Termina

Termina is a parallel world to Hyrule and the setting of Majora's Mask. The setting of Majora's Mask is filled with many characters similar in appearance to those introduced in Ocarina of Time. After he had journeyed through time to fulfill his destiny and take place among legends as the Hero of Time, Link set out to find a lost friend (most commonly speculated to be his Fairy partner Navi). This led him to meet the Skull Kid, who, possessed by Majora's Mask, stole Link's mount, Epona, and changed him into a member of the Deku race. He found Termina to be a separate universe parallel to Hyrule. Termina was in great danger, as its Moon was falling, about to crash into the central settlement of Clock Town.

This was indeed the work of the evil mask that had possessed Skull Kid, and Link had to set out to awaken the four Guardian Giants in order to stop the Moon from crashing to the ground and destroying Termina.

Termina is more technologically advanced than contemporary Hyrule, possessing modern hallmarks such as rock bands, motorboats, mayors, clocks, tourist shops, lotteries, photography, and even plans for space travel.

Etymology
The name Termina fits the darker nature of Majora's Mask. It is derived from the Latin word "terminus", which means end or the end of something, a reference to Termina being doomed to destruction had Link not intervened. Interestingly, Termina is also Spanish and Portuguese for "to end", thus having the same symbolic meaning. The name may also derive from the phrase "world terminus" used to describe places where one can access many other areas (such as Hyrule Field from the previous game) and referring to Termina's compass-like geography.

History and Mythology
The mythology and religion of Termina revolves around the Four Giants.

The Four Giants
Though Termina does not have a known creation story, the legends of its ancient protectors provide most of its primordial history. Long ago, the people of Termina had not yet migrated to the four cardinal directions, and were watched over by the Giants who had created the world. One day, the Giants announced to the people that they would go to the north, south, east, and west and guard the people as they slept. If the people were in dire need, the Giants would awaken and answer their cries for help. However, the Skull Kid, a little imp who was a friend of the Giants, was saddened by this news, and caused mischief in his anger. The Giants rebuked the Skull Kid and he left the world of Termina for the heavens.

The Ancient Tribe
An ancient tribe was known to use Majora's Mask in its hexing rituals, but they sealed away the evil inside of the mask to prevent its misuse. It was this mask that the Skull Kid later found as he waylaid the Happy Mask Salesman in the woods. When the demon Majora possessed the Skull Kid, it brought down the Moon from the sky and threatened to destroy Termina. He trapped the Giants in the temples in the North, South, East and West of Termina. It took the intervention of Link to free the Giants once more and prevent the moon from crashing.

The ruined kingdom of Ikana, located in the eastern canyons of Termina, was noted to have a particularly bloodstained and violent history. The Ikana Canyon is haunted by spirits of soldiers who died in its many wars, such as the Garo, who once spied on the Ikana kingdom and Captain Keeta, who was once the commander of the armies of Ikana. The last king, Igos du Ikana, explained to Link that his people had forgotten the value of friendship and forgiveness after someone entered the Stone Tower, and this was the cause of the kingdom's demise.

The Carnival of Time
Each year the citizens of Termina hold a festival in Clock Town in order to celebrate the Giants, and it is that time of the year when Link comes to Termina. This festival is called the Carnival of Time. This carnival celebrates the alignment of the sun and moon and the progress of time. During the carnival, it is customary to wear Masks made in the image of the Four Giants. If a wedding happens on the night of the carnival, it is also considered a sign of extraordinary luck.

Governance
Termina is a politically heterogeneous land, where each region (with the exception of Great Bay, whose division is never shown or mentioned) has a different local means of government. The center of Termina, Clock Town, is a democracy led by a mayor, responsible for taking the most important decisions. Southern Swamp houses a monarchy led by a Deku King, a Deku Princess, and his servants. Snowhead is led by a patriarch, the Goron Elder, whose position can be transferred to another Goron who is proven worthy. Ikana Canyon used to be ruled by a king and his servants; given the current conditions of the last king, Igos du Ikana, as an undead being, it's unknown whether or not he still holds actual power over the region.

Economy
As with most of the other lands in the Zelda series, Termina uses the rupee as the main currency, and is circulated across the different regions. Clock Town in particular shows a dense economic activity in matter of public attractions, not only in regards of the availability of minigames, but also because of the performance of concerts and the Carnival of Time. The town also houses a bank for people to make deposits.

Technology in Termina
The citizens of Termina seem to be more knowledgeable when it comes to technology of different types than their Hyrule counterparts. An example of this is the Clock Tower in the center of Clock Town. They also have a money bank, something which might indicate that the people of Termina are more sophisticated than inhabitants of Hyrule when it comes to money. The telescope is another example, as well as the fact that nearly every house in Termina has a functioning replica of the Clock Tower's face. The Bomb Shop has a drawing on the wall of a rocket with the caption: Bomb Powered Flight.

Apart from the Terminans, the Zoras are involved in several examples of higher technology. These range from their temple, which behaves similarly to a hydro-electric power plant, to The Indigo-Go's, a jazz/rock band. Boats in the Great Bay are motorized as opposed to being manually propelled.

