Zelda Wiki:Decay of the Hyrulean Economy: Difference between revisions
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However, there are a few goods that are sold at inexplicably high prices. [[Fish]], which can be captured in any moat or in [[Zora's Domain]]), clocks at a price of 200 Rupees; [[Blue Fire]], found for free in the depths of [[Ice Cavern]], costs '''300''' Rupees. The only possible (and, as usual, unconfirmed) explanation to this is that fish receive some treatment after capture, probably to make them safer to eat, whereas Blue Fire is found in places other than Ice Cavern, requiring costs for quest exploration. Both items are sold at the [[Medicine Shop]], whose average product price exceeds that of any other in the game, and it's at first located on [[Hyrule Castle Town]], the kingdom's core (this would only get worse in ''Twilight Princess''), later on [[Kakariko Village]]. Ironically, [[Zora Shop]] sells fish for 200 Rupees as well, yet fish can be found in a pond just two meters behind as well. | However, there are a few goods that are sold at inexplicably high prices. [[Fish]], which can be captured in any moat or in [[Zora's Domain]]), clocks at a price of 200 Rupees; [[Blue Fire]], found for free in the depths of [[Ice Cavern]], costs '''300''' Rupees. The only possible (and, as usual, unconfirmed) explanation to this is that fish receive some treatment after capture, probably to make them safer to eat, whereas Blue Fire is found in places other than Ice Cavern, requiring costs for quest exploration. Both items are sold at the [[Medicine Shop]], whose average product price exceeds that of any other in the game, and it's at first located on [[Hyrule Castle Town]], the kingdom's core (this would only get worse in ''Twilight Princess''), later on [[Kakariko Village]]. Ironically, [[Zora Shop]] sells fish for 200 Rupees as well, yet fish can be found in a pond just two meters behind as well. | ||
Economic activity is varied. [[Lon Lon Ranch]] is run with the money gained by export of its signature [[Lon Lon Milk]], whose prestige is such that it's delivered to [[Hyrule Castle|the heart of the kingdom]]. Several businesses and attractions are run within Hyrule Castle Town and [[Gerudo Fortress]], including special minigames. It's unknown how Kokiri Forest and the aforementioned Zora's Domain are sustained, however. [[Goron City]] relies upon inputs and reserves from [[Dodongo's Cavern]], meaning that if something happens to that place, [[Goron]]s are | Economic activity is varied. [[Lon Lon Ranch]] is run with the money gained by export of its signature [[Lon Lon Milk]], whose prestige is such that it's delivered to [[Hyrule Castle|the heart of the kingdom]]. Several businesses and attractions are run within Hyrule Castle Town and [[Gerudo Fortress]], including special minigames. It's unknown how Kokiri Forest and the aforementioned Zora's Domain are sustained, however. [[Goron City]] relies upon inputs and reserves from [[Dodongo's Cavern]], meaning that if something happens to that place, [[Goron]]s are immediately affected. | ||
==Adult Timeline== | ==Adult Timeline== | ||
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In ''The Wind Waker'', the first sign of inflation can be seen with the initial maximum of Rupees link can carry: 200. Initially, though, this doesn't seem to mean too much; [[Beedle]], for instance, sells his goods at prices as low as 10 Rupees, this is in fact the case for the [[Bait Bag]], one of the three major [[:Category:Bags|item bags]] in the game. It's by the moment the young hero travels to [[Windfall Island]] when the problems begin. The [[sail]], the first ''mandatory'' item to be purchased, costs no less than 80 Rupees (compare this to the mandatory purchase Link does in ''Ocarina of Time'': The Deku Shield only costs 50 Rupees). In addition, the bomb business has reached a level of monopoly, with [[Bomb-Master Cannon]] selling 10 of his units of merchandise for ''10000'' Rupees (though a major plot twist in the game will change his mind and sell his explosive products at cheaper prices, in addition to letting other businessmen to sell bombs as well). The business of deciphering ancient maps is no less abusive either, as a single chart will only be decoded as long as the interested one has 398 Rupees (and a total of 3184 Rupees for translation of all eight [[Triforce Chart]]s). | In ''The Wind Waker'', the first sign of inflation can be seen with the initial maximum of Rupees link can carry: 200. Initially, though, this doesn't seem to mean too much; [[Beedle]], for instance, sells his goods at prices as low as 10 Rupees, this is in fact the case for the [[Bait Bag]], one of the three major [[:Category:Bags|item bags]] in the game. It's by the moment the young hero travels to [[Windfall Island]] when the problems begin. The [[sail]], the first ''mandatory'' item to be purchased, costs no less than 80 Rupees (compare this to the mandatory purchase Link does in ''Ocarina of Time'': The Deku Shield only costs 50 Rupees). In addition, the bomb business has reached a level of monopoly, with [[Bomb-Master Cannon]] selling 10 of his units of merchandise for ''10000'' Rupees (though a major plot twist in the game will change his mind and sell his explosive products at cheaper prices, in addition to letting other businessmen to sell bombs as well). The business of deciphering ancient maps is no less abusive either, as a single chart will only be decoded as long as the interested one has 398 Rupees (and a total of 3184 Rupees for translation of all eight [[Triforce Chart]]s). | ||
In regards of economic activity, the [[Great Sea]] is somewhat denser than [[Hyrule]]. There is an ongoing process of [[Island Trading Sequence|overseas product export]] that requires exceptional amounts of money to work. When Link sells the lone [[Town Flower]] from [[Zunari]], he can negotiate with any of the [[Goron]] merchants inhabiting [[Mother & Child Isles]], [[Greatfish Isle]] and [[Bomb Island]], so that he can trade his item for a newer one, which also means that said new item will be sent to the shop Link is patronizing (which, in this case, is Zunari's Shop at Windfall Island). But the young hero ''always'' has to pay the value difference between the current item and the new one. There are 12 items in total to trade, with the final one ([[Shop Guru Statue]]) costing 200 Rupees more than the second most valuable item ([[Postman Statue]]). While this improves significantly the economy of Windfall Island (notice that the newer items are sold there at prices equal to the value difference Link had to pay at first, meaning that they're now cheaper than they originally were), it needs a lot of effort and trading intelligence to avoid purchasing older items again, thus losing track from the chain of deals | In regards of economic activity, the [[Great Sea]] is somewhat denser than [[Hyrule]]. There is an ongoing process of [[Island Trading Sequence|overseas product export]] that requires exceptional amounts of money to work. When Link sells the lone [[Town Flower]] from [[Zunari]], he can negotiate with any of the [[Goron]] merchants inhabiting [[Mother & Child Isles]], [[Greatfish Isle]] and [[Bomb Island]], so that he can trade his item for a newer one, which also means that said new item will be sent to the shop Link is patronizing (which, in this case, is Zunari's Shop at Windfall Island). But the young hero ''always'' has to pay the value difference between the current item and the new one. There are 12 items in total to trade, with the final one ([[Shop Guru Statue]]) costing 200 Rupees more than the second most valuable item ([[Postman Statue]]). While this improves significantly the economy of Windfall Island (notice that the newer items are sold there at prices equal to the value difference Link had to pay at first, meaning that they're now cheaper than they originally were), it needs a lot of effort and trading intelligence to avoid purchasing older items again, thus losing track from the chain of deals. | ||
These may be the reasons why the maximum amount of Rupees Link can carry can be upgraded to up to ''5000'' Rupees (and it happens that one of the upgrades is actually ''required'' to beat the game, while the second one is highly recommended), a full 900% higher than in ''Ocarina of Time''. The lack of global governance in the Great Sea doesn't help at all, which not only results in the aforementioned bomb business monopoly, but also in [[Mrs. Marie|some]] [[Salvatore|people]] [[Loot|indiscriminately]] owning islands for their own personal purposes. Finally, while the most exotic items were already expensive in ''Ocarina of Time'', ''The Wind Waker'' has rare prizes sold by Masked Beedle for 500-950 Rupees (rendering the Blue Fire cheaper with its 300-Rupee retail). | These may be the reasons why the maximum amount of Rupees Link can carry can be upgraded to up to ''5000'' Rupees (and it happens that one of the upgrades is actually ''required'' to beat the game, while the second one is highly recommended), a full 900% higher than in ''Ocarina of Time''. The lack of global governance in the Great Sea doesn't help at all, which not only results in the aforementioned bomb business monopoly, but also in [[Mrs. Marie|some]] [[Salvatore|people]] [[Loot|indiscriminately]] owning islands for their own personal purposes. Finally, while the most exotic items were already expensive in ''Ocarina of Time'', ''The Wind Waker'' has rare prizes sold by Masked Beedle for 500-950 Rupees (rendering the Blue Fire cheaper with its 300-Rupee retail). | ||
