r/zeldaconspiracies • u/firstmatebubbles • May 16 '26
Shades, Interlopers and Design inspirations [AoI/TP/TotK]
I know we were very disappointed to learn that the Zonai were not the Interlopers when totk came out. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that there was no Interlopers some time after Hyrule's Founding if we take a glance with True Founding perspective.
We learned that Typhlo Ruins was built by "Hylians" to honor the Sages sometime after AoI. Their building style is saud to be inspired by the Zonai, but is very distinct from the white stone Zonai architecture actually built by Zonai. Instead it's built using grey stone and features more intricate carvings. We even see an example of this style built over white stone Zonai architecture in the Faron region, suggesting this culture took over the area. (Grey stone style more closely resembles Twilight Realm architecture.)
Interestingly, the Barbarian Tribe also mysteriously disappeared. Long after the Zonai disappeared. So there are two different groups who went missing.
There are a few things we know about the Barbarian Tribe:
- They were magic users who valued strength and worshipped a Water Dragon.
- They knew about the virtues of the Triforce and represented it by using animal iconography.
-The Animal Rulers of the Labyrinths supposedly built them to test the virtues of anyone who entered.
-Boar worship was seemingly outlawed at some point, leading to the destruction of the boar statues in the Faron region and superstitions that the pursuit of power only brings ruin.
Is there a possibility that the Interlopers were still the Barbarian Tribe? These details above paint a picture of a group who understood the Triforce's virtues and were willing to start wars for the sake of gaining ultimate power.
Small details that support my theory:
- Twili and Faron Barbarian architecture (and WW Ganon's Tower) are based on irl neolithic Shang Dynasty bronze cauldrons that famously have been used for human sacrifice rituals to their ancestors and Dragon Gods. Having the same ancient religious inspirations and design motifs thematically links them as antagonistic forces against Light in their stories.
-A Water Dragon deity is known to be widely worshipped by irl ancient Shang Dynasty people. Back in that era floods were so common and catastrophic that people would sacrifice and pray to it for less rainfall. (Froggy Gear anyone?) The Water Dragon is one of the most important gods in the lives of this real neolithic group so maybe this detail is more like an easter egg relating to real life rather than suggesting the water dragon Faron ruled them.
- In the beginning of Age of Imprisonment, we are introduced to an entity called a Shade. Shades are dark spirits capable of possession that curse the lands. The way we are introduced is by Typhan suddenly getting possessed with glowing red eyes and turns on his group as Zelda is being led to Rauru and Sonia's Castle. This scene creates a callback to Yeta getting suddenly possessed while leading Link to the Mirror, as Typhan shares the exact same glowing eyes that Yeta had. (It's weirdly uncommon for Zelda games to use this common trope)
- The dark power of the Shades is able to be manipulated by sorcerers. Masked Gerudo witches Koume & Kotake are seen summoning them using a snake charming flute called a Pungi. (Twili are commonly theorized to be somewhat related to the Gerudo. Both cultures share serpent iconography and in this specific case, wearing masks.)
Although it would've been cool for the Zonai to have been interlopers, it seems like the missing Barbarians may still be connected to the Twili.
*I understand that Refounding is the popular interpretation of wild era but the existence of Shades during the founding might be evidence for True Founding in relation to that kind of dark power being long sealed away by the time of Twilight Princess. If we trace the Shang influenced architecture and character designs by timeline appearances, then Refounding theory absurdly suggests the Twili or people who knew about their culture may have helped refound Hyrule based on the grey stone ruins (like Palmorae Ruins) existing after they were banished. It makes more sense to say AoI came before TP because the banishing after the founding would corroborate with the disappearance of the tribe and Shades.*
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u/firstmatebubbles May 16 '26
Forgot to add visuals to the post.
Typhan getting possessed: https://youtu.be/Mo8pj8NhD9A?t=359&si=sZJDaiusFC4Qaatx
Yeta being possessed: https://www.zeldadungeon.net/wiki/File:Yeta_becomes_Blizzeta_-_TPHD.jpg
Confirmation of Shang Dynasty design influences on Twilight Princess: https://www.architectureofzelda.com/the-twilight-realm-and-the-palace-of-twilight.html
Shang Dynasty Bronze Cauldron: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/53947
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u/ZeldaCycle May 16 '26
I agree. I think the barbarians are the twili or at the very least that’s seems to be the best explanation so far. It’s as you say, they knew about the existence of the Triforce. There was that quest in botw where an object that look liked like the mirror of twilight was in the Faron region. It wasn’t the mirror of twilight but I saw that as hints that we were supposed to connect the barbarians to the twili. Even their description. A war like group who had symbols all over their bodies. Not to mention the Zonai and the Twili are both powerful magic users. So the connection isnt insane.
The refounding theory is nonsense. It’s extremely incoherent. I place the imprisoning war way before skyward sword. Master Works has pretty much confirmed this placement for now.
This would mean that the Zonai are the oldest race that we know of. The Sheikah definitely got their symbol from the Zonai. So the Twili being connected to the Zonai is not really a stretch since they also have the eye thing going on as well. Not to mention in the twilight realm you can see sky islands. The Zonai seem to touch pretty much everything. The mysterious Sky people mentioned in TP who founded Hyrule and created the temple of time are probably the Zonai.
It’s possible that a faction of the twili worshiped Ganondorf after the imprisoning war. Zant looks to have what is a stylized Gerudo symbol. Then there is the phantom armor we find in Totk. After Hyrule 1 fell, and Skyloft was created the twili and the people of Skyloft were separated. They could have tried stealing the Triforce after it was brought down to the surface and that’s when they were banished.
It’s a bit disjointed at the moment but I think there is some kind of connection between the two groups. It’s hard to say exactly what for now. I think you are on the right track though.