NPCs & Important Characters

Meet the important characters and NPCs in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Learn how these allies offer hints and essential items for Link's quest.

While Link is undoubtedly the hero of Hyrule, he wouldn't get very far without the colorful cast of characters inhabiting the Great Sea. Many NPCs offer crucial hints, side quests, or even essential items that are vital for your journey. This section details the most important characters you'll encounter, their locations, and how to interact with them to your advantage.

Outset Island Residents

Your journey begins on Outset Island, a small, peaceful village where you'll meet your family and first friends. Don't underestimate these early interactions, as some lay the groundwork for later quests.

• Aryll: Link's younger sister. Her abduction by the Helmaroc King is the catalyst for Link's adventure. You'll need to rescue her from the Forsaken Fortress.
• Grandma: Link and Aryll's loving grandmother. She provides Link with his iconic green clothes at the start of the game. Later, if you bring her a Fairy Liquid (obtained from a Great Fairy or by defeating certain enemies), she will brew you Grandma's Soup, a powerful healing item that restores all health and magic.
• Orca: The resident sword master of Outset Island. He teaches Link basic sword techniques. After receiving the Hero's Sword, visit Orca in his house (the one with the training dummy). Complete his training by hitting the dummy 500 times to receive a Piece of Heart. You can repeat this for another Piece of Heart by hitting it 1000 times.
• Sturgeon: Orca's brother and the island's scholar. He offers general advice and information about the world. He's often found reading in his house.
• Rose: The pig farmer. She's involved in the early Pig Herding Quest. To complete this, use All-Purpose Bait (purchased from Beedle's Shop Ship) to lure the three pigs into their pen near her house. Successfully doing so earns you a Red Rupee (20 Rupees).

Key Allies & Recurring Characters

These individuals will play significant roles throughout your quest, often providing crucial assistance or advancing the main storyline.

Tetra / Princess Zelda

The feisty pirate captain who inadvertently pulls Link into his grand adventure. She is initially encountered after Link falls into her ship from the Forsaken Fortress. Later, her true identity as Princess Zelda is revealed by the King of Red Lions. Her crew will often provide transportation and support.

• First Encounter: On the beach of Outset Island after Link's initial encounter with the Helmaroc King.
• Pirate Ship: You'll frequently visit Tetra's ship for story progression. Ensure you speak to all crew members, especially Nico, for minigames and rewards.
• Important Items: Tetra gives Link the Pirate's Charm, a communication device essential for later puzzles and story beats.

King of Red Lions

Your sentient, talking boat and guide across the Great Sea. He is an indispensable ally, providing transportation, advice, and exposition. He also reveals his true identity as the King of Hyrule.

• Location: You'll find him docked at the entrance to the Forbidden Woods after leaving Outset Island.
• Functions:
  • Transportation: Your primary means of traversing the Great Sea.
  • Information: Provides hints about your next objective and the history of Hyrule.
  • Item Storage: He holds your Salvage Arm and Grappling Hook when not in use.
• Upgrades: While not an upgrade to the King himself, acquiring the Ballad of Gales will allow you to warp to various islands, significantly speeding up travel.

Beedle

The ever-present merchant who sails the Great Sea in his distinctive shop ship. Beedle is your go-to for essential supplies and upgrades.

• Locations: Beedle has multiple shop ships that appear at various islands. Look for his distinct, buzzing ship icon on your Sea Chart. Common locations include Windfall Island, Dragon Roost Island, and Greatfish Isle.
• Key Items to Purchase:
  • All-Purpose Bait: Essential for feeding fish (who then mark your Sea Chart) and for certain side quests.
  • Bait Bag: Allows you to carry more bait.
  • Empty Bottles: Crucial for carrying potions, water, and other liquids.
  • Delivery Bag: Required for many fetch quests and item deliveries.
  • Chart for Beedle's Shop Ship: Purchase this to mark all of Beedle's shop locations on your Sea Chart.
• Beedle's Membership Card: After spending 1,000 Rupees at any of his shops, Beedle will give you a Beedle's Membership Card. This grants you a 10% discount on all future purchases.
• Beedle's Gold Membership Card: Spend 5,000 Rupees and you'll receive the Beedle's Gold Membership Card, which gives you a free item from his special stock once per game.

Tingle

The eccentric, green-clad fairy wannabe. Tingle is obsessed with Rupees and maps. While annoying to some, he is vital for deciphering the Triforce Charts.

