The Zora’s Tale in Termina: A Deep Dive into Majora’s Mask

In Majora’s Mask, the Zora face a crisis deeply intertwined with personal loss and environmental threat. The tribe, typically known for their grace and aquatic prowess, are struggling with the mysterious disappearance of Lulu’s eggs and her subsequent loss of voice. Mikau, a member of the Indigo-Go’s band and Lulu’s companion, bravely attempts to recover the eggs, but suffers a fatal injury, leading to a chain of events that requires Link’s intervention to restore balance to the Great Bay and heal the Zora people.

The Plight of the Zora in Great Bay

The Zora’s situation in Majora’s Mask isn’t just about stolen eggs. It’s a multi-layered problem touching on themes of loss, responsibility, and ecological balance. Let’s break down the core elements:

• The Stolen Eggs: Lulu, the lead singer of the Zora band The Indigo-Go’s, has her seven precious eggs stolen by the Gerudo Pirates. These eggs represent not just the future of the Zora, but also a symbol of hope for the community.

• Lulu’s Loss of Voice: Coincidentally, or perhaps as a direct result of the egg theft, Lulu loses her voice. This is not just a personal tragedy for her, but also a blow to the Indigo-Go’s, impacting their ability to perform and, arguably, the morale of the Zora community.

• Mikau’s Sacrifice: Mikau, a Zora guitarist and Lulu’s partner, attempts to infiltrate the Gerudo Fortress to retrieve the stolen eggs. He is fatally wounded in the process. His regret and unfulfilled desire to help Lulu form the core of the Zora Mask questline.

• Environmental Issues: Lurking beyond the immediate crisis is the polluted Great Bay. A giant, mechanical fish known as Gekko is poisoning the water, threatening the entire ecosystem, including the Zora. Resolving this threat is crucial to the Zora’s long-term survival.

Link’s Role in Aiding the Zora

Link’s intervention is critical for the Zora in Majora’s Mask. He does the following:

1. Heals Mikau’s Soul: By playing the Song of Healing for the dying Mikau, Link frees his soul and transforms it into the Zora Mask. This mask allows Link to take on Mikau’s form and abilities, becoming instrumental in solving the Zora’s problems.

2. Retrieves the Eggs: As Zora Link, he infiltrates the Gerudo Fortress, defeats the Gerudo Pirates, and recovers the stolen eggs.

3. Awakens the Giant Turtle: The eggs are placed in the Marine Research Lab, where they hatch. The resulting tadpoles sing a song that awakens the Giant Turtle, who then carries Link to the Great Bay Temple.

4. Clears the Great Bay Temple: Within the Great Bay Temple, Link defeats Gekko and destroys the source of the pollution. This restores the water quality and ensures the health of the Zora and the wider marine ecosystem.

5. Restores Lulu’s Voice: After clearing the temple and saving the Great Bay, Lulu regains her voice. The Indigo-Go’s can perform again, and the Zora community can start to heal.

The plight of the Zora in Majora’s Mask provides a compelling narrative arc focusing on friendship, environmental responsibility, and redemption. The narrative of Mikau and Lulu offers an engaging story where choices made have drastic consequences. To further explore such concepts in games, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Zora in Majora’s Mask

1. Who laid the Zora Eggs in Majora’s Mask?

The Zora Eggs from Majora’s Mask were laid by Lulu, the lead singer of The Indigo-Go’s, a Zora band.

2. Why did Lulu lose her voice?

Lulu’s voice loss is heavily implied to be connected to the trauma of having her eggs stolen. It is never explicitly stated, but the timing suggests a psychological response to the theft.

3. What happens to Mikau after Link obtains the Zora Mask?

After Link plays the “Song of Healing” for Mikau, he dies, and his soul is trapped within the Zora Mask. Wearing it allows Link to assume the form of Mikau. His spirit appears briefly thereafter to sing Link his farewell songs: “We the Zora” and the “Zora Fight Song.”

4. How does Link get the Zora Mask?

To get the Zora Mask, swim out in the bay until you are about halfway between the building and the beach. You should see an injured Zora (Mikau) floating in the water. Push him to the shore and then play the Song of Healing for him.

5. What are the abilities of the Zora Mask?

The Zora Mask grants Link several abilities:

• Zora Swimming: Allows Link to swim with the speed and agility of a Zora.
• Boomerang Fins: Enables Link to throw his fins as boomerangs.
• Electric Barrier: Gives Link the ability to create an electric barrier around himself.
• Zora Punch: Executes a powerful punch.

6. Where are the Zora Eggs located?

The Zora Eggs are stolen by the Gerudo Pirates and held within the Gerudo Fortress. Link must infiltrate the fortress to retrieve them.

7. How does Link retrieve the Zora Eggs?

Link, as Zora Link, must sneak into the Gerudo Fortress, avoid detection by the pirates, and navigate the fortress’s challenges to find and rescue the eggs. This usually involves stealth, puzzles, and minor combat.

8. What happens after Link retrieves the Zora Eggs?

After retrieving the Zora Eggs, Link takes them to the Marine Research Lab. They are placed inside a tank filled with water and a special nutrient solution to help them hatch.

9. What role does the Giant Turtle play in the Zora storyline?

The Giant Turtle is awakened by the song of the newly hatched tadpoles. It then allows Link to ride on its back to reach the Great Bay Temple.

10. What is the significance of the Great Bay Temple?

The Great Bay Temple is the source of the pollution threatening the Great Bay and the Zora. Clearing the temple is essential for restoring the health of the ecosystem.

11. Who is Gekko, and what is his role in the Zora’s problems?

Gekko is a boss within the Great Bay Temple. He is responsible for operating the polluting machinery that is poisoning the Great Bay, leading to the Zora’s environmental issues.

12. How does clearing the Great Bay Temple help the Zora?

Clearing the Great Bay Temple eliminates the source of the pollution, restoring the water quality of the Great Bay. This benefits the Zora and all other marine life in the area.

13. What happens to Lulu after the Great Bay Temple is cleared?

After clearing the Great Bay Temple and restoring the water quality, Lulu regains her voice.

14. What becomes of the Indigo-Go’s after Lulu’s voice is restored?

With Lulu‘s voice restored, the Indigo-Go’s can perform again, bringing joy back to the Zora community.

15. Are there any other Zora characters of note in Majora’s Mask besides Lulu and Mikau?

While Lulu and Mikau are central, other Zora characters include:

• Tijo: Drummer
• Evan: Pianist
• Japas: Bass Player

These characters, while not as prominent, contribute to the Indigo-Go’s band and the overall Zora community.

Majora’s Mask’s Zora storyline is a poignant example of how personal tragedy and environmental crisis can intertwine, and how a hero’s actions can have far-reaching positive impacts.