Goron

The Gorons are a race inhabiting Hyrule, Termina and several other countries. They generally live in or under mountains. Their build makes them capable of rolling down mountains like rocks. Gorons are capable of the ability to walk through lava withstanding extreme amounts of heat; immense strength and power. Gorons are also extremely endurable, as well as being able to roll into balls that help them get around. Beside their rock-like appearance, another notable feature is that their diet consists strictly of rocks, although it was hinted in Twilight Princess that they also drink milk. Some Gorons are known to be skilled smiths, notably Medigoron and Biggoron, of which the latter is responsible for creating the Biggoron's Sword. They are also known for harvesting bombs from Bomb Flowers. Bombs are sometimes called the Goron's Special Crop. Gorons can also become extremely large like the previously mentioned Biggoron, towering above all other races. Often, though a friendly race, Gorons are slow to trust outsiders unless they can somehow win the trust of a Goron elder by performing a feat of strength, skill or intelligence. Gorons are one of the most consistently present races throughout The Legend of Zelda series, along with Hylians. By the time of The Wind Waker, other major races such as the Zora, Kokiri and Deku are nowhere to be found, presumably having either evolved or have migrated.

The name 'Goron' may have originated from 'goron, goron', a Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of a rolling rock, or more specifically, a boulder.

Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda title to introduce the Gorons. The Gorons live within Death Mountain, in a large dome-shaped cavern which they call Goron City. This city houses several rooms, stairways and also a giant vase at the bottom floor which contains a Heart Piece), provided if the vase is spinning. Many Gorons populate Goron City but some do venture out into the trail and are willing to give directions to the city if spoken to. At first the Gorons look like smooth boulders lying down but will uncurl themselves if approached. The Gorons also have their own mining complex, Dodongo's Cavern, where its entrance lays at the base of the mountain trail and where the Gorons can mine for the most nutritious and best tasting rocks which they eat. One Goron mentions that the Gorons have became gourmets and refuses to eat ordinary rocks.

The Gorons in Ocarina of Time are governed by a single leader, a large Goron named Darunia who often stays in his room on the bottom floor. Other notable Gorons include Biggoron, a gigantic Goron who is too large to live with the other Gorons, and thus resides on the peak of Death Mountain. Biggoron also has a younger brother named Medigoron, who is just as large as Biggoron but still lives with the other, smaller Gorons in his own, cramped room. Both Gorons are blacksmiths, but the eldest brother Biggoron is more skilled in his work than his brother. As an adult, Link can purchase a Giant's Knife for 200 rupees, which will break after being used four times. Biggoron however is able to craft an indestructible blade, the Biggoron's Sword, which Link can obtain at the end of the Biggoron Sword Trading Sequence.

The Gorons also guard the Spiritual Stone of Fire, more commonly known to them as the Goron's Ruby, within the city. The Spiritual Stone of Fire was originally guarded on a high platform, which could only be reached by crossing a rope, until Darunia took it and guarded it himself in his room. The Gorons also grow a special kind of explosive plant called a Bomb Flower, a flower that acts like a bomb which the Gorons probably use for mining.

When Link goes to Goron City with the intention of acquiring their Spiritual Stone, he learns from the Gorons that a gigantic boulder had blocked the only entrance to their mining complex, Dodongo's Cavern. Because of this, the Gorons can no longer mine for the rocks they eat, and are now starving because of their rock shortage. Some of the Gorons had became so hungry, that a few had went to the Spiritual Stone of Fire with the intention of giving it just a little lick, only to find it missing from where it was usually kept. Darunia had took the Spiritual Stone and guarded it himself to prevent the others from possibly eating it. In the process he had locked himself in his room, saying that he would only come out whenever Hyrule's royal messenger arrives. Link had then played Zelda's Lullaby on the doormat to Darunia's room, and thinking that the royal messenger had finally arrived, Darunia had opened his door. But when Darunia saw that it was only a child, he became furious saying that the Gorons were having their own problems, don't need a child, and told Link to leave him alone.

