link ♪ hero of time (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
songoftime) wrote2018-10-10 11:41 pm
songoftime) wrote2018-10-10 11:41 pm
Entry tags:
application ➸ ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
victory_road
Player
Name: Mala
E-mail: when.all.your.dreams.come.true, gmail
Preferred Contact:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
Malathyne | discord: Malathyne#3688
Timezone: CST
Current Characters in Victory Road: n/a
Character
Name: Link
Series: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask
Timeline: Post-Majora's Mask (Fierce Deity ending)
Canon Resource Links: Comprehensive Link article | Ocarina of Time | Majora's Mask | Hero's Shade
Original Character Background:
Link is the quintessential silent protagonist, and on top of that, there are variations on canon (such as the manga vs the games). In addition, while there are some traits that are core for every iteration of Link, there's plenty of room for differing interpretations of his personality. For my portrayal of Link, I draw almost entirely from the games (including his appearance in Twilight Princess), and here are the reasons for the approach I take to him:
The major theme I play with Link in games is centered on a feeling of not belonging anywhere. In TP, the Hero's Shade lingers on as a spirit instead of passing on due to regrets of not passing on his skills... and that he was never remembered as a hero. While this is past the canon point I'm pulling Link from, it's relevant to my interpretation. Personally, I don't think it's the fame or glory the Hero's Shade is missing, or even just plain old recognition — It's what that means for him when placed in the context of the rest of his experiences.
From childhood, Link never felt like he belonged — Among the Kokiri, he was the only one without a fairy, and picked on for that fact. Then, when his body was aged to an adult, his friends didn't recognize him, and he learned he was actually a Hylian, further proving that he didn't belong in the forest. But where he grew up isolated him from other Hylians, as he didn't know their culture and stood out with his Kokiri clothing and fairy.
Then you add in the fact that, because he was sent back to the Child Timeline at the end of OoT, no one knew of what he had done — and, more importantly, what he had gone through. The people he had made friends with had no memory of the things that happened in the other timeline, so those friendships didn't exist for them. These things would all be isolating enough, but then in Termina, similar issues crop up as Link has to reset the same three days again and again, with only Tatl remembering everything that transpired with him.
For the Hero's Shade, this means that by not being remembered as a hero, he shouldered the burden of his experiences alone, leading to him keeping to himself, initially just emotionally, but then eventually in relation to his skills, as well. It's not about his accomplishments being lost to history, because let's be honest, the story of the Hero of Time echoes throughout the rest of the series. It's about his suffering being lost to those around him when he was alive, and the effect that had on him as a person.
So let's take these issues all the way back to when he's still young, in the earliest stages of these problems — aka, my canon point. He doesn't yet have a grasp on how much these feelings will stay with him for the rest of his life. Right now, because of everything he's been through, he's a kid who had to grow up way too fast, and has forgotten by and large how to be a kid. Since the different iterations of Link are often spiritually similar simply by nature of their connection, as well as the thematic parallels between them, I take inspiration from Breath of the Wild's take on his silent protagonist role. All of that pressure, all of that isolation, and a lack of the opportunity to socialize and grow up in a non-traumatic way result in Link having a difficulty in expressing how he feels, adding to the impression that he's odd for his age. In my portrayal, his experiences have made him very mature and serious for being so young, and while he still has a very childish outlook on many things (such as a black and white view on morality, since his adventures did little to encourage a deeper understanding of such a complex subject), and is still capable of acting like a kid, these behaviors look out of place compared to his usual demeanor.
I do borrow one trait from the Majora's Mask manga, which is shown towards the beginning — Link dislikes being treated as a kid and looked down upon by adults. Given how the Kokiri react to adults (based on how they react to adult Link, who they don't recognize as their old friend), and given everything he's been through and the skills he developed through those adventures, I believe that's an entirely justified reaction for him to have, so I adopt it into my canon. Link's experiences put him in a situation where he isn't exactly a kid any more, but he isn't an adult, either... and he also doesn't really fit the "teenager" mold — He has a unique relationship with his age, and it's just one more thing that showcases (and exacerbates) his feeling of other-ness among other people.
