Mysterious Forest
" Mysterious Forest (It's a little bit mysterious)"
The Mysterious Forest, also referred to as the Mysterious Woods in the original and DX releases, is a location in Link's Awakening. It is found in the very west of Koholint Island, next to Koholint Prairie. To the south of it is Mabe Village, and to the north Goponga Swamp can be reached. Link obtains the Tail Key here, which can open Tail Cave, the first dungeon.
Story
At the beginning of Link's Awakening, after Link regains his sword on Toronbo Shores, the Owl appears and advises Link to head to the Mysterious Forest first.[1] Once Link returns to Mabe Village, Marin informs him that her father, Tarin, went searching for Mushrooms in the forest.[2]
Upon arriving in the forest, the Owl explains that the Tail Key can be found within the forest.[3] However, Link soon discovers that Tarin has been turned into a strange raccoon-like creature, and whenever he tries to head north from the area with the raccoon, he ends up in a different location. The raccoon admits that as long as he remains, Link will not be able to make sense of the forest.[4] However, he also says that his nose is sensitive to powder.[5]
Link can then find the cave closest to the center, which is filled with Keese and green Zols. After exiting the cave, he finds the Sleepy Toadstool, which has an interesting scent.[6] Link can take this to Syrup in her hut in Koholint Prairie by taking the northeastern exit, who makes him Magic Powder.[7][8] Once Link sprinkles some of this powder on Tarin, he returns to normal, claiming that he believes it was all a dream.[9] Link can then head north, which will lead to a treasure chest with the Tail Key.
Geography
The Mysterious Forest is unsurprisingly filled with trees. It is quite maze-like in structure; before Tarin is cured, the forest's layout changes depending on where Link goes. There are two caves in the forest, although one has two entrances. All of the entrances to both are made out of a hollowed tree log. It also has a different lighting from most other locations in the game, making it seem darker.
The northwestern corner of the forest has an exit leading to Goponga Swamp – more specifically, Mr. Write's House. The northeast exit leads to Koholint Prairie. The main entrance is the one coming from Mabe Village in the south, which is indicated by a sign naming the forest.[10]
Enemies
Outside
Moblin (Sword)
Caves
Most screens are guarded by Moblins. The majority of them throw spears, but one Moblin wields a sword and shield. Red Zols appear in the main area of the forest, which split into Gels if Link's sword isn't powerful enough to defeat them in one hit. The green variety of Zols only appear in one cave in this area, along with the Keese.
Points of Interest
Great Fairy Fountain
A Great Fairy Fountain is located in the east of the forest. The Great Fairy fully heals Link's hearts.
Li'l Devil
The Li'l Devil has an altar under a rock in the Mysterious Forest, just west of the Great Fairy Fountain. Using the Power Bracelet obtained from Bottle Grotto, Link can lift this rock and find the Li'l Devil, who will increase his Magic Powder, Bomb, or Arrow capacity.
Toadstool Cave
The cave closest to the center of the forest leads to the Sleepy Toadstool. A sign is posted outside of it, warning about cracked floors.[11] The cave is only three rooms. The first room is filled with four Keese and numerous cracked floors, as well as crystal-like formations that can be cut down with Link's sword. A treasure chest is in the center with 50 Rupees inside. The second room is a small hallway with two green Zols. The third and final room has many blocks and two skulls that can only be lifted with the Power Bracelet.
Heart Piece
- Main article: Link's Awakening Heart Pieces
At first, Link can only move the blocks out of his way to get to the toadstool in the third room. However, if he returns with the Power Bracelet, he can throw the skull out of the way and obtain a Piece of Heart.
Northern Cave
The northern cave is another location in the forest. It is surrounded by heavy rocks that can be only removed with the Power Bracelet. After that, Link must use the Hookshot to cross the room and reach the Treasure Chest in the northwest corner, which contains only 50 Rupees.
Heart Piece
- Main article: Link's Awakening Heart Pieces
In the 2019 remake, another Heart Piece can be found in this cave. Once Link obtains the Hookshot, he can grapple to a rock in the northwest corner of the cave and then reach the Heart Piece sitting there.
Secret Seashells
One of Koholint Island's Secret Seashells is in a treasure chest in the south of the Mysterious Forest. It can only be reached once Link has received the Power Bracelet. He can then move the heavy stone blocking the way to it. It is guarded only by two red Zols and the Moblin that is in the other half of the screen.
In the Nintendo Switch remake, there are two additional Secret Seashells added to the forest. The first can be found by digging with the Shovel in the center of a patch of flowers near the Li'l Devil's rock. The second is found in the northwestern most point of the forest, just before entering Goponga Swamp, by digging in between a patch of leaves.
References
- ↑ "Hoot! Hoot! So you are the lad who owns the sword... Now I understand why the monsters are starting to act so violently... A courageous lad has come to wake the Wind Fish... It is said that you cannot leave the island unless you wake the Wind Fish... You should now go north, to the Mysterious Forest. I will wait for you there! Hoot!" — Owl, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Hi! Tarin went to the forest to look for toad- stools, but I'd rather sing. Listen to this, it's called the 'Ballad of the Wind Fish.'" — Marin, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Hoot! Ho, brave lad, on your quest to wake the dreamer! Welcome to the Mysterious Wood! Much of mystery you will find on this uncharted Koholint island! I'm afraid you may find it a trifle difficult to leave the island while the Wind Fish naps. ...By the by, have you ever visited the Tail Cave, which is south of the village? Go there with the key you find in this forest... The Wind Fish is watching...Hoot!" — Owl, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Heh heh heh ho! You're goin' ta be lost, thanks to me! Heh heh!" — Raccoon, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "As a raccoon, my nose is verrry sensitive, ta stuff like dust and powder..." — Raccoon, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "You pick the toadstool... As you hold it over your head, a mellow aroma flows into your nostrils." — In-game description, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Ahhh... It has the Sleepy Toad- stool, it does! We'll mix it up something in a jiffy, we will!" — Syrup, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Double double, toil and trouble a toadstool mix makes powder for tricks!" — Syrup, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "The last thing I kin remember was bitin' into a big juicy toad- stool... Then, I had the darndest dream... I was a raccoon! Yeah, sounds strange, but it sure was fun!" — Tarin, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ " Mysterious Forest (It's a little bit mysterious)" — Sign outside of Mabe Village Entrance, Link's Awakening.
- ↑ "Beware of floors with cracks! A heavy person should not stand on them!" — Sign outside of the Cave, Link's Awakening.