Some of the Gorons tell of the tunnel that leads to the Lost Woods, where Saria's Song can be heard, and that sometimes Darunia likes to listen to it. When Link had played Saria's Song to the Goron leader, Darunia began to dance madly and had instantly became happier. Feeling better, Darunia told Link that Ganondorf had approached the Goron tribe and had blocked the entrance to their mines, threatening them that he would only unblock it if they had gave him the Spiritual Stone of Fire. But Ganondorf was still refused and had left the Gorons with their blocked mines. Darunia had then asked Link to help them with their problem, and that he would award Link with the Spiritual Stone but only if Link helped them, which Link agreed to and was given the Goron Bracelet which allowed him to pick up heavy objects such as Bomb Flowers. Link managed to find a Bomb Flower and used it to unblock the entrance, he had then went inside the mining complex and eventually defeated the boss there, the King Dodongo. Now that the mines were finally safe again, Darunia and two Gorons dropped down to Link and announced that he was now one of them, a sworn 'brother', and gave him the Spiritual Stone of Fire for his efforts. The Gorons also wanted to give Link a 'Goron hug', which Link had ran away from.

Eventually after getting the last of the Spiritual Stones and after obtaining the Ocarina of Time and learning the Song of Time, Link went to the Temple of Time and pulled out the Master Sword, putting him into a deep slumber and only awakening him seven years later, where he found himself as an adult and was told by Rauru, one of the six sages, to go out and awaken the other five sages to aid him in the battle against Ganondorf. During this time period, Death Mountain had been cursed. Its trail became more dangerous and red smoke had surrounded the mountain. After arriving in Goron City, Link found that the Gorons' home was completely empty. There was however a single, rolling Goron who was stopped with the use of a bomb. This Goron introduced himself as 'Link, Hero of the Gorons' who admires the real Link. Link the Goron said that he is the son of Darunia, and had told to Link that Ganondorf had revived an evil dragon, named Volvagia that according to Goron lore, had preyed on Gorons and was defeated by a Goron hero who had used the Megaton Hammer in a battle against it. Darunia is a descendant of that Goron. More recently however, Ganondorf had captured nearly all of the Gorons and held them captive as prisoners in The Fire Temple, where he threatened to feed them all to the revived Volvagia, as an example to all of the other races not to question his rule over Hyrule. The only other Gorons who weren't taken captive was Biggoron, Medigoron, and the Goron who runs the shop in Goron City. Darunia was not captured but had went into The Fire Temple to defeat Volvagia and to save his people, but Link the Goron had feared for the worst and soon had pleaded to Link to save the Goron race, which Link agreed to. Link the Goron then gave him a Red Tunic and told him of a secret passageway to the other half of the Death Mountain crater, by pushing away a block in Darunia's room. There, Link found the bridge that led to the temple.

Inside The Fire Temple, Link had reunited with Darunia in the room that held the boss door. Although Darunia was glad to see him again and would love to have a man-to-man talk to him, Darunia had to save his tribe and was going to fight Volvagia, even though he didn't have the Megaton Hammer with him. He asked Link to free the Goron prisoners and then had went inside. Most of the small keys in The Fire Temple were used to free the prisoner Gorons, who gave Link advice about the temple before escaping. Their prisoner cells often also held important items, such as more keys, which makes freeing all of the Gorons necessary in order to clear the dungeon. After Link freed all of the prisoner Gorons and defeated Volvagia with the Megaton Hammer, Darunia was awakened and realized that he was the Sage of Fire and gave Link the Fire Medallion, which was also a symbol of their friendship. Afterwards all of the other Gorons had returned to their city, and would thank Link again if spoken to.

Majora's Mask


In Majora's Mask, the Gorons live in the Snowhead area, in the north of Termina. They include the Goron Elder, the Baby Goron, and, until recently, Darmani. Throughout the plot of Majora's Mask, Link learns to become a Goron himself by using the Goron Mask.

Unfortunately, Goron Village and Mountain Village have been plagued by harsh snow and ice, changing the usually warm habitat of the Gorons. The source was apparently Snowhead Temple, so Darmani went to investigate. Sadly, he died along the way, but Link healed his soul using the Song of Healing. After Darmani's soul came to rest, Link obtained the Goron Mask.

