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{{spoiler}}
{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Twilit]].}}
{{quote|They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses.|Midna}}
{{Infobox Species
{{Species
|image=  
|name = Twili
{{Media
|image = [[File:Unmasked_zant.jpg|300px|Zant, a prominent member of the Twili race]]
|Model TP= File:twili.png
|characteristics =  
|Model TPHD= File: TPHD Twili Model.png
|game = ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''
|habitat = [[Twilight Realm]]
|members =[[Midna]], [[Zant]]
}}
}}
|caption=
|pronunciation= {{IPA|ˈtwaɪli}}{{Fact|TP}}
|plural= Twili<ref name="E 30">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 30}}</ref>
|game= TP
|other= MNPTP
|era=
|habitat= [[Twilight Realm]]
|attack=
|weapon=
|cost=
|value=
|characteristics=
|members=
{{List|
[[Midna]],
[[Zant]],
}}
|theme=
}}
The {{Term/Store|Twili|Twili|Series, TP, TPHD}} are a race of shadow beings who inhabit the [[Twilight Realm]] in {{TP}}.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 55}}</ref> Although usually a peaceful tribe, the Twili are transformed into hideous creatures known as [[Shadow Beast]]s by the Usurper King [[Zant]] and used to invade [[Hyrule]]. [[Link]] is able to return several of them back to their normal forms when he encounters them in the Twilight Realm. He is even aided in his quest to stop Zant by [[Midna]], a Twili and the princess of the Twilight Realm.


The '''Twili''' are a race of beings who inhabit the [[Twilight Realm]]. Most of the inhabitants are turned into "[[Shadow Beast|monsters]]" known as Shadow beasts or shadow messengers, under [[Zant|Zant's]] evil rule. Unlike the other Twili as shown in the game, [[Midna]] and Zant are the only Twili who retain their true appearance. All other Twili that are briefly seen in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' were quite different in appearance. It is possible that Zant's curse on the Twili had not been completely lifted at the time [[Link]] met them. This is a topic that has been debated among fans ever since; though the Twili look different compared to Midna and Zant, Midna mentioned herself that the Twili had been changed back to their original form.
==Background==
The Twili are descendants of a tribe of [[Hylian]] sorcerers from Hyrule,<ref name="E 30"/> who are referred to as [[Interlopers]]. Eons ago, the Interlopers were condemned to the Twilight Realm by the [[Golden Goddesses]] of [[Hyrule]] as punishment for their misgoverned attempt to use magic to claim the [[Triforce]].<ref>{{Cite|Among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled at magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm.|Lanayru (Spirit)|TP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|What do you think happened to the magic wielders who tried to rule the Sacred Realm? They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses.|Midna|TP}}</ref> Their old magic became known as the [[Fused Shadow]], an instrument of dark power.<ref>{{Cite|Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm. It was then that the goddesses ordered us three light spirits to intervene. We sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered. You know this magic... It is the dark power you seek…the Fused Shadow.|Lanayru (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> However, during their failed attempt to conquer the Sacred Realm, their Fused Shadow was split into four pieces and scattered throughout the Twilight Realm and [[Hyrule]]. The tribe lived and evolved in the Twilight Realm for centuries in isolation, mere shadows of what they once were, as over time they became accustomed to their surroundings and came to accept their fate.<ref>{{Cite|In the shadows we regressed, so much so that we soon knew neither anger nor hatred...nor even the faintest bloom of desire.|Zant|TP}}</ref> While some learned to love the beautiful peace that could only be found in Twilight, others felt that they were being oppressed by the people of the Light World.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH |publisher= |page= 114}}</ref> The Twili lost their most powerful abilities but they still possess some magical power and teleportation is possible for the strongest Twili.<ref name="E 30"/>


{{ImageCaption
|image= File:Twilin.png
|size= 130px
|align= right
|caption= Twili transformed by Zant's curse
|captionalign= center
}}


