Death Mountain

Death Mountain
Type	Mountain
Location	Hyrule
Debut	Legend of Zelda

Death Mountain is one of Hyrule's most notable locations and has appeared multiple times throughout the series. Though not always present, it is typically the home of the Goron clan. It is generally portrayed as a large volcanic mountain, often with smaller mountains accompanying.

Information

Hyrule is described as a land of mountains and forests- and Death Mountain is the biggest and nastiest of them all. This mountain separates North and South Hyrule. It is the most dangerous mountain of Hyrule, with bouncing boulders on the outside and a lava-filled inside. In fact, entry to the mountain is prohibited during A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time unless one has the king's permission.

Death Mountain is naturally swarming with monsters, and so it makes a perfect base for Ganon. Ganon hides out within Spectacle Rock in The Legend of Zelda, and in A Link to the Past his tower is located atop the Dark World version of the mountain. Even on this desolate mountain there are several important landmarks. There is a Spectacle Rock, two large mysterious rocks (sometimes connected) that hide secrets. The Lizard and Dragon Labyrinths of The Legend of Zelda are located on this mountain, along with the Tower of Hera in A Link to the Past and the Tower of Flames (which appears to be the same tower) in Four Swords Adventures. There is the Goron City and Dodongo's Cavern in Ocarina of Time. Also hidden within Death Mountain Crater is the Fire Temple.

In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Death Mountain is found to be part of a larger area of mountains south of Saria Town. The maze-like path connects South and North Hyrule. The path itself is long and complex, full of circles and dead ends. The area south of it is the 'Death Mountain Area', believed to be a compressed version of "South Hyrule", the location of the other Zelda games. In other games, Kakariko Village is typically found at the base of the mountain.

In A Link to the Past, Death Mountain also refers to its counterpart in the Sacred Realm. It is a dark, deadly mountain full of peril. At the top of the western mountain is Ganon's Tower from which Agahnim operated out of. On the eastern mountain is Turtle Rock where Princess Zelda was held. It was the first Dark World area that Link entered without the aid of the Moon Pearl. It also appeared as one of the worlds in Four Swords.

Death Mountain is inhabited by large variety of creatures. The most notable of these are the Goron tribe, who live there in Ocarina and Four Swords Adventures. Enemies common to the mountain are - Tektite, Lynel (described as the mountain's guardian deities), Peahat, Leever, Armos, Daira, Octorok, Goriya, Ache, Moblin, Keese, Deadrock, Moldorm, Copy, Hinox, Tendori, Dodongo and many other creatures. Not only are these a creatures a danger, but there is also the constant danger of falling rocks.

Trivia

• In the Japanese version of A Link to the Past, only the Dark World version of Death Mountain is called Death Mountain; the Light World version is called Hebura (Light) Mountain.
• Death Mountain could also be nearly any island in The Wind Waker. It is usually believed to be Spectacle Island, Fire Mountain or Dragon Roost Island.
• In Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle visits an island with the volcanic Mt. Desma. This is likely meant to be Death Mountain, as it is described in ancient times as being the "Mountain of Death".
• In The Minish Cap, Link visits Mt. Crenel. Though the game takes place in Hyrule, Death Mountain (and other notable locales) do not appear.