In Goron Village, the Baby Goron has been crying ever since his father left. Link must calm him by taking the form of Darmani using the Goron Mask and playing the Goron Lullaby, partially learned from the Goron Elder, who is frozen just outside of the village area. Unfreezing Gorons requires Hot Spring Water, found near Darmani's grave.

After clearing Snowhead and defeating Goht, Goron Link is allowed to participate in the Goron Race. However, the entrance is blocked by a large boulder which can only be broken using a Powder Keg. To get one, Link must visit the Biggoron near the Goron Village and carry the Powder Keg from the village to the rock. If Link wins the race, he receives a Bottle filled with Gold Dust.

There is one Goron who visits Clock Town during the three days Link is in town. His name is Link. This Link has a reservation at the Stock Pot Inn, and he claims it at noon on the first day. However, Link can check in before his Goron of the same name, because Anju has a difficult time remembering the faces of the customers.

Oracle Series
Gorons appear in both the lands of Holodrum and Labrynna in the Oracle games. Unlike other Zelda titles, the Gorons in Holodrum and Labrynna have skin color that ranges from the usual yellow, to red, green and blue.

Oracle of Seasons
In Oracle of Seasons, Gorons live in a cave in Mt. Cucco, near where the Temple of Seasons once stood in Holodrum. Unlike the Gorons of Labrynna, these Gorons do not appear to have a Goron elder, or at least not refer to anyone as their leader. Although Biggoron does reside with them and may be their elder, however he has to stay outside due to his largeness. While the seasons are in chaos, Mt. Cucco experiences cold winters most of the time, forcing all of the Gorons but Biggoron to stay inside the caves.

Due to the cold winters, Biggoron had caught a cold, which was cured when Link gives him Lava Soup as part of the Trading Sequence. In return, Biggoron gives Link the rare Goron Vase, which can be then given to Ingo who lives in Sunken City.

A solitary, red Goron lives in a separate cave from the others. When visited, the Goron will thank Link for visiting him and reward him with a level 2 Ring Box, capable of allowing Link to equip two rings instead of one. The main cave in which the Gorons live can be used as a shortcut to the Temple of Seasons or as the sole entry to the peak where Biggoron resides.

Oracle of Ages
In Oracle of Ages, Gorons live in both the peaks of Rolling Ridge of Labrynna, as well as the base of the mountain. Unlike the Gorons of Holodrum, there are a lot more Gorons in Labrynna and make up most if not all of Rolling Ridge's population, they are also in fact one of the more larger Goron tribes in the Zelda series. There are more Gorons in the past then there are in present day, suggesting that some may have died off or migrated.

The Gorons of Labrynna exhibit many interests in playing games as well as dancing, their sense of society also closely resembles that of the Goron tribe in Hyrule's Death Mountain, as they have an elder and test outsiders in skill before calling them a "Brother". The base and eastern peak of Rolling Ridge appears to have the most activity, as well as many tunnels that lead to the base and vice versa. This is where most of the mini-games that Link can play, a requirement in order to access the sixth dungeon, Mermaid's Cave, and also where the Goron Dance Hall is held. Oracle of Ages requires that Link completes the fifth dungeon, Crown Dungeon, before allowing access to the base and eastern peak of Rolling Ridge.

The western peak of Rolling Ridge is less active, but also appears to be the main caverns of the Gorons. The western peak is probably also the main area where Bomb Flowers are grown, most notably in the past. In present day the Goron elder, who slightly looks like Darunia of Ocarina of Time, became trapped under some fallen rocks and could not get out. The other Gorons had tried to break away the rocks, but even with their Goron strength, they couldn't break it and required the use of a Bomb Flower, which hadn't been seen in years. In the past, the Great Moblin had built his fortress in the western peak of Rolling Ridge and had kept all of the Bomb Flowers for himself. Once Link had defeated the Great Moblin, the Gorons had their Bomb Flowers returned to them. As thanks, Link was rewarded a Bomb Flower which he took into present day to free the Goron elder, who admits that he was not in any trouble at all.

