World of the Ocean King
The World of the Ocean King is the setting in which most of the events of Phantom Hourglass take place.[1] It is home to the Ocean King as well as his Fairy Spirits. The World of the Ocean King is connected to the neighboring Great Sea by water.[2] It bears a striking resemblance to the Great Sea. As such, Link, Tetra, and Tetra's Pirate Crew are not even aware that they are in another world during their adventures.[3]
Nomenclature
Although the name "World of the Ocean King" is implied by one of the Spirits of the Ocean King, the sea of Phantom Hourglass has no verified name. The instruction manual, however, strictly hints that the sea Link and Tetra stumble upon is different from the Great Sea,[4] but the manual as well as the game do not give it an official name to go by.
History and Mythology
It is likely that the World of the Ocean King was created by the Golden Goddesses, as their crests can be found in the Temple of the Ocean King.[5] The world used to be ruled by the Ocean King, Oshus, along with his servant Spirits. However, at some point, an evil entity known as Bellum began to absorb the Life Force of the inhabitants of the world's islands, which made him more powerful. The Ocean King tried to stop Bellum from continuing his evil deeds, but lost to him; he had to escape from his reach without his powers, losing his true form in the process. Meanwhile, two of the servant Spirits were imprisoned inside Dungeons. Ciela, the Spirit of Courage, managed to escape, but lost her memories and her powers in the process as well.
Bellum continued absorbing the Life Force of the world's now defenseless inhabitants with the assistance of a Ghost Ship that began lurking in the ocean's waters. The Temple of the Ocean King, formerly a tribute to him, was cursed by Bellum and is now a place that drains the Life Force of anyone who ventures within. It is not until the arrival of Link, who fails to rescue Tetra when she is abducted by the Ghost Ship due to her powerful Life Force, that there is a chance to revert the situation by rescuing the captured servant Spirits, lifting the Ghost Ship's curse (rescuing Tetra in the process), and creating a Weapon capable of defeating Bellum once and for all.
Time in the World of the Ocean King appears to flow at a much faster rate than in the Great Sea, as the time between Link and Tetra's arrival and departure from the former was only about ten minutes in the latter.[6]
Governance
As in the case of the Great Sea, there is little political division, even after the apparent disappearance of the Ocean King. Neither island in the Southwestern Sea is governed, and the Northwestern Sea is uninhabited with few exceptions. Only in the Southeastern Sea are there governed islands: Goron Island by a Goron Elder and the Isle of Frost by an Anouki chieftain. The Northeastern Sea used to be ruled by the prosperous Cobble Kingdom until they went extinct for unknown reasons.
Economy
The World of the Ocean King primarily uses Rupees as its medium of exchange between inhabitants. Rupees seem to be more abundant here in comparison to other lands. The Wallet Link uses in it is larger than those of every adventure prior. Much like Hyrule and other lands, trading also seems to be an acceptable way to acquire new goods.
Technology in the World of the Ocean King
Although not to the same extent as the Great Sea, the World of the Ocean King has shown some technological advances. These advances mostly concern transportation, such as the SS Linebeck, which is upgraded with a Cannon and Salvage Arm over the course of Link's adventure.
Geography
Much like the Great Sea, most of the World of the Ocean King is an ocean dotted with several islands. The inhabitants of the major islands use Bridges and Stairs to traverse them. Even so, a few places are inaccessible without other means. The islands found throughout the World of the Ocean King consist mostly of jagged surfaces. However, the islands have different climates and landmarks from one another. For example, the Isle of Ember is dominated by an active volcano, Goron Island has arid and rugged terrain, and the Isle of Frost is snowy and covered in massive pillars of Ice.
Areas
Islands
The World of the Ocean King is known to have sixteen islands:
Population
Races
The predominant inhabitants of the World of the Ocean King's islands seem to be Humans. The main villages are on Mercay Island and Molida Island, although others are found throughout the four quadrants of the sea. Gorons inhabit an island of the same name as well as Dee Ess Island, the Anouki and Yook share the Isle of Frost, and a seemingly extinct race, the Cobble, have elaborate ruins in the Northeastern Sea.
Creatures
- Main article: Enemies in Phantom Hourglass
As with its counterpart, the Great Sea, the seas and islands are treacherous for travelers. Many recurring Enemies cab be found in the World of the Ocean King. However, Link's most notable new foe are the Phantoms.
Unlike the Great Sea, the World of the Ocean King's waters are home to numerous Fish. These include Skippyjacks, Toona, Loovar, Stowfishes, Rusty Swordfish, and the legendary Neptoona.
Gallery
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Link and Linebeck sailing the World of the Ocean King
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Link sailing the World of the Ocean King
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Map of the World of the Ocean King
References
- ↑
We are inhabitants of this world. We must return to the world of the Ocean King!
— N/A (Phantom Hourglass) - ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 28
- ↑
Our world? So what is the world that we are in now? What is this place...
— Tetra (Phantom Hourglass) - ↑
Afterward, the pair set out to explore together. This time, they happen upon seas protected by a great spirit, the Ocean King.
(Phantom Hourglass manual, pg. 5) - ↑
Though the waters of the Ocean King exist in a different world from that of Tetra, Link, and the pirates, the crests of Hyrule's three gods can still be found in the Ocean King's temple. Because of this, it is highly possible that the waters of the Ocean King were created by the same gods as Hyrule.
(Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 130) - ↑
What are you talking about? You were only on that ship... It's only been about 10 minutes.
— Mako (Phantom Hourglass)