The music in Majora's Mask follows the theme of advanced technology, containing one of the few electric guitar pieces of music in Zelda history, as well as having electronica theme music for Them, a modern bossa nova for one of the songs, and a combination of futuristic and traditional instruments in several locations, such as the inverted Stone Tower.

Geography
The geographic center of Termina is Clock Town, with four regions with a different climate and inhabitants in each cardinal direction.

Clock Town
Clock Town is the most populated area in Termina, and is subdivided into four districts. It is the location of the Clock Tower and the Carnival of Time, and inhabited mostly by Hylians. The leader of the city is Mayor Dotour, who is attempting to mediate a dispute between the carpenters and soldiers over whether or not to evacuate the city. The Bombers are a group of young boys who try to help people in Clock Town.

Southern Swamp
The Southern Swamp is the southern region of Termina and the home of the Deku Scrub tribe. When Link arrives, the swamp is poisoned, hampering the Swamp's tourism industry. The Deku people live in the Deku Palace, which outsiders are not allowed to enter. The Terminan counterparts of Twinrova run the swamp boat tours and a potion shop, and Tingle's father runs a Pictograph contest. The swamp is also the location of Woodfall Temple and the Swamp Spider House.

Snowhead
Snowhead is the snowbound northern region of Termina and home to the Goron tribe. Most of the Gorons live in Goron Village, and stay inside the Goron Shrine to stay warm during the harsh winter. The hero of the Gorons, Darmani, died shortly before the game takes place. After Link lays his soul to rest, Link is able to use the Goron Mask to impersonate Darmani and participate in many activities and traditions of the Goron people, such as the Goron Race and the Powder Keg. Snowhead is also the location of the Mountain Smithy, where Link can upgrade his sword, and Snowhead Temple.

Great Bay
Great Bay is the western region of Termina, bordering the ocean. The Zora tribe lives just off the coast, in Zora Hall, and the Gerudo Pirates control the northern portion of the coast, dubbed "Pirates' Cove," from the Pirates' Fortress. Far off the coast is Pinnacle Rock, where Link ventured in order to rescue some of Lulu's eggs. The water there is murky and dangerous. The Oceanside Spider House is on the beach, and was used by one man as an underground shelter to escape the imminent crash of the moon.

Ikana Canyon
Ikana Canyon is located far to the east of Clock Town, amid the ruins of the ancient Ikana Kingdom. This land is haunted by the spirits of those who died in its bloodstained past. This is the location of the Ancient Castle of Ikana and the Stone Tower as well as the bandit Sakon's hideout. Pamela and her father live in the Music Box House where they study the strange inhabitants of the cursed valley.

Romani Ranch
Romani Ranch is a prosperous farm just southwest of Clock Town and the source of the milk served at the Milk Bar. Its most popular product is Chateau Romani, a special vintage milk. The ranch is run by Cremia and Romani, the two sisters who found Epona after Link lost her. The ranch suffers invasions by the creatures known as Them every year as the Carnival of Time approaches. With Link's intervention, the raids on the farm stop and the shipments of milk resume. The ranch has a rivalry with the nearby Gorman Track, whose proprietors will try to sabotage the milk shipments into Clock Town.

Termina Field
Termina Field is the area surrounding Clock Town, and the Terminan counterpart of Hyrule Field. Termina field provides access to each area in the game, making it the world terminus of Termina. The Astral Observatory is located here, as is the entrance to Milk Road and Romani Ranch. The theme music for this area is a remix of the overworld theme from the first Zelda game, after its conspicuous absence in Ocarina of Time.

Terminans
The people in Termina are almost exact duplicates of the citizens of Hyrule, as Nintendo recycled a vast amount of character models from Ocarina of Time to be used in Majora's Mask.

