Ralph

Ralph (ラルフ, Rarufu) is Nayru's childhood friend and guardian in Oracle of Ages. Although he is stubborn and hotheaded, rarely pondering the consequences of his own actions, he is also a noble character deep down. His relationship with Link is that of a rival.

As Link first arrives, Ralph confidently informs Link that he will not be needed to help protect Nayru, only seconds before Veran possesses Nayru. Standing up to Veran, Ralph threatens to cut her in half if she does not release Nayru, but is forced to stand down, as Veran points out that if he attacks, Nayru will die. Making her getaway to the past, Ralph is quick to pursue her through the still-open portal to the past.

Despite his noble ambition, Ralph ultimately is little help, as he simply runs around the past, hoping to encounter Veran. He does, however, point out a few important facts to Link, as he quests for the Essences of Time.

Eventually, the guard around Ambi's Palace, the place where Veran is, is let down, allowing both Ralph and Link in, although Ralph only manages to find Nayru after Link has saved her and Veran has possessed Queen Ambi, Ralph's ancestor. Saving both Link and Ralph, Nayru returns them, along with herself, to the present, although Ralph almost immediately returns to the past, looking to kill Queen Ambi and save Labrynna, knowing full well that if he succeeds, that he himself will vanish from existance. However, as he came face-to-face with her at the Black Tower, he was easily thwarted by Veran's power. Due to Veran's 'generosity', however, Ralph survived, leaving Link the only obstacle in her path.

After the battle with Veran, Link, Nayru and Ralph left the Black Tower behind, only to run into Queen Ambi, who had been freed from Veran's control in the battle. Despite her battle-ready appearance, Ambi reveals that she did not come to fight them, but Veran.

As the adventure ended, Ralph was last seen training with Link, trying unsuccessfuly to master the Spin Attack, turning it into an uncontrollable version with greater range. Despite the greater range of damage, the attack makes Ralph too dizzy to do anything except pass out after he uses it.

Manga
Ralph has changed some in his manga appearance. He is used for greater comic relief than in the game, and is also much stronger, accompanying Link throughout the majority of his journey. Unlike in the games, Ralph is, at one point, possessed by Veran.

Trivia

 * Curiously, Ralph's hair is black in-game, whereas it is red in official art. This may be due to technical restraints.
 * Ralph has a sprite similar to Richard in Link's Awakening.