Dampé



Dampé the Gravekeeper (ダンペイ, Danpei) is a reoccurring character in The Legend of Zelda series who often works as a gravekeeper. The origin of his name is very likely a play off of Dante Alighieri, the author/protagonist of the Divine Comedy.

Ocarina of Time
Dampé lives, or rather lived, in a shack in Kakariko Graveyard in Ocarina of Time. He presided over the graveyard, sleeping during the day and pacing it at night; Dampé's Hearth-Pounding Grave-Digging Tour was his famed nightly romp: he would unearth any plot of dirt along his route through the graveyard when asked, often yeilding rupees. A young boy walks the graveyard during the day, mimicing Dampé's walk and chastising Link anytime he tries to pull on a gravestone, threatening to tell Dampé.

Dampé died during Link's seven-year disappearance. However his ghost could be found in his crypt. He would challenge Link to a race of sorts, and reward him with his favorite treasure, should he succeed. Beating him in the race in under a minute would also warrant a Heart Piece. If you don't finish in under a minute after you obtaining Dampe's favorte treasure, you will receive a red rupee. After obtaining the Hookshot, it can be used on a torch to cut a few seconds off the clock in the race, allowing you to beat it in less than a minute. It is also interesting to note that Dampé's grave was connected to the famous Windmill Hut, and within Ocarina of Time's game engine, it bore the same title of '?'.



Majora's Mask
Dampé appears again in Majora's Mask as the gravekeeper for the Ikana Graveyard. On the third day he can be found underground beneath a gravestone, searching for the Royal Family's treasure. He will ask Link for help, as he can not see well in the darkness.

Four Swords Adventures
In Four Swords Adventures, Dampé lives in The Swamp near the graveyard. He will share information about the Dark Mirror with the four Links. Dampe also expresses concerns that with all of the monsters around he can't get anything done.

The Minish Cap
Dampé is also featured in The Minish Cap. He lives in a house in the Royal Valley and tends to the graveyard.