The Goron Dance mini-game is hosted by a blue Goron in present day and by a red Goron in the past, where they instruct dance moves to other Gorons in the Goron Dance Hall. According to the red Goron, he is the first generation of "Graceful Dancers", and that the blue Goron is the fifth generation. To join in, Link had to pay 10 rupees in present day or 20 rupees in the past to dance with them. The Goron Dance Hall is where at least seven Gorons do a dance in rhythm, under the instructions of their instructor. According to the dance instructors, only people who dance well will be considered a Goron. When Link completed this mini-game, he was officially dubbed a fellow "Brother" within the tribe and was given the Brother Emblem, allowing him access to a tunnel that was being blocked by a Goron from non-"brothers". Other games that the Gorons in Labrynna play include a mine cart game that involves shooting targets with the Seed Shooter, and a game where Link had to dodge falling bombs for a certain amount of time, Big Bang Game. Several Gorons also asked that Link find them items such as Rock Sirloin, Goronade and the Goron Vase. Eventually after completing a number of requests and mini-games, Link was rewarded the Mermaid Key that provided him access to the Mermaid's Cave.

The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, the Gorons appear as wandering salesmen traveling the Great Sea, situated on three different islands, in search of valuable goods and rarities.

These Traveling Merchants can be found scattered across three islands on the Great Sea. If Link has the Deku Leaf, he can use it to blow a Merchant's hat into the air, revealing that they are Gorons. These Gorons may be the few, last remnants of their diminished race, likely wiped out during the flooding of Hyrule, although they claim to be from a "far away" place, which may very well be Goron Island, where many Gorons live. The Gorons will trade with Link if he has purchased an item from Zunari.

The Traveling Merchants are often found on a raft, which appears to be their main form of transportation. Three of these Gorons can be found in The Wind Waker, at Mother and Child Isles, Greatfish Isle, and Bomb Island. The merchants seem to know where each other are stationed, as each merchant will mention which at islands the other two can be found.

Each Goron merchant also wears a differently colored hat and shirt.

Island Trading Sequence
In The Wind Waker, each Goron has a different item that Link may trade with. This process is known as the Island Trading Sequence. Every time Link trades with a Goron, not only does he form the Merchant's Oath with that salesmen, but the item he received in trade from the Goron is available in Zunari's shop on Windfall Island.

The Minish Cap
In The Minish Cap, only eight Gorons appear through the entire game, one of them being Biggoron and a Goron merchant. Most only appear after Link fuses Kinstone pieces with other people throughout Hyrule. It is stated that the Gorons in this title are in fewer numbers and that they had probably gone into hiding, living quietly in caves. The Gorons once lived in Mount Crenel, and their short supply seems to suggest that something may have happened on the mountain to dwindle their numbers. It's also speculated by some that many of the Gorons may have simply decided to migrate.

A Goron can be seen near Lon Lon Ranch trying to punch an entrance to a cave, and will eventually succeed once Limk fuses a Kinstone with somebody. If Link enters inside, he will discover that the Goron had opened a tunnel way, which has been blocked by many large rocks. The Goron says that he is unable to break it himself. Link can then later fuse more Kinstones with Mysterious Walls and Eenie to make more Gorons appear, those Gorons would enter the tunnel and offer their assistance. The Gorons do manage to break the first rock, but encounter more rocks afterwards, which are always larger than the previous rock. Thus they require more Gorons in order to unblock the tunnel. There are six Gorons needed to clear the tunnel.

The first Goron in the tunnel side quest will also offer to fuse Kinstone pieces. Afterwards, a Goron merchant will appear wandering around North Hyrule and immediately decides to open up a shop in Hyrule Town. In the town square, the Goron merchant will be selling three differently colored Kinstone pieces, red, blue and green, although the shape of the Kinstone pieces is entirely random when bought. Green Kinstone pieces costs 50 rupees, blue Kinstone pieces costs 200 and red Kinstone pieces costs 300 rupees. If Link had bought all of the Kinstone pieces on show, the Goron merchant will restock his wares at a later time.

Biggoron lives around the peaks of Veil Falls, near the cyclone entrance to Cloud Tops. At first Link can only see the top of his head and hear Biggoron groaning to himself, and Link cannot interact with him. After fusing Kinstones with the sixth Goron who appears to help the others with the tunnel project, Biggoron will pop out and can be spoken to. Once Link has defeated Vaati, Biggoron can take his shield for awhile and later upgrade it into a Mirror Shield.