• Location: You first encounter Tingle imprisoned in the Forsaken Fortress. You must free him by finding the Small Key in a nearby cell.
• Tingle's Tower: After freeing him, Tingle will relocate to Tingle Island (Square E-2 on your Sea Chart), where he resides in his tower.
• Triforce Chart Deciphering: Tingle is the only one who can decipher the eight Triforce Charts into Triforce Shards. Each deciphering costs 398 Rupees. This is a mandatory step to complete the game, so save your Rupees!
• Tingle Tuner (GameCube only): If you have a Game Boy Advance and a link cable, Tingle can communicate with you via the Tingle Tuner, offering hints and special items for a fee.

Postman

The diligent Rito Postman, who delivers mail across the Great Sea. He's often found on Windfall Island and Dragon Roost Island.

• Mail Delivery Side Quest: The Postman is involved in several mail-related side quests.
  • Letter to the Mother and Son: On Windfall Island, you'll eventually receive a letter from the Postman addressed to the mother and son who live in the house near the auction house. Deliver it for a reward.
  • Letter to the Girl in the Cafe: Another letter will be for the girl working in the Cafe on Windfall Island. Delivering this can lead to further interactions.
• Rewards: Completing mail delivery quests often rewards you with Rupees or Heart Pieces.

Windfall Island Residents

Windfall Island is the bustling hub of the Great Sea, filled with unique characters offering quests, shops, and minigames.

• Zunari: The merchant who sets up shop in the center of Windfall Island. He's initially struggling but can be helped by Link.
  • Business Expansion: To help Zunari, you need to bring him a Forest Firefly (found in the Forbidden Woods) and a Deku Leaf. He will then ask you to find him a Town Flower, a Sea Flower, and an Exotic Flower. These can be found on various islands or purchased from other merchants. Completing this quest allows him to open a full shop, and you'll receive a Piece of Heart.
• Mrs. Marie: The schoolteacher on Windfall Island. She runs the school and is obsessed with collecting Joy Pendants.
  • Joy Pendant Quest: Collect Joy Pendants (dropped by Bokoblins) and give them to Mrs. Marie.
    • 20 Joy Pendants: Cabana Deed (Grants access to the Private Oasis).
    • 40 Joy Pendants: Piece of Heart.
• Lenzo: The photographer on Windfall Island. He teaches Link about photography and is involved in the Pictograph Quest.
  • Deluxe Picto Box: After completing a series of photography tasks for Lenzo (e.g., taking a picture of a specific person at a specific time), he will upgrade your Picto Box to the Deluxe Picto Box, which can take color pictures.
• Knuckle: Tingle's brother, found on Windfall Island. He's involved in a small side quest related to Tingle.
  • Tingle's Statue: After freeing Tingle and speaking to Knuckle, you can find a Tingle's Statue hidden on Tingle Island. Bring a pictograph of it to Knuckle for a reward.
• Mila: The rich girl who initially tries to steal from Link.
  • Mila's Father's Wallet: After a certain point in the story, you'll find Mila near the auction house. She's upset. Speak to her and then find her father's wallet (it's dropped near the entrance to the auction house). Return it to her for a reward.

Dragon Roost Island Residents

Home to the Rito tribe and the Great Valoo, Dragon Roost Island is a volcanic island with its own set of important characters.

• Prince Komali: The young Rito prince, initially shy and troubled by Valoo's anger. Link must help him overcome his fears.
  • Din's Pearl: After Link calms Valoo and helps Komali, the prince will give Link Din's Pearl, one of the three Goddess Pearls needed to awaken the Tower of the Gods.
• Medli: A kind Rito girl and attendant to Prince Komali. She is a descendant of the Earth Sage.
  • Earth Temple: Medli will eventually accompany Link to the Earth Temple, where her harp-playing is essential for solving puzzles and defeating enemies. You'll need to use the Command Melody to control her.
• Dragon Roost Island Mailman: Another Rito Postman, often found near the mailboxes. He's involved in a mail delivery quest similar to his Windfall counterpart.

Forest Haven Residents

The lush, magical island of Forest Haven is home to the Koroks and the Great Deku Tree.

• Great Deku Tree: The ancient, wise guardian of Forest Haven. He provides Link with the Deku Leaf and guides him to the Forbidden Woods.
  • Farore's Pearl: After Link rescues Makar from the Forbidden Woods, the Great Deku Tree will bestow upon him Farore's Pearl.
• Makar: A young Korok musician and descendant of the Wind Sage. He is initially kidnapped by Kalle Demos.
  • Wind Temple: Makar will join Link in the Wind Temple, where his violin playing is crucial for solving puzzles and progressing. You'll need to use the Command Melody to control him.