==Background==
The Twili's leadership structure was built around the Twili with the strongest magical abilities.<ref name="E 30"/> After centuries of rule, the Twilight Princess Midna became one of many rulers in a long line of royalty. It was around this time that a rebel force grew from within the Twilight, spearheaded by Zant. It is revealed that Zant believed that he was the heir apparent to the throne, but the position was passed over.<ref>{{Cite|Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No!|Zant|TP}}</ref> The royal family had made this decision as Zant's ambitions reminded them of why their ancestors, the interlopers, got sealed in the Twilight Realm in the first place.<ref>{{Cite|Traitors, ha! You want to know why none would call you king? It was your eyes, Zant. All saw it, a lust for power burning in your pupils... Did you think we'd forget our ancestors lost their king to such greed?|Midna|TP}}</ref> Distraught, Zant ran outside the [[Palace of Twilight]] to vent his frustration. In the midst of Zant's exasperation, [[Ganon]] appeared to him and stated that he would lend him his power to take over the Twilight Realm and Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god.|Zant|TP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I shall house my power in you... If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too.|Ganon|TP}}</ref> In a fit of rage, Zant used this power to transform most of the inhabitants of the Twilight Realm into monsters and, as a form of humiliation, transformed Midna into an imp creature. Midna's only hope was to find the magic of her ancestors, the Fused Shadows, and use it against Zant to save the realm and her people.
[[File:twilin.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Twili transformed by Zant's curse]]
Eons ago, the Twili were a group of dark sorcerers of unknown ethnicities referred as [[Dark Interlopers]], who were sent to the Twilight Realm by the [[Sage]]s of Hyrule as punishment for their misgoverned attempt to use old magic to claim the [[Triforce]]. Their "old magic" became known as the [[Fused Shadow]]s, a powerful instrument, however, their powers proved too weak for the power of the gods. They were banished and their Fused Shadow was split into four pieces and scattered throughout the two realms, The Twilight realm and [[Hyrule]]. This tribe lived in the Twilight Realm for centuries until evolving, mere shadows of what they once were, the Twili tribe became used to their surroundings and came to accept their fate. While some came to love the beautiful peace that can be found only in Twilight, it drove some of its inhabitants mad. After centuries of rule, [[Princess Midna]] became just one of many rulers in a long line of royalty, the [[Midna|Twilight Princess]]. It was around this time that a rebel force grew from within the Twilight, spearheaded by [[Zant]]. It is revealed that [[Zant]] was next to become Twilight Ruler, but the position was passed over. In a terrible fit of rage, he used the power of his false-god [[Ganon|Ganondorf]] to transform most of the inhabitants of Twilight into monsters, and as a form of humiliation, transformed Midna into an imp creature. Midna's only hope was to find the magic of her ancestors, the Fused Shadows, and use it against Zant to save the realm and her people.
<BR>
The Twili in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' are usually seen as [[Shadow Beast|enemies]], however when Link goes to the [[Palace of Twilight]], he reverts several of the Twili back to their true forms.
The Twili have strange glowing markings on their skins, which are a blue/grey tinge mixed with black, this complexion may be due to lack of full light as the Twili have changed from what they were when they were ejected from the "[[Light World|World of Light]]". They also have oval, yellow eyes and are (usually) quite thin as well as much taller than Hylians. Midna stood no less than than a full head above Link.


[[Midna|Midna's]] true form seems more human-like than this as she has distinct eyes and has many other different characteristics that differ from the Twili. This could be due to her lineage as there may be a separate sub-species of Twili in the Royal Family that have more human-like qualities in them, or at least females look more human-like, since Midna is the only known female Twili in ''Twilight Princess''. It is also quite possible that once Ganondorf is killed, and Zant's spirit dies, that the Twili race as a whole are turned back into beings more resembling Midna and Zant.
The Twili are usually seen as [[Shadow Beast|enemies]], but when Link goes to the Palace of Twilight, he reverts several of the Twili to their true forms.


