worlds converge (link & link & link & li—)

Altogether, there are seven Links that appear onscreen. From youngest to oldest, our protagonists are:

Cori, Hero of the Minish (The Minish Cap).

Linh, Hero of Spirits (Spirit Tracks).

Grasshopper, Hero of Time (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Hyrule Warriors).

Sailor, Hero of Winds (The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Hyrule Warriors).

Knight, Champion of Hyrule (Age of Calamity).

Patches, Hero of Worlds and Totem Hero (A Link Between Worlds, Triforce Heroes).

Dusk, Hero of Twilight (Twilight Princess).

Additionally, there are eight Links that exist outside of the narrative focus and may appear in occasional bonus posts.

Introductory post (Q&A).

#Meta.

#Info posts.

#Art.

WEAPON: Royal Broadsword and Hylian Shield. Prodigious with the blade since childhood, their swordsmanship proves to be amongst the best of the party — even as they're hampered by the painstaking process of adapting to their prosthetic arm. Their drive would be admirable, if it wasn't so self-denying.

GEAR: Champion must-haves. Perhaps the most fitting way to describe the nature of their inventory would be "excessively functional". Outside of particular standouts like their paraglider, hair-tie, or seasonings kit, nearly everything is carried for its necessity rather than for any sentimental value. Notably, there is an absence of the equipment that used to define the Knight Who Seals the Darkness.

SKILL: Sheikah arm. A transhumeral prosthesis engineered by Purah and Robbie with the help of several medical professionals, for part of the right arm Knight no longer has. Powered by Ancient Cores and a miniature Guidance Stone, it's network-interfaced with the Sheikah Slate, allowing them to make use of Sheikah Runes even in the device's (and Terrako's) absence. It's not a perfect solution (check-ups still need to be regularly conducted and Knight has residual and phantom limb pain on top of everything else to handle), but it's enough.

SKILL: Royal guard. There's more than just extensive combat training that comes with being a knight, of course. For one so involved with the Royal Family, receiving a formal education in equestrianism, the arts, sports, etiquette, survivability, and so on was par for the course. How well they took to each subject is a different matter altogether.

LANGUAGES & COMMUNICATION: Hearing, though with auditory processing issues. Understands Hylian (Modern Alphabet), conversational Zoran, Sheikah, Rito, and Goron, and very limited Gerudo. Non-speaking, they use the present era's Hylian Sign Language to communicate.

Literate, so they'll try to write if given the means to when needed. They're otherwise pretty decent at pantomiming.

FAMILY: They have an official byname, technically, but aren't keen on being associated with their father and have opted for the toponymic alternative offered by way of their mother. Not that they're on the greatest terms with her, either. Out of their family members, they're closest with their younger sister — which isn't saying much when they feel like they're distant friends at best and barely acquaintances at worst (it's complicated).

PERSONAL TIMELINE: Went through the events of Age of Calamity when they were seventeen-years-old. It's been over a year since.

NICKNAME ORIGIN: Taken from their occupation, as proposed by Patches. Cori signs this as is ("knight"). Linh and Patches fingerspell (alphabetically, "K-n-i-g-h-t").

WEAPON: Gilded Sword and Mirror Shield. Ever since a particular incident post-Termina, he's taken a hard stance against the two-handed power of the Great Fairy's Sword and has returned to preferring the versatility of one-handed offense and defense. Trains regularly and thoroughly — very much so gives the older party members a run for their money.

GEAR: Traveller must-haves. Beyond the equipment acquired over his adventures and those generally necessary for life on the road, Grasshopper carries a set of wood whittling knives, a sewing kit, and more seasonings than any of the party would expect. His transformation masks are kept well-guarded mysteries and he still has the Ocarina of Time.

SKILL: Magic user. Raised in Kokiri Forest, Grasshopper has a well of natural magic he can make use of directly (as with cast spells, runes, and usage of catalysts) and indirectly (as through inherent resistance, direction, and sensitivity). He's added to his repertoire of spells since last learning Din's Fire, Nayru's Love, and Farore's Wind.

