Rauru

Rauru is quite the busy character as far as the Zelda universe is concerned. Not only is he the Sage of Light in OoT, but he is also one of the Ancient Sages and Kaepora Gaebora the owl to boot. It is Rauru who greets Link after his seven-year slumber in the Temple of Light reached through the Temple of Time. He explains how Ganondorf also got in and took a piece of the Triforce, allowing him to take control over Hyrule and gives him the Medallion of Light before setting him out on his quest to awaken the other Sages.

Before his becoming an adult, however, it is now known that he kept track of Link's activities in the form of Kaepora Gaebora, who as we know is seen a few times and gives advice to Link to help him on his way. This is also an interesting fact due to the fact Rauru seems to be unable to leave the Temple of Light - or at least he never does, not even for the end credit celebrations with the other Sages.

Much later down the track, it is Rauru who tells Link to go to the Temple of Time to meet someone waiting for him. He also helps in the building of a bridge for Link to cross the gap and get into Ganon's Castle.

And like other characters he also gets a little attention elsewhere. There is a town named after him in Zelda II and a stained glass window of him in Wind Waker.

So what do we all think of Rauru? Do you think he can leave the temple? How does the form of Kaepora Gaebora work in that is it a magical transformation or perhaps a possession? How do we feel about the help of Kaepora Gaebora now we know it is Rauru? Does it give his character a boost? Or do we have thoughts on his status as Ancient Sage, a station which plays a large role in the events of TP?

I may be wrong, but isnt the owl seen as an adult once? I think that he can only leave the chamber of sages in his owl form. Isnt there an owl or someone who looks like rauru in a lot of zelda games? This is just a wild guess but maybe he was sent by the goddesses to watch over the heroes of hyrule? I havent played all the zelda games so someone correct me if im wrong.

I was going to say the same thing, that perhaps he can only manifest in the physical world as Kaepora Gaebora. That being said it would only makes sense that its a transformation Similare to link's wolf form in TP or the rabbit form in ALTTP, especially since there are no giant owls for a possession.

And its funny that Bowser's_Cookies mentions him having wings for hands. If you look at the sleeves of his cloak, they're rather odd in that they're bunched up in the ends as if to contain something. Maybe he really does have wings for hands, wouldn't be the strangest thing in Hyrule that's for sure.

Its not only that his hands don't show, but they look as though they're tied shut. There's also the bulge in his sleeves, which unless he has arms like a Goron shouldn't be that big.

Maybe they share a link were Rauru can take over at any time. Though that raises the question of rather or not Kaepora is a magical being made to serve as a vessel that simply goes on autopilot, or a real owl Rauru can posses.

Or perhaps the only way he can leave the sacred realm is through a physical/mental split where his mind/soul takes the form of a giant owl. As for why an owl, it makes sense if a bunny represents gentleness/a pure heart(LTTP link) and the wolf represents bravery/courage(TP link) that an owl would represent wisdom.

As for Kaepora appearing elsewhere being an ancient sage as well he could be in charge of looking after all the heroes of time, not just OOT link.

Hyrule Historia is a LoZ encyclopedia released for the 25h anniversary celebrations. It contains tons of official artwork and the history of Hyrule from beginning to end. I'd really like to own a copy myself.

I've been thinking on it a bit. See if we know from SS Link and Zelda are destined to by in a continuous cycle with Ganondorf, it'd be interesting if Zelda's father from SS becomes the owl (I mean there was enough hints) as a guardian and to offer guidance to the Links that continue to pop up. As we know Zelda's actual father doesn't stay consistent, since her father in OoT for example is a King. And interestingly the Kaepora Gaebora of MM is able to remember Link even if you reset the time and tells Link they are "eternal friends" which goes beyond time and space, which seems to me like a very strong hint toward guarding him through several games and being a consistent presence for the different Links. That could just be Rauru too but... eh.

I`ve always found it strange that Link magically had tights on after sleeping for seven years...

No theory is too out there in this forum, haha. Been a lot of interesting ones actually.

Obviously magic was used to dress Link, haha. Imagine getting your ear pierced while you're sleeping though...

It'd be interesting to suggest that Rauru is a reincarnation. I think descendant is less likely since the only child we definitely know existed is of course Zelda and she never has any children. It could of course by a more distant relative but reincarnation is far more interesting, haha. I think being the one to see the first Hero Link into fruition and to guide the Links to follow would be pretty epic, haha.

And as far as I know Hyrule Historia was only released in Japan.

Uh, Dark Arcanine I meant him being a descendant in the same way that Link and Zelda are supposed to be descendants of the other Links and Zeldas. Though a reincarnation still makes way more sense.

As far as having a bigger role, I think he helps enough as is. Hes only supposed to point link in the right direction. If he doesn't help enough link might not get anywhere, but if he helps too much link might not be strong enough to face Ganondorf when the time comes. And as far we know he might not be allowed to help anymore than he already does.

And while pointing link in the right direction could be considered Navi's job, I doubt the ancient sages had that planned.

That also raises an interesting question. Being an anceint sage was he specifically chosen by the other anceint sages to guide link, and why.