Progress on the Legend of Hyrule

Here are a couple WIP maps for my version of Hyrule.

 

 

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Zora Template

Zora are fish people. I do not personally find them very compelling, but in a way that made for an even more interesting challenge in creating a playable template for them. When I was finished, I had something I think would be interesting to have at the game table.

Boy, the Zora go through a LOT of identity crisis through the various Zelda games. I nod to that briefly in the template.

This is the last race template, but it’s far from the end of the Legend of Hyrule material!

Zora

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Sheikah Template

So are these mysterious figures Hylian, or something else? Fortunately, with the template model, I don’t have to decide. The point is, when you become Sheikah, some changes happen to you.

These shadowy protectors of the royalty are a great character class; pretend to be a Hylian as you go about your business, but use shadow communication with others of your kind, sniffing out and eliminating threats to the throne without drawing undue attention… And if there is a quest of some kind, you’ve got a reason to go along.

Sheikah

Here is a great set of possible Sheikah, by Split Heart. Cool stuff!

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Royalty and Magic

So you want to be a Gerudo Desert King? Or maybe you want to play Zelda? You want access to the magic of the Goddesses? Have I got the document for you!

Remember, this is not THE Hyrule. No such thing. In my opinion, every game has its own continuity, and they are all best served if they don’t try to connect. The legend is played out in the multiverse across time and space and realities. So, please come in and have a great time in THIS Hyrule.

Personally I think it would be awesome if you had three players and each one had a Tri-Force and connection to royalty. Go big or go home, right?

Royalty of Hyrule

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Weapons and Equipment

The weapons and equipment of the Zelda games are iconic and oft-reinterpreted through the series. Converting to a role playing game, the possible use of various items can change dramatically. How to keep the function and flavor of the item intact enough that you have a similar play experience, managing the medium shift? Well, that’s part of the fun of statting things up for Old School Hack.

Here are magic weapons and enchanted items and regular tools for the world of Hyrule through the lens of Old School Hack.

Hyrule Weapons and Equipment

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Rito Template

You can fly, you can fly, you can fly! The Rito are bird people in Wind Waker. I like the idea, the kinesthetics of them, and a flying messenger service. So here they are.

In this setting, everything revolves pretty much around Death Mountain. In the smoke above the cone, the Temple of Air. Below, built around the upper cone, the Rito settlement. Below, in the volcano itself, the Goron settlement, and below that, the Temple of Fire.

I think that’s pretty cool.

Rito

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Kokiri Template

Kokiri! Irritating children of the forest! Who DIDN’T want to punch one in the face?! Now is your chance!

Saria, all by herself, redeems these little creeps. Still, in the interests of wanting to represent all the people of my version of Hyrule, here are some weirdo children of the trees that you can use to trowel adorability on your awesome.

Kokiri

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Hylian Template

The Hylians aren’t quite elves, but they aren’t quite human either. I focused on a template for them that emphasized archery, but also honed in on how they are favored of the gods, and a bit otherworldly.

Link, in Ocarina of Time, is a Hylian raised by the Kokiri, so I mixed my mental image of him between those two templates. Here is the default straight-up Hylian. Sifting out flavors of elfy fey people is an interesting exercise, and I think I got the mix right for the Hylians.

Hylians

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Goron Template

The Goron are big fellas, and in the history I give them a prominent role in supporting Hyrule. Tied to flame and living in the guts of a volcano, they’re pretty cool. And they faceplant to relax. So they can’t be all bad, right?

Here are the Goron for Old School Hack’s rules.

Goron

 

OSH Legend of Hyrule: Gerudo Template

Sensual desert thieves, the weird Gerudo are perhaps closest to a traditional adventuring class. This template borrows most heavily from my previous templates.

All Gerudo characters will be female, unless the DM allows someone to play the Desert King, for the only male Gerudo in every generation becomes the king of the Gerudo. And that could be fun too. Really, who hasn’t thought it would be cool to play a Gerudo?

One of the Gerudo gets an aspect of the Tri-force. It could be yours.

Gerudo