Personality:
The first thing that people notice about Link is how incredibly quiet he is. He'll speak when spoken to and answer questions, but he just doesn't talk much. He's the kind of person who only talks when he has something important to say, and then, when he does, he speaks concisely. Often times, part of the first impression that Link leaves with people is just how serious and mature he is for a kid his age. While he does have his carefree side, this usually manifests in a go-with-the-flow kind of attitude, happy to engage in friendly competition and go exploring, but just as happy to laze around (and take naps). The kind of abundant energy that people normally associate with ten-year-olds seems to almost be muted with him.
This is because Link is not as truly young as he looks, and he's endured a lot of hardship. Due to being an outcast among his peers growing up, he was picked on; all of the Kokiri had fairies, and he didn't, and so it was claimed that he wasn't really one of them. This planted a seed of loneliness in him, and the feeling that he has to work to earn kindness and friendship — to prove himself worthy. This also means he highly values the friends he does make, and rewards their friendship with unwavering loyalty. He deeply treasures his friends, showing this in his steadfastness and willingness to come running to help them whenever they need it. All he needs is that kindness and companionship; for that, he's willing to do anything.
But the difficulties in his life didn't end when he left the forest. At the age of ten, the weight of the world fell on his shoulders. Not only this, but he was locked in a stasis until he was physically seventeen so he could wield the Master Sword, and he was expected to behave as an adult. In that time, the kingdom had been covered in darkness, as the only person who could wield the sword that would stop it — Link — wasn't there. Hyrule's people suffered under the prevailing evil, and it was because he wasn't there to end it sooner, and it's up to him to save them all. As if that wasn't enough pressure on such a young mind, the adventures he struggled through to set things right forced him to grow up in a big hurry. He had to mature and leave his childhood behind far, far too early.
But his success in saving Hyrule didn't resolve his personal struggles. While he was returned to the happy, bright timeline of his youth in an attempt to grant him the rest of his childhood, it quickly became evident it wasn't that easy to give him a happy ending. In reality, this deepened his feelings of isolation, as, of course, no one in that timeline knew what happened. This meant he remembered hardships no one else did... and friendships, too. While he wouldn't wish for the friends he made to suffer like they did in the darker timeline, it meant that, for them, those friendships never existed. When his guardian fairy left, too, he truly had no one who understood what he'd been through. And, of course, these feelings persisted through his adventures in Termina, where he had to repeatedly travel back in time to save this new land and these new friends, putting him in the same situation again and again. He was a hero, but he was still an outcast everywhere he turned.
The effect all of this has on Link's personality is apparent not only in his maturity, but in the difficulty he has with expressing himself. When he has troubling thoughts, or even thoughtful insights, he struggles in sharing them with other people; he just hasn't had the experience in doing so, or even much opportunity to. He keeps a lot of things on the inside not because he's secretive, but simply because he doesn't know how to let them out.
Most of the time, when Link speaks up, it's to ask questions. He wants to understand what's around him — people, events, history, ideals, you name it. Despite everything he's gone through, there's a lot he doesn't know about life and the world around him — even the intricities of good and evil. His understanding of morality is very black and white, betraying his youth despite how serious he is. But even though he's had to grow up fast, his curiousity has never been stifled. This desire to learn helps connect him to his surroundings and those in it in a way that's much easier for him to grasp. Knowing things means he'll be better suited for whatever problems come up, which means he'll do a better job helping people.
And helping people is one of his key motivations. Link just genuinely wants to help, no matter the cost to himself — It's the root of his good nature. It's why he never turns down someone who is in need, even when he's tired to the bone, even when it's going to put him through more hardship. This is what wins over everyone, from the Kokiri he grew up with, to the people whose pots he breaks, to the people who are scared and distrustful because of how the world had treated them. He goes out of his way to help people, and, being naturally empathetic, he always makes sure to listen to them. He follows through, and he almost never asks for anything in return. Perhaps most importantly, it's all done sincerely. He doesn't know any other way to live. When he looks around and sees someone suffering... If there is the chance that he can bring them happiness and alleviate their pain, how can he say no?
But this isn't just one of his greatest strengths. Link is most often a doormat in social situations. He doesn't speak up when something hurts or troubles him, so he gets steamrolled, even by well-intentioned people. This means he doesn't stand up for himself when someone speaks badly about him, too, even if it happens to his face. He'd much rather avoid that conflict, feeling as though it wouldn't do any good, based on his experiences with his childhood bully. He prefers to put his head down and do the work that prove himself, even if the people hurting him never see or acknowledge his efforts.
