life.
Works Cited:
[1] "Swiss Chalet Revival." Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) |. Washington State, n.d. Web. 13 June 2016.
[2] "The Meaning of Ta Moko — Maori Tattooing." Australian Museum. N.p., 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 June 2016.
[3] "Art Deco Origins & Influences." Art Deco Society of New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2016.
[1] "Swiss Chalet Revival." Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) |. Washington State, n.d. Web. 13 June 2016.
[2] "The Meaning of Ta Moko — Maori Tattooing." Australian Museum. N.p., 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 June 2016.
[3] "Art Deco Origins & Influences." Art Deco Society of New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2016.