==Theories==
==Characteristics==
{{Theory}}
The Twili have glowing markings on their skin, which is black and pale bluish-gray in color. This complexion may be due to lack of full light as the Twili transformed after they were ejected from the World of Light. They also have oval eyes that are normally red, yellow, or orange. They are usually quite thin and much taller than [[Hylian]]s.
===Timeline, Ocarina and Majora's Mask===


The events described in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' are likely to have occurred before the events of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', which is generally believed to be near the beginning of the timeline in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|Zelda game]]<ref>[http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/08982.shtml Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, August 1998, Nintendo Online Magazine]</ref>. This is because the Twili's ancestors' are described as trying to assert dominion over the Sacred Realm before the Triforce had ever been successfully found, and as the Triforce has been split by the time of ''Twilight Princess'', claimed as being several decades after ''Ocarina of Time'', it is likely that it was found during ''Ocarina of Time''. Furthermore, the Twili's ancestors are described as having been imprisoned long ago, long enough for their race to lose all passion and ambition.
The Twili rarely speak, with most choosing to only communicate with their fellow Twili.<ref name="E 30"/> The distinct markings on their chests signify their clan.<ref name="E 30"/>


Though it has been theorized, ''Twilight Princess'' makes no mention of [[Majora's Mask (Object)|Majora's Mask]]. Debates arose when similarity between the eye-design of Midna and Majora's Mask were alleged by a number of fans, and now some players choose to speculate that the Twili are in fact responsible for creating Majora in a separate attempt to obtain the [[Triforce]]. However, this is contradictory, as the Twili were imprisoned by the Light Spirits for abusing their magic, while the ancient tribe that used Majora's Mask chose to seal it themselves.
==Trivia==
*Unused dialogue from {{TP}}, likely intended for when {{Term|TPHD|Link|link}} arrives in the {{Term|TPHD|Twilight Realm|link}}, suggests that the {{Plural|TPHD|Twili}} were going to speak to Link.<ref>{{Cite Web|retrieved= April 7, 2022|url= https://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Twilight_Princess/Unused_Text#The_Twili|title= The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess/Unused Text|site= The Cutting Room Floor}}</ref>


Others still believe that the Twili are ancestors or descendants of the [[Zuna]] Tribe seen in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''. Also debated among fans is if [[Veran]], the antagonist of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'', and [[Agahnim]], the secondary antagonist of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'' are of Twili descent. For a treatment of the relationship between these theories, see [[Dark Tribe]].
==Nomenclature==
{{Nomenclature}}


Yet, others believe that they are the descendants of the [[Gerudo]], although this is highly unlikely due to the fact there are (or at least what appear to be) numerous male Twili. However other evidence is that Zant appears to have the [[Gerudo Symbol]] on his clothing. In addition, the Twili have red hair, a common trait of the Gerudo.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:TP Midna Render 3.png|Midna, the Twilight Princess
File:TP Twili Midna Concept Art.png|Midna, The Twilight Princess true form
File:TP Zant Render.png|Zant, the Twili Usurper King
File:TP Shadow Beast Render.png|Twili transformed into a Shadow Beast
File:TP Twili Artwork.png|Artwork of the Twili from [[The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia]]
File:TP (Himekawa) Twili.jpg|A group of Twili in the {{TP|Himekawa}}
File:TP (Himekawa) Midna's Father.png|[[Midna's Father]] in the manga
File:MNPTP Midna Sprite.png|{{Term|MNPTP|Midna}} from {{MNPTP|-}}
File:MNPTP Zant Sprite.png|{{Term|MNPTP|Zant}} from {{MNPTP|-}}
</gallery>


===Clothing===
{{Ref}}


A theory has been created that the dark patches on the Twili's body are not pigmentation as they appear to be, but what the Twili wear for clothes: shadows. Because fabric would probably be scarce in the Twilight Realm, Midna and Zant, being royalty, are the only Twili shown to wear fabric. Midna wears a simple cape and skirt while the rest of her body is covered in dark patches; Zant due to his vain nature wears a complete outfit covering up his entire body. All other Twili wear no fabric and have dark patches of skin in the shape a [[wikipedia:Toga|Toga]] with a hood.
{{Categories
{{Template:Races}}
|Races, Twili
[[Category:Races]]
}}
[[Category:Twili]]
 
==References==
<references/>

Revision as of 10:47, 26 April 2024

Not to be confused with Twilit.