This reaction showcases Link's reliable nature, though. He is a very hard worker, and not one known for giving up, even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Over the course of his adventures, he has learned that if he cannot do something, he simply needs to step back, re-evaluate, perhaps leave and learn some new tricks, and come back again. Adaptability and planning are both things he has come to be adept at handling. He's good at looking at a problem, weighing his options, what he can and can't do, and figuring out ways to work around what he lacks. He is always keenly aware of what's riding on him, and what's going to happen if he doesn't follow through. Given the stakes, failure has never been an option for him. His work ethic often serves as a coping mechanism for this pressure. He has to believe that there's a way forward, even if it's hard, even if it takes time. And he's always willing to put in that effort and put himself on the line. This is such a deep, lasting trait in him that he lingers on after his death as a spirit, unwilling to give up in fulfilling what he feels needs to be done: passing on his knowledge, so that his suffering continues to have meaning after he's gone.
Which brings us down to what Link is best known for, which is, of course, his bravery. It's his trademark, as showcased by the Triforce of Courage. Link is not the type of hero who makes flashy displays, and his type of courage follows suit. He is courageous in the quiet way that he continues to try, again and again, even if it means he's going to suffer, even if it means he'll receive nothing in return. It must be done, or else everyone else will suffer, too — and Link would do anything to protect those who can't protect themselves.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Honedge (female)
Password: Atomic Fireball
Samples
RP Sample: [ test drive 01 ] (parent up for prompt/context)
Victory Road Sample:
[ network ➸ video ]
The songs...
[The blonde boy recording this video starts it apropos of nothing, no introduction, just a wide blue eyes set in a serious young face and solemn words.]
The ones the goddesses are singing.
Does anyone know their names?
[No one ever said that when the goddesses spoke to the Hylians that it would be with words. And it's true that not everyone here is a Hylian — That's obvious. But that doesn't mean they're not still chosen ones. They are, because they were all brought here, to this land full of strange new creatures. Link thinks that's why they can all hear the music, too. It has to mean something, right? Songs always do. That's why Link has been trying to learn how to play them. He's even been writing them down as he goes. But... He doesn't know their names. He doesn't know how to refer to them individually. But maybe the other chosen ones know.]
Name: Mala
E-mail: when.all.your.dreams.come.true, gmail
Preferred Contact:
Timezone: CST
Current Characters in Victory Road: n/a
Character
Name: Link
Series: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask
Timeline: Post-Majora's Mask (Fierce Deity ending)
Canon Resource Links: Comprehensive Link article | Ocarina of Time | Majora's Mask | Hero's Shade
Original Character Background:
Link is the quintessential silent protagonist, and on top of that, there are variations on canon (such as the manga vs the games). In addition, while there are some traits that are core for every iteration of Link, there's plenty of room for differing interpretations of his personality. For my portrayal of Link, I draw almost entirely from the games (including his appearance in Twilight Princess), and here are the reasons for the approach I take to him:
The major theme I play with Link in games is centered on a feeling of not belonging anywhere. In TP, the Hero's Shade lingers on as a spirit instead of passing on due to regrets of not passing on his skills... and that he was never remembered as a hero. While this is past the canon point I'm pulling Link from, it's relevant to my interpretation. Personally, I don't think it's the fame or glory the Hero's Shade is missing, or even just plain old recognition — It's what that means for him when placed in the context of the rest of his experiences.
From childhood, Link never felt like he belonged — Among the Kokiri, he was the only one without a fairy, and picked on for that fact. Then, when his body was aged to an adult, his friends didn't recognize him, and he learned he was actually a Hylian, further proving that he didn't belong in the forest. But where he grew up isolated him from other Hylians, as he didn't know their culture and stood out with his Kokiri clothing and fairy.
Then you add in the fact that, because he was sent back to the Child Timeline at the end of OoT, no one knew of what he had done — and, more importantly, what he had gone through. The people he had made friends with had no memory of the things that happened in the other timeline, so those friendships didn't exist for them. These things would all be isolating enough, but then in Termina, similar issues crop up as Link has to reset the same three days again and again, with only Tatl remembering everything that transpired with him.