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===Losing the Financial Track=== | ===Losing the Financial Track=== | ||
[[File:Anouki_General_Store_ST.png|thumb|right|180px|The most expensive Quest Item in the game, and one of the most expensive in the series as a whole.]] | [[File:Anouki_General_Store_ST.png|thumb|right|180px|The most expensive Quest Item in the game, and one of the most expensive in the series as a whole.]] | ||
After ''The Wind Waker'', another century has passed, and it seems like New Hyrule (founded by Link and [[Tetra]]) is faring even worse than the Great Sea. Since the start of ''Spirit Tracks'', Link has a maximum of 9999 Rupees to carry, representing a 99 | After ''The Wind Waker'', another century has passed, and it seems like New Hyrule (founded by Link and [[Tetra]]) is faring even worse than the Great Sea. Since the start of ''Spirit Tracks'', Link has a maximum of 9999 Rupees to carry, representing a 99.98% of superiority in comparison to ''The Wind Waker'', and a frightening 999.8% of superiority over the ''Ocarina of Time'' cap. | ||
The inflation may or may not have to do with Hyrule still being in a early state of construction (especially after leaving the old flooded Hyrule behind), as well as with the side effects of the [[Spirit Tracks (Rails)|Spirit Tracks]] gradually disappearing (therefore making transport of important inputs and products of first necessity next to impossible). On the other hand, the creatures from the [[Pirate Hideout]] may have been a problem for peaceful train drivers and passengers since long ago. Their [[tank]]s and [[warship]]s provide an example of why technology should not be used for evil goals. | The inflation may or may not have to do with Hyrule still being in a early state of construction (especially after leaving the old flooded Hyrule behind), as well as with the side effects of the [[Spirit Tracks (Rails)|Spirit Tracks]] gradually disappearing (therefore making transport of important inputs and products of first necessity next to impossible). On the other hand, the creatures from the [[Pirate Hideout]] may have been a problem for peaceful train drivers and passengers since long ago. Their [[tank]]s and [[warship]]s provide an example of why technology should not be used for evil goals. | ||
A single [[Heart Container]] in the [[Snow Sanctuary]], as well as a single [[Quiver]] upgrade in [[Goron Village]], both cost '''2000''' Rupees. [[Treasure]]s sold in shops cost ''more'' than their actual value (for example, a [[Goron Amber]] costs 100 Rupees, which is twice as much as its traditional value of | A single [[Heart Container]] in the [[Snow Sanctuary]], as well as a single [[Quiver]] upgrade in [[Goron Village]], both cost '''2000''' Rupees. [[Treasure]]s sold in shops cost ''more'' than their actual value (for example, a [[Goron Amber]] costs 100 Rupees, which is twice as much as its traditional value of 50). Beedle no longer provides cheap merchandise, not only because of his overpriced [[Bomb Bag]] (500 Rupees) and ludicrous treasures, but also because even his ''purchase point system'' inflated since [[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]] from 1 rupee for a point to ''10 rupees for a single point''. | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Child Timeline - Darkened budgets== | ==Child Timeline - Darkened budgets== | ||
To date, only one game in the Child Timeline has taken place in Hyrule: ''Twilight Princess''. Unlike in the Adult Timeline, there has been no divine intervention affecting drastically the lives of Hyruleans. Instead, the evil forces do so. The initial limit of Rupees Link can carry 300 Rupees, which is 3 | To date, only one game in the Child Timeline has taken place in Hyrule: ''Twilight Princess''. Unlike in the Adult Timeline, there has been no divine intervention affecting drastically the lives of Hyruleans. Instead, the evil forces do so. The initial limit of Rupees Link can carry 300 Rupees, which is 3.03 times as much as the initial limit in ''Ocarina of Time''. The products in [[Ordon Village]], however, aren't too expensive, not to mention that the [[Ordona Province]] as a whole has an ongoing business in regards of product export, as seen in [[Snowpeak Ruins]] with the availability of [[Ordon Goat Cheese]] and [[Ordon Pumpkin]]. Therefore, any apparent indication of financial decline in Ordona can be misleading. | ||
It is necessary to analyze the economy of Hyrule Castle Town in order to find out that, indeed, economy in Hyrule had seen better days. Some of the indications, in one or another way caused by the influence of [[twilight]] causing despair and chaos among the peaceful Hyruleans, include: | It is necessary to analyze the economy of Hyrule Castle Town in order to find out that, indeed, economy in Hyrule had seen better days. Some of the indications, in one or another way caused by the influence of [[twilight]] causing despair and chaos among the peaceful Hyruleans, include: | ||