The Twili are a race of shadow beings who inhabit the Twilight Realm in Twilight Princess.[2] Although usually a peaceful tribe, the Twili are transformed into hideous creatures known as Shadow Beasts by the Usurper King Zant and used to invade Hyrule. Link is able to return several of them back to their normal forms when he encounters them in the Twilight Realm. He is even aided in his quest to stop Zant by Midna, a Twili and the princess of the Twilight Realm.

Background

The Twili are descendants of a tribe of Hylian sorcerers from Hyrule,[1] who are referred to as Interlopers. Eons ago, the Interlopers were condemned to the Twilight Realm by the Golden Goddesses of Hyrule as punishment for their misgoverned attempt to use magic to claim the Triforce.[3][4] Their old magic became known as the Fused Shadow, an instrument of dark power.[5] However, during their failed attempt to conquer the Sacred Realm, their Fused Shadow was split into four pieces and scattered throughout the Twilight Realm and Hyrule. The tribe lived and evolved in the Twilight Realm for centuries in isolation, mere shadows of what they once were, as over time they became accustomed to their surroundings and came to accept their fate.[6] While some learned to love the beautiful peace that could only be found in Twilight, others felt that they were being oppressed by the people of the Light World.[7] The Twili lost their most powerful abilities but they still possess some magical power and teleportation is possible for the strongest Twili.[1]

Twili transformed by Zant's curse

The Twili's leadership structure was built around the Twili with the strongest magical abilities.[1] After centuries of rule, the Twilight Princess Midna became one of many rulers in a long line of royalty. It was around this time that a rebel force grew from within the Twilight, spearheaded by Zant. It is revealed that Zant believed that he was the heir apparent to the throne, but the position was passed over.[8] The royal family had made this decision as Zant's ambitions reminded them of why their ancestors, the interlopers, got sealed in the Twilight Realm in the first place.[9] Distraught, Zant ran outside the Palace of Twilight to vent his frustration. In the midst of Zant's exasperation, Ganon appeared to him and stated that he would lend him his power to take over the Twilight Realm and Hyrule.[10][11] In a fit of rage, Zant used this power to transform most of the inhabitants of the Twilight Realm into monsters and, as a form of humiliation, transformed Midna into an imp creature. Midna's only hope was to find the magic of her ancestors, the Fused Shadows, and use it against Zant to save the realm and her people.

The Twili are usually seen as enemies, but when Link goes to the Palace of Twilight, he reverts several of the Twili to their true forms.

Characteristics

The Twili have glowing markings on their skin, which is black and pale bluish-gray in color. This complexion may be due to lack of full light as the Twili transformed after they were ejected from the World of Light. They also have oval eyes that are normally red, yellow, or orange. They are usually quite thin and much taller than Hylians.

The Twili rarely speak, with most choosing to only communicate with their fellow Twili.[1] The distinct markings on their chests signify their clan.[1]

Trivia

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
LanguageNames
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 30
  2. ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 55
  3. ↑ "Among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled at magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm." — Lanayru (Twilight Princess)
  4. ↑ "What do you think happened to the magic wielders who tried to rule the Sacred Realm? They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses." — Midna (Twilight Princess)
  5. ↑ "Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm. It was then that the goddesses ordered us three light spirits to intervene. We sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered. You know this magic... It is the dark power you seek…the Fused Shadow." — Lanayru (Twilight Princess)
  6. ↑ "In the shadows we regressed, so much so that we soon knew neither anger nor hatred...nor even the faintest bloom of desire." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  7. ↑ Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 114
  8. ↑ "Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No!" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  9. ↑ "Traitors, ha! You want to know why none would call you king? It was your eyes, Zant. All saw it, a lust for power burning in your pupils... Did you think we'd forget our ancestors lost their king to such greed?" — Midna (Twilight Princess)
  10. ↑ "It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
  11. ↑ "I shall house my power in you... If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too." — Ganon (Twilight Princess)
  12. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess/Unused Text , The Cutting Room Floor, retrieved April 7, 2022.
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