Disclaimer and Notes: The Legend of Zelda belongs to Nintendo. This is non-canon and no profit is being sought.

I saw the listing for "Loftwings" on the character-selection on The Fanfiction Network and saw no entries for it. This, combined with a desire to know more about the species led me to want to make up a bunch of stuff and create a speculative textbook-style guide for Skyloft knight-students and/or newcomers to the city.


LOFTWINGS AND RIDERS:

A Basic Guide to Skyloft Bird-Riding Culture

Complied by Professors Owlan and Horwell of the Skyloft Knight Academy

(Published by Shadsie Press)


Part I: History, Chromatic Variation and the Calling

While the natural history and evolutionary path of the Loftwing is unknown, the partnership between the species and the human race is an ancient and noble tradition. Ever since there have been islands floating in the sky above the Sea of Clouds, men and women have partnered with the birds of the air. To become one half of a whole is to come of age and marks the beginning of adulthood. It is when someone is between the ages of ten and twelve years that their personal Loftwing comes to them, although there is the occasional late-bloomer or early-riser. Some have waited as long as age fifteen before procuring their birds. A few have received their mounts as early as age eight. The readiness of a rider is apparently determined by the Loftwing alone.

Loftwings, themselves, are said to be divine birds – a creation of the Goddess to aid us in living and to give us the joy of partnership. Some compare being chosen by their birds to marriage, although one does not ever need to marry to enjoy the sacred companionship of a Loftwing.

An ancient legend among the islands speaks of the great birds being the mounts of ancient spirits and gods themselves. The tale speaks of a Crimson Loftwing as the chosen mount of the Goddess in the days when she first protected the world from Evil and created Skyloft for her people. It is for this reason that Crimson Loftwings are considered particularly auspicious. According to legend, any person they choose to be their partner will have an exciting and historically-significant life.

All is not necessarily completely good for the chosen of a Crimson, however, as it is also said that their life of destiny will come with much suffering. This echoes back to the myth of the Hero, whom the Goddess' Crimson Loftwing allowed to ride in the fight against the great Darkness. In the conclusion of the myth, the Goddess' Chosen Hero saved Her people, but himself died protecting them – therefore being chosen by a Crimson bird is thought to be a mixed-blessing, whether one believes in the myth or not.

Crimson Loftwings, with their strong, intimidating presence, are said to come only to the bravest of riders. History gives us stories of Crimsons choosing a young rider only to leave him or her after a week's time out of apparent displeasure. Such youths had to wait another year for a bird of a different color to come to them or remain partner-less for the rest of their lives. While a cruel fate, indeed, such was said to be the price of being chosen by the most stunning of birds in the sky: Show the Crimson Loftwing your courage. If your courage is wanting, you are not worthy of the breed that was once the Goddess' own.

The old tales aside, those that have studied the Crimson Loftwings (thought to be extinct until rediscovered in the Year 1010 SR.) have noted traits of swiftness, strength and aggressiveness beyond other breeds of Loftwing. There is also a known ability in this breed to dip very close to the edge of the Sea of Clouds when other birds spook.

Birds of various other colors are said to come to different riders based upon a correlation between the color of the bird and the temperament of the human, but research into this is inconclusive.

While Crimson Loftwings are said to come to the especially brave, Black Loftwings are said to come to those with strong emotion, Blues are said to come to those with creative traits and spiritual aptitude, Yellows are said to come to those with a cheerful disposition, Grays are supposed to come to warriors, Browns to earthy-types with steady hearts, Greens to people with analytical minds, Pinks and Purples to romantics, and etc.

Again, more research is yet to be done, but those are the legends.

Next Section: Riding and Stance.