SKILL: Transformation. With his masks, he can turn into four additional forms — a Deku Scrub, a Goron, a Zora, and the Fierce Deity. While helpful, continuous usage is taxing on his mental livelihood, as these masks can exacerbate his sense of depersonalisation, identity issues, and are never truly painless to put on. (Sometimes, they're just as painful to take off.)

LANGUAGES & COMMUNICATION: Hard of hearing. He understands Kokiri, Hylian (Old and Modern Syllabaries), Terminian, conversational Common, Goron, and Zoran, and a limited amount of his era's Hylian Sign Language. As with some of the others, in this alternate Hyrule, he's mostly counting on Patches' interpreting services. Situationally non-speaking and functionally illiterate, he tends to use body language and gestures to communicate.

As Mikau, he fully understands Zoran (Great Bay dialect). As Darmani, they fully understand Goron (Snowhead dialect).

He'll occasionally draw in his notebook if he feels there's a thought that needs to be understood.

There are very few people he's okay with speaking in front of. "Other Links" are currently not included.

SECRETS: Not that he's the only one with them, but Grasshopper is so defined by what he won't share that his secrets perhaps stand out the most amongst the party. Even Sailor — who arguably knows him best — can (or will) barely comment on anything beyond the Fierce Deity Mask, an injury that seems to have miraculously healed, and his competence as a lone traveller.

PERSONAL TIMELINE: Went through the events of Ocarina of Time when he was nine-years-old, Majora's Mask when he was ten-years-old, and Hyrule Warriors when he was twelve-years old. Or so he would say. He doesn't know nor think about how old he is (or how old he's supposed to be). It's been at least a year since.

NICKNAME ORIGIN: Given by Romani, from his time in Termina. It's the only nickname out of the many he has that he's okay with the general public calling him. Cori signs this as is ("grasshopper"). Patches, Knight, and Linh fingerspell (alphabetically, "G-r-a-s-s-h-o-p-p-e-r").

WEAPON: Came weaponless in the traditional sense. He's never had a taste for swordfighting despite his natural talent for it, so his sword and shield are usually left back at home with Niko when he's on duty. He brought everything else from his world-saving journey with Zelda though — he likes to handle foes with the whip and bow.

GEAR: Engineer must-haves. In addition to the occupational essentials, his items speak of a surprisingly careful youth. Several maps, a well-thumbed notebook, and two graphite pencils (complete with kneaded eraser) help bolster his memory; regularly washed handkerchiefs are always kept on hand to wipe off sweat, oil, and soot; miscellanea are organised safely in his pouch. Since he came with half his train, he has an emergency tool-chest available for its maintenance.

SKILL: Train engineer. Fully trained, educated, and officially recognised, Linh is an expert on the usage and upkeep of steam locomotives; they've been trying to see if any of their knowledge might apply to Zonai or Sheikah devices as well. The job's demands have also shaped their general conduct, in that they're a great multitasker and pay more attention to detail than their age would suggest.

SKILL: Spirit sight. Perhaps due to his Komo lineage, he can perceive the otherworldly without needing specialised magic or an enchanted item. This includes spirits, deities, auras if they're particularly bright, and right through some veiling spells if he concentrates hard enough.

LANGUAGES & COMMUNICATION: Hearing. He understands Hylian (Modern Syllabary), conversational Anouki and Goron, and limited Komo. Struggles with the Hylian commonly spoken in this Hyrule he's landed in, so he's among the heroes relying on Patches for interpretation at the moment. Non-speaking, he typically uses his era's Hylian Sign Language to communicate.

Has a whistle for train conducting; this is his go-to method for grabbing attention. It's had the unfortunate side effect of encouraging Cori to try stealing it off of him.

Fully literate, so he'll write in his notebook when faced with someone who doesn't know HSL.