For the Hero's Shade, this means that by not being remembered as a hero, he shouldered the burden of his experiences alone, leading to him keeping to himself, initially just emotionally, but then eventually in relation to his skills, as well. It's not about his accomplishments being lost to history, because let's be honest, the story of the Hero of Time echoes throughout the rest of the series. It's about his suffering being lost to those around him when he was alive, and the effect that had on him as a person.
So let's take these issues all the way back to when he's still young, in the earliest stages of these problems — aka, my canon point. He doesn't yet have a grasp on how much these feelings will stay with him for the rest of his life. Right now, because of everything he's been through, he's a kid who had to grow up way too fast, and has forgotten by and large how to be a kid. Since the different iterations of Link are often spiritually similar simply by nature of their connection, as well as the thematic parallels between them, I take inspiration from Breath of the Wild's take on his silent protagonist role. All of that pressure, all of that isolation, and a lack of the opportunity to socialize and grow up in a non-traumatic way result in Link having a difficulty in expressing how he feels, adding to the impression that he's odd for his age. In my portrayal, his experiences have made him very mature and serious for being so young, and while he still has a very childish outlook on many things (such as a black and white view on morality, since his adventures did little to encourage a deeper understanding of such a complex subject), and is still capable of acting like a kid, these behaviors look out of place compared to his usual demeanor.
I do borrow one trait from the Majora's Mask manga, which is shown towards the beginning — Link dislikes being treated as a kid and looked down upon by adults. Given how the Kokiri react to adults (based on how they react to adult Link, who they don't recognize as their old friend), and given everything he's been through and the skills he developed through those adventures, I believe that's an entirely justified reaction for him to have, so I adopt it into my canon. Link's experiences put him in a situation where he isn't exactly a kid any more, but he isn't an adult, either... and he also doesn't really fit the "teenager" mold — He has a unique relationship with his age, and it's just one more thing that showcases (and exacerbates) his feeling of other-ness among other people.
Personality:
The first thing that people notice about Link is how incredibly quiet he is. He'll speak when spoken to and answer questions, but he just doesn't talk much. He's the kind of person who only talks when he has something important to say, and then, when he does, he speaks concisely. Often times, part of the first impression that Link leaves with people is just how serious and mature he is for a kid his age. While he does have his carefree side, this usually manifests in a go-with-the-flow kind of attitude, happy to engage in friendly competition and go exploring, but just as happy to laze around (and take naps). The kind of abundant energy that people normally associate with ten-year-olds seems to almost be muted with him.
This is because Link is not as truly young as he looks, and he's endured a lot of hardship. Due to being an outcast among his peers growing up, he was picked on; all of the Kokiri had fairies, and he didn't, and so it was claimed that he wasn't really one of them. This planted a seed of loneliness in him, and the feeling that he has to work to earn kindness and friendship — to prove himself worthy. This also means he highly values the friends he does make, and rewards their friendship with unwavering loyalty. He deeply treasures his friends, showing this in his steadfastness and willingness to come running to help them whenever they need it. All he needs is that kindness and companionship; for that, he's willing to do anything.
But the difficulties in his life didn't end when he left the forest. At the age of ten, the weight of the world fell on his shoulders. Not only this, but he was locked in a stasis until he was physically seventeen so he could wield the Master Sword, and he was expected to behave as an adult. In that time, the kingdom had been covered in darkness, as the only person who could wield the sword that would stop it — Link — wasn't there. Hyrule's people suffered under the prevailing evil, and it was because he wasn't there to end it sooner, and it's up to him to save them all. As if that wasn't enough pressure on such a young mind, the adventures he struggled through to set things right forced him to grow up in a big hurry. He had to mature and leave his childhood behind far, far too early.
But his success in saving Hyrule didn't resolve his personal struggles. While he was returned to the happy, bright timeline of his youth in an attempt to grant him the rest of his childhood, it quickly became evident it wasn't that easy to give him a happy ending. In reality, this deepened his feelings of isolation, as, of course, no one in that timeline knew what happened. This meant he remembered hardships no one else did... and friendships, too. While he wouldn't wish for the friends he made to suffer like they did in the darker timeline, it meant that, for them, those friendships never existed. When his guardian fairy left, too, he truly had no one who understood what he'd been through. And, of course, these feelings persisted through his adventures in Termina, where he had to repeatedly travel back in time to save this new land and these new friends, putting him in the same situation again and again. He was a hero, but he was still an outcast everywhere he turned.