Examples of duplicate persons

 * Talon – As Mr. Barten in the Milk Bar.
 * Malon – Appears as Romani and Cremia (Cremia is the equivalent of the older version of Malon, as Romani is the equivalent of the younger Malon).
 * Ingo – Appears as all three of the Gorman Brothers.
 * Koume and Kotake – As hags in the Southern Swamp (although they bear the same names as their counterparts in Ocarina of Time, they do not appear to be Twinrova).
 * Princess Ruto – Appears as Lulu in the the Zora band, The Indigo-Go's.
 * Carpenters – Appear as Mutoh and the Carnival Committee in Clock Town.
 * Soldiers seen in the Throne Room through the courtyard's window – Appear as Captain Viscen.
 * Bombchu Shop Proprietor – Appears as the Owner of the Bomb Shop in West Clock Town.
 * Fisherman at Lake Hylia – Appears as the owner of the Trading Post (Child), and the Man from Curiosity Shop (Adult).
 * The man on a roof in Kakariko Village – Appears as the Part-Time Worker in the Trading Post.
 * The man who asks for bottled items in Castle Town and Kakariko – Appears as the Banker in West Clock Town.
 * The Running Man – Appears as the Postman.
 * The Carpet Merchant in the Haunted Wasteland – Appears as the Swordsman in the Swordsman's School.
 * The kid in Kakariko Graveyard – Appears as the Bombers Secret Society of Justice.
 * The Cucco Lady in Kakariko Village – Appears as Anju of the Stock Pot Inn.
 * Granny from the Potion Shop – Appears as Anju's Grandmother.
 * The Dancing Couple from Castle Town – Appear as Honey and Darling.
 * King Zora – As Toto (albeit much smaller).
 * Woman at Bombchu Bowling Alley – Appears as Treasure Chest Shop proprietor.
 * Owner of Treasure Chest Shop – Appears as the Fisherman at Great Bay Coast.
 * Man in Windmill – Appears as Guru-Guru of the Gorman Troupe.
 * Men laughing in Castle Town – As Twin Jugglers.
 * Woman in Hyrule Castle Town who has lost her dog – Appears as Mamamu Yan who runs the Doggy Racetrack.
 * Lake Scientist in the Lakeside Laboratory – Appears as the Professor in Marine Research Laboratory.
 * Gerudo in charge of the Gerudo's Fortress – Appears as Aveil.
 * Wounded Soldier in Hyrule Castle Town's Back Alley – Appears as Shiro, the injured soldier in Ikana Valley.
 * Father in House of Skulltula – Appears as the man in the Swamp Spider House.
 * Children in the House of Skulltula – As the man in the Oceanside Spider House.
 * Deku in the Forest Stage – As the Deku Palace guards.
 * Dampé of Kakariko Graveyard – As himself at Ikana Graveyard.
 * Poe Collector - As the mysterious person seen several times in Ikana Canyon.

Other Races
As mentioned before, Termina houses Gorons, Dekus and Zoras, as well as the undead entities haunting Ikana Canyon and its local graveyard. It's worth mentioning that the inhabitants of the land have properties not seen from their counterparts of other lands, particularly Hyrule. For example, the Deku race is able to fly with the help of Deku Flowers; the Gorons are unable to survive underwater, whereas the Zoras live in saline waters (the sea, instead of a river or a lake).

Theory
Some fans believe that just like Link's Awakening, Link's entire adventure could have been an illusion. The fact that at the end, Link goes right back to where he started, supports this theory. This speculation may contribute to yet another speculation that states that the land of Termina does not exist. Some fans believe that there was no reason for Link to leave Hyrule and Princess Zelda, since he hadn't actually become the Hero of Time because he was sent back in time to warn of Ganondorf's evil plans for the future, thus creating the Split Timeline Theory. Those fans believe that Skull Kid never appeared in the Lost Woods and Link continued his search for Navi. This also supports the Hero's Shade theory.

Another theory is that Termina is actually the reflection of the "true Zelda worlds" (Hyrule, Labrynna, Holodrum, Subrosia, New Hyrule, etc), connected only by wormholes such as the one in the Lost Woods that Link fell into. This theory is supported by the fact that most of the characters in Termina appeared in other games (especially Ocarina of Time and Oracle of Ages). The Happy Mask Salesman and Twinrova might have the power to travel freely between Hyrule and Termina, which is why they keep their original names. One problem is that no Kokiri reappear in Termina. However, it is possible that the Kokiri turned into Stalfos in the Lost Woods and were reflected into Termina as the Ikana Soldiers. Link's own reflection is also unknown, but it may be possible that Dark Link was brought out of Termina into Hyrule by Twinrova.

Finally there is the prehistoric Hyrule theory. In Majora's Mask, Link travels through a portal that sends him to strange world which is weirdly familiar. In reality this portal sent him on a time trip to a prehistoric version of Hyrule, long before Skyward Sword even. Long before Hyrule was even called Hyrule, and before any kings ruled the land.

In Skyward Sword, there is a great desert which will one day become the Gerudo Desert, but you find out that it was once a great sea. This is the Great Bay in the time Link travels to in Majora's Mask. It dried up and became a desert, and by Ocarina Of Time it is still a dry desert.

Snowhead's winter never returned after Link saved it and brought Spring, and the volcanic activity in the bottom of the Temple turned it into Death Mountain; with the gorons in the same place in both times.

Ikana Canyon, now cleansed, was able to grow anew and become the Lanayru Forest, before overgrowing and becoming the Lost Woods. The Ikana Spring, now free of evil, blossomed into the source of Lake Faria and later became Zora's Domain.

And the Southern Swamp was drained and pitted and was over time filled with water overflowing from Lake Faria, and became Lake Hylia.

Clock Town fell into ruin as its residents moved on; leaving the moldering, nearly destroyed ruins we see next to the Sealed Grounds; and later nothing more than the odd wall buried in the middle of Hyrule Field.

The Stalchildren scattered around Hyrule Field in Ocarina Of Time aren't from warring with Termina; they're the ancient soldiers of the country Hyrule used to be.

The Timeshift Stones present in Skyward Sword confirm there is a way to mess with time - enough to say, open a permanent door to Termina? Link found it, Skull Kid found it, Mask Salesman found it too.

In other words, I propose that Termina is actually Hyrule thousands of years before Skyward Sword, before it was even called Hyrule. The Goddeses saw that the land was in a time of need so they devised a way to lure the Hero Of Time into a time warp so he could travel to this prehistoric Hyrule and save the day.