The Mage's Lantern Worldbuilding
◇▪︎ Darune Town ▪︎◇
Concept map (2024).
Darune Town (also known as Darune Village among the townspeople) is a settlement constructed where one was previously devastated by the Silver Tempest and swarms of monsters. It is named after an ancient Sage of Fire in hopes of fortune against the severe cold Hyrule has been stricken with. It is Link's hometown and primarily run by the Link (Arnson) and Lon families.
Basic Info
Darune Town is Link's hometown.
The town has no mayor, due to only recently being recognized as a new township. Link's father Arn, however, is often treated as the equivalent of one.
Their main livestock consists of Highland Cows that used to roam Hyrule Field. They also raise horses, although they're only of use for deliveries along the Stone Road (a pathway constructed throughout the plains of Hyrule Field). Usually, dogsleds are used for shorter travels; especially when going to retrieve materials. Alternatively, there are a select few fishing spots with Hyrulean Salmon that were trapped by the cut-off of a stream.
Construction
During the arduous construction, entire sections of the snow would be dug and re-dug each morning, as well as the thick layers of ice formed over the soil by the Silver Tempest. This was to prevent any misconceptions in the building process: to make sure nothing relied on the packed snow for support.
If the snow were to ever disappear, the buildings would still be structurally sound– they are supported by layers of carved stone. The paths used for the horses are, as well. Darune’s roads have step-like borders, they just are never visible due to the snow’s buildup. Sometimes, not even the elevated pathways are really visible... that's where the sled rental service comes in.
Torches are posted along the roads, but are snuffed out quickly. Only certain spots have lanterns, as it's more important to keep the public spaces visible in the event of an emergency. The lamppost man's sole job for the town is to run across the town keeping all the torches and lanterns lit, night and day. Occasionally, he likes to do hearth and chimney inspections just to be doing something else...
The ranch and stables are given a sort of “roof” that is made of retractable but sturdy tiles, requiring multiple people to deploy and remove. They took years to make, but the project was funded by the King once he heard of the effort (he believed it would be vital for other remaining settlements to be able to replicate). Lanterns are meant to try and simulate natural light for the horses and cows as well as keep them warm– Epona likes to rub her face against them despite Arn's efforts to discourage the habit.
Most of the village has cellars for the winter and days of particularly unfortunate weather. The cellar doors, instead of being built at ground level, are built on elevated cobble pillars against the cellar chimneys. They're more so storm shelters.
Origin
Darune Village was built after the collapse of many homes in the general area during the Silver Tempest's awakening.
The town was built specifically with the storm in mind, on the backs of many hardworking and determined individuals. So much work went into the construction that it is rumored that some of the volunteers died on site from exhaustion.
Location Info + Climate
Darune is in a region of Hyrule Field called the Greater Hyrulean Plains, making it one of the closest settlements to the eye of the Silver Tempest.
The pond has been cut off from the stream that originally let water in from the river, so some villagers gather snowfall in a bucket to turn into boiling water for drinking.
The pond also has been almost entirely frozen over in a thick top layer, except for the center area. The center area's ice is much thinner, so it may break if disturbed for too long. There have been cases of people falling in and becoming ill.
Before the tempest, the Darune area tended to be around 76° average during the summer and about 33° average during the winter. Now, the summer average is 30°, and the winter average is only 17° at best and -32° at worst. Winters are unlivable across Hyrule and become a sort of lockdown, and in late autumn, the king usually issues out supplies rationed throughout the year to minimize how many people must starve. Castle Town folks have it even worse, but at least have easier access to trade routes.
Luckily, Darune mostly gets snow or ice rain rather than the Castle Town or Hebra Region's persistent hailstorms. This makes it a safe travel spot for those who accidentally find themselves off the Stone Road, but since the only "inn" is just a rest stop with two beds, villagers just take turns letting people rest in their homes.
The Temple of Time
The Temple of Time was what connected the old village to Castle Town. It was the site of many ceremonies, especially weddings; it was said to be representative of the Spirit Maiden, Hylia, and her eternal love for a mortal soul destined to meet her again throughout time (a common Hyrulean fairytale).
The Temple closed its doors to the public shortly before the Silver Tempest came about.
Around the time Darune was built, the Temple's upkeep seemingly stopped. However, village children still insist they see shadows crawling towards it on clear nights... which adults don't really believe, since there aren't often clear nights anymore.