The effect all of this has on Link's personality is apparent not only in his maturity, but in the difficulty he has with expressing himself. When he has troubling thoughts, or even thoughtful insights, he struggles in sharing them with other people; he just hasn't had the experience in doing so, or even much opportunity to. He keeps a lot of things on the inside not because he's secretive, but simply because he doesn't know how to let them out.
Most of the time, when Link speaks up, it's to ask questions. He wants to understand what's around him — people, events, history, ideals, you name it. Despite everything he's gone through, there's a lot he doesn't know about life and the world around him — even the intricities of good and evil. His understanding of morality is very black and white, betraying his youth despite how serious he is. But even though he's had to grow up fast, his curiousity has never been stifled. This desire to learn helps connect him to his surroundings and those in it in a way that's much easier for him to grasp. Knowing things means he'll be better suited for whatever problems come up, which means he'll do a better job helping people.
And helping people is one of his key motivations. Link just genuinely wants to help, no matter the cost to himself — It's the root of his good nature. It's why he never turns down someone who is in need, even when he's tired to the bone, even when it's going to put him through more hardship. This is what wins over everyone, from the Kokiri he grew up with, to the people whose pots he breaks, to the people who are scared and distrustful because of how the world had treated them. He goes out of his way to help people, and, being naturally empathetic, he always makes sure to listen to them. He follows through, and he almost never asks for anything in return. Perhaps most importantly, it's all done sincerely. He doesn't know any other way to live. When he looks around and sees someone suffering... If there is the chance that he can bring them happiness and alleviate their pain, how can he say no?
But this isn't just one of his greatest strengths. Link is most often a doormat in social situations. He doesn't speak up when something hurts or troubles him, so he gets steamrolled, even by well-intentioned people. This means he doesn't stand up for himself when someone speaks badly about him, too, even if it happens to his face. He'd much rather avoid that conflict, feeling as though it wouldn't do any good, based on his experiences with his childhood bully. He prefers to put his head down and do the work that prove himself, even if the people hurting him never see or acknowledge his efforts.
This reaction showcases Link's reliable nature, though. He is a very hard worker, and not one known for giving up, even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Over the course of his adventures, he has learned that if he cannot do something, he simply needs to step back, re-evaluate, perhaps leave and learn some new tricks, and come back again. Adaptability and planning are both things he has come to be adept at handling. He's good at looking at a problem, weighing his options, what he can and can't do, and figuring out ways to work around what he lacks. He is always keenly aware of what's riding on him, and what's going to happen if he doesn't follow through. Given the stakes, failure has never been an option for him. His work ethic often serves as a coping mechanism for this pressure. He has to believe that there's a way forward, even if it's hard, even if it takes time. And he's always willing to put in that effort and put himself on the line. This is such a deep, lasting trait in him that he lingers on after his death as a spirit, unwilling to give up in fulfilling what he feels needs to be done: passing on his knowledge, so that his suffering continues to have meaning after he's gone.
Which brings us down to what Link is best known for, which is, of course, his bravery. It's his trademark, as showcased by the Triforce of Courage. Link is not the type of hero who makes flashy displays, and his type of courage follows suit. He is courageous in the quiet way that he continues to try, again and again, even if it means he's going to suffer, even if it means he'll receive nothing in return. It must be done, or else everyone else will suffer, too — and Link would do anything to protect those who can't protect themselves.
Pokémon Information
Affiliation: Trainer
Starter: Honedge (female)
Password: Atomic Fireball
Samples
RP Sample: [ test drive 01 ] (parent up for prompt/context)
Victory Road Sample:
[ network ➸ video ]
The songs...
[The blonde boy recording this video starts it apropos of nothing, no introduction, just a wide blue eyes set in a serious young face and solemn words.]
The ones the goddesses are singing.
Does anyone know their names?
[No one ever said that when the goddesses spoke to the Hylians that it would be with words. And it's true that not everyone here is a Hylian — That's obvious. But that doesn't mean they're not still chosen ones. They are, because they were all brought here, to this land full of strange new creatures. Link thinks that's why they can all hear the music, too. It has to mean something, right? Songs always do. That's why Link has been trying to learn how to play them. He's even been writing them down as he goes. But... He doesn't know their names. He doesn't know how to refer to them individually. But maybe the other chosen ones know.]