The Minish Cap also includes three Goron-related figurines. One of them being the Biggoron figurine.

Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess Gorons primarily populate Death Mountain, or more correctly in Spectacle Rock. However, two Gorons have migrated to Castle Town as merchants. The Gorons in Twilight Princess are very different in appearance than previous incarnations of Gorons. Their skin is very yellow in color and they have what seems to be tattoos painted on their skin. Only certain Gorons, such as Gor Coron have differently colored tattoos. The Gorons in Twilight Princess also have more 'hair', which is in the form of a rocky surface, as well as rocks along their arms.

The Gorons in Twilight Princess are governed by five Gorons; their Patriarch, Darbus, and their four elders, Gor Amoto, Gor Coron, Gor Ebizo, and Gor Liggs.

The Gorons have constructed a large mining complex within Death Mountain, and they have also become more mechanical and industrialized developing magnetic cranes and elevator systems. They most likely use it to mine rocks which they eat. The mines also serve another purpose, being the place where the Gorons hold a Fused Shadow and the Hero's Bow. A single, armored Goron named Dangoro guards over the weapon. The mines also have three rooms where the Goron elders can pray, and where Gor Liggs, Gor Ebizo and Gor Amoto can be found. Gor Coron doesn't seem to have to have his own room, or at least not one within the mines.

The Gorons in Twilight Princess also show a strong interest in sports of strength, such as wrestling or boxing, as well as bathing in their hot springs. On the very top of Spectacle Rock is a small cavern where the Gorons keep their wrestling ring, where they often hold sumo-wrestling competitions. This cavern is also the entrance to Goron Mines, and an elevator to the hot springs as well. Many of the older Gorons enjoy sumo-wrestling, although several Gorons mention that the youngsters seem to be losing interest in the sport. The hot spring is at ground level in Death Mountain, over one of Spectacle Rock's walls. The hot spring also as a small stand where a Goron can sell Link some arrows, a wooden shield and some milk.

Gorons in Twilight Princess appear to be have developed a way of launching each other into the air, by one Goron curling into a ball while the other climbs on top of them. This seems to be how many of the Gorons climb their mountain, and is similar concept to shooting out of a Baba Bud in The Wind Waker.

Shortly after Link restores Eldin's light to the Eldin Province, he learns from Renado of Kakariko Village that the Gorons for some reason have been keeping outsiders from their trail, and anyone who dares to trespass would be knocked away by a Goron guarding the beginning of the trail, as well as several other rolling Gorons. The only way Link could stop them were to wear the Iron Boots he obtained from Mayor Bo, or else he would be unable to climb the trail.

Once Link has managed to successfully arrive in Spectacle Rock, many of the Gorons there will attempt to punch Link rather then roll at him. Link can stun these Gorons by jumping out of the way and then rolling into them with the Iron Boots, causing the Goron to curl into a ball. Link can then climb on top of the Goron to be launched to higher places. This is the only way that Link can get to the highest cavern which houses the wrestling ring and entrance to Goron Mines. During this time of the game, the Gorons in the hot springs won't attack Link, allowing a place where Link can rest. When Link reaches the highest cavern, Gor Coron will challenge him to a sumo-wrestling competition. This competition is not very hostile, and can be retried unlimited times until Link wins. Since Gorons are much stronger and heavier than a human, Link required the use of the Iron Boots again to beat him. The Gorons never did found out about this.

Mayor Bo was also one of the first people to earn the Gorons' trust, by beating them in a sumo-wrestling competition by also using his Iron Boots.

Link, having proved his worth to the elder, is told about the recent events. Gor Coron says that recently the volcano had been growing very violent, and that Darbus and the elders had gone to investigate. They had arrived to the Fused Shadow which their mine guarded, Darbus had went to touch it and was suddenly transformed into a gigantic and uncontrollable monster, Twilit Igniter Fyrus. The Gorons had managed to use all of their strength to lock Darbus away, but continued to worry about their Patriarch and the fate of their tribe. They also chose to cut off all relations with Kakariko Village and outsiders to ensure continued safety. Gor Coron asked for the help of Link to save Darbus and the fate of the tribe. Link had to visit the three other elders within the mine, who were told about Link's assistance prior to Link visiting them. The key to the sealed room of Darbus had been broken into three pieces and been held by Gor Liggs, Gor Ebizo and Gor Amoto. Link had to visit each elder to retrieve a piece of the key and to restore it. He also had to battle Dangoro for the Hero's Bow, and finally, had to defeat Fyrus to transform Darbus back to normal and to obtain the second Fused Shadow. This makes Twilight Princess the first game where Link had to battle Gorons.