KOMO LINEAGE: Born half-Hylian and half-Komo — of whom are a portion of the Indigenous Peoples of New Hyrule. He has smaller ears and more spiritual (rather than magical) ability than the rest of the party because of this. While not a complete stranger to Komo customs or knowledge, he was raised by Niko from a young age, so he's more familiar with Hylian culture.

Named Linh at birth, given "Link" when taken in by Niko due to the language barrier at the time.

PERSONAL TIMELINE: Went through the events of Spirit Tracks when they were eleven-years-old. It's been a year since. Does not go through Hyrule Warriors, only their Zelda does.

NICKNAME ORIGIN: It's just their birth-name. Cori signs this as its meaning ("spirit"); otherwise usually fingerspelled (syllabically, "Li-nn").

WEAPONS: Four Sword and Decorated Shield. Admittedly not the best swordsman of the party, but he has skills learnt from his grandpa and the Blade Brothers, and such experience with fighting against all odds that it would be ill-advised to underestimate him.

GEAR: Hero must-haves. With a family lineage of metalworking that he's very proud of behind him, he always carries around a set of tools that he deems necessary for the job. Ultimately arbitrary, but useful when on-field equipment maintenance is required! Beyond that and the items he's picked up over his hero's journey, his possessions clearly reflect his sentimentalities: his Pegasus Boots and Roc's Cape are well-loved, his Kinstone Bag has been patched up over and over, and he is never without Ezlo's hat.

SKILL: Magic user. Though he has a natural well of it, the Minish were his first real introduction to magic, so he doesn't have a very concrete idea of what to do with it. He can instinctively use catalysts like the Cane of Pacci without too much instruction required, but the only spell he knows how to cast is the one that will turn him into a Minish (literally).

SKILL: Smithing. While he still has things to learn from his grandpa, he is versed enough as a smithy apprentice that he can be trusted to evaluate, fix, or create quite a few things the party needs in the way of weapons, gear, and forged utilities. He's also vaguely familiar with Minish smithing and constructs, which he's found some Zonai devices strangely reminiscent of.

LANGUAGES & COMMUNICATION: Hearing. He only understands Hylian (Old Syllabary) while untransformed. In his Minish form — with the Jabber Nut's effects — he seems to understand all spoken language, including Minish, "animal-speak", and the more modern evolutions of Hylian. Non-speaking with limited literacy due to dyslexia, he primarily uses his era's Hylian Sign Language to communicate.

Makes an effort to stomp or clap to catch attention, but will sometimes fall back to initiating physical contact when he's tired and/or frustrated.

Will draw through any means available if his conversation partner doesn't understand HSL.

TRANSFORMATION: Without the presence of Minish Portals or Ezlo, shrinking down to Minish size comes with the side effect of turning Cori into a Minish himself. His aptitude for this spell is nowhere near refined enough to compensate for the lack of magical stability that would otherwise be offered.

PERSONAL TIMELINE: Went through the events of The Minish Cap when he was nine-years-old. It's been nearly a year since.

NICKNAME ORIGIN: Self-proposed from the word "Picori". Usually fingerspelled (syllabically, "Co-ri").

From left to right (plus bonus fact that doesn't really matter but is fun all the same):

Patches (ALBW/TH) got into dying their hair with Irene's influence sometime after their first journey. The pink was half-accidental and half-intended to be a prank, but he liked the look of it so much that he's kept it ever since.

Dusk (TP) has an iron gut — second only to Knight's — and the favoured Chu Jelly flavour to show for it (purple).

Knight (AoC) is an older sibling and has Complicated Feelings about it. To be fair, they have Complicated Feelings about a lot of things at the moment—

Sailor (WW/PH/HW) is an experienced participant and enjoyer of special handshakes and high-fives. He's great at clapping games too!

Linh's (ST) handwriting is the best of the party. This doesn't mean as much as they'd like it to.

Grasshopper (OoT/MM/HW) does not keep any bottled fairies in his inventory. Emergencies are handled either with potions or the hope that a fairy fountain is close by.