Background:

There are five Tribes that hold territory in the land of Hyrule, a land created by the clash between two tremendous powers: Majora, an ancient mask-wearing spirit, and the Fierce Deity, a powerful demon with a strange sword. These two forces fought against each other, but neither could claim victory. The Great Goddess finally sealed the two in another dimension, one that existed outside of time itself, yet their conflict raged on. The Goddess was incensed at Majora and the Fierce Deity, and captured them in a pair of crystals. With their powers she shaped the land, creating what is today called Hyrule.

However, a great Darkness arose, formed as a result of the ancient conflict between Majora and the Fierce Deity. It was created by their combined lust for power, and it hungered, but was never quenched. The children of the Goddess became the Tribes and the Hylians, and they were fearful of this void, this Darkness. Finally, the Tribe closest to the Goddess, the Tribe of Light, waged war on the Darkness. The hunger was pushed back, but at great cost to the Light Tribe. Eventually, the last seven members of the Tribe sealed away the Darkness in another world, but were forced to remain there, holding back the very source of evil itself.

The Tribes honored their sacrifice, but grew complacent, and the Darkness slipped into the hearts of those who succumbed to their base desires. The Tribes waged war on each other and the seal on the Darkness was weakened. Finally, another Tribe, the Twilight Tribe, fled from the war into another world. They knew what was happening, but they could not prevent it. So, they used their hybrid magic to reinforce the barrier separating the world of the Light Tribe from the others. In doing so, they became lost to Hyrule, and few now remember them.

The Shadow Tribe, the shadow wielding-Sheikah, claim an ancient graveyard and the town of Kakariko.

The Spirit Tribe, the Gerudo horde who command primal energies, reign over the Great Desert.

The Fire Tribe, the fire-spitting Gorons, rule the burning volcano of Death Mountain.

The Water Tribe, the Zora, who control ice and water, control the springs that are the source of Lake Hylia.

The Forest Tribe, the Kokiri, live in the Great Forest under the protection of the Great Deku Tree, a nature spirit who granted them control over the forest itself.

The Hylian nation is composed of magic-deadened Hylians ruled by their king, Harkinian. He rules the largest city in Hyrule, Castle Town, and is loosely allied with both the Fire and Shadow Tribes. He has sent an emissary to the Water Tribe in order to seek an alliance.

The Twilight Tribe, a long-forgotten tribe that lives in another world only connected at dusk and dawn, is made up of the Twili, who command their hybrid magic to protect their ways of life from outsiders and honor the ancient ways by defying the Darkness.

The Light Tribe, a supposedly extinct tribe that lives in another world, is composed of fairies, sages, and other elemental and magical beings, who use light magic to guard the worlds from the encroaching Darkness and keep watch over the worlds.

The Darkness is described in myths and legends in all the tribes as a hunger, a void where nothingness exists. It consumes everything in its path, yet is never satisfied.

Character Guide

Link: a Hyrulean thief who steals artifacts and elemental essences from Tribes; lives in Forest territory (Lost Woods specifically) but doesn't bother the Kokiri. Strong, but has no real purpose and steals for the thrill and challenge.

Kaepora Gaebora: a talking owl who occasionally keeps Link company and keeps him updated on current events/bounty hunters looking for Link.

Navi: fairy; one of the last of the Light Tribe. Link's companion and best friend. Scolds him for taking risks.

Sheik: young heir to the Shadow tribe. Hides his face because of his half- Hyrulean features. Cares deeply about his tribe.

Saria: child-ruler of the Forest Tribe; allows Link refuge within the territory of the Forest Tribe.

Darunia: passionate leader of the Fire Tribe; sees Link as a worthy adversary.

Ruto: heiress of the Water Tribe; has a crush on Link (not returned).

Ganondorf: king of the Spirit Tribe; only known male of the Gerudo people.

Impa: Shadow Tribe representative to Hylian nation. Cares for the young princess as a little sister.

Malon: young Hylian who Link sometimes visits. Works on a family-run farm.

Zelda: young heiress to the Hylian throne; looks up to Impa.

Midna: true leader of the Twilight Tribe; comes to Link for help, eventually grows closer.

Zant: usurper of the Twilight Tribe; allies with Ganondorf to wage war on the other Tribes and manipulate the Hylian nation into war.

King Harkinian: king and ruler of the Hylian nation; is loosely allied with the Fire and Shadow Tribes and is meeting with the Water Tribe; at war with the Spirit Tribe, but is manipulated into cutting all ties with the Tribes and declaring war on them.

Din: one of three sisters and a co-ruler of the Light Tribe; passionate and quick-tempered, Din commands the forces of nature to defend against the Darkness that seeks to engulf the three worlds.

Farore: one of three sisters and a co-ruler of the Light Tribe; courageous yet innocent, Farore looks to the future and sees back to the past as the Keeper of Secrets for the Tribe. She seems to focus much of her attention on the world of Hyrule and Link for some reason…

Nayru: one of three sisters and a co-ruler of the Light Tribe; wise and graceful, Nayru is tasked with maintaining the barrier between the three worlds.

Rauru: advisor to the three rulers of the Light Tribe; kindhearted, but wise and stern when necessary.

The Great Deku Tree: the immortal guardian of the Forest Tribe, the Deku Tree supports the Kokiri with it's magic, growing homes for them and turning all intruders into eerie Skullchildren. Link is an exception to this because Saria pleaded with the Deku Tree to allow this.

A/N: This is just a brief guide to the story, so not everything is mentioned yet. After all, I can't give away all my secrets