Once everything slowly got back to normal, the Gorons restored their past relation to Kakariko Village, some even went to visit the village as well. With the restored relation, Barnes as able to make and sell bombs again. During the night, a child Goron will open up a stand in the village and sell Lantern Oil, red potions amd blue potions. Two Gorons during the day time in the village will also offer to launch Link to either the village's hot spring or to the roof tops.

Gor Amoto and Gor Ebizo will also appear in Malo Mart, taking Rupee donations so that the eastern bridge to Castle Town can be rebuilt, and so that a Malo Mart can open in Castle Town as well. Eventually Gor Coron and Darbus will come down and can be found in Renado's house, the Kakariko Village sanctuary. They seem to be there to help Renado with Ilia's amnesia problem. When Link obtains the Wooden Statue and gives it to Ilia, it will jog her memory of Impaz who kept her safe in the Hidden Village. Darbus seems to know the location of this village and will even go out to unblock its sole pathway.

Other appearances of Gorons in Twilight Princess includes a Goron merchant and his son in Castle Town, who were at one time selling hot spring water to people. This Goron can later be seen trying to unblock the entrance and exit of the Southern Castle Town gates. Although he won't be able to do it unless he drinks a bottle filled with hot spring water. When Link is supposed to carry Midna back to Princess Zelda through Telma's Bar, a Goron can be seen inside the bar, mentioning that he had escorted Telma back to the Castle Town, as well as complaining that he cannot stand the city air. Finally, a Goron accidentally encased in the molten rock that Link used to unfreeze Zora's Domain can also be freed by Link.

Gorons have also apparently picked up the ability to stay underwater for extended periods of time and not need to breathe, as demonstrated by both a child Goron in the hot springs and the adult Goron Link frees from the rock in Zora Domain. It should also be noted that the Gorons have, what appears to be, their own language script which can be seen on the doors in the Goron Mines.

The beta version of Twilight Princess included a boss called Goron Golem, which was formed from many many Gorons. In a video showcasing their appearance, they would attempt to punch Link. Although at the time when they were being showed, the programmers had not programmed them to damage Link. This idea was obviously scrapped in early development, as it is no longer within the final game.

In the ending of Twilight Princess, the Gorons can be seen in the ring doing what seems to be boxing, and not sumo-wrestling. It would seem that the elders had listened to the youngsters and had introduced a new sport of strength.

Phantom Hourglass
Upon meeting Biggoron (the leader of the Goron Tribe) on Goron Island in Phantom Hourglass, he tells Link that he may not enter the Goron Temple, until he speaks with every Goron on the island. When the task is completed, Biggoron tells Link that he must pass a quiz. By passing this quiz, Link will earn 146 Rupees, required to become a member of the tribe and entering the Goron Temple. Biggoron will ask you questions about the island and its inhabitants. There are six questions in all, and there are unlimited attempts, though each try costs twenty Rupees. Through the process of attempting this quiz, Biggoron will tease Link with the prospect of earning Rupees, but take them all away if he misses a single question.

Gongoron, the son of Biggoron, shows Link the way to the Temple, when he is captured. Later within the temple, Link rescues Gongoron, and you have the ability to switch playability between the two (even during the boss battle).

Afterwards, a new game, run by Gorons will become available on Dee Ess Island. Playability shifts to Gongoron during the race.

Trivia

 * The only Zelda game which featured all of its Gorons wearing human-like clothing was in The Wind Waker, although a few Gorons were also seen wearing human clothing in The Minish Cap and Phantom Hourglass as well. In other titles, such as Twilight Princess, Gorons can be seen wearing either arm and/or leg bands, and loincloths.