[[File:Wallet tp.png|130px|right|thumb|It's possible to improve the economy, but a big wallet will be required for that.]] | [[File:Wallet tp.png|130px|right|thumb|It's possible to improve the economy, but a big wallet will be required for that.]] | ||
#For one, the import of [[Hot Spring Water]] has become more difficult. The first and most important reason is attributed to the [[Goron]]s | #For one, the import of [[Hot Spring Water]] has become more difficult. The first and most important reason is attributed to the [[Goron]]s rebelling against the rest of the Hyruleans due to the conflict originated by [[Darbus]] and one of the [[Fused Shadow]]s; they happen to be the ones who export the Hot Spring Water from [[Death Mountain]]. Link manages to solve this problem during his stance at the [[Goron Mines]], but a second problem still remains: The wooden bridge connecting [[Eldin Province]] with Hyrule Castle Town (and, by extension, the eastern side of [[Lanayru Province]]) was removed for some unknown reason, so Link has to donate a large sum of money (1000 Rupees, no less) in order to allow a [[Goron]] to repair it. Once this latter step is followed, the Hot Spring Water export is restored. | ||
#Trade of first-necessity products have become more difficult for inhabitants of low and medium class, for whom the only alternative to purchase goods more easily is dealing with the ambulant Gorons inside the buildings (and only after the aforementioned crisis at Death Mountain is solved, no less). Only those with a deep wallet will be able to shop at the unprecedentedly expensive emporia whose "offers" have prices oscillating from 3000 to | #Trade of first-necessity products have become more difficult for inhabitants of low and medium class, for whom the only alternative to purchase goods more easily is dealing with the ambulant Gorons inside the buildings (and only after the aforementioned crisis at Death Mountain is solved, no less). Only those with a deep wallet will be able to shop at the unprecedentedly expensive emporia whose "offers" have prices oscillating from 3000 to 10,000 Rupees when it comes to the regular items, and '''''100,000''''' Rupees for the [[Magic Armor]]. In order to revert this situation, Link has to donate 2000 (only 200 if he heals the tired Goron who repairs the previously cited bridge) Rupees, which will be destined to the purchase of the expensive shop. Only then will it become a branch of [[Malo Mart]] and offer products at much more reasonable prices. The aforementioned Magic Armor will only cost 598 Rupees, which is 0.598% of the original price. | ||
''Twilight Princess'' is arguably the first game (or at least one of the first) where economy can ''actually'' be improved during gameplay, as seen above already. Another example of this is the contribution of materials and inputs for the construction of bombs, which is initially impeded by the Gorons refusing to send the necessary minerals to [[Barnes]] in [[Kakariko Village]], as well as by Link being forced to explode the (then) last remaining supplies of explosive material during the invasion of twilight. In [[Zora's River]], Link helps [[Iza]] to clean up the pathway of the river from the rocks that fell during an earthquake, which allows the [[Rapids Ride]] attraction to be restored. In spite of all this, signs of abuse from the high class continue even after the end of the game. [[Agitha]], for some reason, has a very high source of money, which is only given to whoever gives [[Golden Bug]]s to her; meanwhile, a lone man has to rely upon charity to get enough money to subsist. | ''Twilight Princess'' is arguably the first game (or at least one of the first) where economy can ''actually'' be improved during gameplay, as seen above already. Another example of this is the contribution of materials and inputs for the construction of bombs, which is initially impeded by the Gorons refusing to send the necessary minerals to [[Barnes]] in [[Kakariko Village]], as well as by Link being forced to explode the (then) last remaining supplies of explosive material during the invasion of twilight. In [[Zora's River]], Link helps [[Iza]] to clean up the pathway of the river from the rocks that fell during an earthquake, which allows the [[Rapids Ride]] attraction to be restored. In spite of all this, signs of abuse from the high class continue even after the end of the game. [[Agitha]], for some reason, has a very high source of money, which is only given to whoever gives [[Golden Bug]]s to her; meanwhile, a lone man has to rely upon charity to get enough money to subsist. | ||