Within the Temple of Time, Link finds a chamber dedicated to heroes of the past: spirits and fae who guided heroes to meeting Hylia in the past. The center of the room holds a little lantern, containing the fire spirit, Searis. Link has no idea why the spirit was locked inside or who placed him there... but perhaps he is the key to saving his village from their neverending struggle to survive?
Spectacle Rock
The village's primary source of Rock Salt. Ore deposits often appear from the strange stone.
Residents (NPCs)
Link and his family know just about everyone in town. It's small, after all. Some NPCs may be recognizable. Others, not so much.
Link
Arn
Aryll
Malon
Talon
Ingo
Old Man Linebeck
Wane (Lamppost Man)
Kyndlewax
Wulf
Dot
❄️ NPC art post will be linked here once completed. ❄️
Side Quests
If I got to actually format The Mage's Lantern as a game without Nintendo having my head, there would be a slightly longer beginning section similar to that of Ordon Village in Twilight Princess. This would include the chance to do a series of sidequests before Link wanders to Spectacle Rock.
❄️ Chapters 1-6 as a game. ❄️ (WIP)
Includes: Warm Apology, Horse Training, A Fishy Situation
. . .
Warm Apology (Quest Get)
I was supposed to spend time with Aryll today, but I completely slept through it... The least I can do is help her feel better in whatever way I can. I want to get something that'll fight off her sickness, too... but I don't have any money. People lose stuff in the snow all the time, though! Maybe I can find something...
Warm Apology (Bought Safflina)
I managed to gather enough rupees to buy the most expensive thing at Wax & Wane's General Shop. It's a flower called an Amber Safflina from somewhere far away... apparently it fights the cold (both the weather and the illness, so they say). I'm not so sure I can believe it, but I have to give it a try. They rarely have these lately... And who sees flowers anymore?! Aryll won't believe it, either!
Warm Apology (Complete)
I gave Aryll the Amber Safflina as an apology gift. She seemed really happy, so I think I'm forgiven. Phew. She even wanted to save one of them.
...
I forget that she doesn't get to go outside much until she recovers... and that she's only seen a few flowers ever. Mama used to tell me there were hundreds.
. . .
Horse Training (Quest Get)
I found Malon sneaking around the stables again, for some reason. She likes to work here with the horses instead of the cows at the ranch.
...
Anyway, that growl Papa was talking about seems to have scared all of the horses except for Epona. Now they just won't listen to Malon, even with her song. I'll have to soothe them all before they go back into the stable...
Horse Training (Complete)
I had to ride each horse back into the stables individually, but they're safe now. Malon gave them some straw so they'll stay put.
She told me not to tell, but she gave me some rupees as a reward. I tried to turn them down - she was pretty insistent... I guess these could be useful, though.
. . .
A Fishy Situation (Quest Get)
Because of the monster, not even Papa's friends can keep on track... It really must be bad. Usually, Papa's the sort of leader to get anybody on task!
I wonder if there's something I can do to help, even if Papa says different. Maybe if I ask around..
A Fishy Situation (Mystery Solved)
I asked around a little bit, and it seems like all the workers are just hungry. I think I get why they're so distracted now... but what can I bring them?
...
I guess I can find them some fish at the pond... I'm probably going to regret this, aren't I?
A Fishy Situation (Fishing Done)
It felt weird to go back to the pond after these past couple of weeks. It looks almost completely frozen over again - they must have had to re-carve the fishing holes. Would Aryll be mad at me for walking around here? Papa?
Old Man Linebeck was in his usual spot, where the ice is thick. And as usual, didn't want to be bothered. Surprisingly, he said he'd teach me to spear fish... but only a little, since I'm not paying. He was fuming every time I slipped up, but he said for a price he could teach me more. Did he enjoy fishing with somebody else or not?! I just can't read that guy!
...
For now, I'm just fine with the few salmon I managed to catch. This ought to get everyone's heads back in the right place.
A Fishy Situation (Complete)
Papa managed to start a fire and grilled the salmon I brought back for the workers (after I bothered him for a little while). He let me have some, too! It was sweet and savory. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside! So flaky and delicious...
...
Oh, and everyone seemed to calm down a little.
. . .
❄️ HEY! This section will be expanded as the story progresses! ❄️
Link
Hypothetical gameplay talk aside, here is the storyline in novelized form! Chapter 7 to be released in two parts between December of 2024 and January of 2025.
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