Dampé


 * This article is about the gravekeeper. For the sailor from The Wind Waker, see Dampa.

Dampé (Pronounced, ) is a recurring 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 presides 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 yielding rupees. A young boy walks the graveyard during the day, mimicking 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, as promised in the diary that he left posthumously inside his abode. Beating him in the race in under a minute would also warrant a Heart Piece. If Link does not finish in under a minute after obtaining Dampe's favorite treasure, he 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 Link 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. Ironically, though terrified of ghosts, he keeps a haunted graveyard. Little is known about Dampé, but it's insinuated that he used to visit the graveyard with his father. Apparently, he also has a wife.

On the third day, Dampé can be found underground beneath a gravestone searching for the treasure of Ikana's Royal Family. However, his torch has gone out, so he asks Link to guide him with his fairy's light. By Z-targeting him, Link can lead Dampé to mounds of dirt where he will sometimes dig up blue fire. Once three such fires are found, they come together and reveal the "leader of ghosts", causing Dampé to run away. Once Link defeats this enemy, a treasure chest containing an Empty Bottle reveals itself. If Link leaves this area, he will find himself in Dampé's house.

Four Swords Adventures
In Four Swords Adventures, Dampé lives in the graveyard found to the far north in The Swamp. He is supposed to be the caretaker of the graveyard. He is however somewhat plagued by monsters, so he can't do his work. He is also tormented by a "shadowy guy" whom he warns Link about, surprised at how similar Link is to him.

Dampé then tells the four Links about an mirror, in which a dark tribe was sealed in a long time ago, informing the four Links that it is hidden somewhere in the Forest of Light.

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. He gives Link the key to the graveyard, opening the way to the Royal Crypt. When spoken to after completing the mini-dungeon, he will state a secret path in the Lost Woods that leads to fifty rupees.